Guest Book

Great story, Pam. Looks like real potential there. I gotta' meet that chick! Best wishes for a great birthday, Bird72. Black socks tomorrow. My Tuesday night with Col. Bruce and the Codetalkers: There's some concern about the amount of support our new blues club will get in a town steeped in country, MTV, and hip-hop. Fears allayed. Standing room only, many standing outside. On a Tuesday night. It was like an oasis in the desert...water for a mass of starving folk. Huge 20-something group. Many African-American Seniors. Beautiful! Brent and I had a long talk with the owner Mon. night. A point agreed to, that anyone wanting to "sit in" at any time has to clear it in advance with the main act, including the club's namesake, Jerry "Boogie" McCain. Jerry did this during the break, they opened the second set with a 10-minute blues jam, Jerry walking the length of the club and back, wailing. Next song, back to their structured set. Jerry jumps in, throws the band off. They struggle for a minute, give it a shrug, go spontaneous. With glorious results! For the rest of the evening, these great musicians played for their own entertainment, winging it much of the way. Jerry bowed out after the next number, but a spirit of pure improv had taken over. Incredible stuff, obviously elated players. All being recorded by a euphoric Johnny Sandlin and staff. Now I got to go watch GA&F in Birmingham tonight! Better to burn out than to fade away! EAPFP!