Ok...I was talking to Robin Cremer and he agreed that we should probably start a new thread on this. Kind of an un-official sign up just to guage enthusiasm  and see who all is coming that is interested in doing this. I for one am all for it...nothing I love more than a good jam session with friends...new or old. Cindy mentioned in another post that there will be a sound system available. The intent of this is to just get together for a little jamming and primarily have fun. If it works out, maybe play a number or two later in the evening for our old friends. Sort of like an open mic thing I guess you could say. We'll just play that part by ear.

So, here we go. As expected, this is open to all attendee's be they alumni or spouses. Just add your comments to this post. Just post on here what you play and the styles/genres you prefer. Maybe later if we get enough folk talking, we can throw around some songs to play. I know us musicians are all about improv right? But, still always nice to have a few things prepared eh?

Alrighty..me first. I'm comfortable on either bass or guitar although I just switched over to bass recently so, I'm more adept on guitar. I favor the older 60's-70's blues stuff here lately but, know a few newer titles as well as remember some of the old classics. If you're like me you love hearing about other folks gear.

Gear List:

'81 G&L S-500 (Yeah...its American made baby..lol)

'09 G&L L2000 Korean Tribute Bass

Fender BXR BASS Amp

Line 6 SpiderII Guitar Amp

Digitech RP-12 pedal board

Roland GS-10 Guitar Workstation

Roland XP-30 Keyboard (I don't play it well, but, I'd bring it if someone else does)

I will be attending the reunion although I'm sure there are many who do not remember me due to the low profile I assumed during that era.

I am looking forward to jamming with Steve and all those who make it out. Maybe we could create a song list we could work on till then. I know I've been to some jam sessions that have turned out to be real train wreaks due to the lack of preplanning.

Lately I've been playing a lot of the classics. Hendrix, Cream, Badfinger, Free, stuff like that. I play guitar and bass. I was in a band for a year and we played all over the place. Mostly rock. We tried country, but nobody could figure out what country it was, so we stopped. : )

I have a G&L Tribute strat copy. I also own a no-name double cut Les Paul Special with a single P90 pickup, that I affectionately refer to as my Faux Paul. I have various acoustic guitars stashed discreetly throughout the house, but the one I play the most is a Martin 00-15.

I never got into the digital age of guitar effects preferring analogue stomp boxes, of which I have a few. Although I have a couple of pricey pedals I prefer Danelectro, cuz they are so stinkin' cheap.

I have an American made Peavey bass and a Squier P bass.

For guitar amplification, I have a Blackheart HD15 all tube head through a two ten speaker cabinet. For bass, I have a 100 watt Fender Rumble 210.

For fun, I also like to play ukulele. I have Kala concert and a Martin Soprano.

Yep...So have I Robin. Improv is a lot of fun but, it is definately nice to have a few things pre-planned. Save's time trying to get on the same page with folks musically speaking.

Funny about the ukes///me and my music buddy up here at work picked up a couple bass ukes awhile back. He turned his into a lap slide and my granddaughter took mine over.

Steve, one song I remember you practicing with some band YEARS ago that I always think of you as playing (in Emporia I think)...was My Sharona!  Do you remember that trip?

Of course, I don't play anything and all I did at school was vocal music.  I doubt my kind of singing these days would even be considered singing to most people but I can be found rocking to the radio in the car most days.  LOL

Yep..I remember that trip. That was back when I was playing with Randy Lemons band down in Emporia (a short lived experience). I remember doing My Sharona but, it wasn't my pick...Lemon wanted to do that one. I never cared much for it myself. I was pretty up on the Aerosmith and Thin Lizzy tunes we did back then though. I never could get them to do many of the songs I liked as I recall. Oh well. It was fun though. Other than that I had to drive down there 3-4 times a week for practice sessions. Gas was cheap then though. As for your last comment about singing in the car...hey we all do that. It would actually be a good topic for a seperate post I think. What folk listened to then and now.

I would love it if you would bring the keyboard. After having a working band for years, I sold any portable keyboards and only have a studio grand at home.

I will have a board and speakers....have one hot spot monitor for on stage back at us. Figure any guitar/bas player will have own amp. Probably don't need to line them into the board.

Music wise - I am up for anything. Prefer blues and classic rock.  From Beatles to Eagles to Bonnie Raitt to Billy Joel,.  I don't know alot of hard rock but will play in any key I am told.....lol

Maybe each player could throw up a couple of tunes they like to do....esp if you sing them.

