First Ever Robin Reunion big success

[Smitty]

...We had a great day in Houston... Watch for pics to start flying in here... I'll put mine up later tonight. Anyone wants to email their favs can send 'em to me at smitty@robinlovers.com ... What'd ya miss? Howabout a Robin Ranger door prize? Ready to schedule for next year????

Smitty

[Ken Jones]

A REALLY big success for Mr. Ken Smith!

Winner of the Robin Ranger door prize (with Dave Wintz on the left).

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[Mark Daigle]

The cajuns totally enjoyed themselves. Only one of us got up onstage at the jam, but that's okay, we don't mind being part of the crowd.

The tour was a blast as well. Being as informal as it was appealed to me greatly. I fool around with guitar building and repair a little, so just milling about the shop just tickled me to no end. The bottled water was a nice treat, and Allen did a good job with cola selection.

The BBQ at the jam just kicked the biggest piece of ass that it just ain't even funny. Among all of my business trips to Houston, I've managed to eat at most BBQ places that top everyone's "best BBQ" list. These guys' stuff just rules.

Thanks Robin Guitars, and everybody there, for a great show of hospitality.

Special thanks also to the BCR fellas, Greg, Mike (Kiz), Stevie Clay, and Ricky2, for coming down. We all share long distance friendships, and it's always fun to be able to spend time together in person and punch 'em in the arm and call each other names. And don't forget Greg's two words, "MOSH PIT!".

[Kizanski]

First, I have to thank our buddy Ricky2 for hooking us up, because without him, I would have never been able to make the journey from New Jersey. If the day job doesn't work out, he has a future as a travel agent. Thanks for hooking us up, Ricky!

I can't thank Dave Wintz and Allan Hill enough for this weekend! Their generosity and hospitality went above and beyond anything I have ever experienced!

Allan met myself and the rest of the BCR Crew at our hotel Friday night and threw a bunch of Robin t-shirts at us, and then had us follow him to a choice Tex/Mex restaurant, where Dave was already waiting. We all talked about guitars (*cough*cough* reverse headstocks *cough*), music, and the guitar-building industry in general as the food and the spirits kept-a-commin'! Never have I had an opportunity to spend such an enjoyable evening discussing my favorite subjects with two guys that LIVE it every day, and can enlighten you without trying to SELL you.
Truly, he and Allan are two of the nicest people that you could ever meet! I was that blown away.

After our Saturday morning cardio workout, Uncle Greg, Stevie Clay, Ricky2 and I treated ourselves to a 15,000 calorie breakfast at the hotel's free buffet, and then set out to Rockin Robin Guitars & Music. A "must visit" if you are ever in the area (or if you're from New Jersey, like me). Bart, Sam and the rest of the gang made us feel right at home, and Bart showed us some "private stock" guitars that really blew us away. As we were coming out of Bart's office, what did we see but three of our Cajun buddies! Dave Wintz even stopped by on the way to the factory, because he "had heard that we were there." Again, the man went above and beyond.

The factory tour was also unlike any I have seen before. I was talking with Allen inside the factory, and happened to inquire when about the tour would start, to which Allan responded, "You're on it! Walk around - just don't break anything." Who? ME?
Anyway, without any intentions of making a purchase during this trip, Stevie Clay and I ended up buying a matched pair of Wrangler and Ranger Slabtop Supremes! OUTRAGEOUS guitars!

After they kicked us out of the factory, we set out to the venue for the jam and Bar-B-Q. I've never had authentic BBQ before (I'm not counting the stuff out of the jar as "authentic"), and now I am ruined for all others!

All in all, a great time was had by all, and traveling with Greg, Stevie and Ricky (when he was awake) made the long trip a breeze.

[Smitty]

Outrageous Guitars?

Oh that'd be these!!

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[DCWalters]

I am totally bummed out that I could not make the trip this year, I hope that things will be different next year. It sounds like the "Northerners" got a true taste of Southern hospitality!

[Kizanski]

Dem's da ones!
SSSSMOKIN"!!!

Good job as MC by the way, Smitty!

[Smitty]

Can't you just hear Bart singing?

"Clowns to the left of me, Joker to the right, Here I am, Stuck in the middle with you..."

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With apologies to Steve Rowan

<grin>

Smitty

[Kizanski]

What's that? "Are my ears still ringing?"
Yea, they are!

[BCRGreg]

Wow, what to say about this fantastic weekend?

First off, a huge THANK YOU to all the folks at Robin Guitars, you guys throw a helluva party. Every staff member was a cool person, the work done by these folks is inspiring. Allan was a great host, keeping everyone involved and just being enthusiastic THE WHOLE DAMN TIME. Dave was his usual laid back self, grinning like a madman at the bunch of us as we pawed all the stuff in the factory.

To see how the guitars are actually constructed is a great thing, it makes nonbelievers into believers when the amount of work and passion that goes into each guitar is revealed. These are not stamped out crappers, each guitar is given life by it's creators. Anything that is not perfect doesn't make it out of the room alive. Cool stuff, great people.

Rockin' Robin guitars: Great store, terrific staff, cool guitars and Bart's office is bigger than mine. Bart is my bitch, tho, with that korina stuff. Give it to me and I'll release you, big fella.

As to the BBQ, us nohthun boys got nuthin' like DAT!!!! I have one word....BRISKET. DAMN DAMN DAMN. I ate 3 times my body weight (insert stupid "little fella" joke here). Smitty, who's not as ugly as everyone told me, did a great job of taming the throng into a smoothish entertainment parade. A big ass buncha talent in the group, and never a boring moment. I enjoyed getting to know the different folks(BOOOOGAH!!!!), got my ass beat at billiards and found out that if two guitars and two amps ALL don't work, GRAB ANOTHER DAMN CABLE. (Smitty STILL insists that the cable was not a trick!). The main band was neat, the El Toro set was fun, and true to my word, the Pennsylvania boys were still at it carrying out gear while the Texas boys went home and slept.

