Stephen Bennett concert at our house

Subject: Stephen Bennett concert at our house (Colorado)
From: BlueJay
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 02:25 AM

Gotta brag a little. Steven Bennett, en route from Denver to Santa Fe, has agreed to stop and do a concert tomorrow in our music room in La Veta, Colorado. This is a pretty big deal for a rural Colorado town this time of year, and we hope this is one of many similar events. The concert will not be at my house, but at my daughter Annie's house, which has a great music room.
If you don't know who Stephen is, the you should do yourself a favor and get acquainted. He is a great guitarist on six string, and steel guitar. But he is probably most well known for his work on the harp guitar, which is a cross between a regular six string and a bass. Steven's harp guitar, passed down from his grandfather, I believe, has six or seven low bass strings on an extension of the guitar body. An absolutely fascinating instrument for anyone able to play the guitar.
So this is an invite. If any of you nearby Colorado want to see a great show, come to
La Veta tomorrow night.

In any case, check out Stephen Bennett, http://members.aol.com/hrpguitar/

thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: Stephen Bennett concert at our house
From: Kaleea
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 02:41 AM

Wow, oh wow, BlueJay! Wish I was anywhere near there! I adore Stephen! I believe that he is one of the finest guitar players I have heard. I also believe that he was a one man revolution who brought back the harp guitar from extinction. When things are really rough for me (as is more & more the case since I sustained permanent injuries in an auto accident almost 2 years ago) I listen to Stephen. His very special music which is like no other soothes me--a miraculous accomplishment as I am in a great deal of pain all the time. I attend the Walnut Valley Music Festival every Sept. in Winfield, Kansas and never miss his shows!! We just got to have Tommy Emmanuel in Wichita last Friday nite--and Tommy (who often brings Stephen out during his sets & vice versa) was 1st brought to us in 2000 at Winfield by Stephen Bennett & Pat Kirtley who met up with Tommy at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society. Now Tommy is a fixture! PLEASE tell Stephen that his pals from Winfield send their love & can hardly wait to see him in September.   I certainly must say that if anybody out there in mudcatville is within driving distance of La Veta, you need to boogie on over there ASAP for some of the most marvelous music on the planet! Scenery ain't beautimous here--wish I were there with you!!! Enjoy the FAB music of Stephen--you are going to be in harp guitar heaven!!!!!

Subject: RE: Stephen Bennett concert at our house
From: BlueJay
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 03:49 AM

Kaleea- Thanks. Stephen is not only one of the best guitarists I've ever met, but one of the nicest guys as well. Last time I saw him play, in Colorado Springs, he invited us to the stage after his show, to try out his harp guitar. Our local guitar legend, Jaquie Gipson, who is the master of double-tapping guitar, will be at the gutiar workshop Stephen is doing tomorrow. What a gas. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: Stephen Bennett concert at our house
From: BlueJay
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 04:05 AM

Kaleea- I will definitely mention Stephen's Winfield friends. Who knows, Maybey we can all hook up in Winfield next time. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: Stephen Bennett concert at our house
From: BlueJay
Date: 08 Feb 03 - 04:20 AM

Just an update. Stephen Bennett indeed stopped in La Veta, did an afternoon fingerpicking workshop, enlightening, as I had assumed that I already knew how to fingerpick), then we all had a potluck dinner, which my daughter Annie basically cooked all of it, (she's a great cook. Even cooked most of the food for her own wedding last summer). So after the workshop and dinner, we crowded about fifty people into David and Annie's living room to watch Stepen Bennett perform what has to be probably the best concert I have ever attended.
This guy obviously has a lot of fun at what he does, and can relly read the audience. He interspersed great versions of old standards, (indirectly directing them to the elderly lady up front), with his own great compositions, like, "Life's too short to be in a bad mood".
My personal favorite was when he stated, "I know when all of you think of fingerstyle guitar, you immediately think of Aretha Franklin", and then proceeded into a Medley of Aretha tunes as I had never heard them before. (Chain chain chain), Absolutely incredible. My old high school buddy, Michael, asked, "Is there anything this guy can't play"?
Stephen stated that this was the most fun he'd had at a small venue for a long time, and would like to return. We are hoping this might just put La Veta on the musical map. Whaat an absolute gas. BlueJay