But at a jam session, you could get creative on some instrumentals and play whatever you wanted, or whatever you were capable of, with musicians you admired. You made your money backing up singers in studios and on long road trips with sometimes questionable musicians. But there was usually someone waiting for a chance to sit in, and you could take a break, grab a drink, play a little pinball, and be ready to go all night.
When two or three guitar players and a dance floor full of steel players all get to solo until they run out of licks or break a string, it can really wear a rhythm section out. Bass players and drummers would finish a set with hands so tired from playing thirty or forty choruses of “C-Jam Blues” or “Billie’s Bounce” at Mach 2 that they could barely open a beer. Up until 1980 or so, there was a lot of jamming going on in Nashville. I am just a phone call away if I can answer any questions for you.īe sure that you keep your phone number and address current with me if you are a musician or singer and looking for work! To all of you that I have not yet been privileged to meet-welcome to Nashville and I hope you will join us real soon at a jam or talent contest. To all of you who have followed me around for so many years and been there for me and my family in some rather difficult times, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love Nashville and one of the things I try to tell everyone I meet is that we are all here for the same reason – music! I want you to give me any suggestions you think would make this a better magazine. There will be a lot of little things to change over the months ahead, but I am willing to learn as I go. My goal is to promote Nashville and try to focus on all aspects of the music industry. There is so much talent in Nashville and so much for tourists to see and do. In the 17 years I’ve been in Nashville, I have hosted talent contests, jam sessions, benefits, hosted both a live radio show for new talent and a cable television show featuring new talent. Judi Martin’s Country – Inside & Out magazine has been a thought in the back of my mind for years. From the May, 1993 edition: Jammin’ With Judi Martin The lovely, personable and talented Judi Martin used to preside over a whole slew of jam sessions and talent contests in the clubs around Nashville a few years ago, and she even put out her own magazine, Judi Martin’s Country Inside & Out.