Any Floridians available between 6/27 and 7/2?

[Jim Tozier]

Due to a last-minute change in family plans, I will find myself in Florida with nearly a week of completely free time... which is practically unheard of for me!

So, if anybody would be up for hosting an informal house concert, workshop, guitar gathering, etc., wants to set up a gig somewhere, or would be interested in just hanging out and doing some pickin', shoot me an email (jim@jimtozier.com).

I'll be available from June 27th through July 2nd. I'll be at my parents' house in Leesburg, which is close enough to centrally located that just about anywhere east of Tallahassee is in range. Have guitar, minivan, and free time... will travel. ;)

[ricks]

JT,
We'll get together some time during your trip for sure. Told you about the "30th" thing, but you hae some other dates available.
Even if we do it wrong, we'll do something.

[Bluelew]

I'm up a little ways from ya'll in Ocala, let me know what's up. There's usually some clinics and stuff at that shop in the Villages, Showtime music, they've had some Taylor clinics & have workshops, I don't think you are very far down highway 441 from the Villages, here's the link http://www.yourmusicpass.com/Guitar.shtml

[stratokatsu]

You mean you wouldn't like to come to Miami and swelter in the stifling heat and humidity?

[Jim Tozier]

You mean you wouldn't like to come to Miami and swelter in the stifling heat and humidity?

Hmmm... living in Atlanta, I don't get much of a chance to experience heat and humidity--so Miami might be fun. :)

How long does it take to drive from Orlando to Miami, Dennis?

[ricks]

TOO long JT, trust me on this one.
LOL

[Plaid Coyote]

I'll have to see if I am visiting my parents that week. They are in the Villages which is just above Leesburg. Would be fun.

[beach bob]

Far as I know, I'm free on that weekend, though it is right before my usual summer hop-in-the-van vacation w/ the family. That starts right after the 4th. But pre-planning / tasks should be minimal, just gotta get an oil change & warm up the Visa card ;)

Rick, whazup on the 30th? Don't hold out on us now...

[ricks]

Bob,
I had already told Jim I would probably be tied up the 29th and 30th.
My oldest grand daughter's birthday is the 29th and my wife's is the 30th.
So I will be busy and BROKE that weekend.
LOL

[tbondo]

to continue the known tale, I'm off to NC on the 29th for a week on the beach, so my intention to host something on the SpaceCoast went south(north). Next time, for sure...and sorry to miss JT this time around

[Eracer]

Honest opinions here, please. I am really new to playing, and am at the stage where I can strum some basic chords and keep in time.

Would a beginner like me be a drag at a get-together like this? I know that a lot of great players come together at these gatherings, and even though I appreciate the cameraderie, and am a pretty sociable guy, I wouldn't want to be too out of place, or feel like I couldn't participate in the music in some way.

Your thoughts on this?

[Telejonz]

Taylor Factory tour is in the central FL area around the time of your visit. Melbourne on June 27, Daytona Beach on June 28.

You also might contact J Michael's Instuments in Melbourne. They have a small, musician oriented, open mike on Thursday in a venue in the store. He also has concerts there (Muriel Anderson was there recently)...

Melbourne is about 80 so minutes from Orlando. Take the Beachline to I 95 and head south.

[stratokatsu]

How long does it take to drive from Orlando to Miami, Dennis?

Orlando and Miami are areas, more so than cities in particular. As such, it can be between 3 to 4.5 hours depending where you are north to south. Since I'm in the SW part of Miami, it might be a tad on the longer side.

I wish I had known earlier that you were coming because I would have been able to set up a concert at the synagogue. We really don't have them in the summer because Shabbat is over too late, but it sure would have been worth a try.

None the less, we can talk about getting up a jam. Beach Bob, Sharkydude and I met last weekend and are looking forward to doing it again.

[Jim Tozier]

Would a beginner like me be a drag at a get-together like this? I know that a lot of great players come together at these gatherings, and even though I appreciate the cameraderie, and am a pretty sociable guy, I wouldn't want to be too out of place, or feel like I couldn't participate in the music in some way.

