Stone City-Boo!

Songs:

Fox On The Run

Sense Of Direction

Everybody's Talking

Good Time Charlie Got The Blues

Floodlands

Logic And Lies

Rollin' And Tumblin'

Cinnamon Girl

Help Me

For Halloween fun, I started at Rumors for the Jeff Brown birthday bash, but they had plenty of drummers up there and I wouldn't not gotten around to play till closing, so I went and supported Dave hosting the Stone City jam and Carl Meiners, Daniel Trumm and Rick Wengle were there.  For the first time I got to hear Rick Wengle sing.  Hell, he knew Copperhead Road and not use a cheat sheet.  I'm jealous.

This was the first time I played guitar since October 3rd.  And I pulled it off fairly well with hardly mistakes.  Sense Of Direction was thought up on the spot with add libbed words to a melody that I couldn't find any other songs to play to.  Nothing ground breaking but I'm amazed myself that I did managed to think up some words that rhymed. But then again not too many people were there and most cleared out after Cinnamon Girl.

I think the lack of turnout of jammers is putting a strain on those who showed up.  Carl mentioned it wasn't much fun playing to an empty house.  But it was Halloween and Tanya English was playing in Ely, Dharma's in Troy Mills had The Janeys hosting that jam and Daddy O was playing Checkers. But I was surprised to see a lot of turnout of people at Rumors.  And of course, Herman there asking about if I have talked to Belinda James to which I gave the answer in short two word answers.

It was a fun time, Al Hendrix dressed up as Wavy Gravy, and it was a fairly warm day, till the sun went down and the temps drop bigly.  Outside of Herman, Tim Kaufman and Rocky Smith were the other drummers, Rocky n me said hello.  Karl Hudson was there too.  As well as the firegirl, Wes and Russ Gracklin stepped out, so I didn't do yet  another Margaritaville for a change. Or Can't Get Enough. Thank Goodness. 

Shocked Julie by showing up being in the neighborhood to say hi before the Rumors Jam.  And got blamed for her missing band practice later on.  Ain't love grand?  At least Franklin was happy to see me. for a few minutes. 

Now if we can get rid of those fucking gnats in the house I might be in a better mood.

Taz Grant passed away on Halloween, which shocked the CR music world.  I only got to jam with him on two songs earlier in the year.   He knew the blues. 

Rumors-Joe and Brett's Birthday Bash

Songs:

Sweet Home Chicago

Mustang Sally

Feel Like Making Love

Margaritaville

Folsom Prison Blues

Honky Tonk Woman

Messing With The Kid

Russ Gracklin-Lead Vocal (First Four Songs)

Tom Berdo-Harmonica

Maurice Morris-Guitar

Tommy Bruner-Lead Guitar

Billy Bourbon-Guitar and Vocal on Honky Tonk Woman

Tim Canfield-Bass

Jeff Taylor-Keyboards

Terry McDowell-Host and drums

R. Smith-Drums

Wes-Vocal on Folsom Prison Blues

Skeeter Louis Hughes-Sax on Honky Tonk Woman and Messing With The Kid

(Brett Johnson and Joe Mulinix, the birthday boys, Terry McDowell Photo Credit)

A yucky rainy day brought out the drummers in force, tho Herman was missing.  Maybe he showed up later?

Every time I do a song like Going To Chicago or Messing With The Kid, I always end up doing a stutter step shuffle, which seems to work fairly well.  I know Terry does a straight ahead beat but I start out that way but it ends up being easier to play that stutter shuffle.  I tend to hide my mistakes a lot tho. Somehow people think it's part of the song.

The Folsom Prison thing was interesting for the way it was extended, which led to different arrangement of beats.  I doubt if anybody will remember that version since it was not recorded (unless Billy kept it for  a future You Tube show of his), I am surprised that I remember it this late in the day.

