Ten Years of LexJam-- Due acknowledgement extended to Tom Martin and Mike Thompson for originating the monthly open stage community jam called LexJam. LexJam debuted Saturday January 6, 2007. My wife and I have attended all ten years of LexJam music and fun. From the start I have managed to document the venue through photography. The friends we've made along the way are an added bonus.
Every seat at Willie's Locally Known was occupied with musicians and spectators before the event began. It sounds cliché to say the event was standing room only ... truth is, folks had to make an assertive effort to leave enough room for servers and waiting staff to wind their way through the crowd while tending tables. Willie's staff did an amazing job serving guests.
The packed house made it impossible to greet everyone. It was nice to see so many familiar faces that had been involved with LexJam, in years past, in attendance. The packed venue presented its own challenges as fellow photographer David McRae and I weaved our way through the crowd capturing memorable moments during the night.
Best I recall it was sometime between 2010 and 2011 when LexJam co-founder Tom Martin decided to hand the LexJam reins to Rennie Neubecker. The decision left all involved, including Rennie, to wonder "Where would LexJam go from there?"
Rennie was an excellent choice to take the reins and move LexJam further. He'd been experiencing moderate growth with his Unplugged spin-off LexJam II. I credit Rennie Neubecker and his many supporters for LexJam reaching a ten year Anniversary. To take control over such a diverse venue left many decisions for Rennie -- he decided to allow the venue breathing room to chart its own course.
As the months rolled on, with gentle guidance from Rennie through restraint, LexJam found its beacon of light and was once again a thriving venue. His mindful restraint and communication has been the key to LexJam's continued success.
Rennie gives due accolades to LexJam's musicians and supporters each month - such loyal support and respect has been earned. Our music community and supporters now offer due accolades, in unison, to Rennie Neubecker ... a salute to the endless hours he puts into LexJam each month.
Thank You Rennie (and Kim) Neubecker and Stage Crew!
LexJam Team - Mark D McKinley
I want to give a huge shout out to Walter Tunis [and Rich Copley] for the awesome article about LexJam in Friday's "Weekender" in the Herald Leader. Thank you [both] so much. The event was a huge success with a standing room only crowd.
Thank you Wilson Sebastian and the entire staff of Willies Locally Known. The tenth anniversary of LexJam was a huge success. We hope it was for Willies Locally Known as well. Your hospitality is much appreciated. And by all accounts, everyone had a great evening with great music and that awesome Willies BBQ.
Kudos to Mr Dan Ward! He should be a major marketing director in a major market. He has been invaluable the last several LexJams. Driving the tip jar and driving the tee shirt sales until we sold out. And his brainstorm of having all the artists sign a tee shirt, then Raffle it off. Genius! Thank you so much Dan. And that's not even mentioning the amazing musician he is and the absolute beautiful music he shares with us. He just Rawks, Rocks, Rawks! I can never thank you enough Dan.
I want to send a personal thank you, to every musician, every fan and my entire crew for the awesome show for the tenth anniversary of LexJam - a WoodSongs Coffeehouse. Also an extra dose of gratitude to my beautiful wife Kimberly Keith Neubecker, Matthew Florez and Mark McKinley. I know I ran you all through the ringer the last few weeks getting ready for this event. I am eternally grateful.
LexJam Team Leader & Host - Rennie Neubecker
So proud to be a part of the LexJam 10th Anniversary Extravaganza! show last night. The amount of talent on that stage over the course of the night was staggering. From young and old, solo to group, it was absolutely incredible!
Rennie thank you for such a great show and keeping such an awesome open mic/talent showcase going for so long. I can wait to see the pictures from the very talented photographers there. Looking back I wished we could of Facebook live video the entire thing for those who literally could not get in the overflowing standing room only crowd at Willie's Locally Known.
Big thanks also to the staff and management at Willies for hosting this event.
PS, I hope I didn't forget to [mention] anyone who was there ... just so many.
Facebook - Greg Rhodus
Great night at LexJam's 10th anniversary show. Thank you Rennie and everyone that has made the event possible every month over the last ten years!
Facebook - Dana Smith
GREAT job tonight ... once again you outdid yourself. What a line-up, what a crowd! LexJam 4Ever! Thank you!
Facebook - Kevin Holm-Hudson
LexJam 10th Anniversary Show-- What an amazing show tonight!! I got to see so many talented people tonight!! So many amazing acts!! And to top it all off, Rennie Neubecker called on Mike & Mack to close the show!! It was a true honor!!
Thank you Rennie for openly welcoming Mike and I into the LexJam family! It has been one of the major highlights of my time here in Kentucky and I will NEVER forget it!!
Facebook - Tracey McAllister
Thanks Rennie and Company!
Awesomeness!!!
Thanks for all you do!
Facebook - Gwen Bryant
Wow!!! Great music on the 10th Anniversary, what a Show!!! Well done all and thanks to Rennie Neubecker, Kimberly Keith Neubecker, Larry Williams, Matthew Florez, Nathan Eisenberg, and anyone else I missed!!
Awesome job.
Facebook - Joanne Taylor
Glowing reports, great photos ... LexJam 10th Anniversary must have been awesome! Sorry to have missed, but was gigging.
Would like to share a story or so about how LexJam kept me and other active playing music. A few years ago, I was encouraged to go by Rick Coleman and Dan Fusting, people I worked with. Kept me from being a basement player. We got Tim Fowler to go, think he was not as active with music back then. We did a duo of Goin' to California, Tim played a cigar box guitar made by Eric Hutchens.
Tim is now too busy teaching music to attend LexJam regularly, and plays with several folks. Including sitting in with Sol Jam. I play with Southern Daze (electric) and Shanghai Express (acoustic). We don't play often, just enough.
Red State Taps in Georgetown has an open mic the first Tuesday of each month and is featuring area musicians Thursday - Saturday nights. Such is the spirit of LexJam and the work Rennie Neubecker and his team keep doing.
Facebook - Sam Pollock
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JANUARY 14, 2017
