Slowly, Out of the Starting Gate

Wednesday saw the Carpenter Ants back in action after a rare almost 2 weeks off.
It was great to be back with my boys, although admittedly, I did have fun on my little vacation. Playing music with the other folks that I gigged with during that time definetely had merits, but as the saying goes: "there's no place like home."
It's always a trip when you've been off for a while because it's like being a racehorse who hasn't run in good amount of time, he's just a bit sluggish, and cumbersome.
With that in mind, let me tell you about how we struggled just a bit on Wednesday. We always have fun, and even when all seems worthless, we make the best of it and come slowly out of the starting gate.
It just seemed as if everyone of us was just too tired to move, but when we did, it was sort of at a snails pace.
I never know, nor can I explain when or why this happens, but some force seems to take us over and get our juices flowing, because at some point after we took a break, and came back, it was an entirely different scene, everyone got focused, and we came out of our bag.
Slowly, out of the starting gate, we moved, got into a serious groove and pounced on the rest of the evening...it was great.
It always a bit of fun for an audience if they see a band stumble to gain its feet, and even greater fun if they hang on for the ride. Sort of like a jockey who knows his horse, and knows that the horse has it in him to win a race.When he does win, it's truly gratifying for the jockey as well as the horse.
There's not alot of story, or allegory here, but just understand that when you listen to music and the folks that proport it, take your time and enjoy the ride.Even if it's a fast ride, the view to your mind will show you how beautiful it is.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

It's Flowing at the Rivers Edge

It's been a few months since I started showing up for Jim Snyders Thursday Night Music Club at the River's Edge Cafe here in St.Albans, and the fun has not stopped, and tonight was no exception.
Hanging out with Jupie Little, Phil Ruby and Marcel Lazare has been a good thing for me.The stuff that we play really keeps me on my toes, because quite a bit of it was not originally done with saxophone solos, so I have to treat the music very differently, but Jim and the guys are always telling me how pleased they are to have me there, or glad that I came.
It's a really great feeling for other musicians to acknowledge your contributions, and it's even more of a compliment when they convey that to the audience, and get them to like you as well...I don't take that very lightly.
St Albans is a really nurturing community, they really come out support us, and that too is a good feeling, it's almost like being stars, but your own home, and I'm proud to call myself a resident.
I'm gonna let you in on a little secret (well, actually you'll probably already know...), Jupie Little is crazy crazy crazy. He is just a wonderful, and full of life man. Between he and the rest of these guys they have forged themselves a great river to partake from,every week. It gives you all, water to drink and food to eat, and it's always flowing at the River's Edge.

Jim Snyder and Friends, Thursday Night Music Club: at the River's Edge Cafe
212 Main St.
St Albans,WV 25177
(304) 722-6320
call for schedule or e-mail Jim at: jimsnydermusic@netscape.net)

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.