The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 11:28 AM

Well, thanks for posting the 300th. We all appreciate it. You have been so involved, it wouldn't be right any other way.

See you folks Saturday.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST,Banjer at work
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 03:10 PM

Some folks just aren't happy unless they get in the spotlight. Did any body tell this clown that since he was the 300th poster he now owes all those who posted here US$300??

I may not be at the jam this weeekend, I have some JROTC commitments coming up! We'll see!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 03:54 PM

Jurassic Rotten Old Tired Confederates group?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 04 Dec 03 - 08:47 PM

Close...:) (I love the Old Tired Confederates part!!) Really the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps is having a drill competition at University Of Tampa and needed help in concession and scoring so I volunteered. Since I am VP of the JROTC Boosters Club at Dixie Hollins High School I felt that my presence would be nice! See you after if we get back in time! The following Saturday I will be at Safety Harbor in full uniform from 12 to 5, helping the Safety Harbor Museum in their Historical tour of homes, (and I am supposed to be at Madiera Beach at 5 for a Christmas get together of reenactors)....'Tis the season, huh? (Hope I survive it :) )

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 02:51 PM

Had a great trip to North Carolina and met, and played, with some great Bluegrass musicians. Got pix and recordings.

Planning on jamming Saturday, but not sure. Depends on errands between now and then.

Merry Christmas to all!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 06:24 PM

Will be looking forward to seeing you if you make it! Saw teh pics you posted. Sounds like a good time!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 03:35 PM

Well, we missed December 20. However, will be there early on Saturday, Dec. 27 FOR SURE!!! Happy Holidays to all jammers and visitors!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 04:45 PM

We will be looking forward to seeing you again! It has been so long we have had to go to the pictures on the wall to try to remember what you looked like!!

Don't know who all else will be there but as usual we will have a good time! See you then!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 09:03 AM

I may make it over there myself. Have had hearing aid troubles, which should soon be resolved by spending a lot of money to hear my mistakes more clearly. Happy Holidays to all.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 11:38 AM

As my friend Rod once said, "One of the great gifts for music is good hearing. One of the great curses is really good hearing."

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 06:47 PM

Didn't they warn you about that 'aural' sex?....that what causes hearing aids!!

Look forward to seeing you there, don't know who else will be there because of the hoildaze....but we will have fun no matter who shows up!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 29 Dec 03 - 10:32 AM

One of the best sessions ever! I walked in at 12:25 and they were already cranked up. Lee's family are a great bunch, aren't they. The Grand Daughter at age 15 can sing and play mando like Rhonda. Will miss this weekend because we are going to a wedding. Will be there Jan. 4.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 01:24 PM

Make that "will be there January 10th." Wrong calendar, oops.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 04:35 PM

It was snowing when we landed at Logan Airport in Boston. Snowing even harder up in Maine. 30s degree weather all weekend. Wedding party with disco and dance music. But, we got back Sunday... 74 degrees, got in the car and cranked up Lonesome River Band on the CD player... Laurie said, "Ah...bluegrass... we are back!"

See you all Saturday.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 07:38 AM

Good to have you back...sorry you had to suffer so at the hands of the Yankees! Disco and dance....you should have taken your dobro and Laurie her fiddle and showed them what REAL music sounds like! See you at he next jam...

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 10:17 AM

Didn't even check bags, never mind drag instruments around. The security was really backed up and we were glad to just be able to carry on our luggage. In Boston, there was a line waiting to get in the security line. Aaagh. In Atlanta, the hike from gate to gate changing planes is like 1/2 mile hike through solid people. Using my remaining brain, I decided my solid walnut dobro is like dragging an anchor. We survived the disco, barely. The bluegrass music injection on the way home revived us. Will see you all Saturday!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 09:04 PM

Well you are back in Bluegrass Country!! Glad to hear you survived your harrowing ordeal! Look forward to you and Laurie at the shop for some R&R therapy! See you Saturday

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 10 Jan 04 - 09:25 AM

"I tell you, there's trouble, right here in river city. That start's with T and that rhymes with B, and that stands for Bluegrass..."

