Being Transferred to Jacksonville, FL

[good_ol_al_61]

I am relocating to Jacksonville, FL this month. I am really gonna miss these guys here in West Georgia, but I am sure I'll like the weather there.

Anyone local on the board here that can direct me to some local jams that tolerate average players?

[JDARTGOD]

Get in touch with Ernie Evans. #He's the leader of a well respected Jax group called Southern Lite. #Check their site out for contact information. #You can also contact him (or Don Miller - President) at Just Right Productions where he runs marketing/publicity side of the house, I believe. #The North Florida Bluegrass Association is another resource to check. #

Gulf Coast Bluegrass Music Association Newsletter has many jams/concerts/festivals listed every month.

Happy hunting and congrats on your relocation. #Be sure to plan on next year's LRB Musicfest at Live Oak (Spirit of Suwannee park) (2nd weekend in April)

Jeff Dodson
Pensacola, Florida

[Pete Martin]

If not, you'll be the only mandarin player in mandarin...

bad joke, I know http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[GeoMandoAlex]

Check with Kevin Kneeburg. He also lives in the Jacksonville area. He worked on my MK (he set the bridge flush with the top of my mandolin. He's a luthier down there. He might be able to help you out in getting together with others or at least point you in the right direction.

[GTison]

Call Mike Elin. He lives in Mandaren or Southside. I started mando with him about 20 years ago. Lot's of Grass in in Jax.

[good_ol_al_61]

Thanks all for your replies.

GeoMandoAlex: Thanks for the luthier part. I just received my MK pickguard and I need it installed and a pro setup. Got the Legacy Elegante and the factory bridge does not fit flush with the top....yet.

I often though Jax might be a good place for Grass. If not, then I can start something, right? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[GeoMandoAlex]

Good ol'

Kevin is listed in the builders section of the cafe.

[mandolinrick]

Al,

There's a lot of bluegrass pickin' going on in Jax. Here's a brief rundown.

1st and 3rd Tuesday night of every month - San Jose Bluegrass Jam. 7pm to 10pm at the San Jose Baptist Church, 6140 San Jose Blvd just south of University. Great jam - usually 12-25 people playing. Very tolerant of beginners and intermediate players (that's where I'm at).

4th Wednesday each month - Jax Slow Jam. 7-10pm at the Florida Tackle and Gun Blub, 9010 San Jose Blvd. New jam mainly for beginners. This is a much smaller jam, just working on basic tunes at a slow pace.

Every Tuesday night - Warner's Music. I think it starts at 8pm and goes till 10pm. On Crane Ave. More experienced group of musicians.

There are a couple of other jams, one on the 1st Saturday of each month, the other on the 3rd Saturday. And then there is one outside of Jacksonville every Monday night. But I haven't been to any of these.

You can also here some great bluegrass music at the House of Jam (in Mandarin on Old St. Augustine Road just off of San Jose) every 4th Thursday of each month. They bring in some good acts and also feature some local bands.

Also, check out the North Florida Bluegrass Association at nfbluegrass.org. They send out a month Midnight Flier which list all these jams and list of local bands.

Mike Elin is the only mandolin teacher I've found in the area - he's very good. I just started taking lessons from him last month.

Welcome to Jax! Come out and jam.

Rick Torzynski
mandolinrick

[good_ol_al_61]

Mandolinrick:

I really enjoyed your company and the jam last night. Bluegrassers everywhere seem to be of the same stripe...just a bunch of good folks interested in meeting other good folks. Music is the common bond, but being good is not important. Getting better and learning is and all are willing to help.

I look forward to becoming a part of the community real soon and appreciate your freindship. I hope you didn't catch MAS by playing my mando. I was self-diagnosed a little over a year ago and just completed the therepy. I am in recovery right now and weaning myself off the medication. Your mando is a good one, too!