Hawaiian Steel Guitar Thrives in Winchester, Indiana

July 17, 2018 • Mark Prucha • Festivals and Conventions

The 2018 Winchester Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival took place on July 12-14, 2018, at the Winchester Towne Square Community Centre in Winchester, Indiana. It was the largest attended AISGC event in many years, with guests arriving from various parts of the world including China, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Attendees were wowed by special guest artist, Bobby Ingano from O'ahu, who played sets consisting of various Hawaiian standards as well as a few country songs.

The Thursday program featured music from talented performers including: Richard Briggs (IN), the Williams Twins (MI), Ron Wenger (IN), Doug Smith (OH), Dick Martiny (MI), and Bobby Ingano (HI). The program opened with remarks by Mayor Shon Byron of Winchester, Indiana, who welcomed everyone to the city of Winchester. Guests that evening also enjoyed a steel guitar seminar led by Bobby Ingano, where Bobby answered questions about palm harmonics, sound effects, and technique. When asked about his mentor David Feet Rogers, Bobby stated that the number one trick he learned from Feet Rogers was to play from the heart and have fun.

Ian Ufton, Doug Smith, and Bobby Ingano. PC-Mark Prucha.

Ian Ufton, L.T. Zinn, Bobby Ingano, and Mark Prucha. PC-Mark Prucha.

Friday featured more performances from the Williams Twins (MI), L.T. Zinn (MI), Ivan Reddington (FL), Ted Wood (IN), Mark Prucha & Ron Cabanada (IL), Bobby Ingano (HI), as well as a surprise birthday celebration for longtime member Virginia Grzadzinski who turned 90 at the beginning of the year.

Nightly jam sessions took place in the hotel lobby and conference rooms, with hotel guests sitting in and enjoying the music. Patrons of Mrs. Wick's Pies were also treated to Hawaiian steel music led by Ivan Reddington of Florida.

Saturday featured more performances from Sharon Denny (IN), Nick Fryer (OH), Carol Jeffries (OH), Eddie and the Mai Tai's (IN), Greg Wong (WI), Mark Prucha (IL), and Bobby Ingano (HI). The festival culminated with a luau show led by an all-star band consisting of Ian Ufton, Barb Kuhns, Doug Smith, Bobby Ingano, and hula dancer, LeAnn Cabanada. Danny Yamamoto (IL) led everyone in closing the show with a heartfelt performance of "Hawai'i Aloha" and "Aloha 'Oe".

The annual Winchester Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival was presented by the Aloha International Steel Guitar Club through the generous donations of various individuals. Plans are currently underway for next year's festival which will take place on July 18-20, 2019.