[Harp-L] Open Jams

["john merx" <mxpoet@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

I am relatively new to this online gig. But i could use your input. The 
blues society of central pennsylvania has an open blues jam. It is starting 
to get so popular that many bands, performers, even non-blues musicians are 
lined out the door trying to get on stage.

To be fair to the crowd, the players, and the intent of the blues society, 
we are brainstorming some ideas from the jam to try to give it a little more 
structure, rules or what have you. Currently, there is a house drum set, PA, 
keyboard, guitar amp and vocal mic and we do use a sign up sheet but it 
often ends up being that whomever wants to play together plays together 
regardless of the sign up sheet.

I know harp players have to get to jams to get noticed and sit in with other 
people constantly. Could you all give us some examples of the structure of 
different jams you have played at? Perhaps we will find something new that 
we have overlooked and it will make the difference in the blues jam for 
scores of musicians, hundreds of fans, the bar that hosts it, and about 10 
harmonica players who come out regularly, including Fathead Mike Easton, 
Wild Bill Hines, Rick Smith, Daine Paul Russell and me John Merx.

Thank you very much I look forward to your input.

John