I still have one Shure 57 mic but could round up a couple more I am sure.

I'll bring it ...It's 61  keys..mid size and un-weighted-fyi. But, It has a ton of patch sounds on it. I got for digital recording during my Electronica phase - ha. Yeah..I think that would be a good idea if everyone interested picked out a couple or three songs that they were interested in doing and posted them out here. That way everyone else could get familiar with them beforehand if they weren't aready. Also, they should note the key they would prefer playing it in. I'm still trying to think of what I'd like to do. I can sing a little but, only if I pick the right song for my extremely liimited range...lol. So, cool we got bass, guitar and keyboards coming...all we need is a drummer to get on board. They seem to be hardest to come by in this town.

ok - so I may have to find another keyboard - I will let you know - wouldn't make you bring yours for nothing.  If we come up drummer short out of our class, I will bring one. It's a must have...lol.  I was married to one and we are still best friends.  I think the singing range decreases with age, at least it has for me...lol.   Wish we could find Kenny Williamson from our class....I could bring the drums if he doesn't have any still...oh well.  More later.

From the looks of it so far we have two bassists, two guitarists, one keyboard player and two singers. I don't sing. In fact I was asked to stop singing for religious reasons. I believe the actual request went something like "for the love of God, stop singing!" So I don't sing.

Michelle - I pulled the cover off the keyboard. The keys are full size not mid if that makes a difference. Up to you though...I know true keyboardists perfer weighted keys. I suppose we could tape pennies on the end of them if that would help..lol.  Anyway..not a bother to bring it anyway. I remember Kenny playing at one of our other reunions...10th I think. Yeah, it would be nice. Tony Rhoads was another classmate that drummed for us in Randy Lemons band years ago. Not sure where he is at these days or if he is coming even. Sounds like you got a backup plan in place though...good deal.

So who do we have besides Steve, Robin, and myself ???  Let's get this song list going. Besides blues in E....LOL.  We are meeting at the reunion site at 1pm on July 17th (day of the reunion) and go over whatever songlist we have come up with.  Maybe do a few numbers after the dinner or whenever.....  Does anybody have any other equipment other than your guitar amps/ pedals/ etc. ?

I have two mikes and stands, but that's about it. I might be able to borrow some lights if needed.

Ok, here's my 3:

Breakdown (Tom Petty) 

Running On Faith (Eric Clapton) in G

Midnight Rider (Allman Bros.) in D

We could always mix it up, go crazy and do some blues in C..lol.

Steve, good choices, although I was hoping you could send me an mp3 of the MIke Henderson tune.

robinltd@sbcglobal.net

I'm having a hard time deciding my choices. I have one; Walk Away by the James Gang. My choices will definitly be in the classic rock vein. I will have the other two by Wednesday next week.

Am I correct in assuming that I will back you on bass on your songs and you back me on bass on my songs?

Also, I don't if I mentioned it, but I don't sing.

I contacted Doug Hailey and have encouraged him to come to the reunion. Doug is a pretty good singer and guitarist the last time I heard him.

Maybe you could drop him a line.

Yep..You back me on bass and then I back you on yours. I'm not sure I'm gonna stick with the Mike Henderson tune..I'm thinking I may sub that one out. I remember Doug but, didn't know he played. The more the merrier.

Ok the Henderson tunes out...doesn't really work if no can play the slide part (and I can't) I subbed Midnight Rider (see my original post) for it. I'll stick with these 3. They should be easy to do. Everyhting is out on you tube. I've done Running on Faith before but, the unplugged version (had a good slide player sitting in). There is one out on yourtube for Clapton's hartford '92 concert...gonna do that version.

Hey I can play the tambourine  - but I don't own one.   lol

I hope you guys really get some musicians together and play some tunes.  We gotta have

music that day.  Rock on!  I'm glad you all are into classic rock!  Bad Company!!

So there is no music Saturday evening?  Thats bunk.  Too bad  We going to play our 8 track 

tapes????? 

Rose Desch Dechand wrote:

Not to worry, Rose--there WILL be music that evening!  Michelle is bringing everything we need (well, probably not the 8-track player!).  So, you'll hear our "old" music--it just won't be as poundingly loud as we played it back then! 

I don't know about Steve, but I've been practicing up on some Bad Co.

Dedicated to all you people who owned little cars with LOUD stereos.

