Maury Baker Jam-Famous Mockingbird Lounge

Songs

Let's Work Together

For What Its Worth

Spoonful

With

Phil Koening-Lead guitar

Freddy Jones-Harmonica

Joe Hilgendorf-Bass 

Craig Erickson-Lead guitar on Spoonful

Maury Baker-Drums
http://www.headhunterssticksandcreations.com/team-details/maury-baker/

Jim Jacobmeyer: Host and provider of the photos taken from the jam 

Patrick Lower: Sound guy 

(Maury Baker and Phil Koening)

In the two and half years of returning back to play I have been blown away by the amazing musicians that I have shared the stage with, but the past year of playing guitar instead has blossomed into something more special than I could ever put down in words.   I guess I'm a well kept secret.  The ones who know me at Rumor's as the guest drummer playing on a few songs and helping support Terry McDowell and his Sunday Jam were surprised on how I can sing and play guitar on other songs.   Of course Julie knows about me and my eccentric song list when we duet together. And of course the Checker's Crowd and the folks at Whittier and Waubeek but I have been branching out a bit more toward the alternative music scene.  The Artisan Sanctuary open mic nights, the Long Branch acoustic showcase as well, but since they're not paying gigs, I have to pick and choose the nights to do this.  Exposure is nice and I'll be happy to do it whenever I can.

I haven't been able to do much jamming due to us being busy at work and time off is rare. But I did promise Jim Jacobmeyer that I would show up for the Wednesday Night Jam on the second night of Maury Baker being in town.  Maury Baker played drums for Janis Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band and he's the main drummer on I Got Dem Kosmic Blues Again Mama from Janis.  He also figured into recordings from Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix.

In theory, tonight I jammed with two artists who made albums nationally.  The other was Craig Erickson.  But for the most part, about 40 people showed up to either watched or take part in the jam session at the Famous Mockingbird Lounge, which used to be Campbell Steele Gallery before the owners sold and moved back to Omaha.   I have never set foot in the old Campbell Steele and it does have its own kind of aura and mystic vibes in itself.  For the most part tonight's show was Craig Erickson and Billy Satterfield trading epic guitar licks on the Hendrix songs All Along The Watchtower and Little Wing, plus Craig's version of Shaky Ground.   Steph Murphy led things off with three Janis Joplin numbers, I would borrow her bass player for my set.

(Craig with Maury Baker)

Craig Erickson is one of the more epic guitar slingers in town.  The man runs circles over my playing any day.  I known him for many years but never close enough to discuss music issues, he did sold me my first four track recorder back in 1989, so he played a role in the sound of the Townedgers. Sometimes I get tongue tied when I see him but he's approachable. Unlike me.

But the with guitar showdown between Craig and Billy, I was beginning to wonder if I should have gone to Checker's to say hi to the gang Jim's girlfiend Marijane told me to hang tight.  And yes I was beginning to get nervous too.  After all these were some heavy hitters and Janis's drummer on stage and I was the outsider.  So the only thing I could think of was just to do the songs I could remember the lyrics.  Jim gave me the option to play solo or with help, I chose the latter.  I wanted musicians to extend the songs a bit.  Joe from Steph's band offereed to play bass.  And I knew Phil would be there to help me.  And he did.  I didn't give Freddy much songs to play harmonica solos with, he passed on For What It's Worth since it was in E, so that give Phil  more time to play a lead.  He's very good with lead licks.  Fred did extend himself on Let's Work Together.  Eventually I'll figure out how the wear my guitar strap the right way.  Craig and Joe have theirs on right. Note the strange look on Joe's face on my guitar strap on the hard way :P 

(Phil Bo and Joe)

All three songs I did ended up being about 15 minutes long.  For the final number Spoonful, I was amazed to find Craig deciding to join in on the fun and added some of his famed guitar playing in the process.  Just like last week when Doug Spinler joined me at Checker's, I was grinning from ear to ear and having a great time of this.  It really doesn't get any better than this.

But in the end, this was Maury's jam and he was a professional and great guy.  There's talk that he will return back to Marion to do this all over again.  To which I'll be happy to help out if need to be.

Notes:  John Hall was the other bass player, who played a six string bass and works with Craig and Rob Haskill in Erickson's band.

