The First Night In Memphis Conference

 Okay, I lied...this isn't all the first night. Here is Saturday panel of Brad Bannon, John Vanderheide, Eliot White and Robert Kottage. I believe that is Stephen Frye introducing them....these guys actually made me cry. I have a gag order to not talk about THE ROAD. Their papers really hit me emotionally.Saturday morning 11-12:30

 Here is Wallis Sanborn, Marco Petrelli, Brett Lewis...and  I believe Phil Snyder chairing? This was Saturday morning 9-11

 Audience....I was probably lying down on one of the side couches...exhausted...when I took this picture.

 Friday morning, 10:45-12:30. This panel presented papers on Performance and McCarthy. A lot of fun. In the pic, Thomas Hendry, Marie-Reine Pugh, Gene Young and at the podium Stacey Peebles.

 Wallis Sanborn, Brett Lewis, Marco Petrelli at podium.

 Okay...now the opening night Thursday. Blood Meridian. Michael Madsen, Shane Schimpf, David Harris, David Fitzgerald and chairperson, Stephen Frye.

 David Harris giving the old good laugh to Stephen Frye. David proceeded to bring great cheer to everyone all weekend.

 I love this picture ....with David Harris's presentation images up on the screen as they tested the PA system. Michael Madsen in foreground, David Harris leaning on chair. He was probably holding on to that chair for dear life as he had just flown in from Australia and was very jet lagged. We kept him up late drinking though after this presentation. Yay us!

 David fitzgerald, Michael Madsen, Shane Schimpf, David Harris, and Stephen Frye taking questions.

 The audience opening night.

 Gene Young and Marynell our musical entertainment and jam team! Gene gave a fantastic presentation about some of the music in McCarthy including Carter Family "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone". Here is a bio of Gene online http://www.shsu.edu/eng_eoy/

The conference facility had a fantastic common room. Many of us met up in here after the days presentations. Lots of bourbon flowing. Lots of beer. Lots of music and talking. How wonderful! There is Rick and Marynell and check out the stand for holding three....count em, three guitars. Gene and Marynell ...brought them from Texas along with two fiddles and banjo. What a thrill!!!