Ferdinand Folk Festival

A musical teaching jam coordinated by the Folk Jammers will return to the 2nd Annual Ferdinand Folk Festival being held September 17. The jam gives folk festival attendees an opportunity to take the love of music a step beyond just listening by allowing them the opportunity to play music with other musicians of all levels.

The jam is a relaxed event. People will often take a short walk to the main stage when their favorite nationally acclaimed folk musicians are performing, and then return to the jam.

John Scheckler

Leading the jam this year will be Folk Jammer founder John Sheckler and Papa Joe Kretschmer. Papa Joe plays traditional and contemporary folk songs on the banjo and guitar. He describes himself as “an old folkie,” and is very active in the folk music scene in southern Ohio.

Papa Joe’s band, The Wayfarers, plays at the Old Time Music Festival in Metamora. He also plays solo at the Metamora Gristmill where he holds a workshop on beginning guitar playing.

Papa Joe is a seven-year veteran of the SummerSongs and

Papa Joe

 WinerSongs songwriter workshops, and has played with the Folk Jammers at the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival for two years.

“When the Folk Jammers started, we had just three regular players,” Sheckler said. “Now that we have several folk festivals under our belts, the core group of musicians has expanded. We have several dozen great musicians who play with us at different times. Papa Joe is the one who best represents the spirit of folk music jamming. Wherever he goes, everyone loves him.”

A wide spectrum of musical friends brings instruments and voices to the jams. Those joining the music include well-known Ferdinand music teacher Ray Major. “His jazz/classical style offers a wonderful expansion of our down home styles,” Sheckler said.

“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 Americana music as their primary style, blending 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.

In addition to their teaching jam at the First annual Ferdinand Folk Festival, the Folk Jammers also perform at the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival Madison, Indiana. Festival organizers there give 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.

The Folk Jammers got their start because of the excitement created by 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 jams are an informal performance. The pace may slow when performers joining the jam are beginners. The music will stop when necessary to assist players with 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 during the Ferdinand Folk Festival. For more information about the Folk Jammers, visit:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/129734690381036/

For information about Papa Joe at the Metamora Old Time Music Festival, visit:

http://metamoramusic.pbworks.com/w/page/20798739/Schedule  

The Jam Tent will be open for business all day.

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