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WHAT A DAY!!!
It started off
with many of the 20 or 30 musicians in attendance coming up on
stage and jamming a few tunes. Here is the immensely
talented Tim Cummiskey (left) playing with Todd Collis -
who can hold his own. |
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Tim and Todd were
then joined by the amazing Chaz Mechenbier. Right
here was worth the $10 donation. |
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There were about
90 people that showed up to pay tribute to Kenny Poole.
The lucky ones got to sit right in the front row. |
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Then, local pro, Pete
Cary, came up and jammed with Chaz. (Those boys had
played together, before... Great stuff...) |
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Two young
(unsuspecting) jazz players who had never played together before
we standing a opposite sides of the room. They were a
little reluctant at first but in the end gladly came up and
played us a couple tunes. VERY WELL DONE.. Colin
Latarski and Bret Burleson - thanks so much, guys. |
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Another shot at
the very good sized audience that were delighted with the
afternoon.. Many of Kenny's musical friends for Cincinnati
drove up to surprise him. |
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Then, two super
thumb pickers, Audie Wykle and Lonnie Coots (left
to right), came up and dazzled everybody with some fine
playing...
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Kenny Poole
"Center Stage"
After the applause
for the jam session finally tapered off - the Master came up and
sat down. He very softly, very slowly warmed up his
fingers, mind and soul by playing a series of moving melody
notes and bass lines with no particular tune in mind -
modulating to other keys full of similar beautiful meanderings -
until he landed on a key that he liked - that reminded him of a
tune he'd like to play. And, BOY - did he.. That
song and a few dozen more with the same incredible clarity and
brilliance. |
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Many exceptional
musicians and guitarists were in attendance to witness this once
in a lifetime experience. In the brown jacket is the
seldom seen Don Hales - incredible jazz guitarist.
Standing to his right was Mike McGannon - guitarist as
comfortable with jazz as with blues and rock. |
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Al Yeoman
(right), chairman of the OFGC Hall of Fame Committee, had just
inducted Kenny Poole into our HOF - and, here is your
club organizer, Palmer Moore, presenting him with the
plaque that goes along with that honor.
"For of lifetime of fingerstyle jazz guitar.
Without equal - without compromise." |
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Like I said, LOTS
of people came to pay tribute to Kenny. Here's Rob
Johnston that drove down from the Cleveland area with buddy Pete
Cavano. Pete also played during the jam session, but I
guess we didn't get a picture on that. (Sorry, Pete.) |
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After a quick
break Kenny sat back down and gave us a set from heaven.
Many of the more knowledgeable musicians in the crowd mentioned
that they had never heard him play as well as he did this day -
especially this set. There is no doubt in my mind that we
saw a world class performance by possibly the finest finger
style jazz guitarist in the world, today.
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This is Kenny's
good friend, Tom Schofield, wonderful clarinet player
from Cincinnati that recorded with Kenny. As soon as he
found out we were having this tribute he said, "I'll
be there... I wouldn't miss it." And, he enjoyed
every minute of his friend's playing. "I've never
heard him play better," he exclaimed in joy. |
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Palmer Moore
(left), Kenny Shoemaker, and Audie Wykle taking a photo op
behind the check in desk. |
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Kenny and
Kenny.... |
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Dave, Don, and
Mike. |
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Now, I'm not
supposed to let on who makes all them delicious cookies and
brownies for each Pickin' Party. But, this lady looks
pretty suspicious... (lol) |
