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Finally made it back to Minneapolis. So great to have been to another Gathering! In some ways it's like a wedding, you see everyone you want to see there and you only have a little time to talk to all these people you want to spend several days getting to know better! Time is always short, but for good reasons - because so much awesome stuff was going on. Thanks to Steve and Paulette, and to all of you as well for making things great!

Here is my entry "Nights in White Satin" by Justin Haywood, performed by The Moody Blues. It is a tale of posh bed sheets, wasted stationary and a love that is lost causing pain which no one understands. You know like when you get that sinking feeling .......I had a bit of a microphone problem during this song. Looks like I can not have the boom arm out too much on my mic stand.🤣🤓😂

I believe that Steve had posted that topic "Hearing the Changes" as an upcoming Live Lesson, so.that is quite possible.

Hey Dave, I am a fan of Russ also. Had the privelege of taking lessons with him last year at Swannanoa. We are so lucky that Steve can bring in such great players. Loved his set at the acoustic session....just him and his guitar. Great to see you again. Pat

@DianeB, thanks for making the commitment to keeping everyone posted, it’s hard to find time. As I mentioned to you, I have always waited eagerly for the daily updates to see what you were all up to. Well, this year I attended and it was the experience of a lifetime! i can’t begin to describe everything, I’d be here for hours. However, the highlights where: 1. The people: what an amazing group of friendly, supportive people from all over and with a common interest. 2. Steve’s sessions: he was on great form and kept us well entertained with his great wit while he educated us in the way we all know he can. 3. The private evening concerts: the four acoustic players seemed to bend the rules of physics to coax jaw-dropping sounds from their instruments. Johnny Hiland, his band and his guests were on fire, what a priviledge to watch them. 4. Great workshops and jam sessions led by awesome people. 5. Getting to meet my great forum friend @gotto for the first time after knowing him for a decade. We spent lots of time together and he graciously drove me around because I was nervous about driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. 6. Playing live on stage in Nashville with Greg!!! Unfortunately, my nerves got the better of me and I messed up (sorry Greg), but I did it. 7. Going to the Grand Ole Opry with Diane after the conference closed, such a delight, and being treated with another amazing/dazzling guitar display from Nashville duo ‘Striking Matches’ who drew a standing ovation from the Opry crowd. ( @Steve Krenz you should consider getting Striking Matches on your show, they were amazing at the Opry). Sadly, it’s all over now and I’m on my way home. A huge thank you to Steve, his family, team and all the contributors. This is clearly a massive undertaking to organise and deliver and we all appreciate it enormously. Finally, thank you to my dear friends for your warmth and company. ian

Kudos to @DianeB for her day by day reporting of the conference. The only energy I could muster at the end of the day was to turn down the covers and fall into bed. Highlights for me were: The meet and greet - It was wonderful to see old friends once again and to meet newcomers. Since most on the forum don't use their real names, it was great to finally link a face and real name to a forum ID. Just before turning in on Tuesday, Collin walked me through his fingerstyle lessons for the week. He is as talented an educator as he is a guitar player. The fingerstyle concert at the conclusion of day one was wonderful. Collin, Van Larkins, Phil Keaggy, and Russ Barenberg were terrific. I had long wanted to meet Russ Barenberg - the tone that he gets out of his guitar is truly inspiring. Closed out day one with Collin and friends (Antonio, Forest, and Van) at ML Rose's. We didn't close the place down, but were still out way past my bed time. 🙂 Day two was filled with great workshops - including a very helpful one by Steve that focused on hearing chord changes. Day three included one of my favorite workshops - Steve and Dino Pastin on improvisation. Day three ended with Jack Pearson's Birthday Bash at 3rd and Lindsley - the music was awesome - the drunk women dancing in front of us, not so much. It all happened too fast and was over too quickly. I am already looking forward to next year! Photo below with Russ Barenberg

Lovely @Wim VD1, beautifully played. I enjoyed that.

Layla was originally recorded in 1970, but I guess the love of Eric Clapton for Pattie Boyd that inspired this song originates from the 1960's, so it still fits the challenge 😀. Wim.

Congrats Mike, looks like a great pairing, enjoy. Henk

Congratulations Mike, great choices. Enjoy!😎🎶🎸🎛

Cool set up Mike . Enjoy , I bet it sounds sweet . Pretty guitar . Play it loud.