TNBJ Newsletter

TUESDAY NIGHT BLUEGRASS JAM NEWSLETTER

Vol. 8, No. 43 February 26, 2011

Tuesday Night Bluegrass, Old Time and Gospel Jam, now in its 8^th year! Every Tuesday night at the Pine Hall Lutheran Church, 1760 West College Avenue, State College, 7-9:30 p.m. Open to the public, spectators encouraged. Everyone is welcome to join in--or just to listen. For info or questions, 814-883-0287 or askrug@comcast.net. Pennsylvania’s most well attended weekly bluegrass jam. A great place for beginners to get started. Music stands OK. Admission free (Donations encouraged to defray costs of church utilities. We are fortunate in that the Pine Hall Lutheran Church graciously allows us the use of their activities room for the jam every week, so please contribute. We need, at the least, to help out with the heat and the light.) Participants are also encouraged to bring potluck goodies (cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, sandwiches, etc.) for the 10-15 minute social break at 8:15 p.m.

Jam etiquette: Jam partipants asked for it--a guide for jam etiquette for the TNBJ. For a treatise on jam etiquette for the TNBJ developed from jam participants' input, e-mail your request to askrug@comcast.net. As this is an on-going project, additional commentary and suggestions are always welcome.

Washtub Base. The TNBJ has a washtub base. If you would like try your hand at this mighty fine classical instrument, give Your Ob't Serv'nt an e-mail or call and it will be brought to the jam for you.

Note: The St Marks Lutheran Church of Alfarata is looking for acoustic musicians who would like to play at this new coffee house venue on the second Saturday night of each month. The location is seven miles north of Lewistown on Rt. 522. Crowd is around 50 persons, good food and non-alcoholic beverages. A nice room and appreciative crowd. Please call R. B. Powell and Bridget Allen at

814-880-5100.

Events: Note on reliability of data: Information on Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam is current and firsthand. Other is secondhand. If you are traveling a significant distance to any of these other events, you may wish to verify info prior to departure. Also, be aware that events are sometimes listed in this newsletter as a courtesy without judgment or evaluation, except when specifically recommended by Your Ob’t Serv’nt. Where quotes appear in this newsletter, the included text originates with a second party, not Your Ob't Serv'nt.

February 27 (Sunday) Howard Bluegrass Jam, J. K. Yearick Center (Fire Hall), 2-6 p.m. Bands or groups that wish to perform open mic sign up upon arrival. Jamming in fire hall meeting rooms. Great potluck food. Donations accepted. For more information, Bob or Judy Waite, rjwaite@gotmc.net, 814-355-8091. Recommended. Note: An ad hoc group of TNBJ pickers sometimes performs.

March 1 (Tuesday) Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam at Pine Hall Lutheran Church, 1760 W. College Avenue, State College, 7 – 9:30 p.m. Public invited, free admission. For more information, askrug@comcast.net or 814-883-0287.

Pittsburgh, PA (pure) Bluegrass Jam Session every Tuesday Night, 8:00 PM – Midnight.
This is a Bluegrass Jam Session, not an “Open Stage.” Everybody is welcome...all levels.
Starlite Lounge, 364 Freeport Road, Blawnox PA 15238. Good food at very reasonable prices.
Directions: Rt 28 to Blawnox Exit, Freeport Road into center of business district.

Lew Scheinman, lscheinman@yahoo.com.

March 3 (Thursday) Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam “executive council” weekly breakfast, Denny's on North Atherton Street in State College, 8:30 a.m. All jammers welcome and encouraged to attend. Guaranteed fun and laughs. Many issues resolved. No, on second thought, points out Tom Fox, perhaps not resolved but at least identified. Grand Slam Special $3.99. For more information, askrug@comcast.net or 814-883-0287.