WE CAME, WE SAW, WE MOSHED.

Texas is now a subdivision of PA.

[Smitty]

I have to give Greg "The Great Line of the Weekend" award... "Hey Allen, Lyle Lovett called and he wants his haircut back..."

Smitty

[Allen Hill]

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Well gang thanks so much for helping us start off the newest Robin tradition with a bang. We all enjoyed meeting, eating, and jamming with you. It's great to see all of the photos and positive feedback coming in both on Robinlovers and through our emails at the factory.

I've added a bunch of you to the Hometown Heroes section of the Robin website and look forward to getting more photos of anyone I left out.

Also if you were too excited by all of the great Robins gathered together at Blanco's to buy a McLemore Ave CD you can surf on over to http://www.mclemoreavenue.com/music.html
to place your order for a killer CD full of guitar and B3 driven instrumentals.

So many people have discussed the coolness factor of all the attendees. I can't agree more and want you all to know we are proud to craft guitars for such high caliber, guitar loving folks. We're psyched about the response and look forward to seeing you all and your pals that at the Second Annual Robin Reunion on Saturday, October 1, 2005.

Allen


P.S. You guys should see my hair when it really gets humid!

[Smitty]

Oct 1? Doesn't Greg have a gig that weekend? (Oh, yeah, shhhhhhhhh) Man, glad it wasn't HOT for these guys...

Smitty

[Jeff Richard]

That was so much fun. I told my wife all the stories about the weekend and she's sounding like she wants to go next year, which oddly enough will significantly improve my chances of leaving with something off the demo wall (whoo hoo!)

It was fun spending time with good buds BCR Greg (Ungah!); Kizanski (even though he don't know the difference between cornbread and poundcake); Ricky2, the king of the overpriced longneck, and the iconogod SteviemuddafukkinClay. And it's always awesome to meet new faces with the same passion for great guitars.

Thanks again, Dave and Allen, for hosting us Krazy Kajuns. See you guys soon.

Jeff Richard

[Steve Clay]

I was totally blown away by the First Annual Robin Reunion! Allen "the evangelist" Hill did a fantastic job of orchestrating the weekend and making sure everyone felt totally at home. The guy eats, sleeps and breathes Robin guitars! Dave Wintz was a perfect host - during the factory tour he seemed to be everywhere at once, explaining how things are done and why Robin guitars are built the way they are. He really made everyone feel like family. The man is also a QUALITY FANATIC! If a guitar isn't up to snuff, it's not gettin' out of the factory. Period. Trust me - there's a funny story there (well, funny to me anyway- maybe not to Dave!).
And there are some seriously cool guitars in production at the factory - there are gonna be some REAL happy Robin owners when those babys ship.

The BBQ and jam were a total blast! In addition to hooking up with our favorite Rajun' Cajuns (the Daigle brothers and the incomparable Jeff Richard - not only are they great guys, they are three of the most seriously funny guys on the planet), we got to put faces to many of the names we "know" from this discussion board, as well as make a bunch of new friends. Dave Jones, Ken Smith - it was great to meet you guys!

Like Kizanski, I had no intention of leaving with another Robin guitar. But Allen craftily made sure that we were left alone in the factory guitar display room until we were hopelessly attached to a matched set of Slabtop Supremes.

A great big thank-you also needs to go out to Ricky2! His incredible generosity is what really made it possible for the PA/NJ contingent to attend. Thanks again, buddy!

I've already got October 1 2005 on my calendar for the Second Family Reunion.... thanks again Dave and Allen!

Steve Clay

[Rick Snyder]

Since I was out of town all week, I just now got a chance to respond.

Damn you boys' know how to throw a party. They say everything is bigger in Texas, well the generosity and hospitality surely are. Thanks again to Dave, Allen, and the rest of the crew there. You seem to have a great crew there, committed to a great product. Be sure to check your mail this week, you'll probably find a suprise or two from PA. That was certainly one of the best weekends I had all year. For some reason I'm glad this is an annual event, and not biannual, as I don't know if I could handle two weekends a year like this.

And as far as the "King of the Overpriced Longneck" goes, we'll save that story for another day!

Thanks again, guys.

[Kizanski]

First Ever Robin Reunion: The Aftermath

I already posted above that Allen had given a healthy supply of Robin Guitars t-shirts to the BCR/PA boys on Friday night, when he visited us at our hotel before dinner, but that's not where the story ends.

When Greg, Ricky, Stevie and I were getting ready to leave for the factory on Saturday, we were discussing what we should wear. Admittedly, an unlikely subject for four guys thousands of miles from home.
We all agreed that if more than one of us wore a Robin T-shirt, it would look too lame, so none of us wore them. (Yea, "lame" is the word we used...yea, that's it).

When we parted ways Saturday night, we agreed to meet for breakfast at 6:30 so that we'd have something to eat before our flight.
Ricky went to his room and Stevie to his (Greg and I shared the third room that Ricky provided).

As I was going over what clean clothes I had left in my bag, I realized that I didn't have anything left, other than the t-shirts that Allen brought us on Friday night, so I wore one. When I walked out of the shower, Greg was wearing his. When we all met up in the hotel restaurant for breakfast, Stevie and Ricky were wearing theirs as well.

So, we ended up looking REEEAAALLLY COOOOL on our way through the airport...

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Can't you just feel the coolness???



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[BCRGreg]

The drool on Kizanski's doesn't show in this pic.