A Summer Birthday Party and Jam Session
A great evening of music with former Wichita Falls weatherman John Cameron
Former Wichita Falls weatherman John Cameron celebrated a birthday with a backyard jam session recently and I was lucky enough to get an invitation. Like always, I brought my camera even though nobody asked me to, and I’m glad I did.
John’s wife Meredith was on hand and they invited local musicians and their friends and family for a jam session that was very cool and organic.
I arrived just as things were getting going and, I might be wrong, but I think Giancarlo Martini was the one who got things rolling by rapping out a beat on a road case. Soon, others were joining in.
Martini moved around from instrument to instrument and Shane Perry, bassist for Hellen Bach, held down those duties on muscle memory alone. When the jam needed to go in another direction, Shane helped steer it there with a bass line.
Anthony Taylor and Herman Hardin both brought interesting things to the table. Anthony did a pretty cool impromptu performance of “Float On” by Modest Mouse, and a song I didn’t recognize that included lyrics from “Stairway to Heaven,” “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” and “All Along the Watchtower.” It was quite cool, and through it all, Herman was back there just flavoring things. I enjoyed it.
Much like the other attendees, Anthony Castillo is a talented multi-instrumentalist who can sing, too. When the jam touched on old Motown or R&B numbers, Anthony’s soulful vocals fit the bill perfectly.
Everybody took a turn on the drums, including It Hurts to Be Dead’s drummer, Kevin Gilmore. We also got a treat — we got to see Kevin’s son, Simon, give his first real performance on the drums. He did great, and maybe it’s just me, but he looked like a chip off the old block.
While Shane Perry was busy on the bass, his wife Jeanette had some songs waiting to come out. She took the mic for a nice rendition of Heart’s “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You,” and Jeanette can sing. Anybody who can perform Ann Wilson songs is automatically alright by me.
Jeanette has been taking time off recently but tells me she’s making plans to return to performing soon.
As the sun went down, John graced us with a little DJ work, too.
When you see John out playing with his Social Distortion tribute band, Mommy’s Little Monster, buy him a beer and get in his good graces for an invitation to the next backyard jam session! Good times.
Happy Birthday, John Cameron.
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