Musicians always need a place to play, to come together and share ideas. You see open mics, jam circles, and poetry readings where songwriters take turns performing their songs. Often, the musicians co-opt poetry readings, turning them into open mic nights.
For Chad Hinkle, who has drummed with bands, played guitar, and sang songs at just about every open mic or jam in the Orcutt and Santa Maria Valley for years, each format is fun, but each has its flaws too. He finally found a “new format” and began something of his own at CORE Winery in Orcutt.
The CORE Jam Showcase isn’t a folky jam circle, or a one-song apiece open mic, Hinkle explained.
“The CORE Jam is supposed to be more focused,” Hinkle said. “I’m inviting six acts–solo musicians or small groups–and giving them each a half an hour to do whatever they want.”
The CORE Jam began in September with two shows, and returns on Oct. 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the winery. The plan is to continue with one showcase each month, Hinkle said.
The showcase is a “little more formal than an open mic,” Hinkle explained, with some simple rules. First, it’s open to experienced amateurs and professionals. And second, whichever artist or group that signed up can choose to invite anyone else up to jam, but they control the time.
“You still get to focus like it’s your show,” he said. “That’s their time. If they ask me for a half hour, I’m just facilitating, like, ‘OK, it’s your half an hour.'”
Hinkle also curates the list of artists that come and play. He has reached out to musicians across the Central Coast via social media for upcoming CORE Jams and had a good response, he said. The upcoming event is booked solid already, but he still has open slots for November and December.
With so many of his friends in bands, Hinkle has brought local groups to the jam for their Santa Maria Valley debut, including a group out of SLO County.
“The other group last month that impressed everybody was Jasper and Jade, they’re from Morro Bay,” he said. “They did it where they start playing and the noisy wine bar all the sudden gets quiet and everyone listens. That’s cool. You’re music’s so good you shut people up.”
Other previous performers include local singer-songwriters who shared Hinkle’s desire for a regular live music event in Orcutt.
For Jim Lambertson–who performs professionally with his group the Clark St. Flyers, including at the last CORE Jam–he wanted a new place to play in Orcutt outside the jam circles.
“The common denominator kind of rules the day, the three chord songs, so I was kind of looking for another outlet to play,” he said. “The CORE thing is a great little venue for people who want to get out and show their stuff.”
The showcase has already garnered a good crowd, Hinkle said, to the point that CORE Winery owners Dave and Becky Corey asked him back every week.
For now though, Hinkle remains focused on having the monthly event feature talented locals, he said.
“It’s curated by a musician for musicians, which makes it something more than just booking music for our venue,” Becky told the Sun via email. “For Dave and me, it’s all about creativity and watching people flourish in our space no matter what kind of event we’re hosting. That’s our goal.”
The Oct. 28 CORE Jam will feature local musicians Joelyn Lutz, Joshua Lindblom, Mel Desembrana, Leonard, and the band Shining in the Dark. The artists have varied styles, Hinkle said, so the jam will appeal to everyone in the audience.
“I love doing this, and it’s fun to get people there,” he said. “I’m hoping it will get some legs and be a draw for people. And I hope it gives musicians a place to play and looks out for the business owners.”
Managing Editor Joe Payne might sign up for a slot soon himself. Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 18-25, 2018.