We had something like 9 drummers show up today but Terry was good enough to let me play a few more number after the usual Russ Gracklin usual suspect numbers songs.  It was probably a good thing I showed up earlier than usual.  I stuck around for a couple of Ronnie Boles' usual songs, but did noticed that Tommy Bruner played the riff to Day Tripper on Time Won't Let Me.  It's always good to add some new fun to the same songs played.  

Since starting a hour later, the Whisky Jo's jam is bringing out a few more people.  Ronny Boles has been making the hour long trip from Marshalltown to come in and support the CR jams.  I await the day that he plays guitar while I play drums, (or maybe vice versa).

Thoughts From The Townedger-October 2021

It's been a long week at work, so I have missed out on a lot of jams this week.  However Kat Blue held the fort down as she sings at Rumors this Sunday.  Ronny Boles and Herman were there to provide beats and Herman asking why Belinda hasn't returned his phone calls.

The Bohemian is getting a nasty bad rep.  They managed to double book and threw out Hart Parker for Taz Bryant and The Blues Gang and this isn't the first time a band got thrown out.   I have thought about contacting the owner about Blues Rox playing there or bring it to Brian's attention.  

Blues Rox got screwed out of a couple of gigs as well.    Life goes on.   Blues Rox tried to get a last second cancellation at the new North Point lounge but they went with Robin Banks or Retro Rockets instead.  I really don't think much of the owner of that place.  But then again, my opinion means nutz. Just like Aces n Eights, the North Point owner tends to have the same four or five bands rotate there. I am not holding my breath about playing there anytime soon.  Maybe in 2022, Blues Rox will be back at J and A Tap.  Key word: Maybe, tho nobody is too thrilled about the 9 30 to 1 30 time slot.  Even for grumpy ole 60 year old, I rather be in be before 2 30.  

With the Bohemian snafu, consider the source.  

I hope to go to Okeefe's in Moline sometime next month to participate in the open mic Mondays but I'm not sure if I want to be judged by Michael Moncada.  He brings  a strange vibe that repels the last time I was there. 

I have not been in the best of mental health of late.  I seem to be withdrawing from the music world and in life in particular.   Of late, I have not picked up the guitar once again and my drumming is on the decline.  Hearing loss has been a big issue and I'm not looking forward to wear a hearing aid.  A pulled rotator cuff, has been my fave past time walking really painful.  feels like a heart attack of sorts.  I may be one of the lucky ones that is getting a early indication of Demetria.  Turning 50 I still have my hair, my hearing, my sight, turning 60, I'm seeing these things being taken away from me.  It hasn't been the best of times and with fall processing and dealing with work issues, I tend to tire out quite badly.  On a good note, I have been sleeping through the night.  Julie does her best to try to understand the situation that befalls me,  she has their own demons as well.  But throwing my burdens on her is not what I want to do.  Alas, my mom is suffering a lot more than I am.  There's nothing more depressing to call her on the phone and she doesn't recongize my voice. 

When I started documenting, the happenings of the past jams and open mics and gigs, I wanted to leave behind some sort of memo of the good and bad times.   And if my mind allows it, I'll try to continue to do that, participate at the ones I'm involved with.  I do think that I'm once again retreating away from the stage and music, to live out this life in solitude.  I hate to think that I will slowly lose all the things I was born into and the music that I played in this time of living.  It's a shame to lose the things that made me enjoy this life.  Seeing the photos of me and DJ's grandson Jasper really does seem to be the changing of the guard.   I was young once and looked forward to playing drums.  Just like when Mr. Keeney sold me the Zickos set.  But I had nobody watching over me, like I did watch Jasper play away. 

I'm trying to get Russ to go to more of the jams and check out the other musicians and I think the Checker's Avey Grouws Band has gotten him to the Wed Whisky Jo's jam tho he declined to play. He must have impressed Terry, which is cool.   Russ did mentioned that Blues Rox was at their best that night.  And I was glad I could do a long lunch to play.  I also think that had I not showed up, that Terry would have done a fine job on drums.   

 

Rumors-10/10 Hug a Drummer Day.

For some reason this went to the wrong page.  It should have been here and not Record World.

