I think it is impossible to understand what "The JAM" is all about without knowing a little about a young man named "Jonathan."
Jonathan was born in New Orleans on Nov. 21st, 1982. He is the only member of our family to have been born in Louisiana. A fact he was quite proud of. {One day, it is a dream of mine to have "The JAM" in New Orleans}. That would tickle Jonathan, for sure.
He was a big New Orleans Saints fan. A huge, die hard Saints fan. He was big time concerned when, after Hurricane Katrina, the Saints might move out of New Orleans. Flatly against that. Win or lose, he did his best to always watch every game, no matter what part of the country he was in.
Growing up, he never lived in the same town where he had other family; cousins, grand parents, etc. He never went to the same school two years in a row. He was very smart, but bored with school. He was not good at sports and didn't fit in most of the "clicks" that kids have. He did not have a mean bone in his body. He saw the best in everybody and got hurt and disappointed a lot. He did not have the best of luck with girls.
When he was around 11 years old, his world was totally shattered and turned upside down. His Mom decided to move to Florida, taking his older brother, Justin, with her. Jonathan wanted to stay with me. I was teaching in Oklahoma at the time, doing some training films and lectures over our satellite network. Running sound for the video and satellite lectures was a very talented guy named Kevin Fitzgerald. Kevin is the guy that turned Jonathan on to music. That was it.
Music filled all the holes in Jonathan's life. He lived to be on stage and performing for people. Quite literally, everything else in life was an inconvenience and a distraction. If he could, he would have divided his day into three parts: sleeping, practicing, and performing (and eating every now and then). Sometimes I think he quite literally hurt when he wasn't in front of people. No fear. No stage fright. From the very first time people watched Jonathan play, he was never nervous. In fact, he lived for that moment and it was all he wanted to do.
By far, he was not perfect. In those difficult teenage years, he did his best to stay on my last nerve. He was in the process of maturing and growing up and figuring out what life was all about when he passed away on Nov. 6th, 2006. He died in Orlando, FL. I talked to him 8 times that weekend: 7 of those times was about music. Music really was his life. Sometimes I feel very bad. When I think about Jonathan now, most of it is about him and his music. Writing songs, telling me about new songs, telling me about what he wanted to do, what he has done, etc.
His funeral was by far the most difficult thing I have ever experienced. I remember thinking at the service, "Is this it?" A half filled church in a town so far away, and a preacher saying some stuff that had never met him. "Is this it?"
(By the way, Jonathan had on his Deuce McAllister Saints jersey at the funeral service).
When I got back to Louisiana from the funeral, my friend, Trent Bourgeois, had written a song for Jonathan and me called "Jammin' With Jesus." I think that may have been where the concept for "The JAM" it started. If you haven't heard it and would like to: Audio Version / Video of Trent performing at his c.d. release party.
I have heard that people in New Orleans sometimes have a different kind of funeral. They dance, sing, and it is a celebration of life. They do not sit around and cry. A New Orleans Style Funeral. The JAM is a derivative of that. It is a big musical event, one in which, I know Jonathan would love to be a part of. I know he gets to watch it. I was not so sure the first year, but now I am positive.
Many special people that Jonathan and I love attend. Kevin Fitzgerald, the guy that took Jonathan to pick out his first 3 guitars, engineered Jonathan's 3 song c.d., dirt bike motorcycle riding buddy, and close friend has not missed yet. He has his own recording studio in Norman, OK and has a great band. I hope he brings them down and performs.
What The JAM IS NOT: It is not a pity party for me. I do not want the title of "World's Greatest Mourner" or "World's Greatest Dad." Some get it and some don't. That's O.K. I do not want to see anyone sad or girls crying on the day of The JAM. It is different and some people do not understand. Already, there are a few that are upset because I am not doing it on Lake Maurepas. There are some that are mad because I am doing it in the Pierre Part area. But.....there are some that are so great and understanding.
The first time I talked to Don Rich, he wanted to know all about Jonathan. For someone to be as talented and well know as Don Rich, Jonathan would have liked that. Jonathan also would have no problem with pretty girls wearing a t-shirt with his name and likeness on it. Of that I am sure.
A lot gets said about our "little party" for Jonathan. Most of it is wonderful and very kind. Some of it is very mean and bitter. I have been accused of being exploiting his name and being mercenary. Believe what you like. The JAM is NOT a benefit or a fundraiser. It is a day of great music. A big party, one that I am sure Jonathan gets to watch, and would love to be a part of. Rarely does anyone ever get to do something special and huge for a loved one after they have passed. I am blessed to have that privilege. I am fortunate enough to have many friends that really know me and what it is all about and help. I want to build something that will last. In fact, I hope it goes on long after I am gone. I have young friends that I am confident can and will carry it on. We just need to lay a good solid foundation. I hope to tie our party to doing something good. My passions are promoting live local music, our places on the water, and supporting river patrols, law enforcement, and EMS. I am combining all of this together this year.
It would be much simpler and easier to tie the event to some good and worthy charity. I get this suggestion a lot. Our party for Jonathan is not about charity.
I have some great friends in my life and meet and know some wonderful people. Some are talented musicians. Some have businesses and help us pull it off by sponsoring and advertising. It will be the best production that me (and my friends) can put on. "Just Good Music."
I look forward, one day, to talking to Jonathan about The JAM. Maybe watching future JAM's with him. That would be very cool. Hopefully, most will understand, The JAM is NOT ego driven. Rather, it is faith based and love driven. It is not about me, it is about a little guy named Jonathan and his love for music. It is not about being the biggest event around, more about being the best event we can put on. I hope to see you there.
Rob
P.S. Now you know everything there is to know about our little party.