Welcome
Keepin' The Blues Alive
NEW Show Times in 2020: Doors 6pm, show 7pm at the Rabbit Hole
A celebration deferred
Vanessa Collier
Charlotte Blues Society Celebrated 27 years this April.
We had slated the amazing Vanessa Collier
to perform for our event.
But due to city, county and federal guidelines as we face the COVID-19 pandemic, our event is postponed.
Hold on to your tickets! They will be honored.
A new date will be announced soon.
Stay home.
Stay safe.
NOTICE
New time for all shows in 2020 for Blues Sunday Events
Our members requested an earlier start time on Sunday nights, and we listened! Beginning January 5th, 2020, Doors open at 6pm, and music begins at 7pm.
CBS Blues Sunday Open Blues Jam Info
OPEN BLUES JAM
FREE SHOW to all Current members with Card
$10 w/o card and Non-Members
Door:6pm
Instigators: 7pm-7:50pm
Jam: 8pm-10pm
The Instigators will be back soon for another Open Blues Jam at The Rabbit Hole.Best way to kick off the week, and with the earlier hours, you can come in, enjoy the jam, and still get home for work or school on Monday.
If you are interested in participating in the Jam, Please come in and sign up early. We welcome all players at all levels, and will accommodate everyone who has the desire to get onstage and give it all they got! No judging, just a great opportunity to sharpen your chops or develop the ability to "play well with others" The blues, as well as jazz, are two music genre's that are known to have a true jam aspect to the make up of the art form. If you are new to this, don't worry, we even put together a list of songs and the tuning to make it easier for you. We are also listing a reference to check out videos to listen to the song, which will give you the ability to rehearse at home if needed. We will limit each player to a 2 song jam until everyone has had the opportunity to play, then we will "Rinse & Repeat" as often as necessary...after all, we have 3 hours!
The song list is below and will be updated until the day of show. Please email us at CLTBluesSociety@gmail.com with your questions or suggestions.
Doors open at 6pm show at 7pm
FREE to members with current valid Membership card$10 without card and non-members
Location: The Rabbit Hole1801 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte
ABOUT THE BAND
The Instigators are a Charlotte based, four piece Blues band that demonstrate a command of Southern Soul, R&B, Reggae and Rock influences in their repertoire.
The band members are as follows,
Rob Dayton, Harmonica & Vocals,
Stephen Foley, Bass & Vocals,
John Hartley, Drums Michael Ingmire, Guitars & Vocals.
They have been the core of the Blues Jams at CBS for over a year, and Michael Ingmire is the Jam-Master of the event.
Blues Jam Guidelines
Open Blues Jam
Blues Jam Guidelines and Courtesies
Welcome to the Charlotte Blues Society Blues Jam.
You are participating in a tradition that is over 26 years in the making. The Charlotte Blues Society has consistently promoted a Blues Jam as part of its Blues Sunday.
The Charlotte Blues Society’s Blues Sunday occurs on the first Sunday of each month. The Blues Jams do not happen at every Blues Sunday. Always refer to charlottebluessociety.org for details and schedules. We hope your experience will be inspiring and that your own musical abilities will be informed by these jams.
We offer the following guidelines to consider when signing on as a participating jammer:
A practical suggestion, Sign up early. On the sign-up sheet please list your instrument and/or ability that you wish to contribute to the Jam. While the Blues has a lot of variations, please be advised this is a Blues Jam. Please keep it real ladies and gentlemen.
Be respectful of any equipment that you use, backline and PA, treat it as your own or possibly better than your own. We recommend you bring your own gear, including amp. If you have a special amp, pedal or set-up that you need to use, remember guideline #1; Come early
Keep track of your place on the sign-up sheet. It is not up to the Jam Master to track you down when your time to shine arrives.
Please be advised that you need to be tuned and ready BEFORE you get on stage. Additionally, if you are a guitarist that tunes down a half step, please note the House band will be tuned to standard 440. Two choices remain, either tune to 440 or make allowances in your choice of a chord voicing.
Volume: If you only hear yourself on stage, perhaps you are too loud. Likewise, if you hear everyone else, but not yourself; turn up.
Be respectful of your fellow musicians, no matter what their ability may be. Everyone usually starts at the same place.
In regards to soloing, again please be respectful of other musicians in the jam. For example, rhythm guitar is not just something to waste your time on while you wait for your next solo. One of the lessons of a Blues Jam is to learn how to be as apt an accompanist as you hope to be as a soloist. The Jam Master will be generous with solos, but be mindful of other musicians that may be waiting to jam.
Lastly, have fun. Also respect the traditions as well as the innovations of the Blues. Likewise, respect the Charlotte Blues Society and The Rabbit Hole for providing the space and equipment for you to jam.
In Addition, we highly recommend you read and observe the following
"The Ten Commandments of Jam" from Derek Trucks.
1. Just listen.
Make sure that when you’re on stage with others, you are paying attention to what’s going on and not getting self-involved in your own world.
2. Respect everyone else’s musical space.
The easiest way to kill a vibe is by jumping in and adding your two cents too soon, while someone else is still trying to build something. Just let things happen.
3. Make you sure you are telling a story.
Never just be playing scales, filling space or going through the motions. Sometimes people resort to such tactics just to fill space but it’s always a mistake. Longer solos aren’t always better solos. Always have something to say.
4. Try to play an emotion.
Always be aware of what emotion you want to convey and try to tap into it. You can often hear what a great soloist is going through. It doesn’t take words to express a thought; you can definitely spell out emotions musically and should always strive to do so.