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 14 Jan 04 - 03:50 PM

Hey Bob, that Reeltime Travelers CD is great! I've only listened to one, but it's exactly the stuff I like the best. They remind me strongly of the Freight Hoppers, a hot group on Rounder Records that seems to have split up lately. Same intricate work, same mix of young voices; check them out. I notice that in addition to a gourmet collection of old tunes, they mixed in "Hard Times in New York Town." That's the oldest known recording by Bob Dylan, and they make it sound like hillbilly stuff. Others like "Walking in the Parlor" and "Rock the Cradle Lucy" come straight from the Skillet Lickers and other like-minded footstompers. John Hermann, who writes brief liner notes on the 2nd CD is one of the outstanding clawhammer scratchers of our time. All in all, a good time. Thanks for turning me on to it. Did you go see Peter Rowan and Reggaebilly last week?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 15 Jan 04 - 01:38 PM

Glad you enjoyed it! Both CDs are killer. The Reeltime Travelers are nice folks, too. Laurie and I talked to all of them up at Magnoliafest after their performance and they told us about their homes, education and personal careers. Heidi Andrade, the fiddler, has a MA in Music Ed. Laurie asked Heidi, who looked 20 years old, how long she had been playing. She said 25 years. So, she's more like 32 or 35 or something! See, music does keep you young. They have a website: www.reeltimetravelers.com so go check them out.

We did not see Peter Rowan but have seen that act before several times, recently at Magnoliafest. I recorded on my Mini Disk it if you want to hear it. Imagine "Little Maggie" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky" sung to Reggae beat. Woah!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 04:56 PM

Yo, Gern... know Mark Johnson's work? We just got home from Chiefland at an invitation only jam/festival. Met up with Mark and were amazed for over 48 hours. Clawhammer AAAA+ in grand style.

Larry Rice, Frank & Leon Poindexter, Mark Johnson and about a dozen more. Awesome! IF you don't know about Mark, you will. Just released his 3rd CD titled "Acoustic Campaign" with Emory Lester and he and gave us a copy. One of his CDs was with the Rice Brothers. I have live Mini Disc recording with him, Frank Poindexter and our own Mike Godwin jamming for about 3 hours Saturday eve in our hotel room after we left the party... long day. I did not hop in because Frank wanted to work on smoothing out the songs they were doing, which are about to be recorded on a new CD of Frank Poindexter's very shortly. No sense in muddying up the sound with another dobro... of much less quality than Frank's. See you Saturday?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 09:44 AM

Yes, I met him and heard him play at IBMA a couple of years back. I recall that he was really dextrous and spent a lot of time up around the 25th fret. Although clawhammer traditionally stays in first position with lots of open strings, his work was interesting and really difficult. Wasn't Uncle Ben one of the Rice Brothers? Been working on some fiddle lately (the neighbors are SO glad) and saw Beausoleil, a blazing hot Cajun group in Tampa this weekend. I'll probably make it Saturday.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 11:06 AM

Big Jim Furniss was learning fiddle and his wife and kids said, "Can you go outside." That worked until the neighbors said, "Can you go back inside?"

Hey, congrats! I admire your quest for the fiddle. Laurie has been learning for 4 years now and the cats don't run away anymore. The walk slowly... grumbling... tails down.

Mark's current music is lots of open strings, but incredible touch and knowledge of the fretboard from fret 1 all the way up and beyond 25. We are still amazed. He is playing a beautiful Deering banjo.

Uncle Ben was not one of the Rice Brothers. He was their great uncle, or at least some of the brothers thought so. Some thought he was an average uncle.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 12:15 PM

Boy you just never know who'll pop in at a bluegrass jam. There I was a-watchin that guy's banjo break when in walks the Gipsy Kings!! Suddenly, Flamenco music lights up the shop. You don't see these things pickin' at Bean Blossom, I'll tell you that. The guy playing lead on that nylon stringed guitar was great, but there wasn't much room for a banjo. An' Ol' Maw woulda hurt something if she'd tried to clog to it.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Feb 04 - 01:23 PM

That was a unique moment, wasn't it? Don't know if they were just brain dead and oblivious to the jam they interrupted and stopped. Or, hoping we'd notice and be impressed? In any case, it was funny but thanks to Fred for herding them into the sound room. The only thing wrong was not having Bob & Pete to see their faces. Woo woo!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 06 Feb 04 - 09:24 AM

Indeed, I also wondered what their reaction would be. As to the perpetrators (SP?), perhaps they were intimidated by a roomful of hillbillies like ourselves. It wouldn't be the first time someone felt unwelcome at our table. That would be a shame, I think.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Feb 04 - 02:23 PM

I am sure they felt immensely unwanted based on their music versus ours. But, hillbillies that we are... most of us have teeth, wear shoes and don't smell too bad. Well, not too bad. And I was wearing a civilized shirt. Dang. Bet that if you and I went into any store and started playing louder than the ambient jam of a dozen people going on, you'd get a funny look.

