ORGANIZATION PROFILE

The Central Kentucky Steel Guitar Club was founded and the first show was  presented in September 1980.  The founding members were Fred Layman,  James F. Vanderpool,  Denzil “Al” Vanderpool,  Sonny Morgan and Dr. Jack (Doc) Lewis. The founders were motivated by the International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis.

                                                               CLUB OBJECTIVE

 To provide a public forum for local Steel Guitar players as an art form:  To showcase the Steel Guitar as a stand-alone instrument:  To enhance the available selection of performing arts in the local area:  To provide a local source for participation among Steel Guitar enthusiasts and fans.

                                                                CLUB ACTIVITIES                                                             

In the beginning the club  sponsored four local shows annually in March, June, September and December. As the activities became more widely known, professional players began to take interest and participate as performers themselves.  This led to a decision to bill one of the quarterly shows as a “Regional” show to feature a roster of professional and semi-professional players.  The December show was chosen for this Regional performance. The date was moved back November to better accommodate the Nashville players.  The format for this show was also changed to a two-day schedule to begin on the evening of the first Friday in November and all day the following Saturday.

                                                                  CLUB HISTORY

 We are the fourth (4^th) longest consecutively running Steel Guitar show in the United States.  We have had the participation of just about every major professional player as well as local and regional players  and continue to build on this record.  We have been located in and outgrown three of four locations and are still growing each year.  We began and remain a non-profit club without membership dues and operate on a member donation basis