I have been to many AGF guitar gatherings, and there are usually players of all levels present. We were all beginners once, so I don't think anyone looks down upon players who aren't as proficient... in fact, if anything, it's probably welcomed because a beginner can learn something from almost anyone, and most of us enjoy passing along a few tips. Besides, we always enjoy seeing new faces to go along with the "regulars" that attend these things.

The only time I can remember a beginner being any sort of a problem at one of these gatherings was when it was a friend of another member (who wasn't present at that particular gathering). This particular individual was rather awkward socially and was sort of clumsy, too. Furthermore, he/she didn't really understand how to treat expensive instruments... so there were some tense moments and collective cringes that afternoon. I think the guitars all made it out of there without any real damage, though. :)

I think the fact that you're concerned enough about "fitting in" at a gathering shows that you've got enough social awareness and respect to blend in with the rest of us. ;)

Seriously... come to a gathering if you can. Beginners are no problem at all. It'll be a good opportunity to socialize and learn a little at the same time!

[Eracer]

I have been to many AGF guitar gatherings, and there are usually players of all levels present. We were all beginners once, so I don't think anyone looks down upon players who aren't as proficient... in fact, if anything, it's probably welcomed because a beginner can learn something from almost anyone, and most of us enjoy passing along a few tips. Besides, we always enjoy seeing new faces to go along with the "regulars" that attend these things.

The only time I can remember a beginner being any sort of a problem at one of these gatherings was when it was a friend of another member (who wasn't present at that particular gathering). This particular individual was rather awkward socially and was sort of clumsy, too. Furthermore, he/she didn't really understand how to treat expensive instruments... so there were some tense moments and collective cringes that afternoon. I think the guitars all made it out of there without any real damage, though. :)

I think the fact that you're concerned enough about "fitting in" at a gathering shows that you've got enough social awareness and respect to blend in with the rest of us. ;)

Seriously... come to a gathering if you can. Beginners are no problem at all. It'll be a good opportunity to socialize and learn a little at the same time!

Sounds good Jim. I treat my guitars with kid gloves, so there's no worries there.:)

I'll try to make to a gathering soon. I would enjoy meeting some of the good folks on this board, and yes, learning a thing or two.

[pollajak]

Depending on where I will be at the time and availability of my guitars, I may be able to join you guys. I will keep checking this tread for place, date and time. :)

[Jim Tozier]

Depending on where I will be

Speaking of your location... did you move down I-75? I seem to remember you being in Valdosta.

[pollajak]

Speaking of your location... did you move down I-75? I seem to remember you being in Valdosta.Yes, Jim. I lived in Valdosta 7.5 years. I came back to Gainesville for a master degree in real estate and is looking for a job. Leesburg is 1.5 - 2 hours from Gainesville depending on which road to go, but I still cannot predict where I am going to relocate to (for new job). How is your house in Atlanta? I remember you had a problem with the developer or salesperson when you bought the house. I hope you resolved the problem completely and are happy up there. :)

[Jim Tozier]

How is your house in Atlanta? I remember you had a problem with the developer or salesperson when you bought the house. I hope you resolved the problem completely and are happy up there. :)

The house is great! Despite some of the problems, the builder really went out of their way to make sure we were more than satisfied. I guess they really do care about their reputation for customer service (they're consitently ranked very high in the JD Powers surveys, etc.).

Loving the area, too. I'm not crazy about the heat and humidity... but I got to the point where I could put up with that more easily than frigid winters. I absolutely love the winter down here. :)

[beach bob]

My oldest grand daughter's birthday is the 29th and my wife's is the 30th.
So I will be busy and BROKE that weekend.
LOL

Ahhhh I see... thought I might have been missing out on something good. Congrats on the birthdays at least :)

[sharkydude50]

Hey y'all good AGFers- Please post any news of a FL get-together as soon as they become availible...pleeeeze! Last weekend's get-together has me a serious jammin' jones! I need more jams....and a new GSRS!!!!

