J4D7 another memory maker!

"It was the friendliest group of folks I've ever waited on." That was the claim of one member of the Celtic Fox wait staff after working the first two nights of Jam4Dan7. Add the best sound system to date and a new set of killer lights, and presto, J4D7 raised the bar of how much fun good music, a good cause and good people can create!

So many musical highlights! An extraordinary blend of bluegrass, country and jazz/pop/fusion highlighted Friday's night show. An amazing two-hour youth showcase started off Saturday, which concluded with a floor-shaking run of rock bands. Sunday's show opened with an acoustic singer-songwriter set, featured the region's best blues and wrapped with a sweet dance party. There was absolutely something for everybody, and so many of the bands just didn't bring their A game, they brought the whole damn kitchen sink! By the time the last chord died down, 31 bands, including four youth bands, and seven individual/duos, including two shining young stars, graced the J4D stage. All in 31 hours of right-on-time performances. By all measures, it was a concert to remember.

And did I mention the people? Once again, approximately 1000 people came through the Celtic Fox doors, from those already staked out for the 5:00 PM Friday opening performance of the Bluegrass Gypsies, to those packed the joint wall-to-wall Saturday night, to those who came in late Sunday, just in time to catch rollicking sets from Omaha's Hector Anchondo Band and Topeka's own Slow Ya Roll.

And generous folk they were, as well. $1600 was raised through the Silent Auction and another $500+ was raised in the raffle for the beautiful handcrafted electric guitar donated by J. Edison Custom Guitars, the sixth year he has made such a generous donation. And in a very fitting conclusion, Dan Hudgens, who, along with his wife Susan, are the most dedicated fans J4D fans in town, won the guitar. Theresa Allen won the acoustic guitar customized by Joel.

And the cause? Music scholarships for 19 and under Shawnee County youth either taking music lessons or those looking to explore the world of music. And, as last year, Jam4Dan will also help support music programs in USD 501. The application process, along with the time lines and other pertinent information, can be found at Scholarship Page.

Thanks, Topeka, for once again making Jam4Dan the gotta-go-to musical event of the year! And don't forget to mark your calendars for J4D8 the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, January 16-18, 2015!

* The Dan Falley Memorial Fund & Scholarships Trustees for 2014 were:
Mike Fox - president
Joel Edison - vice president
Tom Krebs - secretary/treasurer
Danl Blackwood - media coordinator
JD Bloomar - volunteer coordinator
Chris Aytes - concert coordinator
Ed Carmona - community outreach