As some of you know, Jon Gindick and I had some bad blood back in the fall, revolving around his stated intention of scheduling a special blues harp jam camp in Clarksdale this May that would begin directly after Hill Country Harmonica. My last direct communication with Jon consisted of him informing me that he had reconsidered and had decided NOT to put on a May jam camp. About a month after that, somebody emailed me and said, "Hey, did you see that Jon is putting on a May jam camp?" And so he is. It runs from May 24 to May 28--the Tuesday through Saturday after HCH.
After all that hoopla, I have said absolutely nothing publicly about the matter for the past six months. In fact, I've barely thought about it.
But I can't help but think about it now. I live in Mississippi, and the flood is huge local news. Vicksburg is being slammed; the casinos in Tunica are being slammed. We're in absolutely no danger up in the hill country--HCH will go on, and swimmingly (so to speak), no matter what goes on down in the Delta--and so it's easy for me to reassure people. We've got the high ground.
Clarksdale is another matter. If I were an out-of-towner planning to spend May 24-28 in Clarksdale, I would be getting pretty anxious right about now. The Army Corps of Engineers is insisting that the sort of thing that happened in 1927 can't possibly happen now, but the truth is, they're whistling in the dark. They're 98% sure, but they're not 100% sure. S--t happens. Here's a story called "The Mississippi Nightmare Scenario":
I was curious about the Great Flood of 1927--about exactly what part of the Delta was affected--so I went to Wikipedia and took a look at the map. The map is revealing:
The map makes clear that Clarksdale was NOT flooded in 1927. The flooding was confined mostly to the lower half of the Delta--but "confined" is the wrong term for the multiple breaches and huge human cost of the flood.
Is anybody on this forum planning on attending Jon's camp? If so, you can rest assured that even IF the levees broke in a catastrophic way, it's unlikely that Clarksdale would be flooded and equally unlikely that egress to and from Clarksdale, at least from the Northeast (Rt 55 to Rt 6) would be affected. But the Delta is a very interconnected place, and the level of disruption would be large. It might be kind of exciting, in fact. Some people don't enjoy the sort of excitement provided by the Divine Retribution clause, but others would find such an environment totally groovy. :)
Last Edited by on May 11, 2011 6:53 AM
No, not going to The Gindick Shindig(that almost rhymes), but we will be doing our CCHC jam and the Red's show next Thursday in Clarksdale. Shall we build an Ark? ---------- Todd
Last Edited by on May 11, 2011 7:01 AM
This flood is a terrible thing. It reminds me of waiting for the hurricanes in 2004. You know it's coming, you know it won't be good and there ain't a damn thing you can do about it. Just prepare and hope for the best.
Yeah I feel for those people. I got 52" of water in my house when hurricane Ike passed thru our town. I hope they had time to move their stuff to higher ground or up in the attic. The attic is what save what little stuff I managed to get up there on short notice. Mike
Adam, are you and Jon back on speaking terms? I think very highly of you both, and I hate to see a feud between two people who are so important to harp players.
@John95683: No, Jon and I aren't on speaking terms. I can honestly say that I have no enemies, and I don't hold grudges, but Jon and I are no longer friends. No big deal. That sometimes happens with adults.
Last Edited by on May 11, 2011 11:53 AM
@kudzurunner "The map makes clear that Clarksdale was NOT flooded in 1927". In 1927 there were very few parking lots and roof runoffs as there are today. Hopefully the engineers have taken that into consideration in designing the levees.
Clarksdale may not be at threat from the Mississippi, BUT the drainage in the downtown area is very old and inadequate if it rains hard. i mean REALLY hard.
second time my wife and i played in Cdale it was at the Depot, a club open at the old train station at the time. what a cool joint it was! but a small tornado passed about 6-7 miles north of Cdale and dumped a huge amount of rain on Cdale. at least on the lower part of downtown, there was at least 6-8 inches of water everywhere, and the underpasses to access the miracle mile area were even deeper under water. i stepped out the door of the Depot to pull the car over so Jo could get in without getting soaked, and went past my ankles in water. we had an old Honda Accord at the time and the water was 1/3 up the wheels. we made it out and down to Shackup Inn but i believe to this day that the trip through all that water did bad things to the transmission of the car. it died a couple of months later.
i just wanted people to be aware of a possible hazard there.
the memphis minnie version of when the levee breaks on youtube is enjoyable with footage of flooding in the delta
Last Edited by on May 12, 2011 8:21 AM
@kudzu thats admirable that you have no enemies or grudges there is a very large difference of HCH in expense compared to jons jam camp many just flat out cant afford jons jam camp including yours truly it will be interesting to see how many participants at hch actually go to his camp
Last Edited by on May 12, 2011 12:45 PM
@groyster1, I am very interested in comparing HCH to Jon's Jam Camps. I think there's more to it than expense. They are different products, priced differently for (assumption) good reasons.
