Topic: The X Jam

[k1kfi]

That weekend looks do-able...
Have a new guitar to breal in,
an Epi Nighthawk....woof!


Spooky

[N1ERF]

I think I'm good for that weekend too.


As far as extra songs go, here's my floating wish-list. It's a little more guitar-centric and may change depending on new ideas. Jumpin' Jack Flash is the only song that I can either play guitar or bass on, preferable guitar. Let us know what you're interested in.

Sorted by artist/alphabetical order.


        Aerosmith

[Adam KB1MRJ]

That weekend looks good for me too.....
cheers!

[Whoz Your Daddy]

Hi All!

Bri, tee-shirt check to be made payable to you?
Thx

[Bri]

Hey Rick,
Yes please make it out to Brian Shaban.

Notice players:
To date I have 1person who has paid for their T-Shirt.Remember, the end of the month is the cutoff.
Mr. Nickerson. Your all set.

Brian

[w0rmi]

....the end of the month is the cutoff...

Do you have paypal? We can send as gift so there are no associated fees.

[Whoz Your Daddy]

Sorry boys & girls & Brian,
I can't make it to the practice this saturday!
So now you can all rest easy!

Bri,
I sent out a check monday the 19th for two tee- shirts! Btw everyone, send in now for your tee-shirts!
You only have till the end of this month!

Also, I enclosed a list of songs from the spring jam! This is a list of songs, a setlist if you will, from the spring Near-Fest. We didn't play all the songs, but I noted what  we played semi-successfully and who sang each song! This list should come in handy! Bri, let me know if you don't get it by your saturday practice and I'll send it via e-mail.

Getting closer to Ham & Jam Time my friends!

[Bri]

Hey Rick.
Got the check and list today!
Bummer you can't make it.

Keep those T-shirt checks and song wish lists coming!
End of this month is the cut-off for T-shirts.
I will not be bringing any extra to the fest.
You snooze; You loose.

See you this Sat and at the Fest,


Bri

[w0rmi]

Hey Rick.
Got the check and list today!
Bummer you can't make it.

Keep those T-shirt checks and song wish lists coming!
End of this month is the cut-off for T-shirts.
I will not be bringing any extra to the fest.
You snooze; You loose.

See you this Sat and at the Fest,


Bri

Our check is on the way for one L and two 2x. Hope it makes it to you by Friday. If it doesn't get to you in time, please just void it out, tear it up, start a fire with it or whatever and let us know.

[N1NOF]

Hey Folks;
  I meant to make it last jam, but life intervened (I was in the hospital).

1) Set list: keep it simple.  Ham Jams, historically (and I've been doing them for 35+ years - seriously, there are pictures of me, at age 12, playing saxophone at the Windsor, Maine, Hamfest) are get-togethers wherein musicians with common learning get together, have fun, and hopefully entertain the audience.

2) I have perused the proposed set lists, and I agree that it would be beneficial for all to know what to "know" before showing up, but I have to say I think you're forgetting your audience.  You're not playing three sets at the local beer joint.  Your average Ham is about age 65 and probably doesn't want to hear Alice Cooper.  (I picked Alice out of the ether - not sure if he was on the list).  Although we're getting to the point where your average Alice or Teg Nugent fan is about age 60!

  Now, I may be COMPLETELY off base - maybe there is a rabid contingent of HamFans who LOVE everything on that list.    And don't get me wrong: I make my living from performing music, and I love every one of those tunes.  I play rock and Motown every weekend and make a very good living from it.  I like this stuff.
  If you guys (and gals) want to play that set list, then more power to you.

  However.  Are there any players out there who would like to do a set of jazz standards?  Something to entertain the elder crowd?  Maybe before the heavier stuff?  I'm talking Satin Doll and Ain't Misbehavin'.  Stuff out of the Real Book to warm the cockles of the Old Timers' hearts.  Ham radio is about tradition and paying homage to the Elmers out there - just trying to remember the audience.

  I'd love to play with the "regular" band (I'm a Hammond and Piano player by trade), but I think you've got plenty of keyboard players and keyboard is one place where "too many cooks can spoil the broth".

So, just some thoughts.  See you all at the hamfest.

Lonnie; K1CXW (formerly N1NOF)

[N1ERF]

I can only speak for myself here...

My particular list is just a list. It's a couple dozen fishing lines with different lures and baits on them. I cast this list in the hopes that someone will bite and take interest in the songs. Almost all the time it feels that I don't have the right bait, but I try to make suggestions hoping that people will take interest in them anyway. This season's list was a little more guitar-centric and maybe a lot more complicated. I could have tried to keep it more simple but it feels that nobody likes simple. I do however want to be proven wrong here. It's extremely difficult to know what people want to play. There aren't enough musically strong & proactive individuals to have guidance from.

