A folk festival is an excellent opportunity to relax in a lawn chair while listening to nationally acclaimed folk musicians. The Ferdinand Folk Festival offers an opportunity to take the love of music a step further. Don Pennington and John Sheckler are “The Folk Jammers,” and will be at the festival offering a daylong teaching jam.
“We offer musicians of all levels an opportunity to join other musicians in a multi-style jam,” said Sheckler. “It gives all the participants an opportunity for musical growth as they jam with musicians from other styles of music.”
The Folk Jammers use folk music as their primary style, but they blend elements of blues, country, rock, Celtic and jazz. One example of their adventurous spirit is the performance of Dark Side of the Moon as a ballad on the Appalachian dulcimer.
“We are very excited to be joined by well-known Ferdinand music teacher Ray Major,” Sheckler added. “We expect his jazz/classical style will offer a wonderful expansion of our down home styles.”
The Folk Jammers were a big success at the 5th annual Ohio River Valley Folk Festival held recently in Madison,
Indiana. Festival organizers gave credit to the Jammers for creating an active second stage.
Musicians of all levels are welcome to join the jam. They are welcome to bring their own instruments or take advantage of a few extra guitars, mandolins, dulcimers, banjos and percussion instruments that travel with the Folk Jammers. The unique environment of the Teaching Jam allows all who take part to be both teacher and student.
Pennington and Sheckler started The Folk Jammers because of the excitement created by the regular Friday night jams at the Thomas Family Winery in Madison. Those jams can include many different styles of music depending on who is playing on any given Friday night.
The teaching jam is an informal performance. The pace may slow when performers joining the jam are beginners. Pennington and Sheckler will stop when necessary to teach chords or rhythms. At other times The Folk Jammers will take a back seat as more advanced players strut their stuff.
Non-musicians are also welcome at the jam. There will be plenty of room for an audience, and many of the songs will offer the opportunity to sing along.
The Jam Tent will be open for business all day.
This is an AWESOME and very accurate read-up of The Folk Jammers! Having spent some time with them behind stage I can say 1st hand that they offer both an endless source of entertainment, as well as fantastic lessons (for the novice) or really cool sessions (for the expert)! That being said, don’t be shy, jump on stage and have fun with them!!! That’s what its all about! P.S. Don’t forget the Kazoo!