Yep...Michelle has us covered on Music so we won't be relying solely on what us old timers can muster up and play.

Rose...for you we'll find a tambourine..lol!

Johnny was a school boy...when he heard his first Beatle's song...

I Can't get enough, so I'm Movin On.

Love me do...I think it was...  Poor Johnny!!  You guys Rock.. Or should I say Rock Steady!

I can play air guitar...I won an air guitar contest...woo woo...One of my most proud achievements since graduating.  lol

SO Michelle is the music hero then.  Great!  Is she spinning or playing cd's?  I am sure she has a vast collection. 

Oh..Steve...we are not "OLD"  we are still young, hip, kids in their 50's!! 

Rock and Roll will never die!!!

Hey..anyone going to AC DC Sunday???????  CANT WAIT!!!!!!

Not this time.  It cost $98 (before the other fees) a ticket last time and I told my son...sorry, once was enough.  Darn this cheap mom!

Have a great time at the concert!

Definately bringing a great variety of tunes on the IPOD....had thought about bringing a karaoke set up to spin CD's and get those other singers up outta their chairs...lol

Loving the song list as it grows...here are a few thoughts of mine, but am still racking my brain.

Billy Joel - My Life - in D

Jackson Brown - Runnin on Empty in G

Beatles - Oh Darlin - in Bb  (Any other classic easy Beatles - Twist and Shout, etc)

Eagles - Desperado - G

Georgia on my Mind - E /  Billy Joel - Piano Man - C / Bonnie Raitt - I can't make you love me in E - These are 3 that I could play and wouldn't HAVE to have back up..

If anyone needs cheat sheets (chord changes, etc) I may be able to help.

I am workin' on that tamborine...

Can we make it a green tamborine?

Listen while I play, play, play, My Green Tambourine,, Reminded me of the Germs (topeka band) single Green Door. Wasnt there another Topeka Lawrence named _____ FOX?

I'm a better front guy then an accompanist but I can try. I may need a list and some cords.

Dianna says I sing Dylan/Young cause anybody can sound better than them. I've always been touched by songs with Heart and emotion

With the exception of a neighborhood combo. I've mostly become a loan Troubadour with Acoustic Guitar and occasionally Harmonica. I do like it Amped up and I have some PA equipment that I could bring.

I was heavily influenced by Bob Dylan, Neil Young, CSNY, Beatles, Stones, Southern rockers etc.

I don't know what I would propose playing Group wise maybe:

Dear Prudence and or My Guitar Gently Weeps from the White Album

Behind Blue Eyes from Who's next

Wild Horses from Sticky Fingers

Losing My Religion REM

Maybe Imagine or Let it Be

Cant You See is an easy 3 cord Marshall Tucker song. Need a Flute....

Speaking of Marshall T wheres Marshal Mabary, he was a musician???

Cocky Fox...the bass player was in my older brothers band in the mid 60's.

Glad your going to make it up for this Doug. It'll be fun.

I seem to remember going over to see Dan & Marshalls band practicing now that you mention it...I'd forgotten that Marshall played. Dan works over at  the Docking SOB in KDOT. He works for the state too. I could email and see if he knows how to get ahold of marshall.

Michelle - I saw that Kenny Williamson registered out on Classmates.com a couple of days ago,so he's still around. I just have the free account though and couldn't email him. Anybody else got a pay account with Classmates to email him and tell him about the reunion site? It would be really nice to have him sit in on drums if he were up for it.

I just got a message from Karen about seeing Kenny on classmates.com, too.  She said it showed him in Lincoln, NE, so I searched for him again, since the last word we'd gotten on him was that he was in Florida.  I found a Kenneth Williamson in Lincoln, so I'll send one of our contact letters to that address to see if it's the right Kenny.  We'll just hope it's him and that he'll sign up!  Maybe you'll gain a drummer yet! 

