A video of me from 6 years ago - enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf5DH6AYEOI

A video of me from 15 years ago - enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jZU6kNk8h8

A video of me from ten years ago - enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ght3EQEvZ5M

My thoughts on jams, from someone who's been jamming for fifty-plus years. From what I've seen, they pretty much boil down to four main types: 1. Open mics: Think singer-songwriter night. It's usually one person (or a small band) doing their own thing, mostly original stuff. 2. Sessions: Everyone knows the songs and plays in unison. 3. Invite-only jams: Strictly for the pros. Gotta be on the A-list to get in. 4. Open jams: In theory, anyone who wants to play is welcome. My two cents is about the open jams and what makes one great. Big misconception: just because someone's a killer musician doesn't mean they can host a good jam. Hosting is a totally different arena. The most important thing a good host does is create a vibe where everyone sounds amazing. Sabotaging weaker players for kicks is never cool and shouldn't be tolerated. I've seen it at top places like The Cutting Room in NYC, and honestly, it kills the mood and isn't worth attending. A great jam host knows people. They know their regulars—their best songs, who plays well with whom, and what their comfort zones are. While they aim to keep things supportive, a smart host also knows when to push people a little, maybe by mixing up the band combos or tossing in a new tune that's challenging but still doable. This keeps the whole thing fresh. Good hosts use their talent or personality to draw in top-notch players, and sets a supportive, nurturing tone instead of a cutthroat competition vibe (leave that for the invite-only jams). They're masters at bringing less experienced players into the fold so their strengths shine through. They even encourage the heavy hitters to help the new folks sound good. When a newbie shows up, the host should build them up. Find something positive and unique to say, right off the bat. It sets the whole mood and builds anticipation. Sound checks matter, for everyone! The host makes sure every musician onstage sounds good, especially the ones who aren't tech-savvy. Everyone deserves a proper sound check, not just the "stars."

What exactly do you want to do musically but haven’t been doing? What’s one simple action to nudge yourself started? • Sitting down to practice? • Grabbing your guitar and putting it on your lap to strum? • Texting a musician friend you haven’t heard from in a while? • Working on a band website? • Planning your next music gear purchase or researching products? • Researching rental spaces for jam sessions, recording, or rehearsal? So much to choose from—what’s your one thing? Feel free to share in the comments.