Now that I have fully recovered, I figured it was time to add my thoughts and thanks.

I have wanted to attend the AK Fest for several years now. Each year when Fest time rolls around, I seem to have some stumbling blocks in my path so I have reluctantly passed. This year was looking to be the same but with some prodding by Retro Stereo, I decided that it was time to go. I felt all along that it would be fun to attend, but never realized what a blast it would turn out to be. Meeting people and making friends online is great but meeting them in person... well, makes the experience 10X to say the least. Hard to put into words really.

After we got set up and settled in late Friday night, I had the pleasure of shooting the bull with the good Rabbi until about 3:30AM. I think that we solved all the world’s problems or at least identified them :D. After 3 hours of sleep, we were up and back at it again and rolled into 2 days of great music, gear and fellowship. It don’t get any better than that people!

Sharing a listening room, I probably ended up seeing 1/3 of the rooms at best. You would get around a couple and then end up meeting some dudes and shooting the bull for an hour. Damn it was fun! Next year, I hope to get my wander on more.

Special thanks to Retro for making me go in the first place, djnagle for the 300b loaner (Thanks buddy, it really made my Tannoy’s sing) and the rest of you fine folks too numerous to mention, that made AK Fest 2009 an experience I will not soon forget. Last but not least, Grumpy, Ernie and the AK staff all their hard work and putting on one fine show!

If you haven’t already been to one of these, you really need to go. My online AK experience will never be the same because of it.

RC

I'm glad I had the chance to meet you in person Ron!

Considering we both have swapped/traded audio gear for the last couple of years and kept the phone companies in business during that time, but this is the 1st time to actually meet in person.

Regards, the Ohio Ron

It was nice meeting you too!

I saw another guy there, white shirt, black lettering, walking around and muttering something about tubes under his breath!! :-)

Pete

It was nice meeting you too!

I saw another guy there, white shirt, black lettering, walking around and muttering something about tubes under his breath!! :-)

Pete


Ah, don't pay any attention to him, he was just crazy no doubt ;)

Great to finally meet you, Ron. Like so many others, I wish we'd had more time to chew the cud.

Ken

Ah, don't pay any attention to him, he was just crazy no doubt ;)

The crazy part is no surprise though.

Ron

Oh man Ken, I know what you mean. Time just flies buy too fast. I kept thinking that I would track you guys down and hang out for a little longer but before I knew it, it was time to pack up and go home. Next year my friend!

Ron and Pete, It was great meeting the both of you dudes in person finally. I going to have to take a trip down there and see you guys sometime. I need to get harassed in person by Ron about my x-over execution. Getting shit over the phone just isn't the same :D

Damn glad you decided to make the trip Ron. It made my day :yes:

RC

It was great meeting you Ron. I hope to see you again next year. I'm trying to convert a few of the Chicago crowd and get them to attend. Hey, perhaps next year a few of us non member room AKers could spell you guys for an hour or two.

It was great meeting you Ron. I hope to see you again next year. I'm trying to convert a few of the Chicago crowd and get them to attend. Hey, perhaps next year a few of us non member room AKers could spell you guys for an hour or two.

I think you had the room down pat Ed. I know I could have left the room in your more than capable hands, but I was enjoying our conversations too much to leave anyway :yes:

I would certainly take you up on you offer next year if you had the time and were still willing.

Just keep that djnagle guy outta there. He's nothing but trouble :D

RC

Hi Ron....you probably didn't recognize me but....:butt1:
Just kidding bud....
It was great to finally meet you and being able to spend time with you & the gang was phenomenal...It does really go fast doesn't it...:sigh:

It was great to meet you, Ron. You've gotta make Fest a habit!

Hi Ron....you probably didn't recognize me but....:butt1:
Just kidding bud....
It was great to finally meet you and being able to spend time with you & the gang was phenomenal...It does really go fast doesn't it...:sigh:

Next time just slap me upside the head Bill. That usually gets my attention. :D

It was great to meet you, Ron. You've gotta make Fest a habit!

It's in my blood now I'm afraid Rich. Come hell or high water, I'm going to the next one :thmbsp:

RC

I need to make it to one of these.

I need to remember one of these.