Bring It On Home

The Twist

Feel Like Making Love

Margaritaville

Brown Eye Girl (or Green Eye or Purple Eye)

Can't Get Enough

Johnny B Goode

The Firegirl (man)

Street Walking Blues (or perhaps a Billy Bourbon original)

Folsom Prison Blues

Billy Bourbon-Vocals and guitar

Tommy Bruner-Guitar and vocals

Tim Canfield-Bass on the first six songs)

Barb Finestrom-Bass on the last four songs and is THE FIREGIRL)

Ernest (Sippy) Bynum-Lead Vocal and the first two

Russ Gracklin'-Lead Vocal on songs 3-6

Terry McDowell-Is The Mandela Effect and Host

R.Smith-Drums

To read about this, go over to this link. 

https://rscrabb.blogspot.com/2021/10/rumors-from-twist-to-margaritaville-to.html

Long Lunch With Avey Grouws Band

Songs played

Texas Flood

Pride And Joy

It's My Own Fault 

Featuring

Chris Avey on Lead vocal on It's My Own Fault, and guitar on the other two

Freddy Jones-Harmonica on It's My Own Fault

Kristopher (the kid) Bries-Lead vocal on Texas Flood and Pride And Joy, and guitar

Brian Bries-Rhythm Guitar 

Russ Swearingen-Bass

Rodney Smith-Drums

Terry McDowell, Tommy Bruner and Billy Bourbon are the Mandela Effect

Phil Bo King and Kat Blue and Donna Jo Eisner took part of their own songs.

(Photos courtesy of Avey Grouws Band) 

The band with PJ and Pam and our favorite waitress. 

It was a better than average crowd to come see the Avey Grouws Band play for a few and then I got the chance to jam with Chris Avey on guitar.  He sat in with Blues Rox, who ALL FOUR PLAYERs showed up.  In my case, it was a long lunch break and Terry got me up to jam with the guys, tho I would have loved to have him set in if he wanted to.

(Kristopher, myself, Freddy Jones, Chris Avey)

I think in the past Chris did jam with Brian n Kristopher at various blues jams at Parlor City, but I have never heard this band till I got their new CD when I was up there.  This jam tonight was special.  I do believe that this was Russ' best performance on bass.  I could hear him for the first time.  Kris was very inspired as well.  We only did three songs but they did ran about five to six minutes, so I think we were on stage for at least 20 minutes.  Then I had a long chat with Bryan West, their drummer, nice fellow, from the QC area.  We talked about music and drums till I needed to get back to work.  In the meantime Terry may have been the only other drummer beside myself  and Bryan.   Phil Bo did his fave blues songs, Donna Jo sang The One I Love and Kat Blue sang Gold Dust Woman and Dreams with the Mandela Effect helping her out.   I thought there would be more musicians to show up and play, which might have been to me a disappointment, but the music was hot and on fire.

(Mr. Avey on drums, he means business) 

In the case of Blues Rox, this was our shining moment of the year.  With Avey on stage, he challenged Kris to play his best and the kid came through.  However, Chris showed why his band is one of the best around, with a remake of John Lee Hooker's It's My Own Fault to which he took his guitar lead into the atmosphere up till the final verse.  I was trying to follow his riffs and where he was going, but the final guitar break was borderline chaos, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Oronette Coleman.  How I managed to keep up with him, I have no idea.    Diana Koening recorded the whole 5:43 song and posted it.  Hearing the recording really blew me away.  That might have been the best song I have been associated with since coming back,  maybe one of the all time best songs I ever got to play on.  That is saying a lot.

(Tommy, Terry, DJ, Kat Blue with the Mandela Effect, Billy Bourbon off to the side of Kat) 

Russ played his ass off.  Kristopher really wowed the crowd as well.   I knew that if there's somebody on stage to help our guitar player, it would bring out the best in him.  He's had Daddy O, Craig Erickson, Billy Lee and Bryce Janey and I know he admired Chris and that made this epic.   

