Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19270
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 03:19 PM
Wow!
So if you haven't heard the history, here is a quick recap from our about us page:
This site started as a Yahoo Group in late October, 2001. There were several other surf music Yahoo groups at the time, so we started our focus on the musician aspect of playing surf music (hence the "guitar 101"). After a short time we dropped that angle and fully embraced all aspects of surf music.
After seeing The Surf Coasters (Japan) on their first US tour in the summer of 2004, we needed a place to host our many photos and videos. The domain name surfguitar101.com was registered, and a simple static website was created to host media files as a supplement to the Yahoo group.
Cramped by the confines of the Yahoo Group, in February of 2006 we launched an interactive version of the website, complete with our now famous forums. This format was kept until February, 2011 when the website software was rewritten and a new look was designed.
I didn't remember this until recently, but the SG101 Yahoo Group and the first version of this site ran in parallel for almost 1.5 years.
Anyway it's been a pretty crazy 10 years. This site has combined two of my interests: surf music & computer programming / nerdery. In addition it has launched a very friendly and amazing community which has led Jeff "Bigtikidude" to start the annual SG101 conventions in California in 2008. I have met lifelong friends through this site. Surf band members from the 60's have found this site, and have popped in from time to time to relate their experiences growing up in surf bands. There are posts on here from the likes of Paul Johnson and Eddie Bertrand that I will treasure all my life.
In addition to all that, I spent so much time tinkering with this website that I started putting web development on my resume, and eventually I was able to quit my dull job working for the man and get a brand new, exciting job in web development a year and a few months ago. I'm still amazed by this turn of events.
But finally I still love this site for discussing and listening to one of the greatest things in this universe: surf music! All the stories, videos, photos, show reports, radio shows, and just hanging out with all of you is still a very fulfilling, happy, and amazing experience. The success of SG101 didn't really start to sink in until I started meeting all the various members, bands, and fans in real life. To put faces to funny usernames is still quite a thrill. Thank you all for the ride so far, we still have many years in front of us.
I was very happy to finally get surfguitar101.com on SSL (https) after a year or more of off and on work. Now I am just starting to undertake a site redesign to make this site easier to use on mobile and smaller devices. I'll be needing help for this if anyone is interested: anything from advice, feedback on functionality & design, to full blown web design.
If anyone would like to make a "10 years of SG101" banner I would proudly put it up top here for the rest of 2016. Please contact me if you are interested and I'll lookup what size we need.
Thanks again! And if you have any questions about this site or me, please ask in this thread. Please relate any experiences you've had by hanging out here too.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
Last edited: Feb 26, 2017 08:26:54
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 03:30 PM
Deepest thanks Brian for starting the Yahoo Group and SG101. I remember stopping by SG101 when I was approximately 16, in 2001 when I was researching a Christmas gift my parents told me they'd pay for half of, a Fender Reverb Unit.
I've met a bunch of people on this board and hope to meet many more. Being in Seattle it has been nice to be part of the surf music community even if I'm not part of an actual scene.
I just turned 32, and as I mentioned above I came here when I was 16. Half of my life I have spent with SG101. Thanks!
Here is to many more years.
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19270
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 03:34 PM
High five Jake!!! We must meet someday!
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Surf_Skater
Joined: Sep 06, 2012
Posts: 1299
Lawrenceville , GA
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 03:55 PM
Congratulations SG101!
Brian,
Thank you for 10 years of your hard work and dedication. The Surf music community is a better place due to you and many others on this site.
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1138
Joined: Mar 01, 2012
Posts: 95
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 05:07 PM
A very warm Happy B day to SG101. 
I've had the best time here, learned a lot, and got exposed to lots of great new music.
Thank you!
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Teiscofan
Joined: Feb 21, 2011
Posts: 513
Ontario
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 05:19 PM
Happy Birthday SG101!!! It's success and longetivity is due to Brian creating/maintaining it and all the awesome folks supporting it. I know that from living in a void for surf music, SG101 is a haven of information. Thank you!
— I am not obsolete, I am RETRO.... 
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SilverFlash
Joined: Jul 14, 2015
Posts: 478
Near Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 06:23 PM
Congratulation, Brian! Thank you for creating and maintaining this wonderful site. Happy birthday to SG101 and the surf music community here for making this site one of the finest on the web.
