Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[edwardofhuncote]

...I'd love to find that instrument.  You'd think in this age of Ebay, CL, Reverb... it would show up somewhere.  But so far no...

Jimmy J

Oh, I'll find it... eventually. 

You might remember a piece of the story I told you; my Dad had a 1969 Gibson RB-250 banjo stolen from his office in 1974, carries a piece of paper with the serial number and the Wise Co. Sheriff's Dept. phone number in his billfold to this day. If you're a banjo nerd, you know that a '69 RB-250 is a very oddball model... every now and then, Gibson would sweep up the shop and build a few banjos out of the parts. These all had fiddle-shaped headstocks, but ebony fingerboards with bowtie inlays, and block letter script logos, Les Paul style. Very distinctive, some might say, classy for that time. There probably aren't more than a couple hundred. I've seen exactly three in my life, and one was his. A little over a year ago, I was looking on Craigslist one morning, and POOF, there is a 1969 Gibson RB-250. I was SURE I'd finally found the Ol' Man's long-lost 'first good banjo', missing for 45 years. But it wasn't. Just a few lousy numbers off. He bought it anyway. Mom (who doesn't understand good deals or hard assets) wrote me out of her will. 

Nearly every day I look for AC 76-418... we'll find it one day.

[eddievig]

I had a custom 6-string stolen from me in NYC at the Ritz in 1992. Luckily our manager made sure it was replaced by the venue's insurance, as all of the performers that night were told to leave their instruments in a defined "secure area" so we could do press. I had my eyes off it for 10 minutes tops... at least the emergency rental bass was acceptable. I also thought I would have run across it in the years since, but I'm guessing whoever stole it really likes it.

It is indeed great to see Sophia and Chad; I hope she gets what she wants from the experience, without all the baggage.

[rustyg61]

That's right.  And she seems to be dealing with the whole thing by recognizing it's just a "show" even when they try their best to make her cry on camera - which is pretty disgusting.  Chad says she hopes to NOT be the winner because the contracts the contestants are required to sign lock them into management and record deals for many years.  Yikes!!  And...  Ewwww!

Jimmy J

Best case scenario is she lasts long enough to get the attention of a label & she can sign her own deal on her terms! Like I said, I don't usually watch the show but I will watch & support her while she is on.

[David Houck]

... We can't bring ourselves to watch any of these "competition" style programs ...

I don't watch them either.

[bigredbass]

I try my best to steer clear of American Idle (sp intentional), but Mrs. Wilson likes it.  It makes for great conversation as she's watching it as a civilian, and I try and tell her what she's seeing and hearing, since I've spent a lot of time as the Magician's Assistant:  I know how they cut the woman in half and where the bunny was before it came out of the hat.  Though I did make her watch 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown', and she had no idea about recording musicians.  Now, I'm trying to explain to her about Carol Kaye, who she finds fascinating.  'Gimme Shelter' is a fave of hers and I had to clue her in about Merry Clayton, who cut her part in three takes, pregnant and in rollers (here with Queen Latifah and Darlene Love):

Like most of you, you can spot the few of them who've gigged and/or been around the business, and she immediately stood out to me.  She explained her dad was a drummer, and there's not a lot of 'Wackerman's in the phone book, so it was a hoot to find out that IS her dad.

I'd hope she gets enough exposure to help but falls short of the fat suits with cigars:  It seems like the quickest way to be in your own 'Behind the Music' 10 years from now.

[rustyg61]

Sophia is doing great! She made it to the next round which is in Hawaii so she’s in the top 40. Here’s a video of her performances from her Facebook page.


https://youtu.be/2yUINKQr8FE

[jacko]

Is travel to Hawaii allowed?  Hutch keeps posting messages on social media for everyone to stay away.

Graeme

[rustyg61]

I think the shows that are airing now were recorded a few months ago before the virus outbreak.

[JimmyJ]

Yeah, pre-recorded.  She was still going in the first Hollywood round which was done a few week ago.  They've suspended production now and I don't know how far they got.  Good that the contestants got a break to relax - and maybe get some legal advice on their contracts.   


Jimmy J

[lbpesq]

I try my best to steer clear of American Idle (sp intentional), but Mrs. Wilson likes it.  It makes for great conversation as she's watching it as a civilian, and I try and tell her what she's seeing and hearing, since I've spent a lot of time as the Magician's Assistant:  I know how they cut the woman in half and where the bunny was before it came out of the hat.  Though I did make her watch 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown', and she had no idea about recording musicians. 

“Standing in the Shadows of Motown” looks like one I’ll have to watch.   Another great documentary along those lines is the wonderful “20 Feet From Stardom” about the backup singers of the era.  And yes, Jimmy, you do look quite young in the above vid.  Were we ever really that young?  As Judy Collins sang, who knows where the time goes?

Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

“Standing in the Shadows of Motown” looks like one I’ll have to watch. 
Bill, tgo

Yes, Bill, you do have to watch that one - and if you haven't seen them, add The Wrecking Crew and Muscle Shoals to your list, as well.

Peter

[bigredbass]

Bill, 'Standing in the Shadows' is must-watch TV.  For me, more than anything else, Motown drove me to play bass, it just spoke to me, and to finally 'meet' these giants via this movie was so very moving for me, and the stories are worth the price of admission, and to see the surviving ones play was just good for me.  The story of Jamerson, pulled off a club gig (after more than a few adult beverages . .  .) to record 'What's Going On', laying on his back as he was having trouble remaining vertical, is just stunning.

[jacko]

Video removed. 

More JT from a show earlier this year presumably promoting the new album with Jimmy and Chad plus a handful of the usual suspects. Arnold McCuller is his usual astounding self. It's a long show but stick with it for Arnold's showpiece on Shower the people. Always sends chills down my spine.
I've seen James with Jimmy many times now but it never gets old.
Enjoy

Graeme

[lbpesq]

We watched the Motown documentary last night.  Great film!  Thanks for the head’s up. (We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread, in progress).

Bill, tgo

[JimmyJ]

Hey Graeme,

I hope you, Sandra and everybody else over there are safe sound.  Don't know if you're on lock-down yet but wishing you all the best. Let's hope we come out the other side of this with a better awareness of how to avoid it ever happening again.

Yes, that was JT promo from NYC done in the first week of March (we got out before it all hit the fan).  Well, thanks, I guess.  You'll notice that I never post videos of myself in this thread?  For a couple reasons I would prefer to keep it that way.  I'm here to chat with all you great players about Alembic, bass gear, playing experiences, etc., and I'm happy to hang out with everybody because I find you're a nice bunch of like-minded folks.  I am certainly not here for self-promotion and I find these vids to be somewhat embarrassing.

I also don't like to post music in the way that has become the norm now - for free.  Micro-penny (actual term) songwriting and publishing royalties from YouTube, Spotify, etc., when actually paid, do not amount to much.  I remember when songwriters could get some bucks from a "broadcast", sale, or live performance of their original music.  There is very little of that left in this "business" because music is now free.  Remember, I'm so old that I still buy albums from iTunes... 

I know there is a dedicated forum thread here for "what you're listening to now" and it's set up just to share the wide variety of music among the members.  I also know that the Dead were real trailblazers on sharing and it worked great for them and their followers.  I understand and accept all that - but just choose not to participate in that way.  So maybe we can leave it out of this thread in the future if that's ok with you all?  Thanks.

Best to everybody - stay safe.
Jimmy J