A Nod at the Jamboree

This weekend, back in the Ohio Valley where I grew up, is the Jamboree in the Hills, which is billed as The Superbowl of Country Music.  This is a major anniversary, since the first celebration was 30 years ago.  I worked as an EMT in the First Aid booth in 1977.  I believe my youngest sister worked Concessions for a couple years.

I called her last evening to ask if she and her hubby had made reservations.  She said the most she did was to write each of their names on Raffle Tickets at the corner mart.
They did not win the prize of 4 Free Passes to the Jamboree.
Whatever.  She’s alright with fate.

This year’s show line-up brings in Brad Paisley and John Corbett, a couple of Valley boys who made good out in the wide world.

The second name is the one which caught my eye.
He is the same John Corbett who played Chris on the TV show Northern Exposure.

I was in a season of life when I needed a bit of calm.  My sons were in grade school and seemed like they were always needing a ride to somewhere.
I had a job near campus as a waitress, and Husband was the owner of a camera repair business.
Childcare arrangements and meal preparation seemed to take up way too much time and energy.

But one evening a week, this voice would come out of the TV, soft yet deeply manly.  Reading poetry, or some bit of wisdom, or introducing an obscure piece of music.
I loved Chris in the morning on the KBHR radio.

Not too long ago, probably while galloping across the Internet, I learned there was an album of him as the lead in a band.

Having been given a very nice Gift Card for my birthday a month ago, I decided the CD would be some good fun.

The title of the album is simply his name, John Corbett, and the band is the John Corbett Band.  Might as well use the name recognition from all his film work.

I’ve listened to the album a couple times.  I’d say its category falls into Country, and the proof is his invitation to the Jamboree.  One song is about a strong marriage, and another is about being out of a job, with great reference to Johnny Cash.
He’s very earnest with the singing, and the pronunciation of words is quite accurate, although I detect a slight Valley accent, which I don’t hear during regular speech.

I don’t know if he can read the notes of music, but he manages to hit each of them with his voice.  He doesn’t take a huge gasp of air at improper places, but I’d say a coach and lessons for the timing of his breathing might be a good thing for the long run.

The musicians are very good.  A couple of the songs have some nice riffs in the middle.  My son, the guitar performance music major, tells me times like these can be important when a band is learning about being together and giving honors.

I’m a couple states away from the Jamboree, but I am glad I got the CD of one of the acts.  And if the John Corbett Band ever comes to the middle of the Illinois prairie,
I’ll be in the audience.
~~love and Huggs, Diane