Hey Doug - glad to have another lead singer....yeah. If we don't have Kenny, we have a drummer. PA equipment would be good. I have a board, two hot spot monitors, a couple of mics, but no real house speakers as such.  Figure we really only have to run the keyboard and mics through the board. Anyway, would like to get a set list down by first of May so really need some feed back from each other. Remember, if you list the song, you ought to be prepared to sing lead....  So, lets get going. I think the class web site makes it sound like we are only playing in the afternoon, not that the afternoon isn't just a rehearsal time (and I am NOT thinking we need 4 hours). So.... we will get that updated. Hoping to see more threads on this real soon.  Until then, keep jammin'

I'm good with my picks...I told Robin I'd cover the lead vocals on the two he's picked so far since he's not real comfortable with singing. That way he can get a chance to jam on the guitar too. I'd have to agree with you on the time factor Michelle. I don't see that it'll take 4 hours to go through our picked songs. At least not with just the four of us anyway. may change if others get on board later.  Maybe about 15-20 min each. I for one would like to have a little time to just mess around with some imrov jams. Thats always been  the funnest part of a jam session for me. This thread was just about giving everyone interested a heads up on a couple or three things we'd like to try and play. That way we'd all kind of be on the same page ahead of time. Improv is fun but...fun to play something you know too...lol. Michelle...looking forward to doing Oh Darlin...love that song...good pick. Running on Empty...I will have to look for my slide...I think my daughter dragged it off to manhattan along with my old gibson accoustic..maybe have to buy a new one..lol...definately be good to have some on that one though. Doug...Robin...you guys do any slide work? I may be a bit rusty (right now anyway).

Just to clarify........

According to our tentative schedule for Saturday evening (which, by the way, Jeff chiseled in stone!), we have about 15-20 minutes set aside for your jam band performance.  As the registrations and feedback filters in, I'm finding that even the non-musicians are thinking of coming in the afternoon to the Jam Session, just because it sounds like fun to watch and listen!  If you think we need to change the listed times for the Jam session, let me know!

I think 1-5 pm is about right. I'll have to leave about that time and go pick up the wife and come back across town anyway. As for the itenerary Jeff has chiseled out for us...thats fine by me too. We all were picking out 2 or 3 songs to play for the jam session in the afternoon. We can just all pick our best or favorite one for that night if it works out. Four people so far @ about 5 min. a song...sounds about right to me. I may not even need that much time...lol...I tend to rush my songs bit but, I rarely get to play with a drummer to help me keep my timing right. If I play for 3-4 hours in the afternoon..I doubt I'll wanna play any lengthy marathons that night..lol...might cut too hard into my visiting time.

Marshall is a worship Pastor at a church in Liberty TX.

Marshall has got a facebook page for all you facebookers out there.

My three picks are:

Walk Away- James Gang- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4Wr5Wq5QHM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UptNbYNn1Ck

I play the opening like the studio version minus the lead and the solo like the live version.

Note: Studio version is tuned 1/2 step down.

Can't Get Enough- Bad Company

No Matter What- Badfinger.

Steve and I have discussed the possibility of me playing bass on his and everybody else's tunes.

Looking forward to seeing everybody else's picks.

These are the 3 versions I've been practicing off of for mine

Eric Clapton - Running on Faith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnzoBdcIHAA

Allman Bros -  Midnight Rider

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyOD-ctLXv0

Tom Petty - Breakdown (Studio Version)


 

Michelle, Doug?

You guys still out there?

Have either of you decided which 3 you want to do yet for sure?

Michelle, I have been working on Running on Empty(slide part) and Oh Darling.

Running on Empty gelled out pretty quick after I realized he was playing in open G...lol.

I'm still here...LOL.  Just alot of irons in the fire. Besides the jam session and getting the equipment together for it, there is also the music/entertainment for the rest of the night and the name tage and the decorations.....my plate is a little full.

From you two I have been working out..

Bad Co - Can't Get enough in A

James Gang, Walk Away in G

Tom Petty Breakdown in Am

Allman Bros - Midnight Rider in D

Badfinger - No Matter What in A

Clapton - Runnin on Faith in G

I am still a little undecided - so many songs, so little time.   Wanna do Eagles Desperado in G for sure....still thinking about the Bonnie Raitt - I can't Make you Love me...but then, don't want too much slow stuff...gotta have a Beatles tune and I do like the Jackson Brown. So..any feedback would be appreciated.

Anybody have some house speakers ??  I have a board...and only one mike.  Any other microphones out there ? I am going to ask my brother (who will be drumming for us) what he might be able to come up.  Really wanna play a keyboard with as many weighted keys as I can.  Should know this weekend what I can come up with there.  Thanks for hanging in there.   Talk to you soon

I might be able to come up with some speakers. I'll find out tomorrow.

The Bad Co. tune is in C and the James Gang tune is in A.

I'd like it if you did 'Oh Darling' by the Beatles.

Is Doug out there?

