GARRISON — Stellar music and a bit of sadness filled Farmers Mercantile Hall in Garrison on Saturday, Sept 7 for the annual Idiot Jam. The players, many who came from different states, carried on without “Village Idiot” Todd Frank, who was under the weather and not able to join in the weekend’s festivities. His presence was dearly missed, as was expressed by each performer in their set, and by many of the attendees as well.
There were 13 Idiot Jam performers this year, including: Jay Cherry, Joe and Debbie Byrd, Phil Thomas, Russell Letson, Rob Hanesworth, Mark Clark, Joy Ward, Marshall Hjertstedt, Joe Stramaglia, John Bushouse, Don Penniman, and Bill Hammond. Robert Brost helped again this year by running sound.
The love for music, and in playing together, was made both visible and audible by this group of musicians. Many genres and styles were represented, from folk to rock, and serious to silly. There was even Cowboy Poetry. The musicians varied from composers, songwriters, and accompanists at all levels of skill. Most performers were guitar players, but Joy Ward’s fiddle and Jay Cherry’s harmonica blended well with the acoustics at the Mercantile. The performers played a few songs individually, or as a duo, until the last song where they all joined together for a traditional tribute in honor of Frank. “Todd always likes to end the evening with everyone joining in with the song “Goodnight Irene,” Mark Clark said…