Every Thursday evening, this earnest group of musicians takes the stage at the VFW to engage in an old-fashioned jam session. Jams happen every night of the week somewhere in the hill country. They welcome listeners and all types of players, and are generally bagpipe-free. Photo by Phil Houseal
| Do you have a musical artist, event, or topic you would like featured in this column? I love to hear from readers. Send comments to: phil@ fullhouseproductions.net. To be included in the free listing of live music events, send details to: Articles published weekly in the Permission granted to reproduce articles and photos with credit to: |
Jams spread the music
by Phil Houseal
Jan 25, 2006
They are called jams, but musicians know they won’t bring you any bread.
For those who may not realize a “gig” has nothing to do with Aggies, a jam session is simply a loose gathering of musicians. As diverse as they may be in their backgrounds and abilities, they are united in their love of music and desire to share their knowledge and learn from peers, and yes, to show off a little bit.
It may seem strange to someone who works at a mundane job to understand why anyone would want to do the same thing on the weekend for free, but not all musicians are full-time musicians. They may pound nails, cut grass, or balance books during the day, but nights are reserved for picking with friends.
The best jams are organized to the extent they have a leader - someone who keeps the circle moving, encourages the timid, and contains the obnoxious. When a jam session is flowing, musicians go around the circle, each taking a turn to play one song, then handing off to the next player. It’s not about a show; it’s about sharing. You want to pick a song that everyone else can join in on, rather than sit there and watch you play. If you are lucky, an appreciative audience gathers to urge you on.
Jams can erupt anywhere. I’ve heard jams on back porches, under trees, and on stage in empty clubs. Sometimes there are several going on at once, and - like a Bedouin in the desert - the itinerant musician can wander back and forth to find one to fit his style and quench his musical taste.
Some musicians disdain the jam session. Professionals work a lot, and someone is always after them to play for free. (When asked to perform free for the “exposure,” the legendary Kim Keating replied, “A feller can die of exposure.”)
For the listener, a jam is a fun opportunity to hear a variety of styles and abilities in a condensed format - sort of a Whitman’s Sampler of songs. If you don’t like a particular song or singer, you need only endure it for three minutes, then it’s someone else’s turn.
With a few phone calls, I came up with a jam session for every night of the week except Monday... and I’m sure someone will email and tell me where to go that night as well.
Tuesday - Stonewall Saloon, Stonewall
Wednesday - Guadalupe River RV Park, Kerrville
Thursday - VFW, Fredericksburg
Friday - Longhorn Cafe, Harper
Saturday afternoon - Hondos, Fredericksburg
Sun night - The Bar on the Square, Johnson City
At Luckenbach, it’s pretty much jam time whenever two or more unsigned songwriters are within earshot. In fact, picking under the old oaks or around the pot-bellied stove at that iconic place is the quintessential jam.
Most groups welcome beginners and any instrument (though come to think of it, I’ve yet to hear a bagpipe at the VFW).
So whether you are a player or a listener, help spread the music - join a jam.
XXX