A "Jammer" is defined as one who spends time making improvised music...as practice, for fun, or to experiment with new songs or techniques. Here at Sunscape we have a few of the "originals." However, the Littles and Don Livingston were unavailable for interview.

Dennis Harvey and his wife, Lorraine, have been residents of Sunscape since 1991. Dennis began playing the harmonica when he "was just a kid," but until arriving here he had only played for family and friends. At that time entertainers were hired by the park to work for the season. Dennis played with the Desert Country Musicians, who are sill active in this area. They played throughout Pinal County, sometimes doing 15 or more performances a week. After a while Dennis was unable to keep up that pace and about that time, jammers began here.

A true jam session is informal and protocol is that you must be invited to participate. Some played homemade instruments. Mary Delker and Dallas Stalker used a washtub with a stick and a string to play like a bass! Of course there were spoons as well. What a talented and generous troupe of entertainers our jammers are!

At the time, folks other than musicians wanted to participate, either reading or reciting cowboy poetry. Some musicians wanted to bring their own "backup" rather than using the group. Things are different now. Jamming is in.

Jack Mitchell is an essential part of "jam night." Without him turning knobs as he says, the music would not be heard. Jack has been doing the sound board for over 9 years. He say that when he first started, the sound board had only 4 "knobs" to turn. Then we updated to one that had about 17. The present one has over 600 controls. Jack takes little credit for his work on the sound board, but he does give credit to Betty Livingston who, he says, is his right arm in the sound booth. She was the one who showed him how to make people sound good. He also gives credit to Jeff Ellis, who designed the sound board so it is top of the line. He says he only "turns knobs", but without him we would not be enjoying Wednesday night jams as much.

Not only do they entertain us each week, but they also support many worthwhile causes with our donations when the hat is passed at each session. The jammers paid for the sound system in the Community Center. We have a professional level sound system worth several thousand dollars. It is used for our park meeting, the church services, many park activities, i.e. the play, the Talent Show, Bingo, etc. The only part of the sound system that was paid for by the park was the sound board, which (according to Jack Mitchell) was the least of the cost.

The fourth Wednesday of each month is Gospel Night for the jammers. The donations from that night go to Home of Hope here in Casa Grande. The Home of Hope (part of Teen Challenge of Arizona) is a Christian-based organization that provides a home for women fighting drug and/or alcohol addiction and they are allowed to have their children with them. Home of Hope is completely sponsored by donations.

The Lord's Pantry is a mission of the United Methodist Church of Eloy. The Lord's Pantry is a program that is open to anyone. They have also been blessed by donations from the jammers, as well as the food donations from our congregation on the first Sunday of each month.

Our own quilters have also been recipients of the funds. When it was brought to the jammers' attention that some of the ladies were buying the batting for he quilts from their own funds, the jammers shared their bounty with the quilters so that they were also able to continue their charity work.

These are but a few of the good causes that they have helped. So if you hear of a group that could use a leg-up, contact Maggie Mitchell for their consideration.