Posted on 07.19.2021

Volunteer Jam IX: New Highs and One Unfortunate Low - Soapbox Jr.

January 22, 1983

Volunteer Jam IX, the seventh one at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium was during my senior year in high school, and it was eventful to say the least. 

By this time, my “Hell No! I Don’t Have Any Jam Tickets!” shirt had been retired, and I lost count of how many of my fellow Mt. Juliet Bears football players went with me to the show.

There were new highs and one unfortunate low that I’ll talk about shortly.

Returning were Roy Acuff, Papa John Creach, Dobie Gray, Dickey Betts, Wet Willie’s Jimmy Hall, Johnny Lee, Grinderswitch, Carl Perkins, Quarterflash, Steve Walsh & Streets and The Winters Brothers Band, among others.

Tanya (or Tonya as dad always called her) Tucker made her Jam debut, along with Marty Robbins and comedian Jim Varney of “Ernest P. Worrell” fame, who would go on to star in several comedies based on the character who at the time was most famous for doing commercials in various markets. In Middle Tennessee, he was doing Purity milk commercials, in East Tennessee, it was a convenience store, and so forth.

Boxcar Willie also made his Jam debut, along with Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Band, and Dr. Hook who did – kind of – finally get “The Cover of Rolling Stone” (which is the actual title, even though it is sung “the Rolling Stone”) even if it was only a caricature and not their actual “picture.”

Two very different styles of music also debuted at VolJam XI, the first was Big Band/Swing with The Woody Herman Orchestra who probably was the first (and likely only) clarinet player at a Volunteer Jam.

The other major departure for a Jam was the introduction of soul music in the form of James Brown, who came with his whole entourage, including a horn section and an emcee.  James was just a few months shy of being 50 when he took the stage, but with the splits, and spins and dancing he pulled off, you would not know it. He definitely lived up to his moniker as “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business.”

But I do need to talk about one unfortunate aspect of James Brown’s performance. It was reported that James Brown got booed off the stage, but that was not the case. Here’s what actually happened.

James Brown got cheered when he took the stage. He did “Hot Pants/Cold Sweat,” “I Feel Good (I Got You)” and “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” and dad even sat in and played fiddle.

The problem was, and dad said this was his fault. He was a big James Brown fan and gave him about a 15-minute set, which was probably too much of a good thing, especially with his schtick of appearing too tired to continue and being walked off the stage several times seemed to get old to some fans who were ready for the next act to take the stage. That and James Brown’s emcee repeating “James Brown! James Brown! James Brown!” countless times probably went over really well at one of his shows where all the fans were there to see the Godfather of Soul, but at the Jam, probably way after midnight, some in the crowd seemed to get to the point of being fatigued by all the hyping and faux exiting that was part of his trademark that by the time he did finally walk off the stage, there was a faint chorus of boos below the applause and cheers.

It was a very different style of music than what usually was performed at the Jam, and I think a little went a long way, especially all the hyping. 

Before somebody starts screaming “racism,” as the reason for the booing, I don’t believe that was the case. Many African American artists had taken to the Jam stage before, and never gotten booed. Neither Dobie Gray, Rufus Thomas, Papa John Creach, Bobby Jones & New Life, BC&M Mass Choir nor Allman Bros. percussionist, Jaimoe ever got booed at a Volunteer Jam, I just think a couple of songs and a quick exit would have not resulted in the boos, but regardless, they happened, and it was disappointing, but I think way more people enjoyed the spectacle than did not.

Despite that unfortunate aspect of the show, the Jam was another sellout success story, and they would be back at it the following year for another landmark show, the tenth anniversary with Volunteer Jam X.

There will be plenty more surprises at Volunteer Jam: A Musical Salute to Charlie Daniels less than a month away on August 18, 2021 at Bridgestone Arena. Get tickets HERE

“Ain’t it good to be alive and be in Tennessee!”

Let’s all make the day count!

What do you think?

Pray for our troops, our police, the Peace of Jerusalem and our nation.

God Bless America!

#BenghaziAintGoingAway #End22

—  Charlie Daniels, Jr.

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU POST

Feel free to comment on soapboxes, but please refrain from profanity and anonymous posts are not allowed, we need a name and you MUST provide a valid email address. If you provide an email address, but leave the name as "Anonymous" we will pick a name for you based on your email address. No one other than website administrators will see your email address, not other posters. If you post without a valid email address, your comment (whether positive or negative) will be deleted. — TeamCDB/BW

?€‹

 

 

Check out "Geechi Geechi Ya Ya Blues" from Beau Weevils - 'Songs in the Key of E'

 

 

Comments

#6
Was this the jam that Link Wray also took the stage. I was present for a 1/2 dozen jams starting with 4. All the talent gets scrambled over time. It would be extra cool if someone with the knowledge would create an artist and setlist for all the jams. I would buy one for sure.
Posted by Richard
Oh, what a night!
My one and only trip backstage. Remember meeting Tommy and Charlie H. but unfortunately not your dad. Went to after party at Hyatt, rode on elevator with James Brown, and ended up at WSM hospitality room. That's where I met this tired, worn out looking fella who kept on bumming smokes off me. We must have gone through a couple of packs ( and as many beers). Finally got around to introductions. He said, my name is Joel but everyone calls me Taz.
Posted by Tyson
CDB
I joined CDB fanclub mid 80s found my cerchief few days ago and membership card. Never seen J. Brown live but he seemed to be quite a superior performer and would be hard to acept Anyone could or would ever give him a 'boo' After all Papa got that brand new bag. Thank you Charlie found yer music 'bout '74.
Posted by John
Booed?!?!?
How rude that anyone would boo this genius icon! With such a lack of focus or patience seems as though they were too “young,” to be there! He is owed respect, he earned it!
Posted by Donna
James Brown
I love James Brown . But completely agree with you that in a 15 minute set to put on those theatrics was ill conceived. If my favorite band AC/DC did that? I'd be mad. Lol. Anyway miss your dad a lot. I have seen him at least a half dozen times. Always incredible . One time. He was opening for Travis Tritt and while I love Tritt we left four songs in his set because it was too slow and we were bored. Maybe Tritt just decided to do a bunch of slow songs at first. Who knows. But I know anyone has got to be nervous following Charlie Daniel's. Because you cant. At best you can keep them entertained , but you will not top his performance. Ever. It's been a long time since I have seen him live. Early 2000's. But man oh man . First time was the Country Comfort tour in 97 . Headlined by Hank Jr. Charlie blew them all away.Sad I never got to see him one last time
Posted by Rob
James Brown boos
Thanks for the clarification, Charlie. There are many ties between Black and White Americans and we need unity because we are brothers and sisters.
Posted by Craig
Vol Jam VI
I flew down from snowy Buffalo, NY to see this show. I bought 10 buck face value ticket from scalper for $25. Best 25 I ever spent! CDB forever.....
Posted by Willie