Parking Lot Courage 

“PARKING LOT COURAGE” (720-HD)
I’m “vivatones66”, your videographer. If you saw last week’s video • Bits n' Pieces (720 HD) you saw in the description, I am still trying to find my sea legs after a lengthy health setback affecting use of my hands. We didn’t get past the warm-up in this jam before my paralyzed fingertips pushed two of the wrong buttons on the camera at the same time and froze it for the night.
As I reviewed and edited the short few songs I had managed to record, a thought emerged I believe is worth sharing. There are people I have known and become good friends with from the Jam over many years who have suffered great adversity quietly, and you might never be aware unless a familiar face was missing. You’ve had similar experiences?
I don’t mean to single out one individual as having a greater challenge than another, because I know of several who have had the resilience and spirit to overcome great hardships. There is one, however, whose name I would like to mention; I have his permission. It’s Jack Lewis (banjo), the man, with gold leaf on his cap, sitting next to the tailgate. Jack, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, was one of the original founders of this Jam over twenty-five years ago. He just recently has started returning to the Jam after having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s about two years ago. He is truly an inspiration and deserves everyone’s encouragement. The “vamp” is there, Jack, and the roll is coming back like a freight train.
PLEASE NOTE: I included “Free Born Man” from last week’s Jam because it includes Jack and other fine banjo pickers.
And, now you know the basis for the title of this week’s video.
Jam sessions are for players to interact with other players and make music in a freewheeling environment, without having to be concerned about performing for an audience. Some jams are impromptu, one-time occurrences, while others are weekly events that may happen in a private setting or in a public venue. Jams may focus on a particular style of music or even a particular instrument, and every jam has its own culture and etiquette.
As you watch THE OCOEE JAM, keep in mind this is an OPEN jam. It is not a rehearsed performance. Each picker, in turn, chooses a tune, and he or she sings or plays it accompanied by all the other pickers. Everyone gets a chance no matter the skill level. It seemed that this Jam was composed mostly of experienced pickers. The Jam meets every Friday evening at 6:30 in the parking lot behind the Starbucks Coffee Shop at 10870 West Colonial Dr., Ocoee, Florida 34761.
Copyright Disclaimer--"Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use." NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE. All songs are “cover” songs and instrumentals, and no admission is charged for the event.