- Monday Jam Session -
On Mondays, around noon, a group of locals get together to make music
at the Eldred Community Center on Kunkletown Road.
Renee and I were leaving the Thrift Shop at the Community Center when we heard the distinct sound of country music coming from down the hall. We followed the music - it is a bit hard to walk when you're tapping your foot to the beat (gee, I guess that is called dancing).
We tried our best to not disturb the musicians and stood in the back of the room just enjoying this impromptu concert. A kindly woman waved us to a couple of empty folding chairs and we sat down.
I should make it clear - this is not an "authorized" story on the weekly jam session, this is just our attempt to share the joy we experienced with you!
There were eleven musicians playing at least 13 instruments. It was very informal and folks would sometimes sit out a number or leave the room for a bit, but it was all done smoothly.
For the most part folks were playing acoustic guitars, but at times a fiddle (well, it wasn't in his lap, so I guess it was a violin, but some damn good fiddling came out of that instrument), a banjo, an electric guitar and a mandolin.
Participants were mostly playing by ear, although we saw one or two stands with sheet music. Three microphones were on stands and over the course of the next hour we listened as the mics were shuffled around in a clockwise rotation as folks with the mic picked the next song and provided the vocal.
The joy, the sheer pleasure, the happiness of the musicians was so obvious. Joy just seemed to radiate from each of them. There was also a bit of teasing now and then and the "tossing" of the instrumental lead to others around the room.
I had several favorite numbers, but the one that made me cry was when Phil sang "Old Shep". It was obvious that I wasn't the only one touched by the song, as Phil said "That song is sure to bring a tear to a glass eye".
The selection of music was very varied, to the point of including a rarely heard Bob Dylan song as well as a very popular Ricky Nelson song - "Garden Party". The only female member of the crew was Linda who played her guitar while it rested on her lap. George provided the fiddling and I have to admit, a bit of my heart left when he packed his instrument and left for the day.
I was surprised to learn that my friend Carey Krum played banjo. I thought of him as a piano player, but he added a great sound with his banjo (and he also played guitar). His wife Shirley was very proud of how his ear could pick up a tune so nicely. His talents even extended to a bit of yodeling in the singing of Hobo Bill.
As the various participants took their turns they would announce the song they selected and then the key and that is all the others needed to create their magic.
Some of the other songs were The Winner, Old 97 and Foggy River. But the song that had folks commenting the most was "Five Pounds of Possum" written by Timothy W. White. I have to include the lyrics for you to understand why it will not soon be forgotten...
My children are hungry, my dog needs a bone.
I'm out of a job now, so I'm just drivin' home.
An hour after sundown, when what to my delight,
There's five pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.
chorus:
There's five pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.
If I can just run him over, every thing will be all right.
We'll have some possum gravy, oh what a beautiful sight;
There's five pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.
Won't have to clean no chicken, won't have to open no cans.
Just a little bit closer, and I'll have him in my hands.
I think the time has come now, to go from "dim" to "bright."
There's five pounds of possum in my headlights tonight.
Renee & I had a thoroughly wonderful afternoon. We are in no position to extend an invitation to others, but from the wonderful spirit in the air, I am certain that visitors would be welcomed - and most certainly if you play an instrument there is a place for you in this circle.
This is one of the great joys of Eldred Township - its people.