On a clear, crisp, sunny morning, rolling thru the beautiful Tennessee hills just east of Nashville, we’re headed for the 4th Annual Southern Rock Jam A Que 2008. Having never been to one, I have to wonder what the day will bring. As we park our beat up old multi-colored van, I see folks milling around, cooking dogs and burgers, loading coolers with ice, and greeting each other like only old friends do. I see so many faces that I recognize only from pictures on the web. Folks that have been such an influence on me, not just in music, but also in the way they give back, and help out, and just being good decent folks. So, we unload our gang and proceed with a big tray of BBQ chicken towards the food tent. Smiles and big friendly “hey ya, how ya doin” are the greetings we receive. Feeling so much better about being “new” to this crowd, I turn my attention to the stage. And geez, I see three small figures up on the stage working it like old pro’s…man I gotta go on after these guys!!! Oh boy, this is gonna be so much fun!!! Looking around I see so many folks hugging and laughing, I think I’m at a family reunion. And the setting could not have been better, nestled in the rolling Tennessee hills, spring in full bloom, just like a postcard, only better. I begin to look for Scott Braswell, knowing he’s working the stage and wanting to let him know we’ve arrived. I spot him next to a beautiful lady seated in a lawn chair. I walk over and introduce myself, and geez, it’s Monica Perry talking with Scott. Now I’ve heard her sweet voice many a time, but never did I think I’d be shaking her hand. Wow, this day is sure gonna be one to remember. So with business taken care of I again turn my attention to the stage. One band after another proceeds to lay down some great tunes, with folks joining in and all having a wonderful time. Then I see Bruce, he’s greeting folks, handling issues, helping with this and that, but never to busy to take time and say “HEY”. He greets me like we went to high school together, so very cool. Then oh geez, I spot Jo Jo walking over to the tent. Well I gather up my courage and walk over and introduce myself, and she gives me a big hug. I know I stammered something stupid to her, being so nervous and all, but she gracefully breezes past it and just plan makes me feel right at home. So now I’m really feeling great, having meet my all time favorite First Lady of Rock & Roll. And man, I could do this name dropping deal all day, as so many legends of southern rock are just milling around and having a good time. Each one, so very gracious and friendly, it’s all so very cool. Relaxing now and listening to some sweet tunes coming from the stage I realize the music is only one of the reasons for this gathering. The most important one being the friendship, heck it’s more like kinship. Well, after a bit, it’s now our turn on the big stage. We jammed thru a few tunes and big as can be, old “Coconut” jumped up with us and worked that harp as only he can!!! Very, very groovie!!! Well, after way to short a time, we finished our set with Scott Braswell hammering out the lead to our song Raging Fire like he wrote it. Outstanding!!! Walking off stage I felt what I can only describe as a warm glow. Maybe I’m just too sentimental and all, but I sure did feel the love that day. I know this day will always be a high water mark for me for so many reasons. Not just that we played and all, but because of the fine folks we can now proudly call friends. Driving back home that night, I just had to wonder… what if the entire world would just take a day and have a good old-fashioned southern BBQ.

Bruce Wall: Thanks Guys!! It was a great pleasure and honor to finally meet ya'll. Awfully glad to have ya as part of the family.

The Terry Eckard Band was a wonderful and natural addition to this year's line up. They performed their brand of Southern Blues seemlessly. I can not tell you how many comments I recieved about the amazing playing of Terry and the Band. We can't wait to see them hopefully next year.