Jams, Open Mics, Performances
Each week on Saturday i participate in the Micaville jam from 10:00a to about 12:30p. It was originally hosted by David Wiseman and myself at the OOAK Gallery. I first met David at the weekly “Biscuits and Jam” held at Dixie’s in Spruce Pine. When that closed, the two of us moved the jam to Micaville. Gradually more and more people joined us; attendance now falls in the range of 10~18 musicians each week, and sometimes includes a handful of listeners. After the Covid hiatus, we moved the jam to Maples Coffee House and Bakery in Micaville. Although David no longer participates, the jam is still going strong, and is a major part of the Music at Maples series.
I am the organizer/host for BobFest, an annual spin-off from the Micaville jam held in late May to celebrate Bob Dylan’s birthday. For BobFest, we typically have about 20 local musicians playing a couple of dozen Bob Dylan songs. BobFest has been well received by local performers and attendees. In addition to organizing it, i write a parodylan each year — a parody of a well-known Dylan song. You can check these out under Song Writing.
I’ve also organized and participated in a well-received series of other “Themed Events”, in which local musicians sing songs (covers or originals) on a chosen theme. In the past we’ve had a “British Invasion Fest”, featuring songs by British musicians that became popular in the U.S. during the 1964-1966 time period, a “Canada Fest”, featuring songs by Canadian songwriters, a “1950s American Music Fest”, two “Women Songwriters” events, an evening of songs about “Death and/or Rebirth”, an evening of “Show Tunes”, two “Love +/-” events, a night of songs by Hank Williams, John Prine, and Leslie Riddle, among others. Within the Music at Maples series we hold a themed event on the 4th Thursday every other month.
Music at Maples also holds open mics that i participate in every other 4th Thursday of most months, alternating with the themed events. The open mics begin with a half hour mini-concert by a local performer; i usually do one of the mini-concerts each year. In addition, i organize the regular concerts that Music at Maples hosts on the 2nd Thursdays. These concerts feature musicians of better quality than myself, though last year i did do a full “Semi-Sesquicentennial” concert of my original songs in celebration of my 75th birthday.
In addition, most weeks i play a couple of my original songs at the Member/Songwriter night at the Dispensary in Spruce Pine.
Aspiration
“Aspiration” is the name of another group of musicians that i play with weekly. Initially, we were students of Rhonda Gouge who came to playing instruments late in life. When we first got together, we comprised three and a half guitarists and one and a half banjo players. (One member alternated between guitar and banjo.) Eventually i switched to bass guitar to give our group more tonal variety. Lately i have also been taking my concertina and playing it on a few songs.
