Ellenton Old-Time Music Jam

Summer Break

2010-05-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

With the snowbirds headed back up north, and most of the rest of us not around much this summer, we're taking a break for the season and will be back to the jam in the fall. In the meantime, please contact ellenton.oldtime@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list for future jam announcements.

Sarasota Traveller

Earth Day

2010-04-17T16:47:00.000-07:00

This month we had the pleasure of being invited by Lea Etchells at Felt's Audubon Preserve, in Palmetto, Florida, to play during their Earth Day celebration. We jammed for a couple hours in a beautiful setting and in perfect weather, and even got lunch out of the deal. Thanks, Lea!
For more information about Felt's Preserve, click here.
Over The Waterfall
Jonny Don't Get Drunk

Tunes

2010-02-22T17:40:00.000-08:00

A few keepers from our February 21 jam. The next gathering is on March 4.
Bill Cheatum

Old Joe Clark

Susanna Gal

In the news

2010-02-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

We were mentioned in a story in the Bradenton Herald about the Gamble fair. Click here to read the full story:
"The temperatures were in the high-50s to low-60s all day, with a biting wind, but that didn’t discourage Atkinson’s 8-year-old granddaughter, Ciera, from having a good time listening to the old-time music jam under the gazebo.
“I like all kinds of music,” Ciera said. “I listen to country with my grandfather.”
As she danced to the beat, Craig Seastead, of Bradenton, strummed the banjo; along with Anson Young, of Palm Harbor, and Carl Ross, of Ohio; while Doug Chayka, of Sarasota, and Pat Young, Anson’s wife, played the fiddle.
“This is real music,” said Ross.
The group meets every first and third Sunday at the Gamble Plantation to jam.
“There’s several groups that meet around the state,” Seastead said. “But this area has been a dry spot.”"

-hopefully that will change with some more good publicity like this!

Tunes

2010-02-07T18:30:00.000-08:00

Gamble had an arts fair this Sunday, which provided us with a nice crowd. A chilly day, but we came up with some good tunes nonetheless. Here are a few recordings from this jam and there may be one from another day here, too. You'll know the songs from the arts fair day by the unfamilar and strange clapping sound at the end of the tune. We had a great time!
Whiskey Before Breakfast

Turkey in the Straw

Colored Aristocracy

Angeline the Baker

Big Scioty

Playing by ear

2010-02-07T17:24:00.000-08:00

There is a mountain music website called the ToneWay Project that has great information about learning to play by ear and finding others to play with. There are free instructional videos, mp3's, listings of workshops, it is a fantastic support tool for beginners as experienced players as well. Their method is built on what they call the "five commandments" of playing by ear:
1. Feel the melody
2. Keep the Beat
3. Use the pattern
4. Stumble as a child
5. Play with others
It is all explained on their website, which you can visit by clicking the link above.
We are still filling out our links for this blog, so please send an e-mail to ellenton.oldtime@gmail.com if you'd like to suggest a link to other helpful sites or events, bands etc.

Welcome!

2010-01-22T21:01:00.000-08:00

This is the new blog of the Ellenton Old-Time jam. Here, we'll post up any current news about our jam on 1st and 3rd Sundays at Gamble Mansion, as well as pictures, some tunes, links to other old-time events, and anything else that might be of interest to the old-time community. We had a nice turnout of 4 fiddles, 2 banjos, a bass, a mountain dulcimer, a mandolin, and two guitars this past weekend. Thanks to George Pratt for the nice shots, including the image used above on the banner.
Hope to see you at the next jam!