Pictures Of Guitar Nation 2010 & Blind Lemons Retirement Bash

[Spudmurphy]

I was lucky and very privileged, to work on the Strings & Things Stand at the show and represent the company and donned the hallowed jacket - Ernie Ball.

So where do I begin? The show was on The Sat/Sun and I arrived at Mid day Friday to help "The Boys" set up the stand.

Olympia I would agree is passed it's best and is a nightmare for loading/unloading.I don't know how Pete does it, but he managed to get the van underneath Olympia. I guess he's been in the business so long he knows the "right people".

This is some of the gear unloaded and and ready to set up.

We had these displays at all four corners, marking our territory. They are a great idea and really look good.

Blind Lemon had been told by the organisers that we weren't allowed to have demonstrators on the stand but it soon became apparent that there were many "guitar widdlers" on the stands - infact on the last evening one was widdling way past the closing time and nearly became the first person in the world to have a guitar suppositoryThe stand was situated right next to the entrance so we had a great spot.
From the get go, the stand attracted attention and there was always a good crowd trying out the guitars and asking advice.

Let me introduce you to some of the "Crew". I'll introduce the rest later.
The big guy is Nick and when you first see him you think "Uhh I think I'll cross over lol". However Nick is one of THE most laid back and friendly guys, and after sinking a few bevvies on the first night we spent some time talking about a "Common Love" - Little Feat & Lowell George. He spent years on the road for strings and Things and now works out of the office in Shoreham
The other guy is Andy and he is usually on the road visiting old and new customers. It's the second year I've worked with Andy.
He told me a joke which he just built on over the weekend. Man - the tears were running down my cheeks - you just can't help but love the guy. If I had a wish it would be to work again with Andy & the Devil ( and the other guys as well!!)- because my sides would hurt for weeks with the laughter. Don't think it's all fun, these guys work hard - it's a long day on your feet keeping a smile on your face, keeping alert, and displaying positive body language (Believe me, if Nick were to cross his arms in "Doorman pose - he'd scare 'em off!! I asked them many questions about their role in the Company and their passion is clear to see.

This is Blind Lemon of course "With The Blues". Blind Lemon told me some great stories about his association with Ernie Ball. He goes back many years to the days of Ernie Ball himself, and has fond memories of the man.

I'll be posting many more photos this evening including Lemon's retirement - so call back later?

 

[bazxkr]

Excellent Spud... thanks... look forward to the next instalment

Same time, same place, same channel... wow showing my age

Cheers
Baz

 

[Spudmurphy]

Back to the show itself - after getting the stands/displays assembled, we then have to unpack all the guitars, tune them, polish them and mount them on their stands/hangers. Boy I love opening guitar cases and unwrapping them from their polythene packing _ "I just love the smell of new guitars in the morning!"

Here's some pictures of the "stars of the show".

Whilst Albert called at the stand I presented him with a photo taken at last years Bash signed by the ALOC - he loved it and asked me to thank the ALOC for the gift.

Blind Lemon and Knucklehead Rocket Ralf

Here's one of Albert probably thinking "Mmmmmm do I need another 'bucker Al with a Rosewood Neck?"

 

[Spudmurphy]

Here's something I like doing with the kids - I ask their Mums/Dads if it's ok to take their photo - get them to "rock out" and give them some stickers. They love it and invariably their Dads/Mums thank me after for the attention they get and the "gift" - catch em young I say !! (name that chord he's playing? )

I tried this last year with good results, I ask the punter if they'd like to try a guitar and ask if I can take their photo - they usually say that the guitar not only feels greatand plays great - it looks great too! This lass loved the Sterling then played the Big Al for quite some time - she was a good player too!

I can't do this too often as I don't like having the SLR camera swinging from my neck as I'm "working" - I have to say that these are the only two pics I took.

It's a hard slog getting the gear all torn down but it's quicker tearing down than assembling the stand.

