What a lucky streak we must have been on the day Jim and Nevaida Howe rolled into the park years ago. Jim is the godfather of our Friday afternoon Fiddle Jam at the hall. This has been a tradition for many local bow benders along with a mélange of other string instruments players.
(Courtesy of Ron Graham)
Over the next year or so, this blossomed with an expansion to the Open Jam on Saturdays. This premise encourages a broader range of talent than Friday, with guitars, drums and play what “ya brought,” and encourages singers to join in. Larry and Muriel Oakes have inherited Saturdays.
Each of these venues demands a lot of personal time for set up and takedowns, as well as hall cleaning. A big hoorah for all their efforts to provide this and all who will help them with the chores. It is for all to enjoy, and it is free.
Friday’s Fiddle Jam has its own group of followers, and is always open to the old classic country style of music fan. Saturday, with an open concept, is now providing a broader music experience — the past road guy, some long-in-the-tooth axe pickers, the learners, the singers, the smaller groups that love the opportunity to entertain each other, as well as the crowd.
Come and fill those seats around them. It is a toe-tapping good time. They will appreciate it and encourage this to grow into its full potential. For your information, last week we had 25 players, and nine were from inside the park. Wonderful!
Karaoke, although it does not demand the talent to play an instrument or sing like a professional, does provide a musical fun-filled night for those who want to flex their shower voices and air guitar skills. Our own Nancy Warren encourages one and all to try their hand at it. Some need a little coaxing, but the nights are always a success.
The season wrapped this year with the second annual Talent Show on March 21.
By Ian Marwick
Published March 25, 2015
