Another great memory was the year(s) the event was live streaming. Thanks BTD Jeff for all you do,

Happy Sunsets!

IvanP wrote:

Rereading the now-locked thread about the first convention was really fun! Wow, 12 freakin' years ago! It seems like two! So much has happened since then, though...

If you all don't mind this self-indulgence I thought I'd just point out that the short Madeira SoCal tour played a key role in the organizing of the original convention! That just makes me very happy to think about. Here are a few choice quotes from early '08:

Brian Neal wrote: "We can't please everyone. Sorry. The Madeira coming to SoCal seems like a "big thing" that would perhaps normally attract out-of-towners anyway. That's why I keep harping on that."

Jeff BTD wrote: "ok. Say we do it the weekend of when the Madeira and Aquasonics are here. Say we do the meet and greet and jam, and itty bitty sg101 convention on Saturday. I need to know where the Madeira and Aquasonincs are playing on Fri. and Sat. nite. to ensure that this will go down ok. If they or 1 of those bands are in San Diego one of those nights it might make plans for the Sat. day thing kinda hard. so I need a PM or email from Chris and Ivan with tentative schedules for their tour out here."

Jeff BTD wrote: "AND a ton of people said they would want the event to be when the Madeira is here. So I'm just doing what was asked."

I am super thankful that I have been able to participate several times (playing or as visitor) to the convention, met and made many friends, some of my best times and memories. I have loved every single band and enjoyed every single moment, except when the Madeira were playing.

Lorenzo "Surfer Joe" Valdambrini
(www.surfmusic.net)

I have so many great memories of the convention over the years, but I want to call out my first SG101 convention that I attended, which was the 2nd Annual Convention and the first one at The Starting Gate.

So back in 2009, I bought a guitar (after quite a few years of not playing) and I was searching for a Latin'ia tab. That's how I discovered Surfguitar101.com

Anyways, I start keeping up with the forums and I see this event for the SG101 Convention, and I see The Ghastly Ones were headlining that year. Of the rest of the bands, the only band I had heard of was Insect Surfers, but I was (am) such a Ghastly fan that I decided to attend.

I didn't know anyone. I hadn't heard of most of the bands. But I had the time of my life! I met new folks, got to see some killer bands, grabbed some merch, and really just ended up so stoked about it all. Up until then, none of my friends were in to surf, so I was this lone surf nerd with a small collection of CDs and I had no clue that there was any kind of scene. And that particular day changed my life, as I met some of the folks I now consider as some of my best friends.

A couple particular call outs for that day:

1. I remember hearing The Sand Devils set and I fell in love with that deep dark tone. I walked up to Ran and asked if he had a CD, and was really disappointed that they didn't. But I kept following him and his band, and now here I am, playing in his latest band The Scimitars! With a similar tone of my own! How cool is that?

2. I remember The TomorrowMen set, and was blown away by how awesome it was. I went up to Danny and introduced myself. Been a huge fan ever since! And Danny, being the great friend and supporter that he is, invited me to play a song with The TomorrowMen years later, and that was my first official "surf gig" (besides the member jam). Still stoked to this day. Thanks Danny!

3. I saw this dude with a tiki necklace and a little bun ponytail walking around like he owned the place. That was my first impression of JonPaul. I was like "who the heck is that dude?" But then he played with the Insects and I was like "woah he's pretty cool". Then that day he got up and played with The Ghastly Ones and I was like "wow that dude is amazing!". And now I've played in several bands/sets with him and am so fortunate to be able to do so! He is insanely talented and is such a keeper of the scene. He helps keep the fire going in many ways.

4. My first time ever seeing The Ghastly Ones. Still one of my all time favorite surf memories!

5. I met this dude called BigTikiDude as I kept winning raffle tickets. A cool dude, this BigTikiDude, and a brotha! Now I help tend the door at shows and am selling raffle tickets during my shift. Its like I went full circle!

Anyways, long story short, that day was epic for me because I finally found other people who loved that surf sound like I did. I met these fantastic people, and saw so many fantastic bands, and they took me in like a long lost brother, and now I am part of one of the coolest families on Earth!

Looking forward to next year's family reunion!

Last edited: Aug 20, 2020 18:04:09

bigtikidude wrote:

This is just the best ever!

Clip of Eddie Bertrand and The Eliminators from the unreleased Sound of the Surf documentary. Filmed at the first Surf Guitar 101 Convention. Audience shot near the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLlY9RK56sE

I haven’t played every years member jam,but around 3/4 of them.
Me left on bass, Bill (Remora 1) center. Does anybody remember who is on drums on that? And Papu of Los Kahunas of Argentina far right.
We were playing a surf song that Bill’s punk band got on a skate video that Papu had seen, and learned.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Last edited: Aug 25, 2020 20:26:11

bigtikidude wrote:

I haven’t played every years member jam,but around 3/4 of them.
Me left on bass, Bill (Remora 1) center. Does anybody remember who is on drums on that? And Papu of Los Kahunas of Argentina far right.
We were playing a surf song that Bill’s punk band got on a skate video that Papu had seen, and learned.

That was such a great memory! We played my old band's song, "The Cove" which Papu had heard on a bootleg VHS surf contest tape he somehow found in Argentina. The drummer is Max Wheatley who was the original drummer and founding member of the band. It was Papu's idea, not sure who was more stoked him or us! Oh, and Jeff did an awesome job holding down the bottom end.
Just one of many unforgettable moments from the many SG101 Conventions I've been lucky to attend!

Bill S._______

HELLDIVER on Facebook

I thought with the Covid quarantine in effect that more people would have had time to chime in on this. Here is a bump reminder for anybody that may have forgot to add something.

Jeff(bigtikidude)

Too many great moments to list! As one of the informal vice presidents in charge of the annual Legends of Surf segment, it's been an incredible thrill to meet and play with so many First Wave surf stars. Random memories: The Rumblers, way back in 2012. ALL the original members re-united after 45 years to do a set. They blew the roof off the Starting Gate, and were literally in tears that anyone remembered them, let alone gave them a standing ovation. The epic jam of Moon Dawg, featuring Al Valdez and Tracy Longstreth (Original Surfaris, Rhythm Rockers). Last year's epic Del-tone reunion set. EVERYONE stepped up and delivered! And, who can forget Randy Holden from 2016? (My greatest "get", if I do say so myself. It wasn't easy!).

Matt,
Thank you for all you help over the years.

reventlos wrote:

Too many great moments to list! As one of the informal vice presidents in charge of the annual Legends of Surf segment, it's been an incredible thrill to meet and play with so many First Wave surf stars. Random memories: The Rumblers, way back in 2012. ALL the original members re-united after 45 years to do a set. They blew the roof off the Starting Gate, and were literally in tears that anyone remembered them, let alone gave them a standing ovation. The epic jam of Moon Dawg, featuring Al Valdez and Tracy Longstreth (Original Surfaris, Rhythm Rockers). Last year's epic Del-tone reunion set. EVERYONE stepped up and delivered! And, who can forget Randy Holden from 2016? (My greatest "get", if I do say so myself. It wasn't easy!).

Jeff(bigtikidude)