Yeah, I really like the Oh Darling song too...we gotta do that one...Always wanted to play it and never had the opportunity.

Desperado in G it is. I'll keep working on Running on Faith and and I'll start ont he Bonnie Raitt song...you can pick later. No strong guitar parts on that one anyway so, I'll just be playing rhythym likely.

Think we should work on a Lady Gaga song to cover?...that 12th grader seemed to create a lot a buszz on youtube..lol.

I may be able to get some PA speakers also from a friend at work. He has a mic I could probably borrow also.

Robin, I'm off work for a couple weeks wanna try and get together for a little mini jam session sometime? I have to do some insulation work on the house while I'm off but...that shouldn't take too long.

Michelle, I'll check with my keyboard playing buddy and see if he has an extra weighted one to loan me maybe. Not sure if he kept his old one or not when he got a new Roland last year.

Actually the kids name is Greyson that did the Lady Gaga song Paparazzi is only 12 and in the 6th grade. Saw a video of when he was on the Ellen show and he did even more amazing on that show.  Pretty amazing kid from Oklahoma. Three years of piano lessons and no voice lessons whatsoever.

I guess you can tell I was amazed by him anyway.

Don't know how to attach this so I will put the link you can use:  https://www.youtube.com/user/greyson97#p/f

I saw his link on MSN page and watched his bit on the Ellen show...the kids good. Had to go out after that and see the original...never seen any Gaga stuff before...she's really good. Always got to admire someone that can't play piano and sing at a high calibre level. I'm a big of fan Norah Jones..particularly her Lonestar song for that reason (its out on youtube). I guess the boy met Gaga when he was living in NYC last year. That kid is always in the right place at the right time for meeting celebs...he's met quite a few over the years. I guess that what comes from being a social networking master...his one prominant trait.

I talked to my friend John over the weekend and he agreed to loan us his Yamaha PA speakers for the weekend of July 17th.

Scratch Midnight Rider off my list...still good on Breakdown and Running on Faith though. I'd like to sub in Don't Dream Its Over by Crowded House if its not too late in the game (in Am I think). It does have a better keyboard part and I've done this one before.  

I've decided to scratch my songs from the list and concentrate on being the bass player.

Steve, now all you have to worry about is getting your guitar and amp to the gig.

Ok..lol...I'll try and remember. Broke down and got some new strings...the old guitar definately needed it...made a big diff. Got some flat wounds for the bass also...very smooth indeed.

Found some of my older work still out on AcidPlanet (figured they would have deleted it by now...haven't been out there in several years). Thought I'd share. Most of it is from my electronica phase I went through back in the late ninties/early 00's although Retrofade was  a nice little tribute to 70's rock I thought.

http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?songs=257842&T=7806

Caravan almost make it onto a local indie film sountrack but coudn't get copyright clearance on the Islamic chant. Didn't sound the same without it.

Below is a message I sent Steve. I can definitely bring Pa and also Keyboard if necessary. 

Steve,

 I apologize for not answering the call to arms last weekend. I absolutely plan on attending. I will bring my PA, mixing board etc. I have been mulling over my three selections. I feel like an event like this deserves songs that represent who we are. I'd like to for sure do two Beatles tunes. A Day in the Life and While my Guitar Gently Weeps For the third I'm leaning toward All Along the Watch Tower by Dylan Let me know your thoughts. Doug

Sounds like we'll have 2 keyboards there at this time..mine and Michelle's. The PA will be good though. Is tht a powered mixer Doug? I believe Robin is bringing some house speakers but, wouldn't hurt to have a couple extra probably if you have room.

 Yes, its a 200 watt 8 channel stereo mixer w/ power and I have three yamaha speakers. Two on stands and one monitor I will dig around but I should have three mics (two with stands for sure).

 I haven't filled out my paperwork or sent the check but will do so this week, I spent and hour talking to Mark Whitlow this evening which was really cool. I also sent a letter to an address I found for Lana Cooper.

Ps. I was in Denver last week and saw Crosby, Stills and Nash at Red Rocks. They were great....

Excellent. Sounds like the PA is covered then. Yeah, I saw Mark created a profile the other day. Looks like he's doing well and had pretty interesting life. Not sure that he's coming though...Florida's a long drive. I got Tickets for the Roger Waters concert later on this summer in KC. That'll be my only one this year unless I can talk the wife into going to a free concert Blue Oytser Cult is doing in September.