I agree with you completly on this Joe. It's weird, but the identical thing happened to me at last month's jam session. I was just settling in my chair, my guitar was tuned, and the songs had started going around the circle, when a lady I know only too well crowded herself into a small space next to me. She decided to start visiting with the lady on her right. And then a third lady joined and they were having a fine gab fest in no time.

Their talking was such a distraction that I got up in disgust, packed my guitar and left very early.

There are only three choices in a situation like that: 1. hope the person in charge (homeowner in my case) will speak up and quiet the gossipers, 2. speak up yourself 3. go home.

I'm thinking of skipping the gathering this month. bob(deckman)nelson