Near-Fest players, shakers and movers,
Soon the snows will melt, there'll be that spring earth smell in the air and like the geese that migrate south for the winter, you too will feel an urge to move, to congregate..to reach for that string rusted guitar, that Marine Band harmonica on the shelf. Go ahead; Tickle the keys on that Hammond organ sitting in the basement corner, it's key's smiling at you, beckoning. You have no control over it. 'never did. Don't waste your time trying to take charge, give in. Feel the warmth roll over you like expectations of that first date. Ok, enough dime store novel.
Yes my friends; It's the Near-Fest Jam 7. It's back with a vengeance and we want YOU to be part of it.
History in the making! Your first time up at the mic, the crowd goes mild (hey were talking a Ham-Fest here). The first chord rings out, you open your mouth to sing. Lo and behold you fill the room with the sound of a spring lamb being castrated. No matter. You swallow; Focus and regain. The crowd smiles, approves then cheers. You have them in the palm of your hand.
OK wake up. Back to reality
Here's the word:
This time were going ACOUSTIC and were going to JAM.
I'm talking a semi-circle of players feeding off one another, taking it places it should go and where it shouldn't!
It's going to be primarily for us, the players but as always the rest of the Festers are welcome.
Yeah were gonna play songs, but in extended mode.
Why Acoustic?
Last fest was too much setup/breakdown, Large amps overpowered smaller amps, an audience with fingers in their ears and not enough room for the players. I'm a lousy singer and I have enough trouble singing in tune in a normal volume environment. Add a jig-a-watt of screaming' guitar and I'm now having flashbacks of screaming at my kids for taking a dump in aunt Pegs pool when they were 4. Wasn't pretty then and it aint pretty now.
Does that mean I can't bring an amp?
Hell no. I wouldn't bring a 4 X 12 100 watt Marshall stack. But a small 10-25 watt amp for an acoustic is fine.
What about bass and drums?
If you play bass; Bring it and a small amp. leave the 800 watt amp at home. You won't need it.
Drums: I'm thinking of bringing my electric kit and a small amp for it. Otherwise, if you want to bring percussion (conga, Cajon, tambourine, etc) bring it.
Harmonicas, horns, etc.. Bring it.
How about an electric guitar?
nope.
But I don't have an acoustic and I still wanna play.
Bring that mandolin, banjo, viola, bassoon, uke.
Ask another player if you can use theirs. (please try to arrange that before the jam. It puts people on the spot and some are finicky about their stuff)
Keyboards?
Sure. Again; Small amp.
I'm planning on having a mixer for vocals, a few mics, stands, etc. and If we can get John and Adam, the Wok-Fi guys to do their thing again, we'll be on the air!!
OK, so lets hear from you players.
We do need your song list's to work from and fall back on if and when the jam falters.
Lets see those song choices!
See you all in April!
Bri