congaron
864 posts
May 07, 2010
10:13 AM
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The local jam started out with a three man country act. Two guys on telecasters and a drummer. Solid singing, decent guitar pickin'...etc. They were a band from around here somewhere. About 3 songs in, the drummer became the lead singer and a new drummer stepped up. The lead singer said "there's a harp player out there..where are you? I'm gonna need some help with this." I go up and he proceeds to call out several blues numbers followed by a "I want to turn you up more...can you line into the PA too?" Didn't have to ask me twice. Because it was an outdoor deck jam, I had my valve junior, but it ended up in the back of the stage buried by guitar amps. ALMOST still loud enough, but just needed a little tweak from the PA. No problem. I ran my wireless and went out to listen for myself...good mix. My own guitar player came up right after I got down to take a break. Then he called me back up and I stayed up for the whole rest of the jam. We played a WIDE variety of blues, funk, classic rock and country. It was awesome.
After the jam, one of the country boys said "man, that harp takes me back. I haven't heard harp like that since I lived in Chicago years ago." I said..."wow! Thanks. I'm going to take that as a compliment." he said "that's how i meant it..good playin' with ya' man."
The owners of the bar/restaurant are wanting us to play, not as the house band but as a featured act now. That will work better with everybody's real-life schedule. We ended up passing on the house-band offer because the money was a little too "iffy." They originally wanted us to play for tips in a jar..with no guarantee. It's been over a month since they offered that. We held firm and last night they asked us what we charge for a Friday night. Then they said we have the stage any friday we want it, for real money!
Good jam. Next tuesday it's the monthly jam for the Lake of the Ozarks Blues Society. It will be in camdenton Missouri, if anybody wants to google it up..Malarky's is the bar I think. I know we have a couple of folks from this general area on the board.
Last Edited by on May 07, 2010 10:16 AM
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jawbone
316 posts
May 07, 2010
3:10 PM
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Well, there ya go!!! In the words of Ronnie Hawkins "The Big Time is just around the corner!!"
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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The Gloth
362 posts
May 07, 2010
3:20 PM
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that's really cool ! the Ozarks seem to be a fine country with good people. I know a really good fiddler and singer from there, Betse Ellis from the band "The Wilders", maybe you know her too ?
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congaron
869 posts
May 07, 2010
3:30 PM
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Is that a bluegrass band? Sounds familiar. I have considered joining a bluegrass band and a country band, since both are more active in this area. At the lake, though...blues rules. My lead guitar player and i are making connections there and they are welcoming us with open arms.
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The Gloth
363 posts
May 07, 2010
4:19 PM
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Yes, The Wilders are a bluegrass band. A little too much for my taste, but Betse released a solo album ("Don't you want to go ?") that I strongly recommand, it's more varied, there's even some blues on it. And she's really a cool lady and a great musician IMO.
Here's her myspace : http://www.myspace.com/fiddlebetse
Last Edited by on May 07, 2010 4:20 PM
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jbone
319 posts
May 07, 2010
9:52 PM
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bit of a stretch from little rock ron, but who can say- you may see me and Jolene stroll in one eve......
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harmonicanick
752 posts
May 08, 2010
12:35 AM
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The dilemma is sticking it out for real money and the love of playing to a live audience with a full band.
Here in the uk rarely do you get the combination of the two.
Good luck to you Congaron
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congaron
870 posts
May 08, 2010
6:00 PM
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Thanks Nick. We still play live at jams and other places. Sticking it out was tough, but is going to result in a local "home" venue for us that will actually pay well and not kill our schedule for other paying gigs. It is a tough balancing act. Committing to every friday for no guaranteed minimum just wasn't a good enough offer. Playing there a few times a year for our going rate works much better and leaves us time to jam with the other local folks and gig in other towns. We are also blessed with some fine jammers from several other area bands who play with us like we are all band-mates. Life is good.
Jbone, that would be very cool. Go to the Lake of the ozarks blues society page for the location of each monthly jam. It moves around the area.
Thanks Gloth, I'll look her up.
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OzarkRich
212 posts
May 08, 2010
7:27 PM
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Camdenton's only an hour and a half from me...too bad I work Tuesday evenings. Maybe I could take off or switch nights sometime down the road.
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Ozark Rich
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Ozark Rich's YouTube
Ozark Rich's Facebook
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congaron
872 posts
May 09, 2010
4:18 AM
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well, it does rotate around, so check the calendar..it would be cool to meet you.
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