As per our usual practice, we will be meeting the 1st Saturday, Sep. 1, 2018 even though it is Labor Day weekend.
Our last meeting on Aug. 4, 2018 attracted 10 builder/musicians and several patrons/spectators. We started out discussing the various Cigar Box Guitar builds. The jam was casual and covered our 4 songs and 3 keys. Susan and Hollis took video and we hope to send out video links soon.
We had a special musician guest, Gary Walbrun, the head of the Guitars for Vets program in Charlotte. I spent a lot of time with him and neglected the group. I wanted him to thoroughly understand the CBGs in case he could use them in his Vet program. After we talked a good bit, he watched me join in the jam with my box guitar and asked asked if he could try.
The next Carolinas Box Guitar Club meeting, #32, will be Saturday, September 1, 2018 from 11:00 am to 2:00+ pm at Big Al's Pub & Grubberia, 9306 Albemarle Road Charlotte, NC 28227, 704-567-2333. It's behind Rite Aid At The Corner Of Harrisburg and Albemarle Roads, across Albemarle Rd. from the Good Will store and about 200 feet back from Albemarle Rd.
If the Big Al's doesn't have a prior reservation, we will continue having our monthly meeting on the first Saturday of each month. Our purpose is to help members develop skills to build and/or play the 12-bar Blues on their 3 or 4-string, fret-less, electric, box guitars. We also have some members working on and playing 6-string guitar and bass, and harmonica. We currently have 29 on our email list.
Bring your new music projects or cool equipment for show and tell. As usual, we will discuss individual building and playing issues. I think several of the Blues Jam musicians will attend to help with our jamming.
So far, our "Carolinas Box Guitar Club Jam" songs include:
- Before You Accuse Me, in "G" key by Bo Diddley or Eric Clapton
- Hoochie Coochie Man by Muddy Waters or Jeff Healey
- Stormy Monday by T. Bone Walker.
- The Sky is Crying by Elmore James
All will use the 12-bar Blues chord structure except Hoochie Coochie Man.
We are playing in the keys of "G", "A", "B" and for September adding the key of "C".
The new song for September will be I Almost Lost My Mind by Albert King.
We should have a video camera to record our jam for the members that couldn't attend and our education.
This should be another exciting meeting. The food and service has been great. Our waitress, Elaine, is also the manager of Big Al's. It's in our best interest to tip her generously. As long as we keep her happy, I think we will have a venue for our meetings.
See you there,
Fred
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