Topic: Near-Fest IV jam

[Bri]

Freakin' Wow is all I gotta say.

Sorry it took so long for me to post.
Tyler and I left Sat. morning to go to our cabin in Maine where we don't have internet access.

I came with no expectations other than to have a good time and was rewarded 10 fold.
What a learning experience. Take a bunch of people from different styles/backgrounds/interests/needs and desires, who love music and want to play. Throw them together in a situation and see what happens.

First off, I've got to thank Mr. Mike and the association for allowing us the chance to play our hearts out.
Ben for bringin' the sound. Ben supplied and ran the P.A. and without him this jam would not have gone off as well as it did.

John and Adam at the Pirate station. You gotta' love the vinyl and Wok-Fi!

Next up I'd like to thank the players
The talent was just incredible. Players/Vocals/harmonies/solo's/etc!!

Don, your acoustic and vocals really set a new standard. This man can sing and play fo' real.
Bob and his accordion blew my mind! You Played a kickin' bass line too.
Cliff, Slidin' into home plate. Tasty, Tasty licks.
John and Scott bringing up that fat bottom and harmonies too.
Rick (WhosyourNEWdaddy) sportin' that Axl Rose vocal and slingin guitar.
Adam and Greg on keys! These guys were B-3 fantastic.
Raj.. Persona and volume. I love it when you get into it.
Andrea, Julie and Bruce for lending your great vocals to songs we wanted to play but didn't know the lyrics. Keep at it and bring it back in the spring!!
Tyler, Adam and the mystery drummer (Bill??? green coat, never knew his name. Played last time too.. I'm gonna call him Howard Hughes). Keeping that beat where it oughta be. In the pocket.

The audience!!!
You help us play better and we love having you there. Please keep coming and supporting our efforts!!!

I'm sure there are many I have not thanked; Please accept my apologies and step forward and be counted.

Ty and I can't wait to play with you all again this spring. We really mean that and  hope you all (and more) can make it.
 
Play on, Play on.

Bri

You can email me at:  bshaban@beld.net
or
shaban@fas.harvard.edu

P.S.
Maybe we can get together and play sometime. Give me a shout.

[KB1NZN]

Thanks all!! Had a great time!!

Now that I know what to expect I can plan better for spring...not sure yet, but I do hope to be there!

The only things I can think of to improve:

1. REMEMBER the mic stands next time, not leave them on the floor of the garage ;-)
2. Bring a recorder - (thinking right now a video camera) so Bri doesn't have to worry about that pesky pause button.

I would like to see if we can achieve a little better audio balance next time perhaps. I did get some comments from some radio listeners in particular about not being able to hear the vocals sometimes. But hey, it's not like it's something we all practiced before doing! Maybe those were the vocals no one could remember   

I'll plan to bring a set of monitor speakers also, so maybe that will help.

I know Andrea and Juli had a great time too. Andrea was afraid she was going to be bored out of her mind at the hamfest, but now she's all excited about spring. One song to put on the list maybe that she sang in the school talent show a year or so ago - Roll Over Beethoven.

And .. Thanks to everyone who helped me pack up and load out. I really should learn an instrument .. not as many components to carry in and out!

Bri - Tyler stopped by on Saturday morning before you left and I had a nice talk with him. He seems quite mature for his age. I was very impressed. Oh...and Andrea wants to know if she can get his email address     .. I'll send you an email.

See you in the Spring!

-Ben
KB1NZN

[Bri]

Thanks all!! Had a great time!!

Now that I know what to expect I can plan better for spring...not sure yet, but I do hope to be there!

The only things I can think of to improve:

1. REMEMBER the mic stands next time, not leave them on the floor of the garage ;-)
2. Bring a recorder - (thinking right now a video camera) so Bri doesn't have to worry about that pesky pause button.

I would like to see if we can achieve a little better audio balance next time perhaps. I did get some comments from some radio listeners in particular about not being able to hear the vocals sometimes. But hey, it's not like it's something we all practiced before doing! Maybe those were the vocals no one could remember   

I'll plan to bring a set of monitor speakers also, so maybe that will help.

I know Andrea and Juli had a great time too. Andrea was afraid she was going to be bored out of her mind at the hamfest, but now she's all excited about spring. One song to put on the list maybe that she sang in the school talent show a year or so ago - Roll Over Beethoven.

And .. Thanks to everyone who helped me pack up and load out. I really should learn an instrument .. not as many components to carry in and out!

Bri - Tyler stopped by on Saturday morning before you left and I had a nice talk with him. He seems quite mature for his age. I was very impressed. Oh...and Andrea wants to know if she can get his email address     .. I'll send you an email.

See you in the Spring!

-Ben
KB1NZN

Hey Ben,
As far as the button on the recorder...
Well I really need a dope slap for that one. Cardinal rule, check and recheck!!

This really was one of the best jams of my failing memory.
But, to give props:
There was a jam in Rochester where Elliot was the host and there were some pretty hot players. Keyboard (hammond??) harp, several guitars, drums, vocals, and a pipe smokin' bass player
Steve W1ES usually had some great jams at his site. That's where I started to play.
Raj and Scott had great sets by the stables in Hopkinton. I mostly watched; afraid I'd mess up and hit clam notes. I finally got the balls to play with them and had a great time till we P.O.ed a mother for waking her baby

Please do send me an email and I'll pass it on to Ty. He'd really like that.
I'll work on my Roll over Beethoven (ELO version in key of A??)
I'd also like to get in touch with Don.  Can I get his email address?


Many Thanks,

Brian

[w0rmi]

Hi all,

I'm Ben's invisible half. I wanted to say what a nice time I had. I didn't get to listen in person much because I had the babies, but Andrea and Juli offered to baby sit so I could go up for an hour. It was great broadcasted, but so much better in person!

(don't worry Bri - you won't anger me or my babes, we all love music!)

I definitely wanna return in the spring. Hopefully Gramma can keep the wee ones for a few days so I can help with sound like I usually do. I love being Ben's second hand woman.

Next time I will bring more toothpaste!! To the person who asked for some and i didn't have any - SORRY!!!! (The head dude guy, Mike gave me permission to bring toothpaste and stuff for people who forgot theirs. All five that I brought were gone early the first day) Gotta have fresh breath when singing with others - lol!!

Anyways, wish I knew how to play, but since I lack the musical gene, I help Ben with sound instead and enjoy all you guys/gals hard work!!

Thanks everyone for a grand time!! If we bring the babies again, I will be listening from the camper. If I'm baby free for a few days, I will be with y'all all night long!

w0rmi