Bill Gruggett guitar and benefit show

[Deke Dickerson]

Hey there Danny, or Artie--

Any idea who is running this shindig on Saturday? We need to play kind of early because Garrett has to get back to L.A. for a Ghastly Ones show that night. I'd like to contact whoever is running the show to let them know we'll only be there until 3-4 pm. And if you're dilly-dallying that day better come early or you'll miss Venturesmania!

Deke

[dubtrub]

Hey there Danny, or Artie--

Any idea who is running this shindig on Saturday? Deke

Give Phil Hernandez a call at 661-871-8687 or cell 661-549-3890 he is one of the promoters.

[Deke Dickerson]

Okay, I just talked to Phil Hernandez, and here's the scoop for those attending: VENTURESMANIA will play at 2:30 pm. Unfortunately we have to play that early because Garrett Immel has to leave right after we play and drive back to L.A. to play a show with the Ghastly Ones. So, if you want to see Venturesmania, make sure you're there by 2:30!

Also, unfortunately I couldn't get any of my bass players to come, so there won't be a set by my solo band, BUT myself and Chris Sprague will be backing up Brian Lonbeck at 5:30 doing a set of hot Joe Maphis guitar stuff. If you've never seen Brian, you don't want to miss it!

We're looking forward to the event, according to Phil there are a bunch of local collectors bringing out Gruggett instruments so this will be a guitar geeky good time!

Deke

[MWaldorf]

Cool - looking forward to seeing you Saturday.

[Veenture]

...I'm eating my heart out here, far away from it all and not being able to come
I look forward though to any feedback (pics and video maybe?) that might come on the forum after the show is over.

Have fun guys!
Paul

[dubtrub]

I talked to Phil a little while ago. Looks like Artie's band will be first up. So if you want to hear his group you'd better get there early. They're only doing 45 minute sets and they have several different bands playing a variety of Ventures, Country, Rock, and my favorite, Blues. The blues band Phil plays with is also performing but I forgot to ask what time. It doesn't really matter though, Mel and I will be there until the end. Guess I'll bring my '64 to display. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

[Dennisthe Menace]

I talked to Phil a little while ago. Looks like Artie's band will be first up. So if you want to hear his group you'd better get there early. They're only doing 45 minute sets and they have several different bands playing a variety of Ventures, Country, Rock, and my favorite, Blues. The blues band Phil plays with is also performing but I forgot to ask what time. It doesn't really matter though, Mel and I will be there until the end. Guess I'll bring my '64 to display. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

darn!!! I wish I could be there (I know...along with a TON of other Members!).....

Paul posted:

...I'm eating my heart out here, far away from it all and not being able to come
I look forward though to any feedback (pics and video maybe?) that might come on the forum after the show is over.
Have fun guys!
Paul

.....ditto....

[Deke Dickerson]

I guess I'm the first to report in from the Bill Gruggett tribute!

It was a great time at Trout's today....and truly "Ground Zero" for the world of Mosrite and Bill Gruggett. We had Danny and Mel and Adam (and myself) from the forum...Artie from Front Porch music was there displaying some cool guitars and playing with his group....Dana Moseley was there....Adam from the forum displayed some insanely rare Gruggett guitars...Venturesmania played a set of Ventures instrumentals to a receptive crowd....later Brian Lonbeck tore the place up with some great Joe Maphis & Merle Travis instrumentals. There was a great display of vintage and modern instruments that Bill had something to do with--from rare vintage Mosrites to reissue Hallmark guitars to vintage and recent Gruggett brand guitars, and even a few guitars that Bill simply repaired. Bill seemed really touched that an event like this was held in his honor, and his entire family was there (including his very precious mother--I love her!). I know they were all proud of Bill.

Here are some photos from the event. I had a friend of mine take pictures of the two acts I played with, I apologize I don't have photos of any of the other acts but maybe somebody will post some.

Did Ed Elliot show up? If he did I didn't see him!

Danny? Mel? More photos? If you weren't there you missed the best guitar event in Bakersfield in many many moons....

Deke

First photo: Venturesmania! L to R: Chris Sprague, Mel Bergmann (on '63 Ventures bass with '66 factory refin), myself ('63 Ventures model) and Garrett Immel ('63 Ventures Model)


Mel Bergmann on bass, Chris Sprague on guitar playing "Lullably Of the Leaves." Chris is playing his pinstriped Gruggett Stradette reissue:


Bill was presented a certificate of appreciation (and a check!) from Hallmark Guitars' Bob Shade:



The "Bill Gruggett Guitar Museum" on display--Mosrites, Hallmarks, Gruggetts, etc.!


To me, the coolest thing to show up unexpectedly--Bill's son brought the second Gruggett ever made, circa 1962. You NEVER see these early Gruggetts in person. This one was made for Bill's wife at the time and is now owned by his son. These were made before Bill started working for Semie, and are rarer than rare. I've never seen one in person, only in photographs! A very cool and surprisingly well made guitar! It's no wonder why Semie wanted Bill to work for him after seeing hand-built guitars like these:



Brian Lonbeck tears it up, Joe Maphis style:



Thanks to all who came! Thanks Artie for bringing Dana! And especially, thanks to Bill for a lifetime of cool Bakersfield guitar making...

[GattonFan]

Thanks for the pix, Deke! Just drooled in my keyboard when looking over that obscene amount of great guitars! Man, what a great time you all must have had - sincerely hope that Bill enjoyed the honors given.

Dennis

[dorkrockrecords]

http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/46577972.html