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The Raging River Café & Club
Open Blues JamEvery Sunday at 7:30pm
Hosted by Tommy Wall
33723 SE Redmond Fall City RdFall City, WA 425-222-6669
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This event does not allow solo performances. Even though I was nominated as being one of the best solo Blues artists of 2009 by the Washington Blues Society, I was denied the opportunity to play as a solo at this event. I'd call that a less than "open" attitude on the part of those involved with hosting this event. Oddly, this is not the only blues jam that I've been denied the opportunity to play as a solo.
Given that the Blues genre was primarily created by solo artists playing acoustic guitars, I find this strict adherence to arbitrary restrictions somewhat perplexing. What are they afraid of? I don't know.
Mr. X (9/2009)
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@ Mr. X: Obviously, by the recognition the WBS gives you, you understand and have talent in the blues, and I understand your frustration with the word "open" if you feel excluded, but the word that you are misunderstanding is "jam" in the words "open blues jam". I've been to the Raging River Jam many times, and am I former BB award nominee and winner, and have hosted a few jams, so I see what is going on. The format that Tommy has to do at the Raging River is a weekly feature set and about two hours for the jammers that show up (that's the format time slot the bar gives him).
Every time that I've been there, there were more musicians that the time allotted. The format is a jam, i.e. an unrehearsed meeting of musicians playing songs. Not only is a solo performance not in any way a "jam", but if the host gives you a solo set, there will be three to five more musicians who don't get the chance to perform that week during the allotted time. It's not an issue of the jam hosts being "afraid of" something; it's, I'm sorry, your selfishness in insisting on a solo set. You need to expect to have to play with other people when you see the word jam, a few hosts will indulge a solo set, but really, there are other venues for the solo sets.
Mr. Why (5/2010)
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We have a special guest appearance from some of the best blues guitarist in the region. Past and future gest include: Nicole Fournier, Tim Turner, CD Woodbury, Tim Lerch, Mark Riley, Rod Cook, Brian Lee, Kimball Conant, Billy Shew and Teri Ann Wilson to name a few. The venue has great food and beverages; dance floor provided and dancing is encouraged.
We have Drums, Keys, Bass Amp (Bassist please bring your own bass guitar) and PA. Guitar players are advised to bring their own amps, and guitars.
Tommy Wall (1/2008)
List the 45 clubs with open mikes in this area.