Spudmurphy
Well-known member
A while ago I had mentioned to Blind Lemon of Strings n Things, that if he ever needed a hand at a show I would just love to do it.
My CV states:-
Worked with the public for 32 years
Good communication skills (when sober!
)
Knows a bit about EB Guitars
Good Team player.
Well Pete took me up on my offer - some staff couldn't make the dates and one member had suffered a bereavement.
My brief was to arrive at the NEC centre, help man the stand - making sure there were always good supplies of stickers, catalogues.
Answer queries, help with the demo artists and get coffee - oh yeah and keep Pete sane by enticing him to a "cigar break".
I was given a "uniform" - a fleece jacket with Ernie Ball on the back and the MM logo on the front. - VERY NICE!!!!
So what were my memories of the 4 days? :-
Being made to feel a part of the team.
Laughing so much I was crying in the evening meal sessions talking to the Devil, the Bushman (Brian) and The Jim Dunlop rep from holland.
Having a blast with the the EB demonstrators - The Devil and Brian of The Bushman Brothers (search for him on You tube - awesome!!)
Amazed at the way some people show total disregard for guitars when trying them out. The first day of the exhibition was "school day". One girl wearing chains was trying out an AL. I asked her politely to just be careful of her garb.
I may as well have been talking ancient Norse - she just looked straight through me and carried on - then noticing my stare, showing I was a bit pissed off, moved on- stoopid girl had scratched it!! One guy hit the headstock of a lovely sterling bass 3 times.
Chewing the fat with Alan from Strings n Things - Alun is very tall in his 50's and I mean this politely looks more like a Bank/financial advisor. He picked up a silo and my jaw dropped - a great player.- so softly spoken - a true gentleman
Standing outside talking to Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Jeff Whitehorn of Procal Harem about the hairlines of rockstars - some of which had receded and some of which had improved (No names for fear of litigation)
Meeting up with forum members dave stockden (his album is out soon plug plug- gotta be worth a signed copy), Grand Wazoo; Dave123 and his Dad; Olplayer and his missus; bearmusic.
It was tiring work - but I enjoyed every minute and still have a smile on my face today.
Thanks to the guys at Strings n Things - you were all ace and a real credit to Ernie Ball.
(in joke - who was that very wealthy man who is a UK resident? Canoe Wood? haaaaaaaa!) sorry, end of "in jokes".
I have loads of photos - pop back to this thread later and I will have posted some.
I was like a kid in a candy store!! -Thank you guys - it was a great experience.
My CV states:-
Worked with the public for 32 years
Good communication skills (when sober!
)Knows a bit about EB Guitars
Good Team player.
Well Pete took me up on my offer - some staff couldn't make the dates and one member had suffered a bereavement.
My brief was to arrive at the NEC centre, help man the stand - making sure there were always good supplies of stickers, catalogues.
Answer queries, help with the demo artists and get coffee - oh yeah and keep Pete sane by enticing him to a "cigar break".
I was given a "uniform" - a fleece jacket with Ernie Ball on the back and the MM logo on the front. - VERY NICE!!!!
So what were my memories of the 4 days? :-
Being made to feel a part of the team.
Laughing so much I was crying in the evening meal sessions talking to the Devil, the Bushman (Brian) and The Jim Dunlop rep from holland.
Having a blast with the the EB demonstrators - The Devil and Brian of The Bushman Brothers (search for him on You tube - awesome!!)
Amazed at the way some people show total disregard for guitars when trying them out. The first day of the exhibition was "school day". One girl wearing chains was trying out an AL. I asked her politely to just be careful of her garb.
I may as well have been talking ancient Norse - she just looked straight through me and carried on - then noticing my stare, showing I was a bit pissed off, moved on- stoopid girl had scratched it!! One guy hit the headstock of a lovely sterling bass 3 times.
Chewing the fat with Alan from Strings n Things - Alun is very tall in his 50's and I mean this politely looks more like a Bank/financial advisor. He picked up a silo and my jaw dropped - a great player.- so softly spoken - a true gentleman
Standing outside talking to Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Jeff Whitehorn of Procal Harem about the hairlines of rockstars - some of which had receded and some of which had improved (No names for fear of litigation)
Meeting up with forum members dave stockden (his album is out soon plug plug- gotta be worth a signed copy), Grand Wazoo; Dave123 and his Dad; Olplayer and his missus; bearmusic.
It was tiring work - but I enjoyed every minute and still have a smile on my face today.
Thanks to the guys at Strings n Things - you were all ace and a real credit to Ernie Ball.
(in joke - who was that very wealthy man who is a UK resident? Canoe Wood? haaaaaaaa!) sorry, end of "in jokes".
I have loads of photos - pop back to this thread later and I will have posted some.
I was like a kid in a candy store!! -Thank you guys - it was a great experience.
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