Slippery Noddle/Indianapolis, IN

I finally got to play the blues jam at the Slippery Noddle Inn in Indianapolis last night. I've always wanted to play here since first seeing their full page ad that they run in every issue of "Big City Rhythm & Blues"magazine. Great room and great crowd that kept growing as the night went on. The house band was hot and they get extra credit for starting right on time at 9pm. I had arrived early to have supper and was the first to sign the jam list. The house drum kit was a 4 piece Premeir kit that was mid grade and sounded fine. The bass drum was miked, but nothing else on the kit. It really boomed both on stage and out front. I'd rather have the whole kit miked or not at all. The drum sounds were so uneven. Anyone that came in with a "group" got to get up to play early. Anyone signing up "alone"such as myself didn't get invited to play until later. I walked on stage aound 11:30. All in all, not a bad jam.

Chan's, Woonsocket, RI

Made it over to Chan's last night to play the blues jam. They just went from the last Wednesday of every month to two times a month. Normally this place is packed with jammers and listeners, but last night it wasn't and I don't think they got the word out about the new mid-month jam. The set here belongs to the house drummer Adam who is one of the nicest guys. In fact if your a drummer wanting to play, sign the list, but then introduce yourself to Adam and he'll get you up. Ken Lyon runs the jam, but the last two times I've been here he hasn't even looked at the sign up list. Adam's set is a well worn mis-matched Gretsch set from the 60's with a 70's Ludwig 6 1/2X14" metal snare. The snare is tuned very loose so I bring my 6X14" Eames snare to use. I like a tight batter head when I'm playing shuffles. This is a great room to play. A super sound system with someone running it that knows what he's doing. I never have a problem here with hearing the other players, it's a nice change. Some really great players show up here and you want to be on the top of your game to sit in. Also check out "Live At Chan's" Nick Moss and the Flip Tops latest CD was recorded here.

Famous Daves, Minneapolis, MN

Played the blues jam at Famous Dave's in Minneapolis Sunday night for the first time. Great place for blues and BBQ. The place was packed even though there was a snowstorm going on outside. A well run jam by Moses Oakland......a sign up list and he kept things going by changing things up after only two songs per jammer. (I wished I could have played longer) The drum kit belonged to the venue and was fine as house kits go. I did notice the house drummer tuning it up before leaving the stage after the first set. Nice touch-thank you. I'll be back to play next time I'm in town.

Fat Boy Bills, Milford, MA

With the new year here I will be finally hitting the road this next week. I was unable to play any local jams this week. However, I did sit in at Fat Boy Bills in Milford, MA last week. Not a bad place, but there was hardly anyone there. Some real good players and the jam leader Clay was fair and seemed to get everyone up. There is a sign up list though the order that one signed up was not the order one was called up. The house drummer had a vintage set of late 40s Leddy-Ludwig with a 60s ludwig metal snare. Good sounding set and a pleasure to play.