JAX Gathering (+Pics) was Great Stuff and FUN

[tbondo]

Guess the photogs haven't made it home yet, but this roving reporter can definitely state that we had a blast.

Wade (Thumper) came from Tenn and brought his honey (from Ocala?) to get the longest drive (flight, actually) award...he played some great originals and covers, and we did Fishin' Blues, as advertised....

Jerry (the pastor of the church whose hall we played in) stayed and played (a Taylor 710 from the '90s), he and Allen (Pistolero) jammed together on bluegrass standards, a couple of which they both actually knew (no requirement, I guess).....fun to watch, yeah I'd say....

Lisa came with her beautiful 512, and sang and played just the same. What a mod.

John (? AGF Handle) came and brought a nice looking guitar and a large songbook,some he played and some he shared

Ricks and his buddy Ray (Stixx - they're like an old married couple, each having half a brain) played some great duets, and Rick has some serious flatpicking chops, he did Little Wing and it was awesome...while Ray is an excellent songwriter and player, whose songs were very polished....I think Ray wins the most entertaining award.

Lauren C played a new original for us, and it was fantastic (hard to believe it was less than a week old) and she also played City of New Orleans (Ray had all the words in his performance book)

I trotted out a new original and several said it sounded like an island tune (matching my wife thinking it sounded like Jimmy Buffet)...hey, I'm a FL guy, what can I say?

And Allen, well, he had a new instrumental that was breathtaking, as well as all the songs he played with Jerry and all the lead licks he contributed to other's songs.

Except for a lunch break (around 2:00), we played from 11 to 5, and could have done more, we'll get those next time.

I had a blast and sincerely hope we find a way to do these things more often....hope I didn't forget anyone, and that everyone made it home OK.

Ricks was talking about finding Bagelsgirl today, hope he saw the thread update that said she was in JAX at Shands.

[gteague]

thanks for the report tom! it sounds like an excellent time was had by all involved.

and glad to hear some of my impressions formed just by reading some of these folks' posts are confirmed.

i hope someone from the group is able to get to see elizabeth this weekend and pass on all our best wishes directly.

/guy

[Stixx]

Tom did such a great report anything I could add detail wise would be icing on the cake but suffice it to say it was worth the six hour drive even if I these great guys did sort of make a sport of my bumbling. LOL Live in glass
houses what can I say. All I know is I have great respect for all these guys and gals now and will look forward to having other opportunities to do it again.. Tom did a great job on describing everything and it was a first class
jam even if we got off to a bit of a slow start. They are all like that though
which is why then need to be all nighters. Next time I suspect it will . Although we played a LOT no one was complaining of sore fingers.

The Gals did great too holding up the genderific side of all things beautiful
and that goes for the vocals too. The singing prize goes to Wade for my
money what a soothing vocal. Tha Paster wasn't the beautiful vocalist the
gals were but he had the real deal on delivery and his accompanying the l
outstanding flatpicking of our fearless leader Allen was nothing to complain
about either. Great Duo.

Rick of course Dazzeled with brilliance while I baffold with BS and that always works out good except when he solos on top of my vocal. But he's getting way to good to play with me anyway. LOL

Everyone was cool, John had a stunning dread in Koa and sang great as well.
Toms originality was fantastic so there you go , my version of what Tom Said


LOL

Later

[gteague]

so which half of your brain did you pick to take with you ray? or does whatever personality currently inhabiting it have the final say? from what tom said it sounds like rick had the flatpickin' half and you had the '... miss congeniality' half ...
[g]

/guy

[lcogginz]

Okay, so I'm home and finally settled--made great time coming back, but had to stop by my folks' house so I'm just now getting home and firing up the computer again.

In short, I had a great time and would gladly make the drive again, which was really very easy and not nearly as bad as thinking about 6 hours on the road would make it seem. Guess I was looking forward to the destination that much!

Tom, it was great to see you again! I like song "I'm Willing," though I think I've forgotten the exact title (again). Lisa, same goes, and I hope you're able to make Monroestock again next year--you'll surely impress a bigger crowd with that lovely guitar, as well as your singing. Wade, it was very nice to see you again as well, and nice to hear the songs you've been writing (and that "missing" verse to "The Boxer"--nice trivia, there), and I enjoyed them.

Allen--enjoyed the playing thoroughly, esp. the instrumental. It just resonates, somehow. Also, please let Jerry know how much we all enjoyed his playing, and the opportunity to use the room there at Oak Crest. Thanks for setting all this up.

John--it was nice to meet you (I didn' realize you were local--missed that somehow), and I look forward to seeing you again at another gathering. I enjoyed "Let It Be Me."

