The Cathy Hart/Lorie Parker Farewell Acoustic Showcase

At Checkers:

Songs:

Go Out And Get It
Sundown
Santa Claus Is Comin To Town/
Scrooge
Good Time Charlie
I Won't Back Down
Everybody's Talking

Encore:

Little Drummer Boy
Christmas For Cowboys
For What's It Worth


Joni and Bill sang on Drummer Boy
Donna Jo helped on For What It's Worth
Mike Frederick played banjo on the encore numbers
Greg Sage played percussion on Drummer Boy

Joni also sang background on Sundown.  That's her in the Christmas spirit.

After 3 and half years of hosting the jam, Cathy Hart had decided to conclude her hosting the jam with Lorie Parker.  It was almost two years ago this date that I debuted my singing and guitar playing career as well, The Acousta Kitties were responsible for encouraging me to take a chance and sing and play.  Joe Hutchcroft became my percussionist on that day.  Since then, I continue to support their jams and causes and somewhere down the line Julie became my special friend.  All three did play together earlier in the year but since then I hoped Julie could join Lorie and Cathy one more time.

I talked to P J about the future of the acoustic jam and he says the door remains open for the Acoustic Jam to continue on Wednesday, the hope is to find somebody that can draw people into the place.  I can think of a few that might work,  Karl Hudson might be a candidate to host, perhaps Kevin Moore could fit in as well.  Or even Glen Gardner had he not decided to become a Arizona Snowbird.  There was a good crowd that came to see people play, tho' the jammers were not as many as anticipated.   I feel bad that Julie can't get the crowd as Cathy or Lorie can to show up.  I told P J I would love to help out but since I work nights I wouldn't be able to commit to work an every other Wednesday, I rather not use my vacation days, but had I worked days and if people knew me better, maybe it might work.  The problem remains that jammers have not been coming out; it's also the Holiday Season and people are with friends and loved ones.  I can get the word out to see if anybody is interested of playing at Checker's,  I know a couple others that could do this, but their egos would get in the way.

In some ways, the Acousta Kitties split hurt.  The crowd and jammers were never quite the same from both hosts and as the months dragged on, it was obvious that the good ole days were gone.  But then again nothing ever stays the same.

But to the jam tonight.  It was bittersweet and Cathy really did give me a half hour to work my songs in, and for the first time ever, I did more than one Christmas song.  With Bill and Joni joining onstage Little Drummer Boy got played twice as long on the encore and Christmas For Cowboys was also played,  Mike provided banjo accompaniment.  I also helped played guitar and provide some bass singing comedy on All Bout That Bass, by throwing the Chaga Ooga Ooga Ooga tag line from Hooked On A Feeling and also did the bass counterpoint to Keep Your Hands To Yourself.  Lorie did her Bootiful song as well, Joni played percussion, I played guitar and sang backup.

The final song was Seven Bridges Road and after that, it was over. We all exchanged pleasantries and I group hugged both Lorie and Luther Parker, it just seemed fitting.  Cathy marveled about how far I have become since playing two years ago and she thinks, just like the rest, that I have been playing my best of late, certainly tonight.   I did think the Christmas songs did come in handy.  Afterwards,  I talked to PJ Harrington about the future of the acoustic jam.    Either way this was the final acoustic jam at Checkers for 2018.  With next Wednesday open it leaves me thinking about seeing how the Jameson's acoustic jam in Waterloo would be like.  Or even Riverside for that matter.  Perhaps the best scenario would be is take Julie out to see a movie.  We haven't done much together since we been both sick and she's been busy with Ryan the past couple weekends.    


Other notes:  David Arnold popped in for the first hour.  Steve Black Wolf continues to deal with his own demons and hasn't been seen in a couple months.

I hope that in 2019 I will be able to continue to be a part of Lorie and Cathy's future jams at whereever they want to play at, be it the Cabin Jam or a reunion.  I know they, as well as Julie are the big reason that I have been playing guitar and singing.  They inspired me.  And will continue to do so.

It was 40 years ago that Michelle Martinko was murdered in the parking lot of Westdale Mall.  I remembered that night as I was out there and bought one of those pocket football games at a toy store and spent about a half hour in the car playing that game outside of Yonkers.  For many years, her murder became a cold case unsolved mystery.  Tonight, they arrested Jerry Burns for her murder from DNA testing and his was a positive match.  It's too early to tell but here's hoping that they finally caught the murderer  and Michelle can now rest peacefully as well as her parents.