January 24 2008 Jam

Welcome to the second session of the Matt Hammer Jam…the sequel. Big thank you’s to Cassandra, Amber and Tana on refreshments and sustenance and a big thank you to Dennis Smith for hosting this jam. Huge thank you’s to the two Mikes on the mics. In the “Key of C” here we go. Is Mr. Whitekeys here? No, it’s Jam Master Hammer launching into his own original tune, “Start All Over Again.”

Mike Campbell and his Tommy walk in the door. Mike is the singer you would get if Roger Whittaker and Tennessee Ernie Ford had a child. Mike promises us he’ll grace us with some of his original musical musings shortly.

I joined Jam Master Hammer and we sang the Simon & Garfunkel tune, “Leaves that Are Green” and then we were joined by the core jam band, Gary Price on Drums, Pat Rat on Bass, Paul Schlomer on harp, for a little “Glory of True Love,” a John Prine tune that’s near and dear to our hearts.

Mike Campbell joined the core band and sang the oldie but goodie “Sixteen Tons.” He had the audience singing as we remembered this old tune. Mike asked Paul and Pat to stay, musing “mostly good people don’t let me play with them, I’m an artist and being antisocial is a condition we don’t want to talk about. (old age) He then launched into his original hit “Put that Budweiser Back in the Clydesdale.” Another original song, “Little Jim,” about the big quake in Kodiak had us all in tears. Then a little “King of the Road” and he ended with “Morris the Misfit Munchin’ Moose.” Wow, Mike, what fund you are.

Back on stage with Jam Master Hammer, core jam band members, Paul, Pat, Gary, and myself. Ariel joined us on Keyboard, Steve on flute, and Kyle on saxophone and we launched into Matt’s original rock-n-roll song, “Some Things are Never Gonna Change,” Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey.” Paul Schlomer, in a rare original vocal moment, belted out his ditty entitled, “Moose Don’t Care.”

Set two brought Jack Shockley and his guitar to the stage accompanied by Paul. He sang his original tunes “Ever Soul,” “Gray Skies,” and “Iowa Girl.” Jack is a new Alaskan song writer and growing and stretching every time he’s on stage. Welcome, welcome. Jam Master Hammer joined in on flute.

Jam Master Hammer then called the core band back to the stage and the core band was joined by master electric guitarist, Mark Houle, two of our three favorite saxophone players, Kyle and Mike, and one of our newest jammers, Merrill on electric guitar. This group launched into “San Diego Serenade.” Then Thomas joined the band as the new drummer. Matt launched into his IRAQ”N tale…you’d have to be there, SHAH’enough…to get the whole bit…

Sully Sullivan and his wife joined our audience this night. Matt recounted that Sully told Matt one time “you should be in the movies” … Matt said, “really” and Sully said, “yes, you should be on the big screen...” And so they were… big stars of the Fireweed screen!
A new Eagle’s tune, “How Long” albeit our way and the long…and short, fast…and slow version of “Summertime” rounded out the second set.

Set three brought a Showcase moment to the stage. Sully’s daughter Bridgett and Ariel moved main stage with Bridgett on vocals and Ariel on Keyboard. Bridgett flawlessly sang, “Because You Love Me,” “If You Could See Me Now,” “It’s Too Soon to Say Forgive,” and “When You Say Nothing at All.” Watch for this young lady in the future, she’s finishing up her music degree and heading south…to Nashville. Hopefully she will come back and grace our Jam stage again before she heads out. Great stuff!
Merrill, Mark, Pat, Thomas, Ariel, and Matt rounded out the set playing, “Hope You Feel the Same,” “Route 66,” and “Sweet Little Thing,” with Michelle joining in on tambourine.

Our last set brought Mike Olsen from the Mike Olsen band to the stage. “There’s a Train”…and joined by Steve, Mark, Ariel moving to drums, Pat, Paul, Mike and Michelle. Jam Master Hammer and moi joined in for “Can’t You See,” “There’s a Place in the World for a Gambler,” and “Turn the Page.” And all too soon another night of jamming came to an end.

The complete set of pictures from tonight's Jam can be found here.