Monroestock Musings

[Jim Tozier]

Wow! I've finally found a few minutes to share some thoughts on the Monroe gathering.

Rick Crider and Marion Holloway did an outstanding job of putting this thing together, and I can't thank them enough for their efforts.

The TGF is full of wonderful people, and it was great to meet so many of them in one weekend. It was an unforgettable experience.

Friday night, I went to dinner with CaptBill, Cakes, Jennifer, Rebecca, Doc Jacobs, and the Bonds (Tom and Vicki). Afterwards, we met in the motel lobby for a jam session, and were joined by Wade (Thurmabus), Michael Woo, and Rick Crider. Caleb from Holloway's even dropped by to say hello.

Saturday, I finally got to meet JW and Mrs. JW, J.R. Baker and Jack, Bill Powell, Mickey, CDT, Bryan (bnjp--I told him his handle always makes me think "banjo player"), Cocobolo Guy, Lauren Coggins, Timmy Pack, and a bunch of others.

Just meeting everyone would have made this a special trip . . . but I also got to hear a lot of these talented folks play at the open mic. I butchered 2 of the 4 songs I played (which I'm graciously going to blame on CaptBill's guitar . . . rather than my own personal shortcomings), but had a good time anyway. :)

The talents of the other performers were amazing. Wade had me near tears for one song and laughing during another. Rebecca added beautiful harmonies to Wade's tear-jerker, and did some pretty picking and singing of her own. Lauren's "City of New Orleans" was simply beautiful . . . the girl can sing! Cakes did a fabulous collage of fingerstyle tunes--probably the only time I'll hear Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt, and Puddle of Mudd all in the same tune. :) Cocobolo Guy also did some smokin' fingerstyle tunes.

Deltoid knocked everyone's socks off with his fingerstyle version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Great playing! CDT did some groovin' originals, and Tom Bond did a nice version of a Clapton tune. Timmy impressed me by performing some cool tunes with Stuart--even though they had just met earlier that day. There were others, too, but these are what leap immediately to mind.

Doc Jacobs performed a couple of magic tricks with rubber bands, and I swore I was going to figure one of them out on the drive back home. I ended up shooting one of the rubber bands off my finger by mistake, and couldn't find it in the dark. So, you're secret is still safe, Doc . . . I have to admit I'm still baffled.

Drove home with CaptBill . . . walked in the door shortly after 3:30 am, and I'm still tired.

I'm already looking forward to the next one, though . . . :)

[Rejoice Music]

Mr. Jim Tozier,

It was truly a pleasure to meet you, and totally awesome! to hear you play! What more can I say?

[CDT]

Hey Jim, nice meeting you and hearing you play...and yes it was a blast to see everyone and hear the performances..not a bad one in the lot (well one bushy haired, goateed 4-eyes dude was too loud. he learned his lesson though: get the sound right before leaping into a tune):D)...

I do wonder...how, exactly, were those 3 capo's set up (I figure they were partials but which strings did each press?) and what tuning did you use on that tune? that was incredible..

Chris

[wthurman]

Jim,

It was really great meeting you, and everyone else, too! I'm sorry I had to miss dinner Friday... I guess it was worth it to get that jumbo, but just barely.

Doc Jacobs, Capt. Bill, tbondo, JW, bnjp, CDT, cocobolo guy, Rick, Rebecca, Lauren, Jennifer, Tim, JR, Dr. Woo and all the people who are now about to be highly offended because I left you out... you are all very special people, and I learned so much from each of you.

Rebecca, it was especially nice to have you play on "Before Our Eyes"... even though some people there probably think it's the only song I've ever written because they heard it three times, it was wonderful to share that moment.

As the days go by and this event slips further into memory, it will be among the best. I only hope we can do it again soon, whenever and wherever it happens.

If I had a glass, I'd be raising it right now to each and every one of you. As it happens, it has to be my coffee cup!

And to top it all off, I got 38.4 MPG on the drive! Through mountains, no less!

:D

[Jim Tozier]

Originally posted by CDT
I do wonder...how, exactly, were those 3 capo's set up (I figure they were partials but which strings did each press?) and what tuning did you use on that tune? that was incredible..


Tuning is DADGAD. The first capo is a regular, full capo, and goes on the 2nd fret. The second capo is cut to allow the 6th string to pass through (essentially a homemade Drop D capo), and is placed on the 4th fret. The third capo is cut so that the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings pass through, and is placed on the 9th fret. With the second and third capos, you have to place the capo directly on the fret (instead of slightly behind it) so that you have enough room to finger notes on the same fret in places during the tune. Have fun! :)

Originally posted by Thurmabus
Rebecca, it was especially nice to have you play on "Before Our Eyes"... even though some people there probably think it's the only song I've ever written because they heard it three times, it was wonderful to share that moment.