Fixed. :)

I need to make it to one of these and try to remember that I've been to one of these. :)

Scott

Hey Ron! Had a blast meeting and hanging out with you, Greg, Paul, Glen, Ed, Dave, Scott, Todd, the two Riches, Lori, the two Bills, Debi, the three Eric/ks and well...everyone! :yes:

Hey Ron! Had a blast meeting and hanging out with you, Greg, Paul, Glen, Ed, Dave, Scott, Todd, the two Riches, Lori, the two Bills, Debi, the three Eric/ks and well...everyone! :yes:
:lmao:

I think that the Fest needs to be a week long...

I enjoyed meeting you too Ron!

Heck, I forgot Ray, Ernie, Tim, Grumpy-Dave, Mark A, Brian and the two Mikes! There were so many great folks to hang out with! :yes:

Man you guy`s are making me really,really jealolus. OK next year for sure! Maybe Three days-thats if Grumpy woulnd`t shoot us for asking? :scratch2:

Maybe Three days-thats if Grumpy woulnd`t shoot us for asking? :scratch2:
I doubt he'd shoot you, but there's a very high likelihood you'll be told to go fuck yrself. :D

I doubt he'd shoot you, but there's a very high likelihood you'll be told to go fuck yrself. :D

A distinct possibility.

RC

A distinct possibility.

RC

Only in person; Grump's mellowed online, almost cuddly!

Shit... I'm gonna pay for that comment :D

About time you got hooked Ron, Greg and I've been bending your ear for years.

Next time drag Gary, if thats possible :scratch2:

Too many friends too shoot the shit with; never enough time...

As everybody else said, sure was nice to meet you, Ron. And thanks a bunch for all the hauling of stuff. Sure was appreciated. :thmbsp:

Ray

Only in person; Grump's mellowed online, almost cuddly!

Shit... I'm gonna pay for that comment :D

About time you got hooked Ron, Greg and I've been bending your ear for years.

Next time drag Gary, if thats possible :scratch2:

Too many friends too shoot the shit with; never enough time...


Yup, but this time was different.

Greg promised free pizza and hookers so there was no way I was about to pass that up.

He lied of course, but great time made up for it.

RC

Greg promised free pizza and hookers so there was no way I was about to pass that up.

He lied of course...
You mean you guys missed the free pizza and hookers? Bummer dude.

You mean you guys missed the free pizza and hookers? Bummer dude.



Ahhh, that's where you disappeared to.

RC

Ahhh, that's where you disappeared to.

RC
Dude, I tried to call ya...

Dude, I tried to call ya...


No bogarting of all the hookers for you next year. At least save me a slice of pizza.

RC

No bogarting of all the hookers for you next year. At least save me a slice of pizza.
Okay. I'll save you some pizza.

Okay. I'll save you some pizza.

That's probably a better deal.

The thought of sitting in a hotel room, listening to you trying to barter Dorals for sexual favors makes me a little queasy.












:D
RC

Was truly great meeting you finally as well RON!

Hopefully we get more of these awsome meetings, and more TIME!

Hey Ron, it was great meeting you. I do believe that we could get in some real fun trouble given enough time and whiskey. I hope you make next years fest. Cheers.

Was truly great meeting you finally as well RON!

Hopefully we get more of these awsome meetings, and more TIME!



You too Keg! I plan to spend more time your way next year :yes:

Hey Ron, it was great meeting you. I do believe that we could get in some real fun trouble given enough time and whiskey. I hope you make next years fest. Cheers.


Until next year my friend! By the way, you REALLY don't want to see me on the whiskey. Thats usually when bad things happen to good people :D

RC

Yep, but that is when the fun begins.

Yep, but that is when the fun begins.

And the cops are called; you do know that Ron is from Minniesota :sigh:

Iowa is the only thing standing between Missouri and all hell breaking loose, be concerned, be very concerned, if those Gophers get their blood up :D

And the cops are called; you do know that Ron is from Minniesota :sigh:

Iowa is the only thing standing between Missouri and all hell breaking loose, be concerned, be very concerned, if those Gophers get their blood up :D


I once was detained overnight during the V.P. Fair in St. Louis in 1982. Seemed they didn't appreciate my festive attitude. :smoke:


RC

I once was detained overnight during the V.P. Fair in St. Louis in 1982. Seemed they didn't appreciate my festive attitude. :smoke:


In about her 2nd month of ER residency my wife got called on to work the first aid tent at the VP Fair. First time she was issued a bullet proof vest. No kidding. Heck of a party.

