The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 29 Aug 03 - 10:28 AM

Will not be at the jam this Saturday to contribute my normal amount of bad notes. We are attending the Sertoma Youth Ranch Bluegrass Festival in beautiful... slow down I think we missed it... Dade City. However, we will be back next Saturday the 6th. If it will help, I will create a cassette and send it for this weekend and you can play it in the background with any song in any key, which is the normal way I follow along anyways. Don't matter none.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 10:46 PM

Shoot, I heard that when Gern was a teacher, they hadn't invented math yet.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 05:56 PM

But Gern, isn't it true that when you were a High School teacher they only had two subjects? Since it hadn't happened yet, history was not one of them!

If, like you say, we learn best by screwing up, then I am a very learned individual, for all the screwups I can claim!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 03:18 PM

Yeah, I made a mistake once myself. This should be a pressure-free situation. Many of us are new to our instruments, or playing our second or third best instrument. And we learn best by screwing up, which is something I had to remind myself frequently while I was a high school teacher. Everyone is welcome anytime.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 03:15 PM

Martha, come on back! When it's time to take a lead, just go for it! If you mess up... so what. Happens all the time, even to some of the seasoned pros there, and people kid you in good fun. You gotta laugh and say, "Next time." We all enjoy trying. I have frozen up totally a couple of times and just shook it off. Grumbled and went home and practiced.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: marthabees
Date: 24 Aug 03 - 09:55 PM

To Bobo et al :

I really appreciate the quick version of jam session 'etiquette.' Knowing the conventions helps. I'll try to get up to speed on a few more tunes and then when they nod to me, I'll go for it. I'm close to it now....

You all sound like winners to me. Keep pluckin' along!

Martha

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 10:03 PM

We had a visitor to the Bluegrass Shop jam today!! Leon Poindexter came to jam with us!! Thanks to Bobo for inviting him! It was a great jam. Leon is one heck of a good dobro player! He did a Jimmy Rodgers song complete with yodels! Great time!!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 06:04 PM

No problem playing anytime you want to try it. As for volume or difference between styles, I'll let you judge that for yourself. Showing up early and doing whatever we want is about the only way we will get to do that! See you there!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 11:04 AM

Should be easier on the hands, which is a matter of some interest to me. How does it do for volume? Any difference between clawhammer and picking? With your permission, I'd like to try it out one of these days. As to your idea, I still think it's valid, but bluegrassers are a conservative lot. Perhaps we'll just show up early and whoever wants to play plays whatever they want to play.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 05:43 PM

Yes it was an huge success in the flop department! Well it was just an idea. If we never have ideas we will stagnate in our own juices. Later maybe we will be able to expand the time that we can meet and we'll see where it goes!

Gern, try to remember what that nylon string openback sounded like, I made some changes in it and I think I improved it!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 03:04 PM

Gern, I know of 5 votes saying "leave it alone."

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 02:14 PM

I enjoyed playing Jimmie Rodgers songs with Elson, as well as the usual assortment with the usual suspects. Sorry Banjer's idea didn't fly, although I've only heard two objections. Apparently that's enough. I've got another kayak race coming up this weekend--it's some sort of middle-of-life crisis thing...

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 01:06 PM

So, the final consensus was to leave it 1:30pm till 4-ish? That's what I expected since this time was originally "established" by the Bluegrass group as to when they like to come and go. There is still room for an Old Time group, or Golden Oldie group if people decide to show up at noon.   And, BTW, Gern... you were great in there with the group! Wish you could'a stayed a bit longer. But your heart strings were pulling...

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 16 Aug 03 - 10:50 PM

I think we had a pretty good mix today at the jam! The newcomer Gene has a good repoitere of 'Golden Oldie' country songs. It was a lso god to see Gern there again! What would you all think, and how would we go about it so no one gets upset if we change the schedule of the jam just a bit? Here's what I propose:

Noon to 1:45 Old Time (Folks like Gern and Bobo and Laurie and others interested could gather and do 'thier thing')

1:30 to 2:45 Golden Oldie Country Music (Here the folks that like the slower pace of country and old time could come in and join the already in progress old time session and it would then fade from Old Time to Country)