I don't have the musical Library Of Congress in my head. I am also not a strong musician, but I do my best. I've only had a few musical theory lessons in my life, but I don't rely on it for my job. I compensate by posting suggested song lists. It makes me feel better if I can have a heads up on what people want and intend on playing. It gives me time to actually practice before I show up. I want to be as prepared as I can with what I have.

Since most of us are not born leaders, it's difficult to guide us in good and productive directions. I definitely don't have the answers. Only what I know from the recent past. I have not been to all the jams or get-to-togethers so I don't have a historical feeling for what could or needs to be done.

I would love to see more individuals show up and play different music & non-rock instruments. We have only had a maybe three or four individuals come up and do that since we came back to the fairgrounds. They are way too few and far between.

I would say just show up and be proactive. If you have a style or something that you want to play, just say or do so. If you don't speak up and show up, you won't be heard.

Anyway, we are not actually a regular band. We just happen to be there most of the time!
The shirt thing is more of a tongue in cheek thing. We're just regulars at this bar.

Enough of my ramblings and thoughts. 

By the way,

Welcome! It's good that you're health is better and plan to be there.

[Bri]

Hi Lonnie,
Bri here; Your jam fest co-ordinator here.

The average age for a ham might be 65 but the average player age who "plays" at Near-Fest is more like 40.
And most times Rock is king with the players who show up and play.
I'd like to point out that most of our players are not seasoned musicians but on again-off again casual players. It usually comes down to the least common denominator. 3 chord stuff. The formula works.

I always strive for musical diversity for the jam and we welcome all musical (read some of the early posts from past jams) styles. I would love to have you or anyone else play standards, jazz, anything you like. However reality is what it is. Most players with that skill level have not participated in the jam. I've been told: Ben there done that, i only play to get paid, i only play with quality players, etc.
So be it. They will always be welcome if they feel the itch to play.

See you at the Fest.

Bri

[Whoz Your Daddy]

Hello boyz & girls ...., and Brian!

Well we're getting real close now!
Spring near-fest was such a great time! Thank you all for helping me out trying to fill in for Bri.
And I'm Glad  your gonna make this one Bri.

Ok, it's time to think about equipment! Seems to be the biggest question so I'll ask it first "anyone planning on bringing a drum kit?"  if your thinking of bringing a kit, please let me know! I don't wanna bring a second kit for nothing! Please remember we prefer an electronic kit for volume control purposes! Also be prepaired to let a couple others play your set! We useually have a few drummers!

Thanks
Rick

[Bri]

We're in the home stretch boyz and gurlz!

I plan on bringin' a broken pick, 2 rusty guitar strings and a full bedpan.
Wait. That's what I got for my birthday.

This time I'll bring my Quadra-bi-triaxial-Megalomaniac Scissor amp.
It's made by Fluckers and with a name like Fuckers it has to be good.
2 input of course with optional knife switch that removes venereal warts without leaving a stain around the collar.
My Axe of choice: Octally equipped 2 tone magnetic resonance, mesquite fired, Bend-over certified guitar with natural flavour.
Screw it. This time I'm bringing the biggest, loudest, most powerful amp I can lay may hands on. I will not be out volumed!
All signal goes thru O2 infused BARE NAKED wire. That's right!   BARE    NAKED!!!!
Feel the burn!!

Whew, now that that's off my chest.
On to drums.

Unless some brave soul wants to bring their electric/acoustic kit to the fest; I'll have to wait till next week before I weigh in on bringing mine.
It has to do with wether Tyler  AKA "The Atomic Clock", "Rock Steady", "Mr. Beats" can make it.
I will be there with the usual compliment ("nice guitar Rick") of equipment.
I will say this. If you play drums and want to play some one's kit; Don't be a cork soaker. Be cool and at least have your own sticks.

Anyway, Stay tuned.
More info will come. wether you want it or not.
Your not quite benevolent Jam-master.

Bri

[Adam KB1MRJ]

Hey all,

Less than a week to go!!  I'm stoked, are you?

Quick question:   At last spring's jam, did anyone happen to find an Alesis-branded wall wart power supply; rated at 9VAC/1.5 amps?  I haven't been able to find my Alesis Micron's power brick all summer and I'm wondering if I somehow left it behind last time.  Just thought I'd put that out there.

Anyway, trying to decide which keyboard I'm going to bring....could be my E-mu PK6, Micron, Arturia Analog Lab controller w/ soft synths, or my blue Yamaha DJX buddy.  If I find a cheap keyboard at the Fest on Friday, I'll likely throw that in the mix like I did last time with the little Yamaha PSS170.

Cheers!