KC JIGGLE JAM!!

KC JIGGLE JAM!

(In the above middle pic left to right: Jim Cosgrove, Monty Harper of Kids Music Planet, Dino O'Dell, Ezra Idlet of Trout Fishing In America, Krista "Funky Mama" Eyler)

What a joyful event I have been lucky enough to be a part of this weekend!
The 1st Kansas City Jiggle Jam was a huge success with thousands and thousands of folks from 5 states coming in to enjoy the following acts:
Trout Fishing In America
Justin Roberts and the Not Ready For Naptime Players
Tom Chapin
John McCutcheon
They Might Be Giants
Jim "Mr. Stinkyfeet" Cosgrove and the Hiccups
Funky Mama (Me)
Dino O' Dell
and so many other fine local acts and workshop musicians.

Now...backstage skinny and stage pics....
The morning of DAY ONE---the skies opened up and we thought we were doomed! (The Crown Center Pavilion serves also as an ice rink with NO DRAINAGE system in the middle, so it becomes a swamp. Thanks to all those squeegie-ing the stage and walkways!)

But, Dino O'Dell warmed up the folks coming in and the fun was rolling.

Justin Roberts brought in an expectedly huge crowd and gave a great show...but I had to catch his 2nd set because I played at the same time! (Here's his set list---fun fun!) I have to say, though, Justin's crowd was not nearly as large as that of Jim "Mr. Stinkyfeet" Cosgrove. It was packed! He is a superstar in Kansas City and he felt the love. It was very cool to watch and sing with him on his last song. (Jim is out in front . Hard to get a good shot from this side of the stage.)

Trout Fishing In America---well, I fell in love with their music and stage charisma immediately and am now a life-long fan. They have the smoothest act and are excellent musicians. It's no wonder they've been nominated for a Grammy 4 times and have been playing together 32 years! They are also COOL guys. Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood are class acts. Ezra and I talked about songwriting and how he's going to help me on some new tunes. Keith and I talked about diminished chords and key changes (by the way, Ezra HATES modulations). Great guys and both of them took time to take my Moo Juice CDs and listen to them. They stuck around all weekend to talk with everyone. I so appreciated that.
They have a new CD coming out in September "Big, Round World" so watch for it!

I didn't really get a chance to talk with They Might Be Giants (beyond a "Hey, nice set" in the greenroom as they gnoshed on Chipotle and their guitarist nursed a bad knee due to recent surgery), but did discover their broom prop that became our greenroom mascot. He manned the food table and VIP area.

Now...Funky Mama!

I had great turnouts for both shows and I want to thank all the moms and dads who stayed through rain and CRAZY KCMO heat in May! It was a wonderful experience and I loved seeing all the kids jam out to my tunes.

The above shot is of Trout Fishing with Tom Chapin backstage working out an impromtu set. Tom Chapin and I had a couple nice chats about family and traveling and the like. His guitar is sweet! Made just for him with a headstock inlay of his girls. Chapin and Trout played with Tom McCutcheon (below left/Chapin on right), as well. I don't think all 4 of them have ever played together at the same time. It was amazing! All of those guys being gracious performers, they invited Jim Cosgrove and myself to sing Iko, Iko with them. So much fun, I can't even tell you, to be in the company of such talent. The song rocked, too.
Next year....watch out! Acts are already lined up...BIG...I'm talking BIG!