Sean C. Morgan
Seeking a little Saturday evening entertainment? Some mellow tunes, perhaps with a little java mixed in?
Welcome to Song and Grind.
After a summer break, John McIntosh and Steve Burtch kicked off their monthly jam session Saturday night at Fir Lawn Lutheran Church.
The pair of local musicians started Song and Grind at the American Legion Hall in September 2012, which attracted about 30 people over four nights, featuring four different groups of musicians.
Participation began waning as people started getting busy for the summer, so they took a few months off after moving to Fir Lawn, McIntosh said. Now they’re back, and though the numbers were a little down Saturday night 18, including four musicians, they plan to hold the event through the winter and spring. The plan is to keep it going for about six months, before taking a likely hiatus again during the summer.
At the Song and Grind, held at 7 p.m. on the last Saturday of the month at Fir Lawn, local musicians are welcome to showcase their music, and others are invited to listen, drink coffee and eat donuts.
McIntosh and Burtch encourage blues, classical, coffee house and singer-songwriter styles of music, though they’re open to all kinds of music within a few bounds.
“We want a variety, just low-key and safe, McIntosh said. It’s a family-friendly event, the kind to which he wants to be able to bring his daughter.
“We’re hoping people will adopt it, he said.
Playing in front of an audience is more fun than just writing, playing an recording, McIntosh said. “It may be that people don’t have a place to play and would want one.
It’s a place to play, and a place to hang out, he said. “It’s fun to play, and it’s usually a really responsive group. You can just sing to the people. I like to see other people play too.
Guitarist and singer Dave Zentzis attended for the first time Saturday night.
“I’ve been trying to get down here for several months, he said. “I like it. These guys are great. I just like to meet people who play.
It gives him a chance to get out and get used to playing in front of other people, he said. He was in a garage band when he was younger, and now he often plays his guitar while watching TV, and he’s never really performed for an audience.
He plans to continue participating, he said.
“It’s fun to do the singalongs, Burtch said. “We’ve had some young people and some older people.
It’s a friendly “unintimidating atmosphere, he said.
Information about Song and Grind can be found on Facebook under “Sweet Home Song and Grind. For further information, contact McIntosh at (541) 367-5651 or Burtch at (541) 818-0630.