I attended a Harmonica Jam Camp in 2008 as a guest instructor. My perception going into HCH, is that these are two very different animals. Jon's thing was very focused and organized towards the individual student. Everyone was guaranteed a certain amount of one-on-one lesson time, stage time, etc. People were paying to "go to school" for the better part of a week. The attendees were also much more on the beginner side of the spectrum.
My preconceived, soon-to-be-tested theory on HCH, is that the attendees will span a much wider range of skill/ability. I also expect it to be a little looser (not disorganized, at all, but just looser). Also, it's a weekend (2.5day or so) thing.
An analogy I'm thinking of compares a technical training course versus a conference. I've been to these courses for work, where you sit in a classroom for 2-3 days of intense study. I've also been to industry conferences where you sort of wander around and check out some talks/classes, maybe see some vendors, meet up with old colleagues, etc. Both are great, but they're different.
I have tons of respect and admiration for both Jon and Adam. I think there is room for both products/events. I've heard that direct competition actually strengthens businesses that are in close proximity. I'm not sure if it helps two events back-to-back in a down economy. . . but. . . well, I don't know.
I'm genuinely looking forward to putting some real data behind my assumptions. I'm going into this weekend with high hopes of having a great time.
@12gage my point was that expense is the only issue in my eyes gindicks camp has priced me out of the market I went to HCH 2011 which did not as I could afford it-there are many members of this forum that dont really have that much money
Jon's camp costs $195 a day for five days. Our event costs $165 for two days.
$995 vs. $165
Jon's camp offers you at least one "one-on-one" lesson, about 15 minutes long, with an instructor. We don't offer that.
Jon gives you long lunch and dinner breaks. We pack a little more into each day.
The single biggest difference is the evening concert element. Jon has slowly modified what he does so that there's a "coaches' jam," but apart from that, he does not want his coaches to materialize as full-fledged performers. He's made occasional exceptions to that, and in fact in Jacksonville several years ago, Satan and Adam got a chance to do a brief (30 minute) set. That was unusual. Jon is determined to keep the focus on the campers, not the teachers, and he does not want concerts--pros doing their thing--to be a part of his jam camps.
We, on the other hand, believe that our mission is not just to teach in the formal way (lectures and breakout sessions) and the informal jam session way (hovering on somebody's shoulder, urging them to throw down), but to inspire by offering what we do as performing musicians, in concert. This is my single biggest philosophical difference with Jon. HCH aims to teach, for sure, but also to give a bunch of harp maniacs the pleasure of grooving in each other's company while amazing world-class players throw down on the big stage. This worked amazingly well last year when Johnny Sansone and Billy Branch got up there. I still remember Billy's version of "I'm Ready." I'd had a lot to drink by that point on Sunday evening, of course, so I THINK it worked amazingly well.
Finally, there's the volume thing. Jon made a point, every single time I worked for him, of telling me to turn down my amp when, during lunch hour, I'd try to get some conversation going by cranking up an amp and letting guys play through it. Jon would come back into the room and cringe. He dislikes amped-up harp, and he made this pointedly clear at each of the ten camps I did with him. It's a quirk; everybody has them. My quirk is that I like the smell of napalm in the morn--I mean I like the sound of old amps cranked up and smoking. At Hill Country Harmonica, we believe that beautiful old amps, like old hot-rods, need to breathe.
And then, of course, there's the Hollowell Hooch.
I rest my case.
Last Edited by on May 17, 2011 5:38 PM
Wish I could make this yrs HCH. Last yrs was a blast.
I have work/travel conflicts I'd give my left.... pinky to get out of to attend.
My wife begs to differ. She likes my "pinkies" where they are and just as important the check.
Harvey and Company,
I will be throwing back some beer each day of HCH 2011 in memory of last yrs bottomless ice chest. All be safe, and take lots of pic's and video. ---------- Rob
Rob! It's not too late! You can jump in the car and burn all night. You can catch a Greyhound bus down and catch a ride back home with another pilgrim. It can be done. Your wife WILL understand. (You will make her understand when you return.) :(...............:)
Adam - missing an opportunity to see you again and meet Mr. Satan and the rest of your lineup means Hell hath frozen overeth somewhere for me. (-:
Thanks guys. It's the old marriage versus me conundrum. Long story, may have to write a song about it. I can probably call in "sick" at work.....
Give Oscar my best. Note I am in the Austin area and depending on how my trip goes next week, I may be in a position for a run to NO and a song. Luv to see you guys in the area as well as Jason.
