Jam Sessions in Southwest Missouri

The jam session has been going on since 1984, and has always been hosted by Ailene Adams at her home or store. The historic store and post office closed for business in 1992, but it continues to be used for the Monday night jam. The old post office area and store shelves are still standing. The jam features fiddle music by Bob Holt, but other fiddlers such as Jim Beeler, H.K. Silvie, and Liz Amos also play there.

Jam session at Ailene Adams' Country Store building in McClurg, Missouri.

Although someone will sing country or gospel songs now and then, most of the musicians focus on instrumental music. This pattern is different from most other jam sessions in the region, where vocal music predominates. At McClurg they usually play old-time square dance tunes, but waltzes, rags, polkas, and variations on early popular songs are also heard. A pot luck dinner, card games, and jig dancing are other elements that attract members of the community to the event.

Directions from Springfield: drive south on US-65 34 miles to US-160; go east on US-160 14 miles to MO-76; go northeast on MO-76 19 miles; turn right toward McClurg and watch for the country store [See map] (driving through Oldfield is shorter but involves more turns). Photographs are from June 12, July 10, and July 24, 2000.

Ailene Adams' old country store building remains a central landmark in the small town of McClurg.

Ailene says she gets much pleasure from hosting the event. Hers is one of the few jam sessions where no money changes hands. There is no donation jar, and no concession stand. Bob Holt, well known for his fiddling skills and massive repertoire, usually leads the jam session when he is there. So although the musicians sit in a circle, the leadership role does not move around the circle as it does in most jam sessions.

The music might start as early as 6:00, but usually the jam session is not in full swing until around 7:00. Depending the mood of the musicians, it might wind down around 10:30 or continue until after midnight.

Other exceptional fiddlers who play at the jam session include Jim Beeler and H.K. Silvey. Often one of these fiddlers, or others, will lead the jam session early in the evening, and Bob Holt will lead later. Because fiddlers often have different playing styles and varying versions of tunes, they tend to avoid playing together. One might play for a while, and then volunteer to get up so another one can play.

Many of the people who attend the McClurg jam session bring home-cooked dishes, and everyone is invited to fill a plate and eat as they listen.

While vocal music is not as prominent as fiddle music at the jam session, singers such as Garnett Peacock and Tom Muller occasionally sing classic country songs or old Carter family songs.

Here two of Bob Holt's students, Liz Amos and David Scrivner, lead the group in playing fiddle tunes.

The shelves in the old country store are currently used by Ailene for storage. Here two of Bob Holt's students, Liz Amos and David Scrivner, lead the group in playing fiddle tunes.

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Last modified: July 17, 2006
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