The sign said, "NO STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!" Tip: Don't bust a jam in a small town unless you want to become "whereabouts unknown." See you soon?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 06:38 AM

Hi Guys, just catching up on this thread after a bit of an absence. Those boys did have a style all their own, yes! Amazing what some folks can do with a guitar! Did you watch the older players fingers? Seemed he had no control of the right hand the way it was flailing, but the beat and the music told you he knew exactly what he was doing!

Gern did put a finger on it when he observed that they were potential future customers. Hope they come back and buy something!

I will be absent the next two weekends. I will be traveling with the JROTC group to Palmetto for a big drill meet there and the weekend following I will be at Ft Desoto for a CW reenactment. Come on down and visit on Sunday!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 06:39 AM

That's Sunday the 22nd, not next weekend! Hopefully see you there!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 11:56 AM

Hey, we might just do that. My wife just got a digital camera, and she's busy taking pictures of everything that moves. She'll like to see you guys in action. What unit are you with, and where will you be?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 11:04 PM

I heard they will be called "Battlefield Cemetery" and "Hostages." Easy to find.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 06:28 AM

Hi Gern...we are our own unit, the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, D Battery. We will be somewhere in front of the fort, you can't miss the camps. Once there, just ask anyone for directions to our camp. All know us!

Here is a link to our website: 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, D Battery

What kind of "digi" did she get?

Bring a banjo and you can do some Civil War era 'Old Time' stuff (or I will have one there you can use, open G tuning)...folks will love it!

I will also introduce you to at least one of the 97th Regimentalk String Badn...don't know if any of teh others will attend, but I know Rick will be there.

Look forward to your visit!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 17 Feb 04 - 11:40 AM

I don't know about those things--it's a Hewlett Packard, with zooms and buttons and horns and whistles. She's thrilled of course, liking the instant gratification of digital. she takes pictures of everything that moves these days, which usually leaves me quite safe. I may just haul out the ol' banjo for Ft. De Soto if the weather agrees. Just don't try to feed me no hardtack.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 18 Feb 04 - 04:20 PM

You guys still don't get it do you?? It's not the hardtack youeat, that breaks your teeth! What you do is place the hardtack in a frying pan over the fire...wait for the bugs to evacuate and catch and eat them...then you put the hardtack back in its storage box to draw more bugs! It's a never ending food source that way!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Mar 04 - 06:22 AM

That explains a lot. How 'bout a Tic Tac?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 09:03 AM

So Bobo, how's it going? Are you now hip? Half-hipped? Half-witted? Half-assed? Hope all is going well, and that you asked the doctor "Will I be able to play fiddle after this is over?" if so, maybe I'll try the operation. See you at the picnic next week?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Mar 04 - 10:25 AM

Alas, I am now known as B5... Bionic Ball Bearing Butt Bobby. Healing quite well and guilty of trying to overdo it. But, the Doc is happy with progress. We go for hip #2 (left) in June.

Full of anticipation, I picked up Laurie's fiddle and tried to play it. Sounded like an ambulance or perhaps a small creature being tortured. Horrible. Maybe after hip #2? Meanwhile I will keep butchering dobro music. Yes, will be at the Picnic on the 21st. This coming Saturday, Bob & Pete are likely not to be there. Come on over.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 11:36 AM

Pete told me yesterday that he, Bob and Walter will be playing a gig next Sunday and will miss the BG Shop picnic.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 10:59 AM

Does this mean I can play with the big kids?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Mar 04 - 04:10 PM

NEWS FLASH! They are coming to the shop and the picnic. The Auburndale gig is cancelled. Come play anyways.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 04:10 AM