After my appearance, Craig and Billy (with John Hall on bass) ended things with two rousing versions of You can't always get what you want and Gimme Shelter before the whole show ended after 9 30.  After which we all managed to get a group photo together.  Jim Jacobmeyer took the photo.

(L to R: Patrick Lower, Stephanie Reynolds, Craig Erickson, R.Smith, Maury Baker, John Hall, Billy Satterfield, Adam Springer, Phil Koening, Joe Hilgendorf)

Rumors Jam 1/28/18

With:

Mike Clair-Guitar and vocals on Working Man Blues
Tommy Bruner-Guitar and vocals and Gimme Shelter and Tomorrow Never Knows
Brook Hoover-Guitar and polka songs-Vocals on Boogie Nights and Polka by Brook
Jeff Overly-Sax on Gimme Shelter and Tomorrow Never Knows
Bob Gleason-Harmonica on Gimme Shelter, Petticoat Junction and Working Man Blues
Dan Johnson-Bass and vocals on Petticoat Junction  and Car Wash
Terry McDowell-Drums and Host
R.Smith-Drums on this song segment.

Songs:

Gimme Shelter/Car Wash/Boogie Nights
Tomorrow Never Knows
Brook Hoover's Polka Number
Petticoat Junction (D.J.'s Idea)
Working Man Blues

(Mike Clair.  He has lost over 100 pounds since the Vinton gig and is looking quite Gentlemen Quarterly)

Notes:  Quentin Duarte plays in Baggi Spandex, but hangs around Brook most of the time, joined in the fun around 6:30, threw his guitar on the floor and proceeded to come upstage when Ernest was singing Got My Mojo Working and took over Tommy Bruner's Mic.  I'm surprised Tommy didn't tell him to go away.  For The Twist Duarte took Brook's guitar from him and played to the song.  But between the break of doing Bring It On Home, was playing an off riff that didn't fit the song and D.J finally told Quentin to leave.  He stomped out of Rumors then came back in to retrieve his guitar he threw down on the floor.  Turns out he's bi polar and it got the best of him. I'm sure he's forgotten of what he did the next time he hits Parlor City.  A very intense guy but he didn't win many friends today.

This was probably the most bizarre and eclectic set of songs that was attempted.  Gimme Shelter started out as a more funkier groove than the Rolling Stones song and it may have something to do with the appearance of Brook who always adds a different element to the songs that we do.  This was no exception when the song took a more disco turn and it became Car Wash with Dan singing it.  I may have something to do with the disco beat as well.  Then I got to do their version of Tomorrow Never Knows, featuring Mike's use of effects.   The first two songs ran about 15 minutes.

Then it got weird.  Brook decided to do a polka number, Dan trotted out the theme to Petticoat Junction and then we concluded with Working Man Blues.  I think I'm beginning to figure out the breaks.  Of course at some point during a jam I wanted to mellow things out but Dan kept speeding the bass notes up so I had to keep up with him.

Jeff Overly did surprise me by showing up and performing for the first couple hours before having to leave.  Next time we get together will be Whittier.

Birthday Bash Part 2-Artisan Sanctuary

Songlist:

Behind Blue Eyes
Stop Draggin My Heart Around
Been Down So Long
Love's Guessing Game
Let Your Love Flow
Logic And Lies

Colton Thompson-vocals on Stop Draggin My Heart Around and Logic And Lies
Phil Koening-Backing Vocals on Let Your Love Flow and Behind Blue Eyes

A bittersweet day.  Started out okay, I had my yearly free Red Robin birthday burger (mushroom and swiss if you need to ask) and popped in at Guitar Center, take a look around and then off to the Jam tonight.

The sad part was Julie got sick again.  She can't get rid of that flu crap and I feel powerless that I can't do anything to make her feel better.   Ever since coming back from her vacation she's been well for two days in the past six weeks.  Always somebody around to make her sick and I'm sure somebody at last night's jam did just that.  In my case, I was perfectly healthy.  I told her just to stay home and I would pull through.  She was better off staying home.

I'm getting used to musician crowds.  Only 7 people showed up tonight and three other folks did wonder in for a few songs before leaving. For the second straight time, I dropped the guitar pick on Behind Blue Eyes and had to stop and pick the fucking thing up before continuing.  And probably for the last time, did Stop Dragging My Heart Around without a female counterpart, Colton stepped in to sing backing vocals but when I told him he needed the sing the Stevie Nicks part, he looked like a deer caught in front of the headlights, so I sang that instead. As much as I want to do that song, I need a female vocalist for that.  I'm not doing any favors singing Stevie Nicks part.