Best regards,
Tim
— -Tim
MyYouTubeChannel
My Classic Instrumental Surf Music Timeline
SSS Agent #777
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eddiekatcher
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2774
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 07:08 PM
Congratulations Brian! You are the man who has made this all possible. Thank you so much. This site surely kept me from going bezerko at the office the last few years I was there..........."Hang on a minute boss, I need to finish reading this post from Jake Dobner."
First thing in the morning and the las thing at night. Hanging with my buds on Surf Guitar 101. It doesn't get any better than this.
Do you have any way of tracking who, say, were the first 10 members or so?
Maybe a quick little search and sort program to put us all in chronological order? That would really be interesting
I think that what his site has done for all of us unmeasurable. Bands from the South playing in Huntington Beach........Bands from California and all parts West playing in North Carolina...........Bands from around the world performing on the other side of the world? Mind boggling.
Best Birthday Reverbs 101!
ed
— Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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wfoguy
Joined: Dec 11, 2011
Posts: 2119
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 07:09 PM
Brian, I believe if you do things well, bright and talented people will flock together. That appears to have happened. I've only been here for a few years but I have been so happy with all the people that have chosen to take part in this forum. The love of surf music is what started it but good people are continually gracing our presence! To watch the videos made with Eddie and the others is fabulous. Keep up the good work!!! 
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PolloGuitar
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5092
San Francisco
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 07:48 PM
Congrats brother!!!
— Buy Speed of Dark @ Bandcamp
Buy Spin the Bottle @ Bandcamp
My Blog- Euro Tour Blog
Pool Boys on Spotify
INSTAGRAM
Frankie & The Pool Boys on FB
Pollo Del Mar on FB
DJ Frankie Pool Boy on North Sea Surf Radio
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 07:49 PM
eddiekatcher wrote:
Do you have any way of tracking who, say, were the first 10 members or so?
Here you go: https://surfguitar101.com/profile/members/date/
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11050
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 07:55 PM
Man, I waited until a week into it already 
My words can't express enough how grateful I am for this website. I am so happy to be a part of this community.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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eddiekatcher
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2774
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 08:43 PM
Impressive Jake! You are a fine fellow.
ed
— Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25544
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 11:45 PM
Brian wrote:
High five Jake!!! We must meet someday!
Jake Needs to come down in August, period!
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25544
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Feb 06 2016 11:58 PM
Brian,
I have been a bit absent on here lately, as Evil FB has taken much of my attention. But I remembered recently that there was actual conversations
On here, unlike the othe web places. I plan on spending more time here again. It's way more fulfilling.
As for the SG 101 convention goes. I know that it's probably not the greatest name for a festival to get the general public to come. But I couldn't imagine calling it anything else. Many of the bands that have played it over the years have been found right here on the forum.
This year being the 10th anniversary for the website and the 9th convention,I have many bands that are tied into the sites history.
Some had to cancel till next year sadly. But needless to say, the next 2 years conventions will be dedicated to saluting the website and forum
With amazing line ups that will hopefully draw the biggest fan crowds yet.
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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surfbeatslbc
Joined: Aug 12, 2014
Posts: 189
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Posted on Feb 07 2016 12:56 AM
bigtikidude wrote:
This year being the 10th anniversary for the website and the 9th convention,I have many bands that are tied into the sites history.
Some had to cancel till next year sadly. But needless to say, the next 2 years conventions will be dedicated to saluting the website and forum
With amazing line ups that will hopefully draw the biggest fan crowds yet.
So shall we expect an announcement in the near future, or did I miss it somehow?
Brian, thanks so much for the site and congrats on 10 years!
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Feb 07 2016 05:56 AM
Never realized I was "away" but it was like coming home.
Thank you Brian for all you do and to the community at this forum for all the learning & joy the sharing of music has spawned.
Think it's cool that it fostered a different direction for Brian that paid dividends in the job market.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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BillAqua
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1054
Chicago IL.
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Posted on Feb 07 2016 09:14 AM
Cool! Why did it take me 2 days to join up?
I remember the old yahoo group very well too.
Brian you've done an something great here for 10 years! Congrats!
— "as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"
https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/
https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/
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spskins
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3767
tn
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Posted on Feb 07 2016 11:04 AM
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4052
Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Feb 07 2016 11:11 AM
Congrats to SG101 and a heartfelt thank you to Brian.
I can't imagine having a Surf band or being a fan without this website...
and I'm not much of an internet guy.
Thanks as well to all of you that are involved in conversation, teaching and sharing about this wonderful art/musical form.
Cheers,
Jeff
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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