Adapting virtual jams post COVID
By Buckeye Roadshow (Shari Wolf, Chris Steiner, and Joe Steiner)
Like the phoenix, the Buckeye Roadshow Zoom Jams rose up from the ashes left in the wake of COVID-19 and the death of a dear partner in music, Joyce Harrison.
Joyce and Shari Wolf, co-directors of the Buckeye Dulcimer Festival (BDF) since 2011, had been playing together with Chris and Joe Steiner for about a decade when they officially formed the band Buckeye Junction in 2019. Part of their goal was to promote BDF, which was started in 1991 by long-time friends Louise Zeigler and Doug and Lee Felt.
Shari, Chris, and Joe were faced with uncertainty after the onset of COVID and Joyce’s death in 2021. They decided the best course of action would be to honor Joyce’s memory by keeping the spirit of the festival alive and supporting the dulcimer world.
They brainstormed ways to reach out to people and keep them playing music in the absence of live festivals, club meetings, and jams. Zoom seemed to be the perfect vehicle. The first folks invited were past participants of BDF and friends, but it soon became apparent there were many other players that missed playing music in a group setting.
Because they felt like they were taking the spirit of a BDF jam, undoubtedly a favorite part of the in-person festival, on the road, Shari, Chris, and Joe morphed into Buckeye Roadshow (BRS).
With the easing of COVID restrictions, BRS now travels to music clubs and venues to hold Zoom jams with live participants in the audience. While aimed at the “live” participants, these sessions are also “Zoomed.”
BRS publishes a list of the tunes and songs which will be used for the jam at BuckeyeDulcimerFestival.com/bdfzoomjams.htm, along with mountain dulcimer tab, notation, and chords, and occasionally embellished hammered dulcimer or clawhammer banjo tab.
The typical BRS event begins with Early Bird workshops for mountain and hammered dulcimer. Next is a half-hour Happy Hour where the live participants can interact with the “Zoomers.” This provides an opportunity for technical help, if needed. It is always fun to find out where everyone is located since there are attendees from all over the U.S. and Canada. It is a good time to catch up with old friends and make new ones. After the Happy Hour, the jam begins.
During the jam, BRS offers tips as needed on things such as creating medleys or finding chords. The whole atmosphere is non-threatening because the online participants are muted during the songs – no one can hear what they are playing. They can improvise (e.g. make mistakes) while becoming comfortable with jamming.
After the jam is over, Buckeye Roadshow provides a non-alcoholic “toast” with the live participants in which they share what they are thankful for – this always includes making music with friends!
DPN Virtual Jam List
Visit dpnews.com/virtual-jams for a list of other online and hybrid jams taking place worldwide.
The list includes jams specific to dulcimers as well as other instruments.
To have your jam included, email the details to editor@dpnews.com.
If you would like to host BRS at your location, attend a BRS Jam at an upcoming venue, or have BRS help with your dulcimer group, please email BuckeyeDulcimer@yahoo.com or call or text Chris at 419-721-8016.
About the Arrangement
The arrangement shows a basic melody line (which could be played by hammered dulcimer players) with mountain dulcimer tab, and an advanced mountain dulcimer version arranged by Joe Steiner. Find a back-up arrangement for hammered dulcimer at BuckeyeDulcimerFestival.com/bdfzoomjams.htm. Feel free to download and share.