Been Down So Long was attempted for the first time.  I gotta laugh out of Phil Koening when after hearing that song he said that I was singing the blues.  To which I replied "mutant blues' that is.
Let Your Love Flow was repeated from last night but Doug Spinler was missed.   It's funny how I did that song on my own and did okay but do it for the first time with Doug, and that song changed for the better.

By default I became the last act to play and although I could have done a couple more songs, I felt a bit labored tonight.  Knowing Julie was sick and couldn't make it played a role. I go through this from time to time, after the highs of Checker's, tonight show was more in the middle, not a total letdown but dropping the guitar pick on the rocking out part of Behind Blue Eyes made me a bit miffed.  I'm sure that happens to everybody but it did kill a good version of this song.

Logic And Lies, as per usual, closed down the jam and Colton actually was singing the whole song. I should have let him sing lead on that to see what would happened.  Later on, I ran into him at Wal Mart and shared a laugh or two.  He's a good lad.

Notes:  There was a band in the recording studio doing some backing tracks for a song while the jam was going on.  It had the same beat to I'm Too Sexy so I was singing that.  Colton thought it was funny, so did Jim Jacobmeyer.

Maury Baker, former drummer to Janis Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band and played with Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa to name a few has a seminar at the Sanctuary Tuesday Night and a Jam on Wednesday.  But Jim mentioned that he's only sold two 55 dollar tickets to the seminar which would be a downer.  I hope I can get Wednesday Night off to at least participate in the Jam (Craig Erickson is rumored to be playing guitar that night as well) but I have to be careful of conserving my vacation days. I told Jim that I cab do only one monthly appearance for open mic night since I'm partial to the Checker's Jam since we are busy at work.   Which would be the last Thursday in February.  I do want at least get to see Maury as he talks about working with Janis and Jimi and Frank, who all three have been dead for many years.

Rod's Birthday Bash and EGADS Reunion

Hosted by Julie Gordon and Dave Bonham

Songlist;

Eve Of Destruction
The Fire Inside
Last Kiss/This Magic Moment/Stand By Me Medley

Steve Black Wolf-Lead Vocals, guitar
R. Smith-Percussion

The EGADS reunion

Mark Randolph-Guitar
Belinda James-Lead Vocals
Tony Nickels-Percussion
Dave Bonham-Guitar
R. Smith-Guitar (Come Together) Percussion (Fever)

Come Together
Fever

My Setlist

Let Your Love Flow
Summertime Blues
Tulsa Time
Being With You (An Doug Spinler original)
Gold Dust Woman
Stop Draggin My Heart Around
Unchained Melody

For the first four songs it was:
R.Smith-Guitar, Lead Vocal on Summertime Blues and Tulsa Time, Percussion on Being With You
Doug Spinler-Lead Guitar and Vocals on Let Your Love Flow and Being With You.
Tony Nickels-Percussion on Tulsa Time
Belinda James-Backing vocals
Julie Gordon-Percussion

Then on the final three songs:
Julie Gordon-Lead Vocals and Guitar
R.Smith-Guitar and counter vocals on Stop Draggin My Heart Around
Belinda James-Backing vocals

Also in the house:

Ed Butler
Tim Canfield
Glenn Gardner
DJ Hovenstat
Pam Herrington

For 57 revolutions around the sun, I really don't hold much stock into birthdays.  If people are happy to celebrate my birthday, who am I to argue?

I started out the day with my mom buying my lunch at Pizza Ranch.  And then off to find some bargains and came up empty.  So I didn't really know what to expect when Julie made the banner about my birthday celebration at Checkers and who would show up.  Usually in the winter time everybody stays home.

A couple surprises came up.  First, for the first time in a couple months, Belinda showed up from her busy working days to wish happy birthday to me.  Second of all Mark Randolph was there and technically it became a reunion of THE EGADS.  I didn't take part on her singing Blue Bayou but I had to help them out on Fever, after all that was the song that introduced us together. I missed hearing her angelic vocals to Blue Bayou.  It was the first time that Mark and Belinda played together since the Vinton EGADS show.  So was special.