Here's just some of the guitars ready to repack whist waiting for the cases to come up to the second floor.

The next (and last) batch of photo's will be Pete's retirement photos.

 

[GWDavis28]

Great pictures Spud!!! Looks like a blast!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[metalmarty]

Cool stuff Spud. I was supposed to come over from the Netherlands with a friend but I had to work a night shift all of a sudden. Hope to make it next year.

 

[Spudmurphy]

The retirement bash was held at a local Pub called The Albion and was attended by the crew, some fellow exhibitors and knuckleheads. The Crew ... let me introduce you to Alex sat at the back there between Nick(who seems to be thinking "How would Spud like a camera suppository? ) and Andy. Alex is Artist's Relations and has the patience of a Saint when dealing with questions about string endorsements at the show. He provides great info to the potential endorsees and treats everybody alike. - All the guys were a great team to work with and made me welcome. Out of interest the guy sat in the front of the picture wearing the MM hat is a great player and he was instrumental in doing the video work of the MM endorsees on the S & T web site.

This is the lovely Mrs OlPlayer and equally lovely daughter Bethan

The Grand Wazoo was at the pub and gave Pete this book

Here's a picture with OlPlayer

..... and finally a shot of Pete after being presented with a gift from The Welsh Knucklehead contingent at the Pub. I gave a short ('cos I'm short!) speech and thanked The Lemon for the work he has done with the Knuckleheads and for organising the UK Knucklehead Bashes. Pete does so much work organising this and anybody who has attended the Bash will bear testament to how great they were. Oh yeah the gift !! It is a Membership To Penderyn Whisky, which is situated in South Wales not far from where Pete's son lives. The membership entitles him to 2 bottles of Welsh Whisky, a bottle of Welsh Gin or Vodka and he and 4 others can attend a tour of the distillery followed by a tasting session. Pete gave a reply at the end of which there wasn't a dry eye on the table

So to sum up ... a great weekend - hard work - great working and going out with the crew - great retirement evening.

Cheers Pete and have a Happy Retirement in the New Year - you've done the company proud.

 

[OLPlayer]

Great pics mate. Thanks for the invite to the evening bash. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. It was good to see Pete in a more relaxed atmosphere and Mrs OLPlayer, Miss OLPlayer and I also want to wish Pete well in the future - you definitely deserve it.

 

[Sweat]

Nice Spud, very nice, that is a true knucklehead event and looks like fun, I hope to help one day like you have, and hard work can be fun

And congrats to the Lemon, happy retirement

 

[threeminutesboy]

wow great pictures spud thanks for sharing

 

[Spudmurphy]

oh I forgot to say that I also got to meet Steve Vai too, who was walking the exhibition floor prior to opening - who signed a trem plate for me

 

[travs]

Well done Kev. Al with the coral HH Al is a very cool thing. Thank you for the photos.

 

[fogman]

Here's one of Albert probably thinking "Mmmmmm do I need another 'bucker Al with a Rosewood Neck?"

I like how there's people walking around and have no idea there's a living legend standing right next to them!



.

 

[peterd79]

I like how there's people walking around and have no idea there's a living legend standing right next to them!



.

yeah isn't it funny (in the sad kind of way) that they don't know who Al is... i remember meeting Al a few years back and what a brilliant player and wonderful man to talk to.

 

[A.J.]

Awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing!

 

[browndog]

Great pics Spud. Very cool and thanks for sharing.

 

[glockaxis]

How cool is that?! It would have been great to attend in person but this is the next best thing and much appreciated. Thanks Spud, and well-wishes to Blind Lemon in his retirement.

 

[Colin]

very cool

 

[guitfiddle]

Thanks for taking the time to put that summary together for us Spud. It was great!

All the best Mr. Lemon!

 

[Coffeemug]

Great write-up and pics Spud, thanks for sharing! Looks like you guys had a blast!

All the best wishes to Blindlemon, happy retirement!