2:30 to 5:00 Bluegrass (Here the full blown Bluegrass Jam would get under way with any of the C&W guys that want joining in)

Sort of a 'something for everyone schedule'...I think most all would like having their own genre of music highlighted. What do you think?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 11:32 AM

Good mix of new and old. Prefer the old. Glad we taped it so we can FF past the subscription pounding they handed out. Jeez.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 09:09 PM

I am watching it now...some good stuff...some not so good stuff...but it's all Bluegrass! Dr. Ralph Stanley is looking good!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 03:44 PM

TONIGHT ON WUSF TV-16:
   
Wednesday, August 13th, 2003

8:00 p.m. All*Star Bluegrass Celebration II brings together familiar favorites plus some fresh new faces and sounds, originating from the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opryhouse in Nashville, Tennessee.


If you miss this, sorry. We just heard about it at 3:30pm. It will repeat.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 13 Aug 03 - 03:04 PM

I am hoping Leon will be there NEXT Saturday, August 23 since Laurie has to work this weekend. But I will email him and try to post his response. Heard that Pete is back! Great. Missed his singing.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 10:52 PM

Yep, Leon is known by Mike Godwin, Charlie Hamrick and others. He and Frank recorded "HIGHWAY CALL" with the Allman Brothers and Dickie Betts a while back. Frank says he will be down in January and will attend the Legion and BG Shop jam. Cool.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 02:12 PM

I will be there as well...what a nice visit that will be! If teis keeps up and word keeps spreading we will have to get Elson to get rid of all the display cases and book racks to make room for us!! :) WOW..Leon Poindexter..not an unfamiliar name at all!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 10:44 AM

In the next week or two, Leon Poindexter will come up from Sarasota and jam with us. He and his brother Frank, who is our buddy, are two of the best dobro players in the business. Their sister up in North Carolina is the mother to the Rice brothers. Yes, Tony Rice and his brothers. Maybe next week, or the following, but he has emailed me they are coming. Started to come yesterday but the storms turned them back home. I will be at Elson's at noon.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 09:29 AM

Yes, Gern was having some health concerns from what I was told. Hopefuly he will be able to join us soon...if not we will storm his house one day...if it keeps raining like it is here we can all climb on board that bass in the store and use our banjos for paddles to get here! (You've got to visualize this with me folks), Bobo in his Hawiian shirt standing at the helm, acting as sort of a warning light at the bow (with the shirt I'm thinking of he could be seen for miles, even in a dense fog), with the rest of us piled on behind, paddling with whatever form of banjo or madolin we can muster!! I'm sitting here at the keyboard giggling all by my lonesome, except for the dog who thinks I've finally lost it!! :)

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 09:22 AM

I had planned to make it, actually, but was having hearing troubles. Seems my days off are your days on. Elson called to tell me about some old timer who came by, but I couldn't make it. Next week?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 10 Aug 03 - 08:54 AM

Even without a bass, yesterday's jam was one of the best ever. Big Jim and Bob harmonize so well and the music was clean, tight and considerate. Lots of handing off split leads which always sounds great. Small crowd, high quality! 'Ceptin we wuz missin dad bern Gern.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 02:36 PM

A musician with an ego? Naaah.

Music to me an my wife is more than a hobby, it is an obsession from day to day. But, likely not a way to earn a living. So when we realize we are being too serious, we stop and laugh. Hey, we are doing this for fun. If it stops being fun, then it becomes work or something.

It is all a journey, grasshopper. We never reach the destination and must enjoy the scenery along the way.

That is our attitude! Right Gern, you old tamale eater, you.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 08 Aug 03 - 09:43 AM

Yes, for God's sake, don't let my grousing discourage you. My style (clawhammer banjo) and hearing troubles (over 60% loss in both ears) make me a difficult match for any group of pickers. No one at any time has made me feel unwelcome or unworthy. But the oldtime sessions are more inclusive, and give me a chance to break up the usual routine of bluegrass standards. Complicating our setup is a nucleus of an established band, who bring their repertiore, worked harmonies, etc. to each session. No harm intended here, but it relegates the rest of us to chording backups. This can all be worked out. In the meantime, we have a great weekly opportunity to mix, listen and develop. Perhaps I have not voiced my appreciation for this enough. Or perhaps I am part of a not so elite group: musicians with ego problems. Ever met one of these?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 07:41 PM