(Palomino Band:  Doug Spinler, Mike Eastman, Fred Hoffman)

The second and biggest surprise was seeing Doug Spinler (of the Palomino Band and 5 Of Hearts) come in to say hello and we chatted a bit and asked if he was interested of playing a few songs on stage.  Not only did he do that but it was the first time that he and I played guitars together on stage ever.  I used to jam with him and his dad when I first got my drum set and we did a few songs in around 1981 (or late 1980)  I was quite new at playing but I had fun back then.  There was an jam that was recorded around 1983 and was recorded under the Paraphernalia banner but Doug was a guest star.  There was talk about drafting him into the band, but he was more country than the rest of the guys and he was playing in a band at that time (Airwave with Joe Sherman of KHAK) and we kinda fell out of touch before I started to go see his band play when I came out of retirement.  We have been very good friends but our paths never crossed all that much.  But I basically gave Steve Black Wolf and Ed Butler the slots ahead of me and Doug and I talked about the old times.  And then  we got on stage.  Let Your Love Flow was suggested and he sang it. and I ended up doing Tulsa Time and Summertime Blues before he did an original song to which I played percussion.  I always said I like jamming with the finest musicians in town but I love it when I get to jam with friends that used to play in my old bands.  This does mean a lot to me and it was special.

(Steve Black Wolf, Ed Butler,Glenn Gardner and Mark Randolph-Julie Gordon took the photo and made cupcakes in the process)

I usually do songs solo but having Doug in the audience and the EGADS as well, I opted to get Julie to close the jam with Gold Dust Woman, to which she sang it beautifully and Belinda adding backing vocal.  To hear my favorite singers sing together was another shining moment.  Then of course our attempt of Stop Dragging My Heart Around which went pretty good.  To conclude things Julie wanted to end the jam with Unchained Melody.  And it was surreal to have just me and her on stage ending that song. It does send shivers down my back when she sings it.   Julie was kind enough to bake some cupcakes and brought a cake in for the jammers and patrons to eat.  Plus she got me some body wash to take a shower on and hand lotion.  She really has gone beyond the call of duty to make my birthday a great day, which is why I love her for all the things that she does for me.  And Dave Bonham got me some drumsticks too.  Plus the fine staff at Checkers gave me a free supper.  I love that place.  I'm sure once I get my band going they'll let me play there?

Rumor's Jam-Sonya Adair's 50th Birthday Party

With:

Sippie Bynum-Vocals (1,2)
Karl Hudson-Vocals and Guitar (3-5)
Mike Clair-Guitar
Tommy Bruner-Guitar
Jeremiah Murphy-Bass
Randy Burghdoff-Guitar

Setlist:

Bring It On Home
The Twist
Take It Easy
Sister Golden Hair
All My Loving

Sonya is the bartender at Rumors.  She's been doing the jams ever since I came out of retirement to play music again.   Anyway, I got there early but so did about four other drummers and I waited in the wings till Terry picked me to back Ernest up on his two song medley.  I think it was Ernest that made that request for me to back him up.  Then Karl came up to do a couple of songs before I headed out to hang with Julie for a couple hours.  It wasn't so much of a secret we were together but I finally changed my status from single to in a relationship with her on Saturday, technically, I gave December 2nd as the official day she mentioned she was ready.  Even back then, it was slow going and there are times I do notice that she's still not sure if she's totally ready.  I cannot rush her into this, I have to let her decide if she wants to grow closer together with me.  I know both of us had a couple bad relationship tries in the past so it has to be a day by day thing.  And taking it slow.  I'm all for it.

I know where she's coming from.  I've been single for so long that I tend to come and go in my own way and leave everybody behind for a while.  I admit I wasn't the best boyfriend when it came to my last go at being with somebody.   The thrill of being with somebody at the start and then the growing pains of trying to learn to live with each other.   And then the disagreements, the fights and then the breakup, and the pain of heartbreak.   Hell, I never want to go through with that again, I want somebody that I grow together with and not fight them every step of the way.  It took me five years to even consider seeing or dating anybody.  And then I started going to Julie's bands an supporting her a couple years ago.  Somehow she looked at me differently than anybody else and then started being interested in me enough to wonder if and when I would ask her out.  When she couldn't wait anymore she asked me out.  And then we fell in love with each other.