[stratokatsu]

Furthermore, he/she didn't really understand how to treat expensive instruments... so there were some tense moments and collective cringes that afternoon.
I saw something on ebay once that I had to have... It was a guitar pick made from a quarter. All you did was tell them what year you wanted, so I got 1949, the year I was born.

I mentioned it to some friends and got these looks back like, "You're never going to touch MY guitars again!"

Fortunately for everyone, it is now in a frame, not available to be scraped across the top of anyone's guitar.

[Jim Tozier]

OK... it looks like Dennis (stratokatsu) is setting up a house concert in the Miami area on Thursday. (Thanks, Dennis!) That still leaves the weekend, if anybody is up for hosting a small house concert/gathering. :)

I've done some poking around looking for a local (within 100 miles or so of Leesburg) venue that would cater to instrumental acoustic music and that would have an opening in their schedule, but no luck so far.

If nothing else, chime in if you'd be interested in getting together that weekend (6/29 to 7/1) to do a little pickin' and grinnin'. It would be a shame to have all this free time go to waste. ;)

[Kanned]

I'm in the Martin County area, down in SE Florida. I haven't been here too long, but I have made a few threads, received helpful tips, and chatted with some people on here. I'm no pro myself, only being able to cover simple songs, but I've never experienced playing with someone else and would love to. It sure would be nice to meet up with some of the members here and jam(even if I can't keep up with others =P). I am willing to travel a bit myself, but not too far. Keep this thread up to date, and I'll continue to check it.

Sean

[Plaid Coyote]

If nothing else, chime in if you'd be interested in getting together that weekend (6/29 to 7/1) to do a little pickin' and grinnin'. It would be a shame to have all this free time go to waste. ;)

Yup, I'm there, whereever there is. :p

[beach bob]

Jim,

Got an email from Dennis; said you were getting weird driving instructions from Mapquest (go figure). Coming from Leesburg, you should definitely hop on the turnpike and take that all the way to Dennis' exit in Kendall ... only way I'd jump over to I95 on that trip is if it was latenite driving, to save the bucks... so stay on the turnpike and it'll be a blissfull and easygoing ride. Comparatively. Just like driving around Atlanta. Um, yeah, like that :D

[Jim Tozier]

so stay on the turnpike and it'll be a blissfull and easygoing ride.

Got ya... will do. I was thinking that made more sense, anyway. I think the reason Mapquest sent me to I-95 is because I'll actually be heading to Miami from the Orlando airport (after dropping off the rest of the family there) rather than Leesburg. Apparently, hitting the turnpike from the airport would involve some backtracking, but I still think it makes more sense so that's what I'm going to do.

Just like driving around Atlanta.

:eek:

:)

[beach bob]

I'll actually be heading to Miami from the Orlando airport (after dropping off the rest of the family there) rather than Leesburg. Apparently, hitting the turnpike from the airport would involve some backtracking, but I still think it makes more sense so that's what I'm going to do.


Yep; that's the way to go. Backtracking: only a few miles. From the airport, head west on 528 to get to the turnpike. Don't mess w/ 417 (greenway / greenline / greenbelt; whatever it's called)... I don't think it connects w/ the turnpike. Exits & road planning are real weird in Orlando, esp. between downtown and RatLand. They planned it out like people would know where they are going, which is substantially not the case :eek: :ha:

Safe travels, and the good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise, I'll be at Dennis' place next week to press the flesh with a real guitar player :)

[Hodges_Guitars]

I'm about as far northeast in Florida as you can get without either being in the ocean or in Georgia. I'd really like to meet a few of you anyway if you are within driving distance. Maybe by that time I'll have one or two new guitars that will need breaking in.

Keep me posted!

[stratokatsu]

I'm about as far northeast in Florida as you can get without either being in the ocean or in Georgia.
Perfect description... I know a few people in Miami with addresses that start out with Southeast... Whenever that happens, they practically have to be on an island in Biscayne Bay.