One of THOSE guys at a blues jam....

[Rumblur]

I was at a benefit blues jam just before christmas... There was one of "those" guys there. When asked what songs he would like to play, he called "Pride and Joy" and "House Is Rockin".

He had a slightly beat up but original '64 Super Reverb, vintage coily cord, Vox wah and two TS9's (originals, not repops), a beat to death sunburst '63 Strat and an old Earth III strap with music notes on it.

When his time to solo came, he made faces like he had a kidney stone... he heel-toed across the stage sideways, and he tried to do the figure 8's while chord soloing with 1 chord. He snapped the big E string at the end of both songs.

When he finally got off the stage, he piled his vintage gear into a brand new Escalade and drove off into the night... on his way to the crossroads to sell his soul, presumably.

I'm not really downing the guy, just always in shock when someone like that shows up and does the whole Vaughanabee thing. I guess it's only fitting, as Stevie himself use to paint his face black and wear an afro wig, doing Hendrix in the mirror. To the best of my knowledge, he never did it on stage though.

You ever run into one of those guys?

[coolhand78]

I hear what your sayin' man, these guys can be annoying for sure but on the flip side he probably just had the best night of his week... So credit to him, if he's doin what he loves he's makin himself happy,he's obviuously worked hard and cashed up, then it's not all that bad... But I do hear what your saying... ;)

[Nickstrtcstr]

.

When his time to solo came, he made faces like he had a kidney stone...

:spit

[Mars Hall]

So he has nice gear and makes bad faces, how'd he do? If he gave you at least one goose bump...

[DavidG]

"He snapped the big E string at the end of both songs"

Did he do those two songs back to back? On the same guitar? Dang....

[maccampbells]

What did he do wrong other that offend your sensibilities?

[rob2001]

:worthless

[Average Joe]

It is kind of fun when you get to have your prejudices confirmed once in a while. There is so much talk about SRV wannabes on boards like these so I imagine that seeing one in person is interesting

As long as everybody have a good night it's all good.

[DICKIE C]

I was at a benefit blues jam just before christmas... There was one of "those" guys there. When asked what songs he would like to play, he called "Pride and Joy" and "House Is Rockin".

He had a slightly beat up but original '64 Super Reverb, vintage coily cord, Vox wah and two TS9's (originals, not repops), a beat to death sunburst '63 Strat and an old Earth III strap with music notes on it.

When his time to solo came, he made faces like he had a kidney stone... he heel-toed across the stage sideways, and he tried to do the figure 8's while chord soloing with 1 chord. He snapped the big E string at the end of both songs.

When he finally got off the stage, he piled his vintage gear into a brand new Escalade and drove off into the night... on his way to the crossroads to sell his soul, presumably.

I'm not really downing the guy, just always in shock when someone like that shows up and does the whole Vaughanabee thing. I guess it's only fitting, as Stevie himself use to paint his face black and wear an afro wig, doing Hendrix in the mirror. To the best of my knowledge, he never did it on stage though.

You ever run into one of those guys?

Yes, you are downing the guy.

[sonicD]

It was pretty impossible to escape in the mid-'90's. Everybody was a Vaughanabee.

I was playing rhythm in a band that did Mary Had a Little Lamb at every single gig. Yeah, I know it's a Buddy Guy song, but we did the SRV version and it's my least favorite of all SRV numbers. Our lead player had the the whole Stevie thing copied to a "T". Jeez, I got sick of that song...

I think Stevie-fevor has subsided some in the past few years. That's probably a good thing. But the die-hards are still out there..

[bigdaddy]

Did you beat him up after the jam?

[Hippiebus]

Did you beat him up after the jam?

LQL

[hank]

"Vaughnabee" - that's me in my bonus room! Great term.

[SuperSonic]

I guess it's only fitting, as Stevie himself use to paint his face black and wear an afro wig, doing Hendrix in the mirror. To the best of my knowledge, he never did it on stage though.

You ever run into one of those guys?

WTF? Haters gonna hate.

[LoFi]

I do a spot on imitation of SRV's later dead years every night when I go to sleep.

[Mark 63]

Did he wear the hat?

[m1911]

When his time to solo came, he made faces like he had a kidney stone...

He may have been behind on his Escalade Payments.....
Things in life aren't always exactly how they appear....
;)

[tjmicsak]

It's hard to say if someone is simply showing their influences or if they are actually just being who they are and doing their thing.
Sometimes no matter what it is the latter anyway....
If you had been blind and listening instead of basing everything on what you saw how would that guy have seemed?

