Vagabond Preacher - Posted - 01/22/2024:  16:16:00

Don't know if this belongs here or somewhere else, but I'm looking for hints/advice about how best to find other players interested in starting a jam.  The only jam within reasonable distance (non-overnight stay) I have found is mostly country/gospel players/singers, and I've found it hard to really introduce any old-time tunes and songs.

Pre-Covid there were bluegrass pickers around and an old-time jam about an hour away, but I haven't been able to find any regular get-togethers in the last couple of years.

How do you go about trying to start a jam?  What kind of first step?  Try locate other pickers who might or might not be interested, advertise an initial meeting, or what?

Any advice?  Anyone else in SW Indiana interested?

camurnes - Posted - 01/22/2024:  16:44:16

I had been involved in a couple of jams from he beginning but had not actually facilitated one until COVID shut down our local bluegrass jam. About 18 months ago I set out to start a jam in our local community. It took about 6 months to find an establishment that would welcome what I thought would be 10-15 people each week and bluegrass music. One of my friends, and my partner in this endeavor, knew someone who knew someone who owned a restaurant with a lounge. We met with the owner and lounge manager and through our discussion decided a weekly jam at that establishment would be a win-win for everyone. We would bring in some business on a slow night and they would welcome us. That part has worked out well. The second step was getting the word out and getting people to show up regularly so the jam could be successful. We started inviting musicians that we know from about a 30 mile radius. I put up a sign in the local music store. I added our jam to the State Bluegrass Association's News letter. I posted our jam on social media. All these efforts brought people in. Now the work to keep people interested. I have a list of folks who have expressed interest and or who have participated. Each week, I send a text message to folks on the list. I try to include an interesting YouTube music video or two. So far, so good. In a couple of weeks, we'll be a year in. I wish you the best.

cevant - Posted - 01/22/2024:  17:02:17

I run an ad on Craigslist. It’s free and It works.

sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mu...3489.html

Our group also has a Facebook page. That works too. Look for San Diego Old Time Musicians on Facebook and you’ll find us. We keep a tune list in the files section, and post videos and tune list from the jams.

Hope this helps…

Vagabond Preacher - Posted - 01/23/2024:  15:44:30

quote:

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Originally posted by camurnes

I had been involved in a couple of jams from he beginning but had not actually facilitated one until COVID shut down our local bluegrass jam. About 18 months ago I set out to start a jam in our local community. It took about 6 months to find an establishment that would welcome what I thought would be 10-15 people each week and bluegrass music. One of my friends, and my partner in this endeavor, knew someone who knew someone who owned a restaurant with a lounge. We met with the owner and lounge manager and through our discussion decided a weekly jam at that establishment would be a win-win for everyone. We would bring in some business on a slow night and they would welcome us. That part has worked out well. The second step was getting the word out and getting people to show up regularly so the jam could be successful. We started inviting musicians that we know from about a 30 mile radius. I put up a sign in the local music store. I added our jam to the State Bluegrass Association's News letter. I posted our jam on social media. All these efforts brought people in. Now the work to keep people interested. I have a list of folks who have expressed interest and or who have participated. Each week, I send a text message to folks on the list. I try to include an interesting YouTube music video or two. So far, so good. In a couple of weeks, we'll be a year in. I wish you the best.

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Thanks for the info.  It suggested a couple of places around I need to check to be sure there isn't already a jam that I haven't heard about somewhere in town.  I also got at least one other way to look for musicians.

BTW, I grew up in Hillsboro and if I still lived there I would be down at your next jam.

Vagabond Preacher - Posted - 01/23/2024:  15:47:12

quote:

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Originally posted by cevant

I run an ad on Craigslist. It’s free and It works.



sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mu...3489.html



Our group also has a Facebook page. That works too. Look for San Diego Old Time Musicians on Facebook and you’ll find us. We keep a tune list in the files section, and post videos and tune list from the jams.



Hope this helps…

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My personal experience with the nearest Craig's List and with Facebook have not been very positive, but I know I may have to cast a wide net.  Thanks.