Not at all, Bobo! I think you have covered all the points very well. I love to hear the big boys playing and only wish that I could join in! But until I can, if ever, I also enjoy trying my hand at slow stuff just to gain the experience. I have noticed the last few months I am not afraid to pick up a banjo in the shop and start a few songs in MY STYLE when others are present! That simple act used to terrify the beejezus out of me!! I think it is because I have developed the attitude that I don't care what they think, I am enjoying myself! Marthabees, DO come on over one Saturday< we'd love to have you!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 07 Aug 03 - 02:41 PM

...and now that Martha thinks I'm an arrogant idiot or something...

What the heck. Gern already knew it.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 10:02 PM

Martha, please allow me to state my opinion and maybe help to clear your mind. The sessions are open, but with 15 musicians in the room, everybody does tend to hammer away trying to be heard. There is a core group that know when to play, and better yet... when NOT to play. The "leader" tries to keep control, but it's tough. He is really a good guy and more than willing to ask anyone to step up. If I remember who you were, he asked you, right? But when I start moaning about not having a chance, which we all do... I remember. This is a learning experience and we are fortunate to have the semi-pros there to learn from. Jam etiquite requires a person to work their way into the group and earn some acceptance, maybe one song lead one week... gradually increasing your presence. Beginners mix with intermediate and mix with advanced players. Kinda like music soup. I consider myself a beginner, although I have been playing bass and guitar since I was 13... 46 years ago. My dobro is 7 months old. SO, I take leads when they are offered and nod them off if I am not sure I can pull it off. THAT is the experience you can garner! That is open to anyone who has the heart to try. Come back and do it again. The old timey group is still forming and hopefully it will be a solid mass in the next couple of months to offer alternatives to those of us who are poking around and experimenting. Hope this helps, and did not offend. IF so, sorry.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: marthabees
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 09:50 PM

Banjer.... I understood you correctly. The other folks are delightful to listen to and aspire to play like even...but the intimidation factor is present and it's not necessarily even something they're aware of.

There is a difference in old-time and bluegrass sessions fer shure, it seems to me. And for what I like to do, I'll take oldtime. Until I get to be a powerhouse (hee hee hee).

Thanks,
Martha

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 09:27 PM

I hope I didn't give a wrong impression...yes there are some powerhouses that coul dbe billed as semi-professional....and they ARE GOOD!! The thing is that for a novice, not yet familiar with many facets of music, it can be very intimidating, they do attempt to include everyone, but some of us feel better when we can go a slow pace and lean more towards 'old time' sessions.The Buegrass Jam sessions are Fnatastic and I would not miss them for the world...Let us know when you are planning to be down and we will make sure we ahve some oldtime stuff ready!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: marthabees
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 08:58 PM

Since I live in Tallahassee, I was real interested in hearing about this group....even though you're 5 hours away.

What was especially interesting to me in reading this whole thread was seeing the evolution of the sessions from friendly, open, accepting to one where a small, practiced group powerhoused out some of the others.

I noticed that happening to the group I attended in town, too. I'm not new to the music biz, but I'm new to the conventions of a jam/pick-up session, so I didn't really know what to do or expect.

While I can keep up with most folks on the rhythm guitar or upright bass, I can't do it (yet) with my mando which I'm still quite a novice at. It was pretty clear that my little chop chords wouldn't be much good/appreciated. It just wasn't friendly - it's billed "open" seesion but it really wasn't. It certainly wasn't inclusive-feeling. I mean, everybody whaled away at the same time, but there was not a real feeling of joy or inclusion by the purported session leader which lightly poisoned the session - not completely poisoned it.... I love playing too much.

Sounds like what happened here is consistent with your experiences.
If I get down that way, I'll look you early-timers up.
Not tamale, but maybe soon....