Oh oh....I told several folks at last weeks Roberts Park Fish Fry and Bluegrass extravaganza that the big guns would not be there...so they could play...well we will just have to split off in to different groups again. Maybe Gern could head up the group for old time and slow players...I would join that one! Maybe he could show me some of his frailing technigue and I might finally get it! See you all there!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 09:26 AM

Be glad to lead the counter-group. Sad that we can only entice open participation by advertising who won't be there. Has it really come to this? Are we still an open group when some are allowed to intimidate others, without of course intending to. When an elite is permitted to dominate, even post "rules" for others to abide by. "Rules" that permit them to censor??? What have we created here? Let's tell EVERYONE that they are welcome and their contributions are appreciated.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 12:12 PM

What happened at the fish fry was that I observed one fellow taking his banjo and guitar back to his car. I asked why he wasn't playing and he told me he couldn't keep up with those big guys. I told him that I had heard that some of our top guns would be at Auburndale next weekend and asked him to come on over.

We might look at the possibility of workshops for the less than able, (like me) to help get us up to speed so we won't feel insecure when we get around the top guns!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 03:58 PM

This is always a fun conversation here. But, boys... this stinking horse died a while back.

1. Being able to play with the "big boys" is an opportunity.
2. Don't agree? Then try to find another group like we have with these big guns.
3. It is an open jam. Always was. But the thing that built the popularity was having the "big guys" hop in.   
4. The rules, I think you refer to (?), are common courtesy for jams.
5. The fish fry was 50% organized by the "big guys."

Now, dang it Gern, you know this stuff. Go over to Auburndale or Zephyrhills, or even Tom Henderson's in Tampa to an open jam and guess what you find:

1. People who feel comfortable playing with each other, playing with each other.
2. Same rules of courtesy.
3. People that feel surpassed keep their axe in the case.

So, there. Go ahead and fire it up. I can take it... sort of.

Take the top 10 players away from the jams and what do you have? 10 more that can play better than the next 10, etc.

Practice.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 04:00 PM

Banjer, you are required to read this. I want a report on my desk by tomorrow.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 06:39 AM

If I knew where your desk was you would have your report on it! Failing that, I will enter my report here!

I have no problem with the "big guns", I enjoy their playing. I think my continued presence at the jams supports that. I wouldn't spend time somewhere that I did not feel comfortable.

What I would like to see is a small group of less than "big guns", "little pistols" if you will, be able to get together and practice together, so that one day we too may become big guns. I had an opportunity to play at the Picnic/Jam with Gern and a few others...I even took a lead for one of the songs we played! That built my confidence immensely...but I KNOW that I cannot keep up with some of the bigger guns, yet. Maybe one day, maybe my version of "Old Time" will NEVER blend with what we hear at the Bluegrass Shop, but what is important to me is that I have fun doing what I do.

As for a specific answer to all your points:

1. Being able to play with the "big boys" is an opportunity.
YES, It is...just some of us 'Ain't quite ready for prime time'.
2. Don't agree? Then try to find another group like we have with these big guns.
Exactly right, the group is unlike any other I have ever seen or heard.
3. It is an open jam. Always was. But the thing that built the popularity was having the "big guys" hop in.
Yes, the BIG GUYS did popularize the jam and keeping in mind that one of the reasons for the jams is to promote business for the shop, this is a good thing!
4. The rules, I think you refer to (?), are common courtesy for jams.
I would agree that there needs to be an observed 'ettiquette' for keeping some sense of order.
5. The fish fry was 50% organized by the "big guys."
Didn't know that!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 09:23 AM

The horse is still stinking, I would have to say. When even veterans of the jam complain of a lack of openness and an excess of arrogance, then something is wrong. To suggest I can counter this frustration by "practicing" seems to blame my lack of ability for this problem. Bullshit. Those rules were commonsense, yes, but pandering in tone and utterly unnecessary. And the ones who "popularize" the jam--how do you know who that was? I do not resent those with superior ability, as you seem to imply. In fact, I spend my time at these jams trying to ecourage others who seem to need it, as I do. Can all participants say the same? Yes I do know this stuff, and have long-running jam experience, as others do in our group(s). I've been in groups where no one feels alienated, where no one is put down and where the contributions of all are accepted without censorship or smugness. Sorry my complaints sound like old news to you. I guess that means that we can't or shouldn't do better. No, I don't agree.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 10:11 AM

Now that's my boy, Gern. Knew I could count on you for a good sparring match. Hope you take this as an open conversation, and not bitter comments from me. But, I hate to see this intrigue continue.