[zekmoe]

I can't imagine seeing anything else at the tired blues jams I've been to. Boring music played with pinpoint accuracy. Attendance is almost exclusively guy guitar players waiting their turn to play and then immediately leave.

[big mike]

Meh so what? A benefit blues jam.
The guy got out there and played. Good for him.
Everyone of us had our hero worship phase I'm sure.

I was damn near that guy when I was first coming up.
Srv sig strat, ts9 and a silver face super

I moved on, he will or he won't, but hes probably happier than shit jamming and having fun.
That's what it's all about.

[Teleplayer]

Meh so what? A benefit blues jam.
The guy got out there and played. Good for him.
Everyone of us had our hero worship phase I'm sure.

I was damn near that guy when I was first coming up.
Srv sig strat, ts9 and a silver face super

I moved on, he will or he won't, but hes probably happier than shit jamming and having fun.
That's what it's all about.

/thread

Well said. I mean, what's the big deal about the dude doing what he digs?

[Flyin' Brian]

I was at a benefit blues jam just before christmas... There was one of "those" guys there. When asked what songs he would like to play, he called "Pride and Joy" and "House Is Rockin".

He had a slightly beat up but original '64 Super Reverb, vintage coily cord, Vox wah and two TS9's (originals, not repops), a beat to death sunburst '63 Strat and an old Earth III strap with music notes on it.

When his time to solo came, he made faces like he had a kidney stone... he heel-toed across the stage sideways, and he tried to do the figure 8's while chord soloing with 1 chord. He snapped the big E string at the end of both songs.

When he finally got off the stage, he piled his vintage gear into a brand new Escalade and drove off into the night... on his way to the crossroads to sell his soul, presumably.

I'm not really downing the guy, just always in shock when someone like that shows up and does the whole Vaughanabee thing. I guess it's only fitting, as Stevie himself use to paint his face black and wear an afro wig, doing Hendrix in the mirror. To the best of my knowledge, he never did it on stage though.

You ever run into one of those guys?

While you're at it, how about some video of your playing at said jam....Don't worry, we'll follow your lead and only comment on your gear, your facial expressions and your vehicle. Then we can figure out just who you wannabe.

Or we can follow the other guy's lead and just have fun.

[cinimod8791]

So he played like he had a broken hand? I know this one guy that had this NYE gig that he had to play with a busted up hand.:dunno:noevil

[dirk_benedict]

Lost me at "benefit blues jam"...

[enocaster]

Wow, I don't think the OP was that harsh. Maybe it hit a little too close to home for some members…

[Dillow4092]

I say good for him. I wish I had the cahones to get in front of people and play.

[bigdaddy]

While you're at it, how about some video of your playing at said jam....Don't worry, we'll follow your lead and only comment on your gear, your facial expressions and your vehicle. Then we can figure out just who you wannabe.

Or we can follow the other guy's lead and just have fun.


We already know:

http://s2.nextround.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/seagal_guitar.jpg

[TubeStack]

We already know:

http://s2.nextround.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/seagal_guitar.jpg


.... :rotflmao

[neastguy]

the thought of blues jam just gives me a pain in my side... sorry, I don't have much to add

[ldp1959]

Not that I am this guy, but this is the reason I don't go to these types of things. I would love to sit in with some guys and jam, but the pretentiousness of alot of musicians makes it a less then enjoyable outing. I don't have "mad skills" or "mega chops" but can play a few leads to blues jams and I play pretty good rhythm. I always though it was about enjoyment and having fun, but it is not. It seems as if there is competition, and what or who they are competing with is beyond me. Maybe these guys are wanna be athletes who couldn't compete on that plane and now have brought their insecurities to their music. I always thought music should be different.



I was at a benefit blues jam just before christmas... There was one of "those" guys there. When asked what songs he would like to play, he called "Pride and Joy" and "House Is Rockin".

He had a slightly beat up but original '64 Super Reverb, vintage coily cord, Vox wah and two TS9's (originals, not repops), a beat to death sunburst '63 Strat and an old Earth III strap with music notes on it.

When his time to solo came, he made faces like he had a kidney stone... he heel-toed across the stage sideways, and he tried to do the figure 8's while chord soloing with 1 chord. He snapped the big E string at the end of both songs.