I find myself not wanting to leave her when I do visit her.  I think it helps when her furbabies love me a lot.  That's probably the reason why she was attracted to me, with me watching Franklin the dog and her two cats when she was in California.   And then I'm sitting there chatting with Franklin and talking about how much we miss her.  I have bargain hunts to plan and then drop them when she wants to get together.  I'm sure I can adapt somewhat to her vegan ways and have been gradually moving over to less meat consumption.  If eating plant induced food is the way to go to her heart that I'll do my best to change my eating habits. She is a good cook and has gone out of her way to make me feel at home when I do see her.  All the musicians in town know that she means a lot to me.  She loves everybody and I know she loves me in her own way too.  I appreciate everything she does for me, I love to hold her tight, love it when she kisses me.  She has managed to chip away decades of anger and depression from me and inspired me to the point that the gigs and bands I play in, sound 100 times better than I was angry and pissed off.   Julie has really made a difference in this life.   I hope that someday that she'll overcome the bad experiences of previous guys that didn't treat her the way she should be treated.  I'll never replace Kyle, but I hope to live to see the day that I can make her proud.  I'm not good at love but I really want her to be my last true love.  If' it's possible.  I told her than in the times we weren't talking in the summer, she was always on my mind and I wasn't interested in anybody else.  I loved her then, and I love her now.

NOTES:  Greg And Brenda Mein was there and I didn't jam with them, Mike Lint had the honor.  They did Stop Draggin My Heart Around and The Weight, but Mike never heard the latter song and I was out in the audience trying to help him on the breaks....This was the first time that I got to jam with Randy Burghdoff, from Rare Earth.  Once again no Rare Earth songs were played, at least not the ones I was familiar with...On a sad note, the reunion between Tommy and Brenda wasn't meant to be.   I feel bad for the both of them, I was really hoping things would work for the best for them.

Saturday: I spent the afternoon with Julie and we took Franklin out to the park and walked for a bit. Then she made supper and we spent an hour exercising watching a movie and then we went over a few songs before the Wed Night Acoustic showcase.   One of the songs I was working on was Tommy's song A Brief Shining Moment, kind of a dark depressing number that he didn't use for his new album but I thought I would write the music since the lyrics was there.  Little did I know that the words ring true for him.

(River City Drifters)

Friday Night: Mike Serbousek's band  River City  Drifters played at Hot Shots in front of 10 people. I sat on a couple numbers, Johnny B Goode and one other.  Mike was nice enough to give me ten dollars for my two songs.  He didn't have to do that but Julie remarked he should have done that when I filled in for him when he broke his finger last September at the last Mad Dogs show

As for Dreams Of Arcadia, the duo of Julie and Ryan, two bars have closed up shop, Knuckleheads in Anamosa and The Frog in Czech Village and The Winery next to Stuff  Etc canceled their February appearance. But their Saturday Feb 2 gig at Solon and the the 9th at Coralville Legion are still on.  I promised Julie that I would  be at the Solon Legion Hall gig and by pass the Waubeek Jam.  As well as the Feb 1 Aces And Eights Gig and the 9th Coralville Legion. Not sure how long Ryan will be here for the duration but I am sure she'll find some gigs.  But not on Feb 17.  That's our next date.

Whittier Acoustic Showcase 1/13/18

Setlist:

Stop Draggin My Heart Around
Behind Blue Eyes*
Eve Of Destruction
Fox On The Run
First Cut Is The Deepest
Switchboard Susan
Lynch Party
Light My Fire
Love Song
Dark End Of The Street*
Logic And Lies
Cinnamon Girl (Extract)

(with Rick Clay)

In the dead of winter when you have subzero temps nobody goes out for jams. I have been used of seeing single digit performers and crowds to the point that it don't bother me  In fact I would get stage fright if there was more the 20 people in the audience.  I didn't figure the Whittier jam would be many people showing up.   I was right. Five people showed up including the host David Lam and Stu Pershing showed up later to really help things out.  I may include to lift a couple of songs that he usually does, Feeling Alright, Seven Turns and All I Can Do Is Write About It.

I worked all day on Behind Blue Eyes so I had a idea on how to play it, among with Dark End Of The Street.  The arrangements were rough but by the time I got to Whittier I managed to have a idea in my head to play them.  For something completely different, I sang Stop Draggin My Heart Around from the male point of view.  As well as covering The Cure's Lovesong.  Both songs are done by Julie and done better but for shits and giggles, I thought I'd try them out.