March 3 (Thursday) Banjo player Judy Marti - the last apprentice of celebrated folk artist Ola Belle Campbell Reed! Schlow Library, 211 S. Allen Street, State College, in the Downsbrough Community Room, 7:00pm – 8:00pm. Free admission. More information can be found at http://www.schlowlibrary.org/content/adults/banjo-pickin-girl. Contact the library with any questions you may have.

March 8 (Tuesday) Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam at Pine Hall Lutheran Church, 1760 W. College Avenue, State College, 7 – 9:30 p.m. Public invited, free admission. For more information, askrug@comcast.net or 814-883-0287.

Pittsburgh, PA (pure) Bluegrass Jam Session every Tuesday Night, 8:00 PM – Midnight.
This is a Bluegrass Jam Session, not an “Open Stage.” Everybody is welcome...all levels.
Starlite Lounge, 364 Freeport Road, Blawnox PA 15238. Good food at very reasonable prices.
Directions: Rt 28 to Blawnox Exit, Freeport Road into center of business district.

Lew Scheinman, lscheinman@yahoo.com.

March 11 (Friday) TNBJ practice for Baileyville train song concert. PHLC, 7-9 p.m.

March 12 (Saturday) “West Loop Bluegrass Jam” run by Rev. Joe Himes at the West Loop Missionary Church (West Loop road) in the Family Life Center in Hollidaysburg. Directions from intersection of Rt. 22 and Rt. 36: Turn left, go across bridge and take Smith Road off-ramp which circles under the bridge; follow Smith Road as it takes you past Degol Lumber, crosses Reservoir Road onto West Loop Road; go past farm on right. As you pass the farm, drive another 30 seconds, look for the church which will appear to be straight in front of you; it will actually be on the right after you cross a small bridge. There will be music from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. along with a covered dish, so bring something to share if you would like. This will normally be held the First Saturday of every month, October thru May. For a map and directions go to www.wlmc.net or you can phone: 814-696-9626 or e-mail pastorjoehimes@gmail.com. Tom Neff says "It was very good, and well organized…recommended!"

March 15 (Tuesday) Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam at Pine Hall Lutheran Church, 1760 W. College Avenue, State College, 7 – 9:30 p.m. Public invited, free admission. For more information, askrug@comcast.net or 814-883-0287.

Pittsburgh, PA (pure) Bluegrass Jam Session every Tuesday Night, 8:00 PM – Midnight.
This is a Bluegrass Jam Session, not an “Open Stage.” Everybody is welcome...all levels.
Starlite Lounge, 364 Freeport Road, Blawnox PA 15238. Good food at very reasonable prices.
Directions: Rt 28 to Blawnox Exit, Freeport Road into center of business district.

Lew Scheinman, lscheinman@yahoo.com.

March 16 (Wednesday) TNBJ and Paul Carney Banjo Band play for Centre Senior Center St. Patrick's Day Luncheon, 11:30-1:00 p.m. Set up 10:45 a.m. For more information, Your Ob't Serv'nt.

March 18-19-20 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Bluegrass festival: Clarion Bluegrass Festival
Clarion, PA. For info, (814) 226-8760.

March 20 (Sunday) Seven Mtns. Bluegrass Association monthly meeting and jam. Nice folks. "Great music, door prizes and refreshments." Marysville-Rye Senior Center, Marysville. Plenty of parking; handicap accessible. Admission free, all are welcome. Held the third Sunday of every month, 2 – 5 p.m. Directions: Rt. 11 & 15 to Marysville, take Rt. 850 west for 0.6 mile, left on Leonard Street, go straight to the T at Locust Point Apartments, look for the sign and turn right, you are there. For more information, 717-957-4349. Recommended.

March 22 (Tuesday) Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam at Pine Hall Lutheran Church, 1760 W. College Avenue, State College, 7 – 9:30 p.m. Public invited, free admission. For more information, askrug@comcast.net or 814-883-0287.

Pittsburgh, PA (pure) Bluegrass Jam Session every Tuesday Night, 8:00 PM – Midnight.
This is a Bluegrass Jam Session, not an “Open Stage.” Everybody is welcome...all levels.
Starlite Lounge, 364 Freeport Road, Blawnox PA 15238. Good food at very reasonable prices.
Directions: Rt 28 to Blawnox Exit, Freeport Road into center of business district.

