Following jam bands is a blast because of the music, places you see and
cool people you meet. Jam band journals are great ways to keep track of
your shows.
Jam Band Journals
Undoubtedly, the Grateful Dead was the greatest jam band in history,
but others such as String Cheese Incident have carried on the
tradition. Whatever your favorite band is, think back to the last show
you saw. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about the first time
you ever saw the band. Do you remember the set, people you met and so
on? Probably not. The experiences you’ve forgotten are lost to time. If
you had kept a jam band journal, this wouldn’t be the case.
There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time.
Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne
kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from
the Nazis. While your show experiences better be more lighthearted,
keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.
A good jam band journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it
should be compact so you don’t have to take up unnecessary space for
other things. Second, it should have a case to protect it from the
elements. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write email
address, phone numbers and set lists. Fourth, the journal should
contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues
should include:
1. Set list,
2. Location and directions,
3. Accommodations and camping information, if any,
4. People you met, email addresses and phone numbers,
5. Grub and grog,
6. High points of the show, and
7. Any unique things that occurred.
As the shows add up, you’ll be able to look back through your journal
to past shows, find information to locate people and generally laugh
yourself silly about things that happened. Don’t lose your experiences
to time.
