HOF Ham & Jam Tribute

Tribute to the Ham & Jam 1999-2008

Even though the Ham & Jam was not sponsored by the Hall of Fame, it was one of the most significant musical events in the area for the 10 years that it was held. Each year, the stage was full of members of the Hall and other musicians who would later be inducted into the Hall. This page pays tribute to the Ham & Jam.

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The idea for the Ham & Jam came from Rick Waggoner's friend, J.C. Dill from Georgetown, IL, who parked his camper next to Rick's at Sullivan County Park & Lake. J.C. was not a musician, but loved a good party. In the summer of 1999, he asked Rick, "If I was to get us a pig and roast it, do you think you could get some fellers to pick some music, and we could have us a party for the campers in Campground G?" Rick started calling his musician friends, including Terry Wenzel, Brad Anderson, Rob Lane, Jim Cheek, Al Winn, Tom Fagin and Rick Chesterfield.

Another friend and fellow camper, Tom Schaffer of St. Mary's, GA, said: "If we're going to do a pig and have some pickin', we need to call it Ham & Jam". So the first Ham & Jam was held on the second Saturday of August, 1999, under a little shelter house in Campground G.

The first Ham & Jam attracted close to 200 people. Each year thereafter, the Ham & Jam attracted more people and musicians. In 2002, it was moved from the red shelter to a large field in Campground G to accommodate the larger crowd. By 2006, the Ham & Jam had become such a big event that it was drawing musicians and audiences from many surrounding counties.

Terry Wenzel soon became a partner in putting on the events, lending his skills with electrical wiring. In later years when a stage was needed, he obtained materials and built the stage.

About one week before the 2004 Ham & Jam, J.C. said, "This has been great, do you think we can do ten of them?" Unfortunately, 2004 was the last Ham & Jam that J.C. was able to attend. He became ill early in 2005 and passed away later that year.

2005 was the only year that weather affected the event. The band equipment was set up and the meal was served, but as the musicians took the stage, a heavy rain moved in. The weather broke about 30 minutes later, and the music was re-started. However, a short time later the rain returned and the rest of the night was cancelled.

The tenth and final Ham & Jam was held August 9, 2008, and again it was a great party - a beautiful August night, with cool temperatures, great music and great friends.

J. C. had a great idea in 1999, and would have been proud.

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