Lew Scheinman, lscheinman@yahoo.com.

March 29 (Tuesday) Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam at Pine Hall Lutheran Church, 1760 W. College Avenue, State College, 7 – 9:30 p.m. Public invited, free admission. For more information, askrug@comcast.net or 814-883-0287.

Pittsburgh, PA (pure) Bluegrass Jam Session every Tuesday Night, 8:00 PM – Midnight.
This is a Bluegrass Jam Session, not an “Open Stage.” Everybody is welcome...all levels.
Starlite Lounge, 364 Freeport Road, Blawnox PA 15238. Good food at very reasonable prices.
Directions: Rt 28 to Blawnox Exit, Freeport Road into center of business district.

Lew Scheinman, lscheinman@yahoo.com.

April 16 (Saturday) TNBJ Train Songs Concert at Baileyville Grange, 7 p.m.. $5 admission benefits Pine Hall Lutheran Church. Refreshments by the Grange ladies. For more information, Ron Strapel, collectorcar@windstream.net.

April 21 (Thursday) Paul Carney Banjo Band practice, Centre Senior Center, 131 S. Fraser Street, State College. New members welcome. Come and see what it is about. For more information, Dave Chard, director, bchard99@comcast.net.

April 27-May 1 Spring Carlisle.

April 29 (Friday) TNBJ plays for Centre County Volunteers Luncheon at the Penn Stater, 11:00 a.m. To 1 p.m. For more information, Your Obd't Serv'nt.

May 1 (Sunday) TNBJ plays at Pine Hall Lutheran Church Gospel Music Night, 7 p.m. Jammers meet in Heydenreich Hall at 6:15.

May, 2011 (Thursday) TNBJ “Executive Council” handgun shooting class, Pennsylvania Game Commission Scotia Range, 10 a.m.

June 16-19 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Smoked Country Jam Bluegrass Festival, starts Thursday at 12:00 PM, Quiet Oaks Campground, Cross Fork, PA

June 22 (Wednesday) Paul Carney Banjo Band plays for Centre Senior Games Awards Banquet at Mt. Nittany Middle School, 11:30-1:00 p.m. For more information, Director Dave Chard.

June 25 (Saturday) TNBJ and Paul Carney Banjo Band play at Cody Stoner's all-day music festival at the Grange Fairground. Festival benefits the Penns Valley Charity "Hope."

July 14-17 Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival, Reedsville Fairgrounds. Advance tickets $35 available at TNBJ. Recommended. For more information, call R. B. Powell and Bridget Allen at 814-880-5100 or email NittanyMtTrailRides@gmail.com.

September 1 TNBJ in the Grange Fair parade, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. It's a blast! Senior Citizens Day at the fair; 62 and older admitted free (parking @ $3 not included). Jammers meet in the parade assembly area at 11:45 a.m.. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen recommended.

September 29-October 2 Fall Carlisle.

October 4-8 Hershey in the Fall.

Sound system update. We are fortunate to have a professional sound system for use by the Paul Carney Banjo Band and the Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam. We would like to purchase some additional equipment (monitors, wireless microphones, microphone case, microphone stands, cords, etc.). We are continuing to seek donations to the sound system fund. All contributions of whatever amount will be appreciated.

Daily free bluegrass video: A group dedicated to the awareness of Bluegrass Music is offering a FREE DAILY Bluegrass Music video to all who sign up for this this "freebee" by going to the following internet site: http://www.bluegrassonthetube.com/page3.html
At this site is the information you need to provide your email address and register for daily email communications with the new videos.

Check out Max Spiegel's old time music website http://www.mudcat.org . Max says “I think you'd enjoy the traditional song information on the site. It's an online community of about 22,000 folks just like us. It's just like the TNBJ but scattered all over the world. Good folks, good conversation, good research on all the songs we like to sing.” http://www.mudcat.org/threads.cfm. Recommended.

