First open mic night

[Trinity Guitars]

Well I finally came out of my livingroom and to an open Mic.   I was a bit nerves on the drive over but things settled down and all went well. I have a partner who plays guitar and banjo and sings with me. We did three songs, "Cats in the Cradle" where I do the finger style like Harry did, "The Garden Song", and "My Peace" with words by Woody Guthrie and music by Arlo.
  The bottom line is the organizer asked us to do a second set,  Way past my bed time so we passed. And...   asked us to come back!
  I was funny. One of the other players noticed me setting up and commented to my partners wife. " I think that is Jim Holler and it looks like he is playing a Trinity " She confirmed it for him. Good think I did not know this until after we played. A fun night for sure and I will go back.
Jim Holler  playing and singing along. 

[flatlander]

Sounds like fun. Did you play classical guitar or I believe you said you did make a steel string for yourself?  It's be so cool to play a guitar you made yourself, especially when it's a fine one.
I have a friend who builds all the instruments he plays. Anyways congrats.

[jbrummer]

Must have been great Jim -- I bet you can't wait to do it again   Keep us informed and post some audio clips of the next show (along with a few photos of the guitar you made & played!).

[unclrob]

Congrets on getting out there.After all the crap that runs thru the mind and you just get down to playin its like your still in your living room.Keep on gettin out there my friend and enjoy.

[Big E]

Yee-Haw,
sorry 'bout that, too much Stampede last week.
Wow, sounds like a great night Jim.
I'll bet you can't wait for the next open mic night.

[Trinity Guitars]

Here is an older photo of several guitars I have made at a house concert. I was about 10 or 12 years ago. There are two steel strings in the shot. Standing up third from the left is my first guitar and the one I played at the open mic. Still my main guitar. The little one standing to her right and slightly behind is a parlor I made for myself but was convinced to sell. I have been building a replacement for about 8 years. Wonder if it will ever get completed.

[flatlander]

Several guitars? Looks like a whole mess of guitars to me! All good lookin too.

[Dotneck]

The one all the way to the right...is that cedar or redwood? Looks like it must have a unique voice....

[lw216316]

     good for you !

There must be something special about playing in public with a guitar you built yourself -
yes, please show us a video

- Larry

[BluesMan1]

   Jim, since then (the photo), how many have you built? I know you told me that you want to concentrate on building only someday in the near future. I know you have that patented top now, probably since that picture. Between doing sales & trying to build, have you been able to put out a good amount of your guitars? Just curious, as the gift you have needs to be the focus of your life, as you want it to be. I know that building is where your heart lies, & where you should be!
  Glad you got out to the open mike. Who would doubt your playing prowess? I'm sure it was a fun night. I used to play in a duo years ago & did my college public speaking project on the blues. I have a problem stuttering, esp. in public, but I told some brief history of the blues & then did "Love Me Like a Man", changing the gender, & "No One Knows You When You're Down & Out". Did the Bessie Smith version of that song, all going great once got over my rustiness & nervousness. Got an "A" in the class & felt pretty good for finally getting back up there after 10-15 years (went back to school later in life).
  Glad to hear your story. You should tell your Eric Bibb story on the Forum sometime. Cool story that I'm sure many would dig to hear!
    Jeff  
  And the F-III is absolutely awesome & all I play now. Thanks again for all on that one!

[ST]

Congratulations Jim,

(Sorry for being late to the party - it's been a busy month).

"Way past my bed time..."
Well I guess it's better to leave 'em wanting more.

Have you been back?

Careful - this kind of positive experience is hard to resist once you get a few them behind you.

All the best Jim,

ST

Well I finally came out of my livingroom and to an open Mic.   I was a bit nerves on the drive over but things settled down and all went well. I have a partner who plays guitar and banjo and sings with me. We did three songs, "Cats in the Cradle" where I do the finger style like Harry did, "The Garden Song", and "My Peace" with words by Woody Guthrie and music by Arlo.
  The bottom line is the organizer asked us to do a second set,  Way past my bed time so we passed. And...   asked us to come back!
  I was funny. One of the other players noticed me setting up and commented to my partners wife. " I think that is Jim Holler and it looks like he is playing a Trinity " She confirmed it for him. Good think I did not know this until after we played. A fun night for sure and I will go back.
Jim Holler  playing and singing along. 

[Danny]

  Jim, I enjoyed hearing you play in Vancouver and would like to have heard more. I think you have a very interesting way to make a living and at the same time enjoy every aspect of it. Building, being a dealer, playing and now doing an open mike.
               If I could retire from my A/C business I would like to do something similar (on a very small scale)

      When you, or if you get a chance to record some tunes we would like to hear them

[Trinity Guitars]

  Jim, since then (the photo), how many have you built? I know you told me that you want to concentrate on building only someday in the near future. I know you have that patented top now, probably since that picture. Between doing sales & trying to build, have you been able to put out a good amount of your guitars? Just curious, as the gift you have needs to be the focus of your life, as you want it to be. I know that building is where your heart lies, & where you should be!
  Glad you got out to the open mike. Who would doubt your playing prowess? I'm sure it was a fun night. I used to play in a duo years ago & did my college public speaking project on the blues. I have a problem stuttering, esp. in public, but I told some brief history of the blues & then did "Love Me Like a Man", changing the gender, & "No One Knows You When You're Down & Out". Did the Bessie Smith version of that song, all going great once got over my rustiness & nervousness. Got an "A" in the class & felt pretty good for finally getting back up there after 10-15 years (went back to school later in life).
  Glad to hear your story. You should tell your Eric Bibb story on the Forum sometime. Cool story that I'm sure many would dig to hear!
    Jeff  
  And the F-III is absolutely awesome & all I play now. Thanks again for all on that one!

Jeff,  I am closing in on number 90. I have 4 in process now one being a small parlor for myself. thanks for the kind words. I will post the Eric Bibb story.
   We have done three open mic nights now and were asked for an encore at the last one. Also had a festival ( Small one for sure ) ask if we did gigs. Funny Bill and i looked at each other and said yes. We areplaying a a neat little folk festival this weekend also. Tons of fun.

Jim Holler

[Trinity Guitars]

  Jim, I enjoyed hearing you play in Vancouver and would like to have heard more. I think you have a very interesting way to make a living and at the same time enjoy every aspect of it. Building, being a dealer, playing and now doing an open mike.
               If I could retire from my A/C business I would like to do something similar (on a very small scale)

      When you, or if you get a chance to record some tunes we would like to hear them

Danny  Thanks. I am looking into a small midi recorder so we may have some tunes soon.
Jim

[bluesman67]

Sounds like a real fun time.