These photos were taken by Tony Graci, a drummer and lap steeler from the Big Apple who happened to be in the room next to mine at the Holiday Inn. We became fast friends, since this was the first ISGC show for both of us, and because we're both nuts about music in general and steel guitar in particular. -- Drew Howard

Tony took this shot of the great Buddy Emmons playing in the Derby room at the convention. Too bad I missed it; Buddy's my hero. After seeing Buddy play his Derby guitar, Tony just had to have one!

Here's Tony (right) and I, tired but happy, at 2 a.m. after a long night at the convention. Why is Tony smiling a full 360 degrees? We just set up his new pedal steel in the hotel room.

more photos by Tony Graci

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