I went electric, using the my red Fender Strat for the first time. I haven't done Eve Of Destruction much, Steve Black Wolf does that one more often than I do.  Fox On The Run with all them shifting chords managed to sound very good with no mistakes.  Lovesong I had to include the riff to Walk Don't Run from the Ventures   The intention of the songs such as Dark End Of The Street and Draggin My Heart Around is to involve Julie more into the mix of music that I do.  With Ryan slated to come back in a couple weeks to start up The Dreams Of  Arcadia, I fear that I won't be doing much with Julie once he's here.  He's the money making partner. I'm just the love struck groupie.

(with Troy Mitchell: Jus Coz 1/13/18)

Phil Koening usually doesn't do the Whittier Jam but mostly the Waubeek Jam.  He opened up for Dan Hubbard at the Artisan Sanctuary and a few locals went to see him.   Four Day Creep was doing their birthday bash at Just Coz and once the Whittier Jam got done, I added another 60 miles to the car to help them celebrate their birthdays.  Each and every one were born late Dec and early Jan.   I got there at 11 and got to jam with them on Dreams I'll Never See Again.  Plenty of all stars sat in, the guys from FLEX, Mount Rockmore and a few other bands showed up.  Pat Geisland played drums on a couple numbers.  Even Rick Clay decided to try his hand at playing drums on  a couple numbers and kept dropping the drumsticks but he can twirl them. It was a good time.

(Four Day Creep:  Troy, Amanda and James and the lead singer from Slap N Tickle)

Notes; Since there was not any pictures taken of the Whittier Acoustic Showcase, Tami Soukup took plenty of the Four Day Creep Birthday Bash at Just Coz in Cedar Rapids. Even though I got there late, they managed to slot me in on a song and they are fun to jam with.  Rick broke a string on one song and kept playing, never missed a riff whatsoever.

A fashion note:  I actually wore a dress shirt before going to the Whittier Acoustic Showcase.  Didn't plan it that way but I do stick out in the crowd.

Tami Soukup took the photos shown.


Rumors' Jam 1/14/18  Hosted by Terry McDowell

with:
Micheal Clair-Guitar and Vocals
Tommy Bruner-Guitar and Vocals
John Hernandez-Bass
R.Smith-Drums

Setlist:

While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Kansas City Blues
Dirty Water
I Saw Her Standing There

Thankfully I got there before the rest of the drummers showed up, so I managed to do new stuff.  Tommy sang all but Kansas City, Mike sang Kansas City.  The first song was extended quite a bit, but Tommy played some soulful licks.  Despite the crappy weather we had six other drummers show up and everybody added something to the songs.  A pretty good jam overall.

We have proof that Rick Clay played drums now!  Here tis!

Checker's Acoustic Showcase 1/10/18-The Blue Jinx

Songs of note:

Stop Draggin My Heart Around (our version-Julie Gordon sings lead)
Lynch Party
Fox On The Run
Jet Airliner
Every Mother's Son (Attempted)
You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover

I played Mike Fredericks's guitar.

Solo acoustic set

Little Wing
Mary Jane's Last Dance
Breakdown
Stop Draggin My Heart Around
Heard It In A Love Song
Going Up The Country

Playing Percussion
with Greg Mein on Guitar and vocals
Brenda Hoskins-Mein-Keyboards, Flute and Vocals

With Steve Black Wolf and Donna Jo

Turn The Page
Knockin On Heaven's Door
Last Kiss
Stand By Me
This Magic Moment
Eve Of Destruction
Sweet Home Chicago

Steve Black Wolf-lead vocal and guitar
Donna Jo-Backing Vocals, tambourine
Julie Gordon played the drums and then sang on Sweet Home Chicago and played guitar.
Mike Fredericks played banjo
Dave Bonham played some guitar  But took it easy most of the night
Tim Canfield-showed up later but didn't play bass.
Sofie Chesney-sang with Steve Black Wolf on a few songs


It's getting to the point that the Ibanez guitar that I have brought about 9 months ago is becoming a fucking jinx.  It broke strings during my Cabin Jam, my first Waubeek jam and then at the Artisan Sanctuary but tonight, the damn washers fell off and I couldn't plug the guitar in anywhere, so I used Mike Frederick's Gretsch electric guitar.  I borrowed Julie to attempt the first version of Stop Draggin My Heart Around and stole it from Greg and Brenda, who would do their own version later on.

