Jimmy "Flim" Johnson

[jacko]

My apologies Jimmy. I've taken the video down. I'm sure anyone interested will be able to find it themselves.

Over here in Scotland we've been in full lockdown since 24th March so no unnecessary travel. Medical and basic shopping only.  All cinemas, restaurants, theatres, pubs and takeaways are closed. All my gigs are cancelled till the end of June at least. There's to be no gatherings of more than 2 people outside family groups (although there are the inevitable idiots who don't feel the rules apply to them). My kids and grandkids all live around 10 or 12 miles away so we won't be seeing them for the duration. At present a lot of companies are still delivering but there's a rumour this morning that they may even shut down the postal service. The government have told us it'll be a minimum of 3 months but more likely 6 (or more) before we start to get back to normal. Our home is out in the country so we have plenty walking on the doorstep and I have my garden to maintain otherwise it's TV, books and HiFi when I'm not practicing.
Hope everyone on your side of the pond are taking all the necessary precautions and staying out of trouble. 

Graeme

[jazzyvee]

Hey Jacko, I hope you guys are ok up there. I've had a couple of gigs cancelled and I expect many more will follow soon.
I've been out a couple of times just to do shopping and know a few people who have been told to self isolate and a one guy had the virus after going skiing in Spain two weeks ago.

[JimmyJ]

Well my friends, as expected James Taylor has announced that the May-July tour with Jackson Browne is being postponed.  Sorry to Rusty, Mike, Greggory, Ed, and anybody else holding tickets.  I'm sure all these shows will be reschedule for as soon as we're allowed to gather in public again.  But the new dates won't be announced until we understand more about the back side of this thing. 

Social isolation makes me realize that I am probably my most social right in here.  HA!  So at least we can carry on online, do some solid practicing, listen and be inspired by great music, and do some "file exchange" style recording in the meantime.

Everybody hang in there and be safe.  Best wishes all around.
Jimmy J

[edwardofhuncote]

Stay safe yourself out there Jimmy J. Thanks for all your contributions both here and musically. We'll catch your act whenever it resumes. 

[lbpesq]

Shouldn’t it more accurately be called “physical distancing” as opposed to “social distancing”?    Imagine if this had happened 30 years ago before we had developed our current on-line society?  Having the ability to invite you all over through my iPad is definitely a grounding influence during these crazy times.  Stay safe.

Bill, tgo

[rustyg61]

Hey Jimmy, I'm sad to hear that but not surprised. I've waited 9 years to meet you so I can wait a little longer! I just hope I'm off on the rescheduled date. I'm pulling my live rig out of the closet today & blowing the cobwebs out if I can remember how to hook it up! LOL! I started going direct 4 years ago & haven't played through my amp since!

Even though the virus is making us stay physically apart, in a way it has brought the whole world closer together as we all fight this common enemy. Hopefully it will teach humanity to lay aside our petty differences & focus on the important things in life like staying alive!

Stay safe everyone!

Rusty

[eddievig]

Hey all,
As bassists, we can set the example for everyone in this quarantine era.
We're used to laying back, being prepared for anything, and flattening the curve of a drummer's tempo.
I have also been asked to wear a mask before but that's a whole other issue
I've been working from home, set up in my music space...so I am actually getting some practicing done between Zoom meetings. Focusing on that has been very healthy from a mental perspective.

Best to all,
Ed V

[jellybean_red]

Hi Jimmy (and all)!

I'm the guy that had the Alembic circuit board for sale.  I have sold it AND someone in the club actually found the original Alembic bass that I bought in 1978!  It is now in Germany and is up for sale on Reverb!  Thanks to all the folks who helped me out!

Jimmy - you can call me Mr. Bean, but most people call me Allen or "Funky White Boy".      I told you I had a story, so here it is.  About 10 years ago, my wife and I had tickets to see James Taylor at HersheyPark.  I was really excited to see you!  The night before the concert I had a dream which I remember vividly (no - not that kind of dream!). In the dream, my wife and I were sitting in the audience waiting for the concert to start, when my friend, Larry Perini, who does sound for many events at Hershey, got on stage, paged me, and asked that I come back stage immediately!  When I got to the backstage area, Larry told me that Jimmy Johnson had gotten extremely ill and can't do the concert.  He handed me charts for the whole set and your bass and kind of kicked my ass on stage.  I remember vividly playing all the songs and that I did well enough that James gave thumbs up several times during the show.  Crazy, huh?  At the actual concert it rained, but we thoroughly enjoyed the concert and listening to you nail everything you played, Jimmy!

So that's my story (and I'm sticking to it)!

[JimmyJ]

Hey Allen,

Thanks for subbing for me at Hershey Park, I appreciate that!  Would that have been July 23rd, 2003?  My set list from that show says "heavy rain throughout" which forced us to skip intermission and pull a couple tunes.  Tough to attend a show under those circumstances in a wide open venue like that so thanks for coming and hanging. 

Thanks for the story.  Good to know there are licensed Alembic operators close by in case of emergency. 

Jimmy J

[jellybean_red]

Hey Jimmy!  I would gladly sub for you anytime!        .     

You're probably correct on the HersheyPark concert date!  You must keep track of where you've performed.  It was miserable weather, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Sorry to hear your JT tour has been postponed.  This pandemic is really hard on all off us who are involved with live music!!  Hope it all ends soon!

Stay safe and healthy.  I'm looking forward to seeing the foremost licensed Alembic operator on earth perform again!

[jazzyvee]

There are licenced Alembic operators and then there are the higher graded JJ Approved Licenced  Alembic operators. :-)

[lbpesq]

Hey, I know that dream!  Except in mine I’m at a Dead show, Bob Weir gets sick, and I stand in.   Of course there is a basis in reality for this common fantasy.   Back in the 70’s the Who were playing at the Cow Palace in South San Francisco when Keith Moon passed out twice.   Pete Townsend asked for volunteer drummers and actually picked someone out of the audience to play drums for the rest of the show.  The guy still lives in Marin County (just south of Alembic) and there is a story in the papers about him and that night every couple of years or so.

Bill, tgo

[David Houck]

I had to look it up.  His name was Scot Halpin.

[JimmyJ]

Allen,

I'm sure we'll get out your way again but I just don't know when...  It's hard to think about large public gatherings while we're just turning the corner on "the curve" of this thing.  Yikes.

Yes, I looked that show up.  I'm kind of the band librarian which includes archiving the set lists.  And I add notes as to what if anything was odd about that evening's show.  If I don't make a note of it, all the gigs, venues, and hotels just run together in my head.   

Thanks Jazzy, you're very kind.

Yes indeed there are some amazing stories of people jumping in to save the day!  In 2003 while on the road with James Taylor and enjoying a day off, Steve Gadd had a medical situation which landed him in the hospital and out of commission for a few days.  Amazingly, Scott Hoffman who was the tour's drum tech is also a solid drummer.  And after some quick discussions it was decided that he could SUB for Gadd for the remaining 3 shows of that week.  And he did a great job!  He had been sitting right behind Steve listening to the set for a couple months so he certainly knew the music.  Some big shoes to fill (!!) but he saved the tour - and earned himself a nice bonus.

Cheers everybody,
Jimmy J

[StephenR]

Another Scott saving the day... what is it with drummers named Scott?

Stay safe everyone!