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Oct22

Steel Guitar Unconvention Benefit for Maui Relief!

Jalopy Brooklyn

The steel guitar is an instrument that is indigenous to the Hawaiian islands, and as such, steel guitarists owe an enormous debt to the people and the land of Hawaii. Even as the story fades from the headlines, the aftermath of the wildfires continues to take its toll on the residents of Lahaina. Reconstruction and revival will be a lengthy process that will continue for Hawaiians long after the news cycle has moved on. To support these efforts, we have chosen to donate the proceeds from this event to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's Kāko'o Maui fund.

The Kākoʻo Maui Fund is providing resources that can be deployed quickly and efficiently to support recovery efforts for Maui. CNHA is working in close collaboration with state and county leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community members to get an understanding of the quickly evolving priorities. Funding will support evolving needs, including shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services as identified by our partners doing critical work to support Maui. For more information on this effort visit www.hawaiiancouncil.org/helpmaui

Featuring: Jason Loughlin, guitar Matthew Avedon, guitar Scott Colberg, bass Raphael McGregor, steel guitar

and surprise special guests!

presented by Jalopy Theatre and the Steel Guitar Unconvention

Youtube vids, Cd sales, and snarky comments on FB:

Raphael McGregor - Lap Steel, Pedal Steel, Dobro, Composition, Arrangements, Education

Raphael McGregor is one of the most in-demand steel players in New York City. Since moving to Brooklyn in 2002, he has had the opportunity to perform and record with a wide variety of renowned musicians, most notably Willie Nelson, Darol Anger and Michael Manring, Adam Levy, Jason Loughlin, Emmy-Award winning composer Paul Brill, Alan Harris, Noam Pikelny, Matt Munisteri, Cyro Baptista, and Chas Justus and the Red Stick Ramblers.  For eight years he was the guitarist and steel player for the international touring act Nation Beat, which performed all over North America and Brazil, including such notable venues as Farm Aid, Montreal Jazzfest, Porto Musical in Recife, Brazil, Stern Grove, the Hollywood Palladium, Globalfest, and New York's Blue Note. As well as being an in-demand sideman for many acts in the New York City area, Raphael is the steel player for the Brain Cloud and regularly leads his own bands.

In 2013, Raphael released his first CD as a leader, Fretless, which continues to garner critical acclaim and is available on CdBaby, Itunes, and in other major digital distribution outlets.  

In 2018, Raphael co-produced the Steel Guitar Unconvention, a celebration of steel guitar music in Brooklyn. The festival is in its third year and has featured artists such as Doug Jernigan, Lucky Oceans, Kashiah Hunter, Dave Easley, Susan Alcorn, Mike Neer, and many other local and national musicians Raphael received grants from the Brooklyn Arts Council  in 2019,2020,2021,2022,and 2023 to keep the festival going.