When he finally got off the stage, he piled his vintage gear into a brand new Escalade and drove off into the night... on his way to the crossroads to sell his soul, presumably.

I'm not really downing the guy, just always in shock when someone like that shows up and does the whole Vaughanabee thing. I guess it's only fitting, as Stevie himself use to paint his face black and wear an afro wig, doing Hendrix in the mirror. To the best of my knowledge, he never did it on stage though.

You ever run into one of those guys?

[EricPeterson]

I am sure this story is about as accurate as your "got in a fist fight after a gig" thread. No reason to doubt a word you posted. :sarcasm

[ACfixer]

He snapped the big E string at the end of both songs.

Dude must have had one powerful bend for a wannabe. Just snapped at the end of each song huh, like on the very last note? Twice even.

Man, and I thought I was full of crap when I told stories about hunting mountain lions in the third grade.

[tapeworm]

Let that guy live. If he was having fun and enjoying himself and the music, I see no problem. What he does is not going to effect your life. If he was being an ass to those in attendance or those he was jamming with then that would be an issue. But if all he did is what you described, then I would just keep it moving and not give it a second thought.

That is IF this story has any truth to it at all...

[BluesForDan]

you still have places that host blues jams? how incredibly fortunate you are. Did you have to drive an hour to get there? And people actually showed up?

Know what we have around here? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Except for one place, that does a sunday afternoon 5-8 PM slot. Sundays. When people are trying to eat their suppers. It is barely a jam, it is more like quiet background muzak.

[The Funk]

Is the questions are blues jams cliche? Are you suprised that charactures show up? Thats the thing. Enjoy it for what it is. I played a lot of blues jams when I was growing up. Never copped the whole Stevie worship thing, but I had a good time and learned a lot.

Every now and then one of those guys can really play. Usually they are ok at best. they are fans living the dream for a couple of songs. Its usually the unassuming guys that are the killers. Or the random teenage girl with crazy chops. That makes it all worth it.

[GCDEF]

Dude must have had one powerful bend for a wannabe. Just snapped at the end of each song huh, like on the very last note? Twice even.

Man, and I thought I was full of crap when I told stories about hunting mountain lions in the third grade.

There are some inconsistencies in the OP. When he "finally" got off stage. I thought he only played two songs??? Drove off in his Escalade? OP followed him out the door to see what he drove? How does the OP know the exact year of his amp and guitar? Broke the same string twice in only two songs. Seems a bit odd to me too.

[woof*]

There are some inconsistencies in the OP. When he "finally" got off stage. I thought he only played two songs??? Drove off in his Escalade? OP followed him out the door to see what he drove? How does the OP know the exact year of his amp and guitar? Broke the same string twice in only two songs. Seems a bit odd to me too.



He been "Rumblur'd"



:rotflmao

[TrickinSid]

Wow, I don't think the OP was that harsh. Maybe it hit a little too close to home for some members…

I agree enocaster about the OP not being that harsh....geesh.

The OP was just making an observation of how
some guitarist take the idolization thing a little too far.

Tell me you wouldn't make fun of a guitarist if he came dressed
as one of the GWAR guitarist......at a blues jam...!

[StevenS]

The dreaded kidney stone face.... chuckle :rotflmao

I agree, if he was having fun, and most importantly, not stepping on anyone's toes while he was moonwalking across the stage let him have his fun.

[Tom CT]

I do a spot on imitation of SRV's later dead years every night when I go to sleep.

Keep it classy, TGP.

[Chops]

You ever run into one of those guys?

I am one of those guys.

[RupertB]

Having spent several years (mid 80s) regularly attending blues jams, I can tell you that, if what the OP described was the worst he saw, then it must have been a good one.

I might not have liked the whole "show up, play, leave immediately" thing (rude IMO) but I'd take that guy over:

Way too loud guy
Will only play solos guy
Doesn't know how to tune a guitar guy
Will only play the three songs I'm ready to play guy
Refuses to play with a rookie guy
Bags on every other player guy

Yes, the Vaughannabe thing is tired but complaining about them at blues jams is like complaining about teenagers being at the mall.

[Redlined]

I was at a benefit blues jam just before christmas... There was one of "those" guys there. When asked what songs he would like to play, he called "Pride and Joy" and "House Is Rockin".

He had a slightly beat up but original '64 Super Reverb, vintage coily cord, Vox wah and two TS9's (originals, not repops), a beat to death sunburst '63 Strat and an old Earth III strap with music notes on it.