Was so looking forward to meeting him. Believe it or not he reminds me of my son (-:
I attended HCH last year, and I am coming this year. As a relatively novice harp player last year, I thoroughly enjoyed the event, but I just did not have enough practice and playing experience on the instrument to benefit as I will this year. That is NOT to say that for you rank beginners who are coming to HCH II that there is not space for you...there certainly is. Many of the attendees are outstanding blues harmonica players in their own right. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a pro to give people helpful pointers, depending on the situation, problem, question, idea, skill level, etc. And the group BENDS OVER BACKWARDS to encourage and help when they can. This is no competition tournament, and it is not a control freak run weekend.
I don't know Mr. Gindick, and I am sure he is a fine fellow and an excellent harp player. I went to his website, and there are some very fine to outstanding to down-right very high level harp players as instructors.
But I will tell you right now that for $995 (let's just call it a grand), I would just as soon get 10 hours of instruction on my own time and schedule at $100 an hour (with a world class harmonica master in Chicago), or 20 hours at $50 an hour. The exposure to great harmonica playing, the camaraderie, and bang-for-your-buck instruction at HCH will well surpass this other event, in my humble opinion.
I just thought I'd wish everyone well and hope that they have a safe good time. I'm the idiot that drove his car from Washington state to HCH 1 and it goes down as one of my favorite vacations. I encourage everyone to spend some time in Clarkesdakle and West Helena if possible. Make sure to go to Red's Lounge in Clarkesdale and see Bubba in West Helena. I just made it back to work this Monday the 16th after my hip replacement on the 4th of April and can't take more work time off neither do I have the stamina for two redeyes in a weekend. Cheers! ---------- snakes in Seattle
Last Edited by on May 18, 2011 5:03 PM
The main difference is Jon is a fine business man. He makes his living playing and selling his music ,and the Jam Camp has been going on for years-it's a true business in every sense of the word. Are you really trying to tell me that people will not attend HCH because the Jam Camp is the following week? I say let the people decide-after all,that's what democracy is all about-.
Last Edited by on May 18, 2011 5:09 PM
Back to the thread-topic: So far, the levees have been holding.
The weather in north Mississippi has been weird and fantastic this week: nighttime lows of 45-50, daytime highs of 66-75, with low humidity. More like New England in early June than Mississippi this time of the year. Perfect running weather, for those like me who care about that. But temps will rise, as will the humidity.
Weatherunderground.com has the following for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday:
Friday Partly Cloudy 88 | 65° F Partly Cloudy Saturday Chance of a Thunderstorm 88 | 65° F Chance of T-storms 20% chance of precipitation Sunday Chance of a Thunderstorm 88 | 67° F Chance of T-storms 30% chance of precipitation
@atty1 I was there last year and same sentiments exactly I cant speak for jons jam camp the price is out of my league just cant go but can say I was @HCH1 and thoroughly enjoyed myself I met snakes and like him cannot attend but hope to be back again
@ tmf714 - I don't know what drives people to their choices. Let's just talk simple economics.
HCH II -
Plane fare (or gasoline for the vehicle, with all of the attendant oil changes and perhaps money expended to get the car safe for a long trip). If driving, allowing several days travel time ON EACH END which may take you away from your job or business, costing you more money.
If you have no one to drive you to the airport, then taxi or limousine service to and from the airport of your origin.
If flying in like I am, rental car and gasoline.
Lodging, food and drink.
Then the registration fee, and money for whatever I might want to purchase there, like MAYBE a poster, a harp, a CD or two, etc.
The entire trip cost might hover around a grand in that scenario, and that's for 3 nights of hotel (F-SAT-SUN)
And then there is the lineup of musicians.
I am BY NO MEANS judging anyone or anything. But the Harp Camp would cost me over $2,000 easily. If driving and not flying, we are talking AT LEAST eight days total from Chicago. The time away from work costs money, and is counter-productive to the goals sought in going in the first place.
I think the part that makes the HCH such an unbelievable event, is th critical mass it gathers to ignite the nuclear reaction which is Hill Country Harmonica. You can only get that with this much talent, this much mojo, and this many people. It is the perfect storm for blues harmonica. I cannot wait.
@attychicago-Those are YOUR economic situations,and yours alone. Everyones situation is different-it's what you expect to get for your money these days,more than ever. It's what caused a lot of the woe's we have incured as of late as a nation-overspending,and living beyond one's means. If you can't afford the time out of work,then perhaps you should make alternate plans. If you can't afford the gas,limit your travel. It's all really just common sense. Do you NEED to go,or do you WANT to go.
"Muddy Waters couldn't have afforded either of these two events."
Oh, I don't know. Late in his life, when he wasn't supposed to touch the hard stuff anymore, Muddy put himself on a strict regimen of Champagne. Sounds like a big spender to me.