Stixx and RickS--you two are a hoot, I mean it. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting both of you, and enjoyed the playing and the songs. Stixx, some of your writing is different, to be sure but your delivery is spot-on and I enjoyed it. Also--that Collings of yours sounds *great*. Don't sell that one.

This was definitely worth taking a three day weekend, and I would again, no questions asked. Okay, so when's the next one? I'm still packed..... ;)

[tbondo]

I forgot to add what a pleasure is was to meet John and Ray and Jerry too (he's gonna join the forum)...the AGF continues the tradition of having some of the best people in the world to get to know, even if they are all guitar nuts (Jerry did a great song about guitar players, and why you don't wanta be one)...

Also, Chicago Sandy and Stixx would be a great double bill......good players and great entertainers......with wonderful humor and stories...

Allen, many thanks for doing the organizing...always a pleasure to watch you play...and you also had the quote of the day, which I can't quote cause my brain leaks, but it had to do with the love of guitars and playing them and the enthusiasm of the AGF folks.....

[Pistolero]

Folks, there wasn't much to organize. You all pretty much picked a date and I found a place to gather, thanks to Jerry Carris.

Stixx and Ricks, you two should take that show on the road, lol. It was great hanging with you guys and I really enjoyed the tunes. And Stixx, I know Ricks computer is down, so please make sure you pass along to him that I really had a good time and enjoyed his chops very much. He's a good picker.

Wade, glad I got to meet you and share a few tunes with you. The John Harford tune was a hit man.

Lisa, a beautiful guitar and beautiful music. Thanks for sharing that with us all.

Belljs, enjoyed it man, say hello to Ronnie when you see him.

Tom, just as at Monroe, I enjoyed picking with you and getting to know you a little better. I look forward to it again.

Last but not least, Lauren, as someone suggested at the gathering, I thought I was gonna have to reach over there and poke you to wake you up for awhile. But, when you came around, you just blew me away. Just as was already pointed out, your song was fantastic, and hard to believe it's less than a week old, it seemed so much more somehow. Very Nice.

If I could sing like some of you folks, I would give up guitar. Let's do it again.

[Lisa]

Everyone,

It was a pleasure to see all that I had met at previous gatherings and to make aquaintance with new friends too.

You guys are all so talented...I won't single anyone out...I enjoyed each and every one of you and your beautiful music. I felt privileged to sing with you guys.

I hope we'll do this sort of thing again, till then keep pickin' everyone. :D

[belljs]

A bunch of fine people ..Its strange that I always plan to practice and appear polished before these meetings but never do..In a 6 hr get together you can feel the rust drop off ..thats again for the invite and any of you that want to play let me know... I owe some of you food.from the last 2 get togethers.John

[beach bob]

So glad everyone that made it, made it, and had a great time. Gotta say I'm quite envious, definitely several people I've wanted to meet (and hear!) based on their online personality... (stixx, tbondo, pistolero, etc etc.). I post infrequently, but I do lurk very regularly, so I feel I have some idea about some of our more colorful AGF'ers :D (I mean that in a nice way of course)

At least the co. holiday function I was obligated to that day was real nice, best one I've been to in several years... so the day wasn't a total loss. *AND* tonight I'm finally picking w/ the mando player I met up at Suwannee <wooo hooo>

Let's did it again sometime soon; I'll make every effort to be at the next one. Happy holidays & merry Christmas to all in the meantime.

[Stixx]

Dont feel too bad , Bob, but I must say I did have to give up my Sunday School annual Underwear party so it was not without peril heading off to
sunny Florida instead of staying in Black Ice territory that weekend but I
bucked up and made it work for me. LOL

I can't say enough about the pleasure it brings when a jam works. Sometimes
they dont but that's another story this one was not only a hoot but it was a chance to see just how fast a guitar can be played , how a couple of beautimus ladies can bring a wonderful timbre none of us duffus' can do
and yet all the guys and gals had something that they brought to the table
that made it a learning and inspiring experience.

I gotta say , I am going to learn to flat pick if it kills me.LOL

The only thing I'd do when I finally get around to another Tucker trial is
make it longer, once exposed to that much power in the pickin parlor , one
day just ain't enough. LOL

[wthurman]

Hey all,

Just got back to the cold nasty of Louisville... and thought I'd mention what a wonderful time it was!

It was great seeing old friends and meeting new faces, and I loved hearing all the different ways we approach our instrument of choice. Yeah, it started off slow, but what a great chance to hear and play guitar with really wonderful people! It's both inspiring and humbling all at the same time.

