Tip Jar Jam #10: Listening To The Rain

In spite of flood warnings all over the media, nine hardy souls donned their slickers and ventured out to Wednesday's Tip Jar Jam. Looking only slightly bedraggled (except for Kasey who looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine!) were Bob V--guitar Janet--guitar Ashley--mandolin and fiddle Suzi--fiddle Scott--banjo Bob Mc--banjo Kenney--bass Ben--banjo Kasey--banjo…

Chris Henry’s Documentary: Formlessness Into Form, Part 4

Here is part four of Chris's documentary on creativity. (Here, here, and here are the first three parts Or, you can watch it On You Tube. This last part focuses on personal experience in creativity, the value of mistakes, creativity of children, the power of words, cadence, rhythm, H.T. Odum, motivation for beginners, channeling frustration,…

Tip Jar Jam # 9: The Bob Jam!

I’m a bit late writing this blog because.......we got four inches of snow after the jam last night....and we kept grandson Dalton overnight...and Casey can’t get out here to pick him up so.....guess who is still babysitting? Granddaddy and Gran! Actually Red and I take the babysitting in shifts and right now it’s Red’s shift!…

Tip Jar Jam # 8: Still Going Strong!

In spite of the threat of ice and snow (which we did not get...yet!), the Tip Jar Jammers gathered once again for an evening of tunes. Eleven brave souls showed up including   Suzi—fiddle Bob A—guitar Bob Mc—banjo Ashley—mandolin/fiddle Jon—banjo Scott—banjo/guitar Zac—banjo Kasey—banjo Ben—banjo Kenney—bass Todd—guitar Moi—guitar/fiddle   Zac’s mom, Kathy, provided our audience!  …

Portlandia: Workshop A Huge Success!

I’ve been trying to work up to writing this blog all morning, but catching up on email has hampered me.   Just got back last night from the Murphy Method Workshop we put on in Portland, Oregon. It went super! First of all, a huge THANK YOU to Portland Patty and Portland Claire (!) for…

Tip Jar Jam # 7: “I’d Rather Build A Fence In The Rain!”

We welcomed in the first Wednesday after Earl’s Birthday (January 6) with a rousing Tip Jar Jam that included those Murphy Method classics that I first learned from the Earl Scruggs banjo book (sacrilege!) and later from slowing records down when I realized I really couldn’t learn from tab!   Present and accounted for were:…

Tip Jar Jam #6: Students Stretch Their Wings

The first Tip Jar Jam of 2013 was another fun night of music for all who attended:   Bob V--guitar Bob A--guitar Janet--guitar Kasey--banjo Ben--banjo Kenney--bass Barbara--bass Moi—whatever!   As you can see, we were strong in the guitar section with both Bobs and Janet being lead guitar players. Here are some of the songs…