Ray

In about her 2nd month of ER residency my wife got called on to work the first aid tent at the VP Fair. First time she was issued a bullet proof vest. No kidding. Heck of a party.

Ray



No kidding! I don't recall it being that dangerous. But then again, I don't recall much of the whole thing and I was pretty much fearless back then ;)

At the fest, you had a chance to meet the new improved non-alcohol altered (9 yrs now) RC . The old one might have been more entertaining to hang with but I like the new one better :D

RC

At the fest, you had a chance to meet the new improved non-alcohol altered (9 yrs now) RC . The old one might have been more entertaining to hang with but I like the new one better :D

Having met the new one, I don't see how the old one could have been any finer fellow. Onward and upward! :thmbsp:

Having met the new one, I don't see how the old one could have been any finer fellow. Onward and upward! :thmbsp:

Thank you sir!

RC

I'm trying NOT to imagine what a hooker from lavonia looks like....:scratch2:

I snapped a pic of this gal in the lobby on my way out the door. I don't think she was part of the hotel staff:scratch2:


RC

I'm trying NOT to imagine what a hooker from lavonia looks like....:scratch2:

Here ya go...

Here ya go...

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

Here ya go...

And you've never made enough money in your entire life to afford it.

And you've never made enough money in your entire life to afford it.

Just one of the many things in life I'm truly grateful for.

Hell, you'd probably be grateful for a pair of shoes that didn't look like:

http://www.ilovetocraft.com/seasonal/flip-flops.jpg

Hell, you'd probably be grateful for a pair of shoes that didn't look like:

http://www.ilovetocraft.com/seasonal/flip-flops.jpg

Hey! Leave me out of this!

Rich P

Hey!

Rich P

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/tentoze/nein.gif

Give em your pink ones 'Toze! :D

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c45/tentoze/nein.gif
Can't see it. No photobucket allowed for me. so there!

Enjoy,
Rich P

Here ya go...
How about that handsome sonafabitch in the chair with the green flip flops! :drool:

I'm trying NOT to imagine what a hooker from lavonia looks like....:scratch2:


here u go

here u go


I'm having mixed feelings about that pic.

RC

Say Ron,
How does that T-shirt fit ?

Say Ron,
How does that T-shirt fit ?

Well honestly... she was a little snug :D

I solved the problem by trading with Nate for a Tannoy "T" that he got and was way too big for him. All is right with the world again :thmbsp:

RC

Very well then,Sounds like you had fun at the fest ....!
Thanks for your perspective

I'm having mixed feelings about that pic.

RC

That's were the whiskey comes in.

That's were the whiskey comes in.

Lots 'o paint peeling, mind numbing whiskey.

RC

Lots 'o paint peeling, mind numbing whiskey.

RC


:drunk:

:lmao:

Lots 'o paint peeling, mind numbing whiskey.

RC

Yep, for her, you'd need the stuff that comes in a Mason jar.

Yep, for her, you'd need the stuff that comes in a Mason jar.



Molasses?

RC

Molasses?

RC

Obviously you are from the north.......moonshine.

Obviously you are from the north.......moonshine.


That's gotta be it ;)

RC

Flat-landers, the lot of ya. It's called branch water, sweet pea. :no:

Enjoy,
Rich P

Flat-landers, the lot of ya. It's called branch water, sweet pea. :no:

Enjoy,
Rich P



Branch water? That sound harmless enough.

RC

Flat-landers, the lot of ya. It's called branch water, sweet pea. :no:

Enjoy,
Rich P

I didn't know they grew enough corn in AZ to make shine.

What the world needs is a good corn stand.:smoke:

What the world needs is a good corn stand.:smoke:

Corn stands rock!

Maize... It's Indian for corn.

RC

AK should time it's next fest to go along with the White Van fest....

AK should time it's next fest to go along with the White Van fest....


The White Van Fest takes place in Mitchell So. Dakota at this venue. Strangely enough, no manufacture or vendor reps attend.

RC