Diana White's Blog! myspace page www.myspace.com/sadrablue . Note: If your ob't serv'nt knew anything about “myspace” and blogs he would tell you more but . . . . Diana says “Want info on some of your favorite bluegrass bands' upcoming shows? See myspace.com/sadrablue for links to some of the country's best bluegrass bands' myspace pages for schedules, music, videos, website links, and fresh updates...just click on the band's icon in the "friends" section (remember to expand it to view all friends).”

Looking for a new bluegrass, old time or gospel song to try at the jam? Check www.bluegrasslyrics.com. Also, http://home.comcast.net/~barb923/lyrics/ (Indexing all the major bluegrass lyrics sites on the Web into one master list!).

Bluegrass lessons online: www. Bluegrasscollege.org. Recommended.

For beginning harmonica players, "Bluegrass and Country Music for Harmonica by Phil Duncan" is recommended. Recommended harmonicas (suggest starting with a 10-hole diatonic in the key of C) include the Lee Oskar, the Hohner Marine Band, the Hohner Special 20, Seydel Blues Session, the Suzuki Blues Master, all for around $30, and Suzuki Promaster (a great harmonica) for around $45. In SCE, check the Music Mart.

Richard Sleigh harmonica tuning video link: http://rsleigh.com/youtube-harmonica-tuning-videos/

and on reed replacement: http://rsleigh.com/reed-replacement-video/

Quality handcrafted guitars built by Oriskany Guitars in Huntingdon, PA. Also, acoustic instrument repairs. Luthiers Johanna Mutti and Curtis Rockwell, (814) 643-3588, www.oriskanyguitars.com or luthiers@oriskanyguitars.com You can listen to Curtis discussing the building of their guitars on You Tube. Very informative. Recommended. Also, take a look at their Model A guitar that is currently for sale at Dream Guitars, www.dreamguitars.com.

For sale: Ibanez Artcore electric hollowbody guitar with three pickups, $300; Crete Electra guitar with four pickups and Crete G-10 amp, $125. Butch Davies, butch19391@hotmail.com.

For sale: Markley Accoustic Guitar Pick-up, Artist Transducer. Sticks to any point on your instrument. Used once, but prefer a microphone for my instrument. List price, $69.95. Will sell for $40.00. For more information,contact Bob Frederick at 814-234-0981, bfreder755@dejazzd.com.

David R. Strait, Master Luthier, 460 Mountain Road, Boiling Springs, PA 17007, Tel - 717 258 6036

www..straituprepair.com. Recommended.

For sale: Left hand Larrivee L-05 guitar, excellent condition, mahogany and sitka spruce, 1 ¾ inch nut, gorgeous abalone rosette and bird inlay, nice original hardshell case, $850. askrug@comcast.net or 814-883-0287. Lefty pickers also take note of www.jerrysleftyguitars.com for quality instruments. Also www.southpawguitars.com and www.acousticmusicworks.com (He has a Collings D1A).

Handcrafted violins and instrument repair. Charles Arentz, 116 N. Juniata Street, Lewistown, PA 17044; 717-242-1530; cbarentz@verizon.net. Recommended.

For sale: Karl Hofner ½ size violin 4956; Karl Hofner, Bubenreuth (Germany) 1966; 20 and ½ x 7. Set up at Appalachian Bluegrass Shoppe, Boone, NC. Includes bow and case. $150 firm. askrug@comcast.net or 814-883-0287.

Plectrum banjo, 5-string banjo and guitar lessons available. Beginners welcome. $25/hour in my home. Jim Kerhin 814-777-7455; jimkerhin@yahoo.com. Recommended.

Mike Evock is offering 5-String Banjo Instruction (Bluegrass, Classic, Clawhammer),

Tenor Banjo, and Piano

Posted via email from Folk Happenings in Central Pennsylvania