When his time to solo came, he made faces like he had a kidney stone... he heel-toed across the stage sideways, and he tried to do the figure 8's while chord soloing with 1 chord. He snapped the big E string at the end of both songs.

When he finally got off the stage, he piled his vintage gear into a brand new Escalade and drove off into the night... on his way to the crossroads to sell his soul, presumably.

I'm not really downing the guy, just always in shock when someone like that shows up and does the whole Vaughanabee thing. I guess it's only fitting, as Stevie himself use to paint his face black and wear an afro wig, doing Hendrix in the mirror. To the best of my knowledge, he never did it on stage though.

You ever run into one of those guys?

If he did it well, I fail to see the problem. Many of us never get beyond emulating our heros. So yes, sounds like sour grapes.
That said, the above is very well written and highly entertaining. Vaughanabee has to be one of the funniest terms I've seen on here, well done Sir

[big mike]

Having spent several years (mid 80s) regularly attending blues jams, I can tell you that, if what the OP described was the worst he saw, then it must have been a good one.

I might not have liked the whole "show up, play, leave immediately" thing (rude IMO) but I'd take that guy over:

Way too loud guy
Will only play solos guy
Doesn't know how to tune a guitar guy
Will only play the three songs I'm ready to play guy
Refuses to play with a rookie guy
Bags on every other player guy

Yes, the Vaughannabe thing is tired but complaining about them at blues jams is like complaining about teenagers being at the mall.


I'd take all those guys over 'I have a briefcase full of harmonicas, refuse to leave the band stand, and will solo over every single song until I need to reload on my JD and Coke buzz' guy.

[pickaguitar]

I was at a benefit blues jam just before christmas... There was one of "those" guys there. When asked what songs he would like to play, he called "Pride and Joy" and "House Is Rockin".

He had a slightly beat up but original '64 Super Reverb, vintage coily cord, Vox wah and two TS9's (originals, not repops), a beat to death sunburst '63 Strat and an old Earth III strap with music notes on it.

When his time to solo came, he made faces like he had a kidney stone... he heel-toed across the stage sideways, and he tried to do the figure 8's while chord soloing with 1 chord. He snapped the big E string at the end of both songs.

When he finally got off the stage, he piled his vintage gear into a brand new Escalade and drove off into the night... on his way to the crossroads to sell his soul, presumably.

I'm not really downing the guy, just always in shock when someone like that shows up and does the whole Vaughanabee thing. I guess it's only fitting, as Stevie himself use to paint his face black and wear an afro wig, doing Hendrix in the mirror. To the best of my knowledge, he never did it on stage though.

You ever run into one of those guys?
Some like me don't have an issue with Vaughanabees...I love Stevie and think it's a nice tribute to emulate the man. It's world's better than emo or Mayeranabees


How many people are trying to be you? Not many trying to be me...

[morlll]

Meh so what? A benefit blues jam.
The guy got out there and played. Good for him.
Everyone of us had our hero worship phase I'm sure.

I was damn near that guy when I was first coming up.
Srv sig strat, ts9 and a silver face super

I moved on, he will or he won't, but hes probably happier than shit jamming and having fun.
That's what it's all about.

:agree

If it's not fun why go?

Actually he might have packed up and left due to the vibe he was feeling. Unwelcome maybe how he felt.

[Scumback Speakers]

Ah, haven't been to a blues jam in over a year. It's time to go...tonight!

I guess I'm lucky, the local blues jam I go to has a bunch of decent players (i'm not one of them), so I get to sit in, sing, play a couple of riffs on the upper strings, back up a bunch of guys that are scared shitless and have a beer.

Sometimes it's all good, sometimes it sucks. Usually it's good at this jam. Thanks for the inspiration to limber up my fingers and figure out what I'm taking to the gig.

[morlll]

Is the questions are blues jams cliche? Are you suprised that charactures show up? Thats the thing. Enjoy it for what it is. I played a lot of blues jams when I was growing up. Never copped the whole Stevie worship thing, but I had a good time and learned a lot.

Every now and then one of those guys can really play. Usually they are ok at best. they are fans living the dream for a couple of songs. Its usually the unassuming guys that are the killers. Or the random teenage girl with crazy chops. That makes it all worth it.

Yup that's what I have found. I have played at a few and done well, and awful.

Had fun when it was good. I don't know if others had fun when I was up there, but I did.