Martha

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 06 Aug 03 - 05:49 PM

I plan to get there some time between 12 and 1...depending upon the grandson who wants to come with me this weekend. He has been progressing nicely and thinks he may be ready to try to sit in a little bit!! (He is sounding much better here lately) But we will have to leave earlier to pick up the other grandson from his weekend reserve. See you then!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 10:26 PM

We will be there around 12:15-12:30pm.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 08:27 PM

I remember you telling us about it, looking forward to seeing it!! I will have to leave no later than 4 on Saturday, but I plan to be there early. See you then!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 11:33 AM

Just got a new Hawaiian Weissenborn-style guitar for the oldie group. Will fit in nicely with Gern's clawhammer, dulcimers, fiddles, etc. Will bring it this week to show you. Neat sound... different from a dobro... more of a "haunting" resonance to it. The neck is hollow!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 04:17 PM

Well certainly your absence is not what costitutes a
'good' jam....Although you are right... you're always not there when they are good! :)

Maybe the next one will have your smiling countenance present!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 12:18 PM

Well, we learn by doing. How come all the "good" jams are the ones I miss, and vice versa. And which vice is versa, as Groucho used to ask?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 11:31 AM

I guess the call of the tamales was not strong enough to entice Gern to the jam! Just want you to know, Gern, that you missed one heck of a good time. Just a bunch of folks doing wahtever came to mind..it was fun. I even drug out the banjo and did a little bit with it. I learned that I have a long way to go to be able to keep up with even the basic stuuf, but with time it will happen.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 01 Aug 03 - 03:29 PM

"Oh Gernie Boy, the tamales, tamales they are calling..."

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 30 Jul 03 - 10:10 PM

Ran into Bill the gospel mando guy and he will be there. Plus he will bring a young lady who plays bass guitar, acoustic. Sounds like this will be fun. Different.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 07:13 PM

Yes, I plan to be there at about noon..I too think that the old time will have a chance this weekend. Let's try it!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 28 Jul 03 - 04:33 PM

For Saturday, August 2, it looks like the attendance will be light. So, it may be that chance for the old timey group to play for a couple of hours. Laurie and I will be there. Banjer said he would be, unless that has changed. SO, if you want a chance to play... may not be a lot of singing... come on out at Noon. Somebody wake Gern up, OK? Don't shake him too hard just in case he's been into the tamales again.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 11:07 PM

Done.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 06:26 PM

I will try my very best to be there at noon. I have a previous commitment to take my mother to Sears warehouse to pick up a refrigerator....pray for me!!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 09:51 AM

I am planning to arrive at 12:00 if anybody wants to play early. I hear that Marcie, the bass player, is coming at 1:30pm so that would give us a full hour and a half before the big jam starts. Hmmmm?

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:30 PM

Don't do today what you can put off till tamale.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Banjer
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 05:39 PM

Well since you guys left the door open, I wil have 'to go there'!! I don't work for tamale either, I just live for today! We should probably ask next door before setting up shop, but hey, they have all to gain and nothing to lose. Just think, for a short while on Saturdays, they could be the only hot dog stand with a floor show!

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Bobo
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 02:38 PM

Not a brewing broohaha, just some comments made that were not appreciated. However, seeing that I respect their musical talents, I do appreciate their willingness to let people jump in and play. Sometimes you just have to wade in and ignore egos, opinions and comments. Hard for me to remember sometimes, being an old grumpy crumudgeonly person. This is a gift to have the opportunity. Now as far as next door? Why not. Noon-1:30 or something? We can work for tamales to give to Gern.

Subject: RE: The Bluegrass Shop, St Petersburg FL
From: Gern
Date: 22 Jul 03 - 10:54 AM

I agree about taking nothing seriously. I just wrote in my latest 'About the Author' profile for the next bluegrass book, "Hill's recently downsized goal in life is to stay out of everybody's way." I clearly have yet to succeed. The early group does endeavor toward openness, hoping to be user-friendly for developing instrumentalists (i.e. it's OK to suck at what you do. Most of us are playing our second-or-third best instruments, and some of us are new at them, and that should be OK.) I find it necessary because my clawhammer cannot project over multiple finger-picked resonator banjos, while still allowing practice on three-finger picking. We try also to expand beyond the usual repertoire (well-rehearsed by those dominating the 2:00 session) and I try to include more offbeat, underplayed old-time stuff. I'm usually there every other Saturday, and try to touch base here at Mudcat when I'm on my way. But I believe you'll find somebody waiting to play about any Saturday. Maybe next door is the answer, although I won't work for tamales.