I tell people,natives and newcomers to the Lowcountry alike, that the weekly Lowcountry Blues Jam is the most exciting and entertaining event in the Charleston area. The music and dancing are world-class. The energy and sense of community are spectacular.
As it has become more and more successful, the jam has created its own special set of problems. Unless one arrives early, it is now difficult to find parking or to get on stage before the cows come home. More musicians are fighting to have their voices heard and the inevitable questions are debated such as “what really is blues?” and “does everybody get a solo?”
I would like to take this opportunity to remind all that as we draw in more blues music lovers of all kinds, we each need to be more tolerant and patient. It is easy to see the things that could be tweaked but I see how vastly the event has improved since I began attending three years ago. I have taken thousands (certainly no exaggeration) of photos of these LCBC jams. I look at the faces in these shots and I see people literally growing up before my eyes. They are metaphors for the development of the jam and the club itself.
One of the many things of which I was consciously thankful this past Thursday was the Lowcountry Blues Club. The people I have met and the music we have made has made my life richer. Thank you all.
And speaking of riches, the Awendaw Green Music Festival this December 4th & 5th looks to be a stellar lineup of great local music. Many of our blues club members and friends will be performing including Allyson Taylor, Highway 17 Blues Band, Dan Wright, Skye Paige, Jeff Norwood, My Buddy Todd, Castle In the Air (with Sammy Derrick and Nick Mullane), and HeyRocco (with Tanner Cooper, Nate Merli, and Chris Cool. I hope to see you there.
--J.R. Getches
And one more event to consider for your weekend is Saturday night Dec. 4th at Home Team BBQ / West Ashley -- this will be the last gig for our friend Robert Paige with his band the Holy City Sinners. It's at 10pm, and only $5, so you can go after the Awendaw fest, if you've still got enough energy!
Reminders:
Featured artists with birthdays in December are Big Mama Thornton, Bo Diddley, Gregg Allman, and George Thorogood.
Check out some of our recordings from the Wednesday jams at http://www.reverbnation.com/lowcountrybluesclub, and join us on facebook and twitter.
To get info in this blog, send all details of your event to lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com, and put "Attention blog-writers" as the subject heading, please.
And of course, we hope to see you at the blues jam next Wednesday night at Home Team BBQ West Ashley!!
LMW, Dec 2, 2010
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