Tips On Starting a Local Bluegrass Jam

1. PLAN Before you start, have a plan in mind for your jam. Have Plan B ready, just in case.
2. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Choose an outdoor location that is easily accessible to musicians and their fans: A public park, town square or courthouse, restaurant, grocery store parking lot, depot or open market. Check local ordinances and policies about regular gatherings. Choose an indoor location for the colder months: Public library, church, community center.
3. DAY/TIME Select an appropriate day and time and hold to it. Fridays at 6:30 or 7:00 PM work well. Saturday or Sunday afternoons, too.
4. ADVERTISE Use flyers, posters, newspapers, bluegrass radio programs, phone, e-mail, and other methods of communication to get out the word once the plan is ready.
5. KEY PLAYERS Contact some key players who will actually show up to help you kick off the jam. They will help you by contacting other musicians and friends of bluegrass music.
6. RULES Keep the rules few and simple: All bluegrass? Bluegrass and old-time string band? All acoustic? All comers and skill levels? No smoking? No alcohol? Bring lawn chairs or blankets? Clean up area when you leave!
7. BE FLEXIBLE Be flexible and prepare to work with local officials and owner of the jam location (if it is a business) concerning day, time, and other aspects of the jam.
8. ASCAP/BMI In order to save yourself financial and legal problems, go online to read the rules spelled out by these two singer/songwriter organizations.
9. GIVE IT TIME There may be a small crowd at first-give it time. Be consistent with the location, day, and time. Stay with the advertising and the musician contacts.
10. KEEP IT FUN Keep it fun for musicians and fans alike. Jams will run 2-3 hours or more, depending on what works for you. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
11. PICK AWAY!