As the overhead lights dimmed on the crowded, a standing room only audience lowered their voices to a dull murmur, and the spotlights lit up a stage of unlikely rock stars. Band in a Hat (BIAH)
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As the overhead lights dimmed on the crowded, a standing room only audience lowered their voices to a dull murmur, and the spotlights lit up a stage of unlikely rock stars. Band in a Hat (BIAH) #14 was officially underway, and after waiting for three years due to Covid restrictions, Jamestown continued what has become one of its most iconic and anticipated events.
The first group to kick off the show were seven children, “The Wildcats,” as they called themselves that evening, started off with a set of songs that showcased an original by nine-year-old songwriter Skyla Rutledge, celebrating the town of Jamestown. They performed three more songs; “Could Have Been Me,” originally by The Struts, and taken from the soundtrack Sing II, “Wake Me When September Ends” by Greenday, and “Don’t Worry be Happy” by the late Bobby McFerrin.
Following the Wildcats was the Borsalino Brothers, performing a set list of random musical gems that seemed to be plucked out of a hat by random coincidence, which is exactly what The Band in a Hat concept is. “Dare to Suck!” is the mantra of the evening, although the quality of the musicianship is usually much better than the name might suggest.
In February, musicians living in the Peak to Peak area enter their names into a “hat” according to instrument preference. Six weeks later, the Jamestown Area Artist and Musicians (J.A.M for the Arts, the nonprofit that creates, funds, and oversees many of the events in Jamestown) meets and performs the drawing part of this ritual by taking the musicians names and throwing them into a hat. Categories include guitar, drums, vocals, bass guitar, and other, which includes more specialized instrumentation such as percussion, flute, or anything that doesn’t fit into another more traditional category.
One by one the names are drawn from the hat and the musicians are gathered into their respective bands. This year there were four bands. One was a kids’ band, while the other three bands were made up of randomly chosen adults. The Borsalino brothers, Audio Potluck, and Jump the Land Shark were then given six weeks to create a set list and practice it, before the performance at the Jamestown Town Hall.
Robert Hastings, a long-time event participant, spoke about this year’s event. “I’m a vocalist. I’ve been in BIAH since its inception, which was inspired by an amateur Motown night - I did ‘I heard it through the grapevine’ that year.”
Hastings explained the timing and its original purpose. “The timing, February, is important - mountain folks are getting cabin fever - and by the date of the performance it’s warmed up and gotten lighter. A perfect way to welcome spring.”
There were also new participants to the event, “First time. Never even heard of it before.” Carl Schelin, also of the Borsalino Brothers explained, “I enjoyed it a lot. I never thought I could quickly learn five songs well enough to actually play them on stage reasonably well. Doing it really pushed me out of my comfort zone and as a result is having me examine my potential and trying some less structured learning. I think just getting up on stage, even though I was sweating and shaking just a little at the knees, is a great experience.”
J.A.M president and event organizer Laura Williams reported, “together we raised over $1,000 profit to benefit JAM. That is incredible for one night! This money will be used to support The Arts in the future, including upgrading our venues and equipment while directly supporting artists and musicians in many other ways!”