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Seven Days to Rickfest 2006!!!

"Rickfest?" I shoulda copyrighted or trademarked "confluence."

Were you the one that originated that term Paul? I wasn't sure if it was you or Jeff Rath.

Hmm... I did some quick looking around, I think we used 'Fest' for the first time at the Mid-Atlantic Rick-Fest. Jeff has the first one on his website labeled 'Confluence One'. Paul Boyer was one of the three people at that one I think.

I'm going to step out on a limb and take credit for the term. As I recall, I contacted Jeff Rath about his interest in the black-trimmed MG I had and offered to sell it to him. He was interested, so we negotiated a price that included his work on my two 4004s (VVT mod). I was going to be driving to Buffalo in early July 2004 to see my dying mom, and figured Detroit was the half way point from Milwaukee. Jeff was kind enough to offer his guest lodging overnight, and I suggested that if Steve Cooper was available, maybe the three of us could talk bass and throw down a few beers. It would be a Rick bass "confluence." Jeff did some Photoshop magic with some pictures of his basses on his carpet and swirled them together in a "confluence." The first unofficial confluence was just the three of us over at Jeff's place: my three basses, Jeff's herd, and Steve brought over a couple. I think we had a total of 13 rick basses shot on the famous "Rathglo" couch.

I believe also that I was the one to first suggest some sort of mini convention in a hotel; I think I brought it up even before the getogether at Rath's, and a few people thought it would be OK, but there wasn't a great stampede so I dropped the idea. The credit for the first "official" confluence goes to Jeff Scott, Brian Crisman, and Chris Pappas (and maybe others?) for setting up the Columbus event, May 2005.

John, I think for a while the Mid-Atlantic show was called "MARC" for Mid-Atlantic Rick Confluence, but dem's dat run it can call it anything dey like.

So, yes, I take credit for the term, the idea, and the invention of Ric-O-Sound. And on the second day, I created . . . .

Actually Paul, I was only an attendee, but thanks for thinking of me!

I believe Randy Hawkins was the primary in Columbus since he was local and I'm not sure who else was involved in the actual organization. Great event though.....even if it was rather modest by modern Confluence standards.

How many years ago was confluence one?

July 2004 was the first "mini" and May 2005 was the first "non-mini" in Columbus Ohio

Randy Hawkins and I were responsible for getting the Columbus confluence together. Randy did do the Rick-O-Lion's share as he was in Columbus to negotiate the faciity which was my recommendation (Signature Inn).

John Hall had a big part in it, too, in that he made it possible for Brian's 4004LK to be present at it.

A very welcome sponsor of the event was none other than:


The Ramones! NOT.
Tony Dudzik! YES.

Here is most of the gang, minus Randy and Brian, with some of our favorite instruments, out of the 31 present. Notice that the skinny string instruments werre included in this confluence, making it the first comprehensive event (not just basses).

Jeff, did everyone else have high-heels on?!?!?!

Yes.

Ted didn't, he was just on his tip toes.

Ahhhh....I remember Columbus well...

Hard to tell I'm 5'19" ....

Chris, wouldn't make you 6'7"?