Another musician's crowd tonight.  Tim Canfield was rumored to play bass but showed up for support. Greg and Brenda helped out and I helped them playing percussion on their set.   Julie was still trying to rest her voice so I only used her for Stop Draggin My Heart Around.  I was going over that song this afternoon and just about have it down in rough form.  We never played it before.

It seems that January is the worst month to sing anything, it's too dry and most people are either stuck with the flu, or the cold or both.  I have been dealing with a scratchy throat to the point I was choking on the Mein's version of Draggin My Heart Around.  They're such cool people to jam with.

I tried to reassure Julie that I was in a good mood but even she sensed I was a bit disgusted from the issues of the Ibanez and the plug on inside the hollow body of the guitar.   Then I broke the damn acoustic peg holding the string in trying to get to the damn input plug.  So Mike offered his Gretsch electric and it played fine, except I couldn't get it tuned right to do Every Mother's Son so I closed things with Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover.   The Blue Jinx was still used for Steve's set and Julie played along on the bongos, a bit self conscious on her playing but from what I heard, she did a good job keeping the beat.

Upon replacing the broken acoustic peg,  I broke the damn string and threw the damn guitar across the room, chipping part of the neck.  However some good ole Electric Tape and some TLC I managed to get the guitar back into order.  It was given a new nickname.  I call it The Blue Brat.

Rumors Jam 1/7/18-The Return Of The Dueling Drummers.

Songlist:

Sunshine Of Your Love
Don't Be Cruel
Listen To The Music
Black Water
Sister Golden Hair
I think I just stay here and drink
Message In A Bottle
Comfortably Numb

With:

Mike Clair-Guitar and vocals on all tracks
Dave Bonham-Guitar and Vocals 1,2
John Stephanek-Bass and vocals 1,2
Karl Hudson-Lead Vocals 3,4,5
Jeff Mattison-Guitar and vocals 3,4,5,6
Jeremiah Murphy-Bass on 3,4,5,6,7,8
Rob Haskill-Fellow Drummer 1,2,
Terry McDowell-Fellow Drummer 3-8
D J Hovenstat-Percussion on 4,5  and drums on 7
Tommy Bruner-Lead vocal on 7, Guitar on 8
Ian Jacoby-Lead Vocals on 8
Bob Gleason played harmonica on Black Water and perhaps Don't Be Cruel
I played drums on all tracks, then switched to percussion on Comfortably Numb

Lorie Parker, Jeff Gage, Brenda Snow and Jean Gilmore were there for support.
Tommy, Terry, Mike, Jeremiah and DJ were the hosts.


I've been dealing with the flu/cold for the past few days, so when I did Waubeek Saturday Night, I sat on on drums for Phil Bo King and only stayed for a couple hours.  By the time the jam was over at Midnight I was already in bed.  I left the guitar at home, I couldn't sing at all.  Julie might have the record of all time days having the flu crud, three weeks.   I haven't been able to see her in that time. I just did not want to give her the cold all over again, so she stayed home.

I still haven't felt very well on Sunday but did stop on down to Rumors to partake in a jam.  I managed to jam with 12 folks   It was a celebration of Dave Bonham and Mike Clair's birthday, Dave turns 65 on Sunday and Mike turns 55 two days later.  I still can't get over the fact that I'm older than The Bear.

Terry did upgrade his cymbals, he's has now a Paiste Rude lineup but I didn't play them. I got to use D J Hovenstat's Ludwig Vistalites instead.  DJ was the other drummer that was hosting the show.  I was surprised to see not very many drummers that made it tonight, the ones that did make it took part in some sort of musical styling and pairings.  For the most part, I let Rob and Terry handle the main beats.  Rob was a bit more animated than usual, especially on Sunshine Of Your Love.  Likewise Terry too.  Rob is cool but I like Terry being part of the music action if I do duel drums.   I can fill in some sort of cymbal accents and drum rolls in the process.

DJ uses old Zildjian cymbals and a ZBT trash splash. The cymbal are I think 12 to 14 inch crashes and an old 20 inch ride which I used most of the time.  DJ also had some roto toms that were a bit out of my reach but he also had a couple of cowbells to get that  particular sound.  With both Rob and Terry doing the main beat all I had to do was color in the spots where needed.

D J was nice enough to let me finish the set but I opted to pick up his hand drum on Comfortably Numb, and since he was host of the jam with Terry, let him finish out the set.