All the songs, the singing, the playing... there just wasn't any part I didn't like and that didn't blow me away.

I've got a few pics to post in awhile, after I warm back up... but all I can say is thank you all for a wonderful day, and thanks Pistolero, for putting this all together. It was a fabulous day and the kind of thing that shouldn't be missed if at all possible!

[tbondo]

I guess everyone has checked in except Rick, whose got a dead computer (boat anchor), so we all got back home safe and sound, and some of us survived the Mexican food.......that's good to know....have a great Christmas season and see ya the next time!

Pics would be nice (since I didn't take any this time), OK?

[wthurman]

Here are some pics...


Wade (Thumper) and Rick (RickS):
http://www.clefwerks.com/jax/jgath01.jpg


Lauren (lcogginz), Allen (Pistolero), and Jerry (our hospitable host) during "City of New Orleans"
http://www.clefwerks.com/jax/jgath02.jpg


Around the Circle - Ray (Stixx), Rick, Alisa (Lisa), Wade and Tom:
http://www.clefwerks.com/jax/jgath03.jpg


Tom, Lauren and Allen:
http://www.clefwerks.com/jax/jgath04.jpg


Allen and Jerry:
http://www.clefwerks.com/jax/jgath05.jpg


Ray and Rick, the Collings Bros.:
http://www.clefwerks.com/jax/jgath06.jpg


Jerry, John (belljs), Ray, Rick, and Lisa:
http://www.clefwerks.com/jax/jgath09.jpg


Ray, Rick, Lisa and Wade:
http://www.clefwerks.com/jax/jgath10.jpg

[Jim Tozier]

Sounds like you had a blast! Count me in for the next one... the drive will soon be much shorter for me! :)

[Stixx]

This one Tom took for me of everyone but himself: Duh?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Stixx/RayElliott3Scan012.jpg

Tom (tbondo) Buffet doing the Florida is more than just oranges routine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Stixx/RayElliott3Scan014.jpg

Rick and Lisa:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Stixx/RickandLisa.jpg

[gteague]

who's who?

[Pistolero]

Man, what a good looking bunch! lol. Jim, you shouldn't have far to go for the next one, we already told Stixx to make it happen and we'll be Atlanta bound. ;)

[Stixx]

who's who?

Left to right Lauren's back Allen, Jerry (the pastor) John, Stixx, Ricks, Lisa,and Wade............... :)

[Stixx]

who's who?

Left to right Lauren's back Allen, Jerry (the pastor) John, Stixx, Ricks, Lisa,and Wade............... :)
[http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Stixx/RayElliott3Scan012.jpg

[Stixx]

This one was a sleeper but , turned out to be the mouse that roared when
awaken , no doubt by one of Allens rips............Brand new song brand new
respect. Whoa...........:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Stixx/RayElliott3Scan015.jpg

[Stixx]

I think this one is wade but we'll see

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Stixx/RayElliott3Scan001.jpg

[wthurman]

I think this one is wade but we'll see



Yep. One thing... about that "soothing vocal" deal... I think Ray means I put everyone to sleep. If you notice in the picture, I was about there myself. ;)

[lcogginz]

That picture must GO! I looked bored silly. This is why I'm always behind the camera, people. lol

[Pistolero]

Lauren, lol! That's usually the effect I have on people. ;)

[gteague]

That picture must GO! I looked bored silly. This is why I'm always behind the camera, people. lol

i've been a photographer for many years and taken many many images of girls and women and not one has ever liked a single shot! ever!

there's absolutely nothing wrong with that shot, lauren!

having said that: i hate having my picture taken also. i don't know many real photographers who do. [g]

/guy

[lcogginz]

Actually, I do very occasionally see one I like. But, no offense meant to any of the photographers involved, I swear I've yet to see one I liked come from any of these guitar "things." Dangit. lol Somebody kick me and wake me the heck up!

Incidentally, I have mastered my left hand technique, as anyone can tell from that shot. It looks hard, I know, I know, but it comes surprisingly natural to me.

;)

[wthurman]

No Lauren, you weren't bored. That was me putting you to sleep. See? It worked!

[Stixx]

That picture must GO! I looked bored silly. This is why I'm always behind the camera, people. lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Stixx/LaurenWakesup.jpg


Hey, the thumbnails were little, I'm about blind, so cut me some slack. Besides I took one of you with your own camera, and I'm betting it was
a good one so post that why doncha,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,LOL :D :D

Heck you are so cute, I'd have to do a retouch job to make you look bad.

[Pistolero]

Heck you are so cute, I'd have to do a retouch job to make you look bad.

Stixx, and even then, I don't think you could. ;)