Bluegrass jam gains a following
Thursday nights out on the lanai at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center will soon become a hotspot for people once the snowbirds come down for the winter.
At least, that’s what Terry Caldwell hopes.
Caldwell started the Thursday night bluegrass jam session early this year as a way to get musicians to come, no matter what age or instrument, play and have fun, even if bluegrass isn’t exactly your thing.
“We wanted to bring locals and snowbirds together. We enjoy music and it’s a way to get together here and not drive to Punta Gorda or Bonita,” Caldwell said. “We got a late start and people didn’t know about us until late, but we’ve had good crowds.”
The musicians play traditional country, bluegrass, blues and gospel. Thursday’s jam brought out eight musicians, including two banjos and two fiddles, as well as about 10 bluegrass fans to enjoyed every minute, with one even getting up to dance.
While a few of them had to leave early, they still had a good time and planned on coming back.
“It was my first time and I have friends up north who do this. I thought it was great. It will be great when everyone comes back,” said Beth Love of North Fort Myers. “I liked seeing the young kid. I thought that was great.”
“It’s going to be fun. They’re having a good time and that’s what it’s all about,” said Sue Mitroff. “We’re going to come back. It’ll be great.”
The musicians all sat together in a circle and just played. It wasn’t perfect and mistakes were made as you would expect from musicians who have never played together before, but it was fun.
“That’s why they call it a jam,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell said he has gotten as many as a dozen musicians and 30 to 40 spectators, and expects more as the winter arrives.
One of the musicians was Nick Cunningham, 13, of North Fort Myers, who has played for all of eight months. He said he wanted to play better, even though bluegrass isn’t his thing.
“I usually came to play basketball and saw them one night and started playing with them. It’s a good way to learn because playing with people, you learn to play the chords,” Cunningham said. “I like rock, like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Sabbath, but the old stuff is good, too.”
George Hausser also played guitar, and had a few years more experience than Cunningham. Fifty, to be exact. He comes most Thursdays, when his schedule allows, he said.
“I started on banjo, then I got a guitar and then a fiddle. And I’ve had with it, the most being when you’re in session with others,” Hausser said. “You need the interaction with other people to play in a group. There are other jams, but it’s easier to play at home.”
The jam sessions are every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. on the outside lanai of the recreation center.