Album Notes

Monday nights at the Bingo Hall - Hubert, NC.

I’m always looking for musicians that are unique to a region of the country. I found one of these musical pockets in Hubert, NC.

Connie and Tommy Jacobs started a gospel bluegrass jam in their backyard and it has grown to where they now rent the Bingo Hall in Hubert. What I love about this gathering is the talent range, the people, it’s real Americana, plus it’s how people use to learn music.

On Monday nights the music starts at 6:30PM and ends at 9:00PM. All instruments are acoustic except for the bass and the occasional electric guitar. Nothing loud here except for the voices, a shirt here and there, and the vibe. A short prayer is said after a few songs are sung and then nothing but great music for the rest of the night. The audience is as much involved with the performances as the performers. You’ll see people sitting in their seats singing, playing the guitar or harmonica, etc. along with the performers. The stage is like a hummingbird feeder with musicians floating up to the stage for a while and then floating off to mingle with the crowd and listen to their fellow musicians.

These Monday nights are more than musicians and Christians getting together. It’s what community used to be and should be. This gathering is the only time some of the audience members and performers have to get out of the house and do something that brings back good memories, meet friends, and enjoy life.

I recommend musicians just learning their instrument to go out and watch, listen, and once you feel comfortable play along at the table and then move on up to the performance area. You can’t find a better place to practice and get your chops up. Plus, good people will surround you and you’ll learn more about life and community than TV or the Internet will ever expose you to. It’s a win win situation.

Now for you people out there who are not comfortable with religion or the fact that this a Gospel bluegrass jam, there’s no religious pressure. You don’t even have to put money in the donation can that helps pay for the rent of the Bingo Hall. But you might find that you like what’s going on and make it a part of your weekly calendar.

Sad to say that there are few young musicians at this event, and when the day comes that Connie and Tommy can’t keep on doing this. They won’t have someone to pass the jam on to so it can keep going into the future. I go as often as I can. Hopefully some young musicians will join in the group and be able to carry on this tradition.

Lots of people are caught up in the American Idol show but Hubert is real Americana and all who perform and are a part of the audience are American Icons. Icons are better than idols plus a bluegrass jam is much better.

So go out to the Hubert Bingo Hall on a Monday night and see America at it’s best.

Till next time, “Don’t Confuse A Deep Groove with a Rut”.

dp

David Pell
Cat’s Imagination.com

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