Yay! Now I know the title of the song. :)

Three times wasn't enough, Wade. That's a great tune. If you have an mp3 of it, you should share. ;) I'd be willing to pay for a copy of it . . .

[cocobolo_guy]

Jim,I count it a pleasure to have met you.I enjoyed your playing,I wish you had done a few more.I have been a flatpicker for the past 32 years or so and have just in the past couple of years started fingerstyle and still have a long ways to go,so to here you say that you enjoyed what I played makes me feel really good about the direction I`m taking with my playing,Many Thanks.I posted my gratitudes of thanks to everyone on another thread,until our paths cross again,GOD BLESS....CG

[JW]

Originally posted by Thurmabus
And to top it all off, I got 38.4 MPG on the drive! Through mountains, no less!

:D We hit 20.1 mpg in the Jeep. An all time record for that baby, All packed up and towing the little trailer. First time it even went to 20 mpg. I guess it was because the wife drove.:roll: JW

[CDT]

Tuning is DADGAD. The first capo is a regular, full capo, and goes on the 2nd fret. The second capo is cut to allow the 6th string to pass through (essentially a homemade Drop D capo), and is placed on the 4th fret. The third capo is cut so that the 6th, 2nd, and 1st strings pass through, and is placed on the 9th fret. With the second and third capos, you have to place the capo directly on the fret (instead of slightly behind it) so that you have enough room to finger notes on the same fret in places during the tune. Have fun!

okie dokie...I'll be knocking that out right away.

now where are those exacto blades and extra keyser capos?...hmmm

LOL:D

[CRITTER]

Jim T.
It was an absolute pleasure meeting you and hearing (and watching) you play. Thanks for making the trip.
I really like your self described handle on your website "Captain Capo"
That is great.
I hope somebody got a picture of you with all those capos on Capt. Bill's guitar. :)

[Doc Jacobs]

Y'all were great folks and amazing songsmiths and musicians. Would love to see each of you again soon!.

Doc

[wthurman]

Originally posted by Jim Tozier
Three times wasn't enough, Wade. That's a great tune. If you have an mp3 of it, you should share. ;) I'd be willing to pay for a copy of it . . .

What a kind thing to say! Your wish is my command... go here (or here, or here) (http://ovangkologist.home.insightbb.com/mp3/before_our_eyes.mp3) to just play it. Go here (http://ovangkologist.home.insightbb.com/mp3/) if you want the lyrics and to d/l or play the mp3 (right click and "Save Target As..."). The page should be up by 5PM Eastern on 10/28/03.

I'm honored that you would ask!

[CRITTER]

That was great, thanks again.
Any chance you could post that denominational tune you dedicated to the open mic forum ? I especially enjoyed that one too.
Keep up the great playing, It was truly a pleasure to meet you.

[wjpjr]

Originally posted by CRITTER
That was great, thanks again.
Any chance you could post that denominational tune you dedicated to the open mic forum ? I especially enjoyed that one too.
Keep up the great playing, It was truly a pleasure to meet you. Yea !! That was one of my fav's of the day!!!

[wthurman]

Originally posted by CRITTER
That was great, thanks again.
Any chance you could post that denominational tune you dedicated to the open mic forum ? I especially enjoyed that one too.
Keep up the great playing, It was truly a pleasure to meet you.

The pleasure was mine. You and so many fine folks have done something I thought was next to impossible... turn me away from an ever increasing cynicism. All I can say is thank you.

As for the songs, if you go back to that same page, I've made a new page that has links to that song and one other, just so that no one thinks all I do is Travers fingerpicking. :lol:

Thanks again, guys... I'm humbled and honored, in more ways than I can possibly express.

Just in case, the link is here. (http://ovangkologist.home.insightbb.com/mp3/)

I'm blown away.

All the best,

Wade

[CDT]

hey Wade...from one cynic to the next....here's to looking up! that was a classic lyrical tune..

and you can't be cynical with that new maple jumbo man...come on! :D

[wjpjr]

You da Man, Wade !!! :D

[CRITTER]

That is some beautiful stuff, man.
I can't believe you wrote that in 1982.
The year I graduated.....ooohh my.

[freestyle]

Wade? Quit sticking that basket over your head, and let your light shine. You have nothing to be ashamed of for that tune! That was great. I liked it so much I made my wife listen to it too. :)

[ScottyDont]

Wade...beautiful music, sir. Very impressive. I've been sharing with friends...hope that's OK. :D

You people have to stop posting about MonroeStock. Every post I read reminds me of what I missed...hoping to make it next year! :)