Sean C. Morgan
Steve Magnolia and his blues band, Symplistic Soles, have started hosting a regular blues jam at the Woods Roadhouse.
The Woods opened in the old Waterhole Tavern last year after being closed long-term for remodeling.
“We wanted to get The Woods kicked back off,” Magnolia said. “I suggested we get a little blues jam going.”
Magnolia is involved in running jams across the Mid-Valley, Albany, Lebanon and Philomath, he said. Three years ago he put on a three-day blues festival at Cheadle Lake in Lebanon.
Sweet Home doesn’t have much going on in the blues area, he said.
“It was just to bring some kind of live music to the Sweet Home area,” Magnolia said. He discussed it with his band and suggested they host it. Band members agreed to see what they could do to help out The Woods, now managed by Nan Kenyon, a friend of Magnolia’s.
“Everybody’s welcome to come out and play,” said Edie Wilcox, Magnolia’s girlfriend.“
The Woods held its first jam on March 27, and they will be held every other Friday. The next two will be held on April 10 and April 24.
Musicians should sign up beginning at 7 p.m., with music starting at 8 p.m. The jams are scheduled to run until 11 p.m., although if enough people are around, they could run until 1 a.m.
“We kind of tag team in and out,” Magnolia said, but if anyone comes in with his or her own squad, they’re welcome to play.
The focus is on the blues, Magnolia said.
“Come out and have a good time. It’s something to do on a Friday night.”