This was not supposed to happen.  We were busy at work and I wasn't sure if they would let me have a long lunch, but we got our major project out before 7 and I thought I'd asked and then come back later to work.  So this was a minor miracle but I think that Blues Rox made a good case of being an opening act for Avey Grouws if they would need an opening act in the future.   We were on our game tonight.  We really did rock the place. 

Upon listening to their new album, Chris, did a searing, into the heavens guitar lead on Mariana that sounded like what he concluded on the extended lead on It's My Own Fault.  It was fun to see Freddy Jones quit playing harmonica and watch the battle leads between him and The Kid.  I've never been so amazed on how this song went, even tho Me and Chris never jammed before, it sounded like we knew what we were doing.  Not exactly, but I kept my eyes on his guitar player.  I had to, otherwise I might have been left in the dust.   Even tho I have been hurting from rotator cuff issues and was in pain most of the performance, I'd be dammed if I was not going to participate.  That's why I did take an extended lunch break.

Thank you Bryan West for the good chat.  And the last four photos are from Diana Conwell-Koening

Stone City/Rumors: Notes of the Jams of 10/3/21

Stone City Songlist:

Good Time Charlie Got The Blues

If I Were A Carpenter

For What It's Worth

Let's Work Together

Help Me

Everybody's Talking

Cinnamon Girl

Rick Wengle-Percussion

Dave Bonham-Host

Rumor's  Sunday Funday  With Mandela Effect

Terry McDowell-Host

Songs

You Don't Know How It Feels

Cross My Heart

Sane

Rockin In the Free World

Betty Lou's Getting Out Tonight

The Whiskey Ain't Working

Drum Solo With Jasper (below)

Billy Bourbon-Lead Vocals, Guitar

Tommy Bruner-Lead Guitar, Lead Vocal on Rockin In The Free World

Mark Awad-Bass

Bob Gleason-Harmonica

Maurice Morris-Guitar

Ronnie Boles-Picked up a guitar to play on Cross My Heart

Jasper (DJ and Kimberly Hovenstot's grandchild)-played drums with Ole Crabby Supervising.

(MJ and friend from last year's Blues Jam) 

I've been dealing with hyperextended rotator cuff issues which has made playing drums somewhat painful if I do an uptempo number such as Betty Lou Getting Out Tonight. and stumbling over the reggae version of Rockin In The Free World which has been done a few times since my introduction to it at Whisky Jo's two weeks ago.  DJ and Kim Hovestot's grandson Jasper is three years old, and he has aspirations of following in his grandpa's footsteps to become the next drummer about 15 years down the road.  While his drum solo with me holding him on the drummer's throne is what you expected from a three year old, he actually kept the decent time on a Billy Bourbon song.   These are the things that make me smile and be a part of the jams, even if it isn't a song.   I would have loved to have a son or daughter learn how to play drums.

(Jasper solo.  Both photos of him and the other guy is from Billy Bourbon) 

(this one without the other guy in the other photo)

There were a couple more drummers at Rumors, (Herman and his constant asking about Belinda James (haven't talked to her in over a half year)) and Ronnie Boles made another trip from Marshalltown to join in the fun and actually played some guitar to Cross My Heart before going home.  I then motioned DJ to take over after Jasper's drum solo of sorts.  He did a few before Terry finished up the jam. 

(The future drummer at the Rumors Jam in a few years from now) 

The Stone City Open Acoustic Mic was dead.  Ed Butler did showed up and played after me.  Rick did percussion and tho I had my songbook, I ended up just doing the songs that I knew off the top off my head.  Carl Meiners showed up before I left and mentioned that Billy Lee Janey was hosting a acoustic jam at the bar in Troy Mills.  I might have stayed for a second round of songs at the General Store, but I made a pledge to go into town and do some songs there as well.  Plus I needed to stop at the store anyway.  With Dave hosting the jam every other week, I will focus my energies over there but if I feel up to it and if my rotator cuff would quit bothering me, I may do both jams.  Troy Mills, probably not.