Playing with pros-

Joe Gall · Post by **Joe Gall** » 23 Oct 2012 1:35 pm

I recently had a rare opportunity to play along with a handful of REAL, hardcore, retired professional musicians.

There is a bi-monthly jam close to me here in a very small town called Cassia, FL. I have now been going to every jam twice a month since Jan and have made some great connections. One of which has lead me to a very small but exclusive jam that takes place weekly in Ormond Beach for over 25 years now. This is a very low key jam that has been attended by some very high profile, retired professional musicians.

Anyway, I was invited by a musician whom I have played with at the Cassia jam several times. At the Cassia jam I now play drums or bass for most all the bands that perform on stage as I am the only drummer that attends the jams.

The Tuesday jam that I went to featured Gene Slone on lead guitar (former guitar player for Loretta Lynne and song writer for Chet Atkins). In addition, there were guitar players who were as good and of equal fame/experience etc.

I was asked to play bass with these gentleman for the evening. For me it was like wining the lottery. It felt as though I was sitting in a recording studio in Nashville in the 60's. One of the best nights I've ever had as a musician (well, a wannabe musician anyway). That jam session brings a smile to my face every time I think about it.

I would trade every ounce of musical ability I have for playing the bass & drums for half of it in return on the steel. I wish that were possible because I would do it in a second because I want be able to play the steel more than anything!

I just wanted to share my story only because it meant so much to me to have the opportunity. I often wonder if you guys who are fortunate enough to be considered professionals realize how much it means to folks like myself when you allow us to play along even though our skills do not equal yours. It is such an honor and means more than you know.

Those 3 hours inspired me and meant more to me than anyone will ever know. I guess given my own unique situation in life it made that much more special!

Joe Gall · Post by **Joe Gall** » 23 Oct 2012 5:52 pm

Oh yeah, they had a pedal steel player at this weekly jam in Ormond Beach for years and years up until just recently. I know for a fact several of you would know him but I can not remember his name. He just recently had to give up playing as arthritis will not allow him to play any longer. I'll have to ask his name and let you all know as I am certain his name will ring a bell as he was VERY accomplished and played with many big names in Nashville and on the road etc. He does attend the jams now and then but only to listen...

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 23 Nov 2012 7:23 am

Great story ! I've been lucky enough to play with some top players before and it is a joy that can't be had any other way.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 23 Nov 2012 8:15 am

It is a liberating experience where the burden of playing with the inept is gone, and you are free to focus on your own playing knowing that the rest of the band has your back. I know that didn't sound good, but I meant it in the best possible way. $:\$

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 23 Nov 2012 9:39 am

A lot of the time,I think what distinguishes really good players is that they make YOU sound better.

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 23 Nov 2012 4:46 pm

I love the Cassia Jam, Joe, (every 2nd and 4th Saturday), at least when I get off my rear end and go. I live less than 20 miles away in DeLand and drive by the place every day, as I work in Lake County.
That is a great story you tell and from past experience I just have to say, I know what you mean.
Duncan

Joe Gall · Post by **Joe Gall** » 23 Nov 2012 11:07 pm

Duncan,

I also live in DeLand! How crazy is that? The two of us in the same little town. Too funny. We just hosted our first jam here at our new house last weekend and had about 10 pickers from Cassia come over and we had a great time. This big music room that we now have allows us to host a jam here at the house and the plan is to have it here on the off Saturdays as the Cassia jams. Feel free to PM me and I'll give you my cell # and my address and I'd be thrilled to have you come to our jams!

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 25 Nov 2012 5:27 am

One tip I've learned over the years from playing and hanging around with really seasoned pro musicians is to LISTEN and keep you volume minimal - just enough vol to fit the mix. Usually I find the more amature the player the louder they want to be. That goes for playing minimally too. You'll get asked back to sit in and be accepted more if you follow those simple tips. Work on your EARS - those cats have big ears.

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 25 Nov 2012 8:18 am

Every June here in Va. there's an event called the "Phelps Bros. Music Festival" put on by the late Willie Phelps daughter and son in law and the City of Chesapeake. I have the honor to play lead guitar with a group on the festival called "The All Star Band" which consists of the best pickers on their respective instruments around this area. I still have no idea how they picked me on guitar but these other guys are great. The steel player is a guy named Bobby "Muskrat" Reames who's one helluva picker and a big Chalker fan. Bobby sets his steel up like Curley's with the E9 neck on the inside of his MSA..... The drummer is Lonnie Godfrey who was formerly with Loretta Lynn and was in the Coal Miner's Daughter movie with the band. The fiddle player, Roger Gray, has played with Bill Monroe and others and even does gigs with the Virginia Symphony at times and can play any style you need. The rhythm/singer for the group is Tee Meroney who did a stint on lead guitar with Little Jimmy Dickens in the sixties and has played with Jimmy Martin, Clyde Moody and others while he lived in Nashville. The bassman is Garland Abbott III who's just about the best in these parts and can really lay down that bottom. Anything that I play seems so easy to execute beacause there's always something solid to work with. We're doing the VCMA Christmas Party on Dec. 9th and I'm really looking forward to getting with these guys again as it's always the best times of my musical year since moving here.... Here's a couple of shots of the group from last June at the festival..........JH in Va.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 25 Nov 2012 9:53 am

Jerry, who's that fella in the corner?

Joe Gall · Post by **Joe Gall** » 25 Nov 2012 5:52 pm

Good stuff guys! Gotta love those HotSpot monitors! I have a pair here in my music room and they are the nuts!

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 26 Nov 2012 9:05 am

Hey Barry, that's supposed to represent Willie Phelps.... Willie and his brothers, Norman and Earl, went to Hollywood in the thirties and played in some B westerns. They were mostly associated with Ray Whitley and did a movie or two with Tex Ritter as well among others. Norman was actually the leader of the group and sang the high harmonies as well as being the fiddler. Earl played the upright bass and sang bass. Willie was the best vocalist of the three and was their resident "ladies man".... He outlived his brothers by quite a few years and performed around these parts until right up to the time he passed. I've played a gig with him where he came there in his wheelchair and did the whole job in the chair. His voice never faltered and he was a good 'un... He was also a good song writer and had tunes such as "I Like Bananas 'cause they Got No Bones".... More familiar works of his were recorded by Elvis Presley "I'm Beginning to Forget You" and by Jim Reeves "Merry Christmas Polka" and a gospel tune recorded by Ernest Tubb (I'm Gonna Be Ready) among others. A local picker (Woody Norden, see picture)

played with Willie when he was 17 years old and had been with Willie when he passed away and sang "I'm Gonna Die With My Guitar In My Hand" to Willie as he slipped away.....JH in Va.