Charleston, SC

[Ken Berner]

Just searching for acoustic jams and instrument stores in the immediate area.

[dwc]

I live in Charleston as well. #I am not aware of any open jams, but there are a few open mike nights around. #A couple of friends and I have kicked around the idea of putting together a group (mando, B***o, guitar, bass if we can find one) and working up some material. #The main problem with charleston is not a shortage of musicians, but rather a lack of cohesion and very disparate musical tastes. #The later seems to be our problem. #Drop me a PM and maybe we can come up with something.
On the subject of music stores, good luck finding anything more useful than firewood with strings. I can give you a PM with what every dealer in the tri-county area carries if you would like. I have not found much, but I am happy to share.

Donald

[Ken Berner]

Thanks Donald; I will be visiting in the future and wanted to test the water, but it doesn't sound too promising. Probably why the area is called "Low Country".

[Mando a Mando]

Every Thur. at the Folly Beach Holiday Inn, the Folly Beach Bluegrass Society hosts an open bluegrass jam. Starts about 7:30 to 8. That's where I met the members of the band I'm in now. Every Sat. night is the legendary Bethera jam near Monks Corner, hard to find, but worth the trip. Town and Country Music hosts an open jam on Sun pm every month or so. Ocean Song Cafe on Isle of Palms has a Sun. jam, I believe, never been. There is a Celtic night 1st Tue.(?) of the month at Tommy Condon's pub downtown. Again, never been. Played at at jam/showcase at a place known as The River south of C'ton, by invitation. Hard to find, great audience. Last Fri of the month.
I'm about to leave to play at the 1st annual Folly Beach Marshgrass festival. This afternoon is all gospel, 12-4. Also, a few miles N at the Kickin' Horse Saloon is the second day of their 1st bluegrass festival, featuring Ricky Skaggs this afternoon and tonight. Kind of unusual to have this much b'grass activity at the same time, but there is a very active community of b'grass musicians and fans in C'ton
Not much in the way of instrument shops. I believe there is a shop on Hilton Head Island that may carry better acoustic instruments. Randy Wood is a couple of hours away just outside of Savannah. Jennings Chestnut, builder, is near Myrtle Beach in Conway. (I play one of his).
Hope this helps. W. Willis

[johnsmusic]

"Not much in the way of instrument shops. I believe there is a shop on Hilton Head Island that may carry better acoustic instruments"
That would be me, here on Hilton Head. I carry Taylor, Martin, and other guitars, usually have some cool mandos around (high, mid, and low end) We have a Saturday jam here from 1-5, but is more folky, country,bluesy, etc. than bluegrass. John S.

[Ken Berner]

Thanks, Gentlemen! Looks like things are pickin' (no pun intended) up there in the Charleston area. Sounds lively enough for me!

[dwc]

Yeah, I didn't know about the Folly Bluegrass, but it was actually mentioned in the paper this morning. The live music scene seamed dead for a while but, apparently unbeknown to me, it was alive and well and flourishing. Glad to know. Thanks all.