JAM HOSTS
NOTE: Sean and Chuck will be switching the 2nd and 3rd jams in March ; Chuck will run the first 2 jams, Sean will run the 3rd and 4th. Robert returns to head the 5th.
5th Tuesday (if...)
Ramblin' Robert Paslay
Song list
The following is a small sampling of the songs that might be played at the jam.
- Salt Creek
- Clinch Mountain Backstep
- On My Way Back to the Old Home
- Pig in a Pen
- Red Haired Boy
- Sitting on Top of the World
- New River Train
- Can't You Hear me Callin'
- Cherokee Shuffle
- Bill Cheatham
- Old Joe Clark
- Soldier's Joy
- True Life Blues
- Long Journey Home
- White Freightliner Blues
- Blue Night
- Midnight Moonlight
- Hobo Song
- Bluegrass Breakdown
- Dark Hollow
- Dooley
- Cabin in Caroline
- The Old Home Place
- Cripple Creek
- Salt Creek
- Salty Dog Blues
- Shenandoah Valley Breakdown
- Little Maggie
- Banjo in the Hollow
- Long Lonesome Road (Goin Down the Road Feelin' Bad)
- Paul 'n Silas
- Wild Bill Jones
Sam Bonds Bluegrass Jam
The Sam Bonds Bluegrass Jam is an acoustic jam held every Tuesday night
open to all who bring their own acoustic string instrument, ala fiddles, mandolins, banjos, guitars, harmonica, bass, etc. (as much as we like drums and horns, the logistics of this jam lends itself best to acoustic strings only). The jam is unamplified, a' natural, no mics, no amps. Just sit in a circle and play.
Sean
THE SONGS
The material is a mix of instrumentals (fiddle tunes, breakdowns) and sung songs. The host has a large catalog of songs which they will call out and start, and breaks are sent around the circle to anyone who wishes to take one while the rest of the combo plays appropriate backup. Most of the songs are drawn from the basic bluegrass catalog, a partial list is listed on the left side of this page. We'll also adapt tunes from various sources that fit the format of the jam.
Chuck
The host may open the floor for someone else to do a tune, but we do ask musicians to keep in mind the nature of the jam. This means songs with few chords and simple structures, as well as being rhythmically appropriate for the instruments at the jam. 6 part epics complete with transitions, tempo changes, fireworks and circles and arrows on the back explaining each one are great for your band, but for this jam, simplicity reigns.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Ability levels range from beginners to seasoned vets. All are welcome to play, but a basic musical proficiency is assumed. Most of the songs follow basic progressions, often (but not always) using progressions based on I-IV-V, with the occasional II or b7 thrown in. Knowing how to navigate swing-type/rhythm changes will also be occasionally helpful. If you need help with any of these concepts, a google search will likely turn up a million resources that should be able to get you going in the right direction.
Ramblin' Robert
HOSTS
The schedule for each jam's host is listed on the left. The host's job is to generally keep things moving along, and keep song selections appropriate to the situation. While the nature of the jam is open, the host may make decisions in the best interest of the jam.
The most important concept though, is to have fun. We'll all be out of tune at some point, blow a chord, forget a lyric, play the wrong note; it happens. Relax, have fun; that's what we're here to do!