5. Never use the bandstand to practice.
Don’t waste time working through things. It’s great to take chances but not to try things you are completely unsure of. Save your practice time for off stage.
6. Treat the stage as your church.
Respect what you are doing. If you want people to respect what you’re doing and think it means something, you have to act like it does. All great artists treat the stage like it is sanctified.
7. Make sure your intentions are right.
Don’t be up there to boost your ego or career. Mean what you’re doing and appreciate it. You won’t get anywhere musically if you are just on stage to impress people.
8. Always make the band sound better.
Don’t just highlight what you do; serve the group and the music. Playing rhythm behind someone or even sitting out at the right moment is just as important as soloing. Some people sound great when they’re doing their thing but just get in the way when they’re not.
9. Educate with your music.
Always move forward and turn your audience on to new things instead of relying on the same old tricks. A core audience gets stuck listening to one group and think that’s it, but you’re around so much music and should always be inspired by new things. It’s important to pass that along, and it keeps you out of ruts.
10, Make sure you mean what you’re doing.
Do what you want and love. If you’re playing with somebody, you might as well do it right. No matter what the gig, dig in and go to town.
THE BLUES JAM
A favorite event at Blues Society meetings, and The Instigators always provide a solid base to build a jam on.
Once again we have a list of songs that WILL be played during the jam. This is especially helpful for new jammers.
Songs for next Jam Charlotte Blues Society
Each is listed with Song, Artist, Key and a link to video for reference:
Song
The Thrill is Gone
Eric Clapton & BB King
Bm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6gDeGdQ3rM&feature=share
________________________________
Song
I’m Tore Down
Eric Clapton
C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRcUufCKwOo
________________________________
Song
Little By Little
Junior Wells & Buddy Guy
A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcyad6MKXzI&feature=share
______________________________
Song
Who’s Been Talkin?
Howlin’ Wolf
Am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDkk_claqPU&feature=share
______________________________
Song
Honey Hush
Albert Collins
C
a/k/a Talkin Woman Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOU3Ysz1Lo0
Vanessa Collier April 5, 2020 POSTPONED
postponed new date TBA
Tickets for Charlotte Blues Society 27th Anniversary Bash with Vanessa Collier will be honored for the rescheduled date.
Once we are able to gather together again, we will truly celebrate!
CBS Events and Causes
IBC 2021 Save the Date January 19 – January 23, 2021
One Can? I Can! Blues for Food benefiting Loaves & Fishes
IBC 2021 Save the Date January 19 – January 23, 2021
Calling all solo/duo and Blues Bands: our date for the Charlotte Blues Challenge has been set: Sunday October 4, 2020.
More information on the Charlotte Blues Challenge on the Road to Memphis 2021 is coming soon!
A Brick For Robin
One Can? I Can! Blues for Food benefiting Loaves & Fishes
IBC 2021 Save the Date January 19 – January 23, 2021
On your next trip to Memphis, stop by the Blues Foundation Blues Museum. On the brick walkway heading to the entry, you will see the brick you helped us buy to commemorate our beloved Robin Rogers.
Keep the Blues Alive.
One Can? I Can! Blues for Food benefiting Loaves & Fishes
One Can? I Can! Blues for Food benefiting Loaves & Fishes
One Can? I Can! Blues for Food benefiting Loaves & Fishes
One Can?
WE CAN!
And we are making a difference to at-risk kids and families in our community.
Bring non-perishable food items to EVERY event, as we fight hunger.
BLUES FOR FOOD
CBS Blues Sunday : 1st Sunday of the Month
Our Mission Statement
The CHARLOTTE BLUES SOCIETY (CBS)
is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the American Blues tradition through the presentation of concerts, forums, educational programs and support of local musicians in Charlotte and the surrounding areas.
CBS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors and operated by an all-volunteer staff. CBS is an affiliated member of The Blues Foundation, the umbrella organization for a worldwide network of 165 affiliated Blues societies and has individual memberships around the globe.
Winner! STEVE HAYES
As a 501(c)3 organization, we have been raising funds through Guitar Raffles. We drew the winning entry live on Facebook at the December Blues Christmas Event at the Rabbit Hole!
The Candy Apple Red Fender Squier Strat was donated by the late Ray Otstott, a lover of music and a beloved member of our board. We wish to thank all the artists who have signed our raffle guitars. We appreciate you more than you will ever know, and know every signature makes that guitar more valuable.
All proceeds are donations and benefit Charlotte Blues Society. Those dollars help us in our mission of Keeping the Blues Alive. Thank you.
The 2020 Raffle Guitar: A Fender Strat Bullet
Albert Cummings became the first signature on our 2020 Raffle guitar on December 5th!
That was quickly followed by Tab Benoit's & Eric Johanson's signatures on December 11 after their shows at McGlohon Theater, Davy Knowles on February 7th at Neighborhood Theatre, Chris O'Leary February 9th at The Rabbit Hole.
Many more to come.
You can purchase your raffle ticket for a $10 donation at any of our Blues Sunday Events at The Rabbit Hole, and at many of the blues events we attend at Heist Brewery, Free Range Brewing, McGlohon Theater, Neighborhood Theatre, The Evening Muse, Whitewater Center and Festivals we attend.
Donate to CBS
Honor someone you know with a donation to
Charlotte Blues Society.
It will support our mission of Keeping the Blues Alive, and is tax deductible.
Please indicate person(s) or event you wish to honor on form where it says "add a note" . If you wish an acknowledgement sent to you or another individual, please include that information as well.
Simply use the Donate Now button below
Thank You!