Answer: I know the ones that popularized the jam because Wayne Sweeney, Laurie, Elson and I were the first jam. Wayne helped Elson drag in the display cases. Since day 1, I have done all of his fliers and logo, donated merchandise for him to stock the shelves, many times without reimbursement, etc. Being from a marketing world, we wanted a jam to get local musicians to discover the shop. Laurie said, "Let's just do it... starting this Saturday." We just did it. That was 2 years ago. It was a long time since that first day before we saw you and lots of others, and by that point Bob, Pete, Harvey and others had been invited, attended and loved it. That is when the attendance skyrocketed. Ask Elson.

Reality: This core group wants to play bluegrass. Only bluegrass, although they do tolerate cowboy and country music as an occasional song. Attitudes? Yes. Egos? Yes. Now, tell me you ain't packing one of each, too.

Clarification: I am not implying you resent those with superior ability, nor am I suggesting you are of inferior ability. If you are taking my comments that way, then you are off base but I apologize. But, I do have a question... what would make you and the "veterans" who are complaining happy? Frankly, I have not heard anyone complain, so it must be way off to the side. If you or anyone feels alienated, what do you suggest to fix it?

Opportunity: I cannot imagine a better learning environment to learn bluegras than playing with real bluegrass die hards. I've said it, I say it again, and will continue to say it. Playing alone at home on the couch don't cut it.

Similar situation and attitude came up at the American Legion not long ago. After bickering and arguing for a couple of weeks, the solution was for the core bluegrass group to withdraw from the Legion and practice at private jams, by invitation only.

This is the same core group that offend you, apparently. I promise to refrain from responding to subsequent comments about the "big boys," et al. Only makes me seem narrow minded. Maybe I am.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 10:34 AM

So why did you suggest that I "practice?" /what's that supposed to mean? You want suggestions? Don't ask me. I'm the one that "sings too loud," that "plays songs that ain't bluegrass." When one of your big guns was asked to back off on one of my songs, he answered "Well, I don't like his style anyway." Another plays his boombox while I'm singing. Our group is immediately interrupted when the stars arrive. I don't deny that this is a good opportunity for some, but others have gone home hurt. If you haven't noticed this, than you aren't watching. If you want to assume that this is all some fantasy generated by my alleged ego/attitude, then go ahead. I played music Sunday with a bunch of people of varied abilities who enjoyed themselves and didn't seem to find a place with the other group. Some of them said so, at least, without the prompting of my ego. They seem to sense that our "open jam" becomes merely a showcase/practice session for a rehearsing band, instead of an open exchange where all are equal. But since I wasn't there on opening day, I should just shut up and let them go. OK, I can do that.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 11:41 AM

I am not looking for suggestions, just wonder why there is such an attitude toward the bluegrass "big boys." And, yes, maybe I am not watching. You are probably right. But, the "old timey" group doesn't show up every week, and before you take offense to that too... yes, I know you can't do it. But how can that group establish a time if it's there one week, not the next? The core group are 99% always there. If you think the jams are a band practice, then please explain how that works. Bob & Pete are in a band. I'm not. Big Jim is not. Doug is not. Walter plays with them once and a while.

I will not apologize for bad manners of anyone insulting you. If I want to do that, I will do it myself! Some people are just rude and that is a shame. But, before you identify rude people, there are some others there with a grudge and constantly criticize and undermine anything done by this group. I refuse to identify them. Not worth the heartache, but we all know who they are and just deal with it.

Sunday, I played under the pavilion. You guys stayed out in a separate group. That was cool. Instead of having 36 instruments in one mud pit where nobody can hear anybody.

By the way, my suggestion on "practice" was not for you. But, if someone can't keep up, there is nothing that will fix it other than practice... with a group... hiding in the shadows and figuring it out. Right? Reality: A beginner cannot hop in and take a break on a song that is 200 mph. Although you were not there on day one, you have been an incredible addition to the color of the group and I can say 99% appreciate your attendance.

Your turn...

By the way, Banjer. You get an A+ on your report. Thanks! We will be missing Saturday due to Springfest... up seeing Del McCoury, Tony Rice, etc.