Name? Jeffrey Allen Beam
Birthday? September 13, 1966
Bands you are currently in? I’m not currently a member of a band at this time. This year I’ve
performed with Clay McClinton, Tequila Sunrise, Refugee, Sean Patrick McGraw, Steve Jochum,
The GeezeCats, Logan Wells, Jami Ross, The Alan Greene Band featuring Mr. Stress, and I have
also been playing two to three times a month with Ed Sarley and Friends at the Mad Cactus on
Thursday nights.
How did you end up in your current band? My girlish figure.
Other bands you have been in? Guilty Party, The Simpletons, The Mike Farley Band, The Tony
Lang Band, The GeezeCats, Billy Yates and Qynnes Horse.
What instruments do you play? Bass guitar, string bass, and acoustic guitar.
Age you started playing? I took piano lessons at age six, I started playing guitar around age 13,
and didn’t start playing bass until the ripe old age of 22. Many times I’ve had musicians (usually
guitar players) try to fit me into the stereotype that “bass players are frustrated guitar players.”
I like to think I was a frustrated bass player trying to play guitar.
Influences? James Jamerson, Chuck Rainey, David Hungate, Anthony Jackson, Guy Pratt, Pino
Palladino, and Will Lee.
Favorite local artist? I can’t pick just one so here’s a few: Joe Rohan, Mr. Stress, Alan Greene,
Skinny Moo, Walkin’ Cane, Mary Bridgette Davies and Tony Koussa, Jr.
Favorite venue to play? House of Blues
Music or artist you really like to listen to? (In no particular order) Steely Dan, Toy Matinee,
Toto, Ambrosia, Little River Band, Delbert McClinton, Eagles, Classic Motown, Marvin Gaye, Stevie
Wonder, Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, Beatles, Boz Scaggs, Dave Matthews Band, Billy Joel,
Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robben Ford, Ray Charles, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Bela Fleck, Tom Petty, ZZ Top,
Yes, Genesis, Bob Seger, Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis and of course
Frank Zappa.
New music or artist you enjoy? John Mayer, Susan Tedeschi, Delbert McClinton (he’s better than
ever), Maroon 5, Soulive, and Cake.
Five CDs you can’t live without? Aja - Steely Dan, What’s Going On - Marvin Gaye, Moving
Pictures - Rush, Presto - Rush, Toy Matinee - Toy Matinee.
Most embarrassing thing in your CD collection? I’m not embarrassed by anything in my collection.
Favorite television shows? Frazier, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, Cheers, M.A.S.H., The
Andy Griffith Show, The Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park. When I had cable I usually watched
The History Channel, Discovery, TLC, and PBS.
Your last meal on earth? First, I’d want a bottle of fine merlot to drink over dinner. Then I’d
want an appetizer of broiled scampi stuffed with horseradish and wrapped in bacon. Then a garden
salad of the freshest baby greens with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, topped with crumbled bleu
cheese. For my entrée I’d have a thick slice of pepper and herb encrusted prime rib (medium rare),
and steamed Alaskan king crab legs, with sides of garlic mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus.
Finally, for dessert I’d have a slice of light and fluffy cheesecake topped with mixed berries, with
a gourmet cappuccino to drink.
Do you collect anything? Life experiences.
Book that everyone should read? The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.
Who are your heroes? My mother and father.
What’s in your CD player right now? What’s Going On - Marvin Gaye in the in-dash player.
Citizen - Steely Dan discs 3&4, The Nightfly - Donald Fagen, Kamakiriad - Donald Fagen, Toy
Matinee - Toy Matinee, and Meanwhile - Third Matinee are in the CD changer.
First cut on your dream mix CD? Black Cow.
What do you do in your day job? I don’t have a “day job.”
Most tiresome request while playing out? “Play some Skynyrd man!” (Actually, I like Lynryd
Skynryd. It’s their fans that I have difficulty with.)
If you went to hell, what song would be played over and over? Tie: Seasons in the Sun and
Georgy Girl. Oh, and that stupid “doctor who-ooh…HEY...doctor who” song that is played at Browns’
games.
People who don’t know me well wouldn’t know that I……? …know the answer.
Email address: sugar3nite@yahoo.com
Welcome to Spotlight!
....the opportunity for local musicians to be placed front and center. Enjoy the show!
....the opportunity for local musicians to be placed front and center. Enjoy the show!
The seventh installment of Spotlight features Lakewood bass player and
vocalist Jeff Beam. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Jeff at an acoustic
jam where the high level of passion for his music became immediately evident.
He is a true entertainer who draws in the crowd with his solid foundation,
"in-the-pocket" groove, smooth vocals and charming wit. Hopefully we will see
many more gig dates on the calendar from him soon!
vocalist Jeff Beam. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Jeff at an acoustic
jam where the high level of passion for his music became immediately evident.
He is a true entertainer who draws in the crowd with his solid foundation,
"in-the-pocket" groove, smooth vocals and charming wit. Hopefully we will see
many more gig dates on the calendar from him soon!
Talk about your gear, favorite instruments, why
you like or use certain things. My favorite
instrument is my 1963 Fender Precision Bass strung
with flatwounds. It has a fantastic tone that is big
and round, and it feels great to play. I also have two
Lakland basses, a four string, and a five string that I
use to get a more modern sounding tone. I play
through an SWR SM500S amplifier into two custom
made Low Down Sound 2x8 cabinets or an Ampeg
BA-115 combo for smaller gigs.
you like or use certain things. My favorite
instrument is my 1963 Fender Precision Bass strung
with flatwounds. It has a fantastic tone that is big
and round, and it feels great to play. I also have two
Lakland basses, a four string, and a five string that I
use to get a more modern sounding tone. I play
through an SWR SM500S amplifier into two custom
made Low Down Sound 2x8 cabinets or an Ampeg
BA-115 combo for smaller gigs.
Who would you like to perform with?
With people whom when put into the right
situation have that chemistry that produces
real musical magic.
With people whom when put into the right
situation have that chemistry that produces
real musical magic.
Favorite movies? I don’t
watch too many movies these
days, but I like the usual
classic comedies like
Airplane, Caddy Shack,
Smokey and the Bandit, The
Blues Brothers, Clerks, and
Kentucky Fried Movie.
watch too many movies these
days, but I like the usual
classic comedies like
Airplane, Caddy Shack,
Smokey and the Bandit, The
Blues Brothers, Clerks, and
Kentucky Fried Movie.
Relate a funny or outrageous story from a gig.
One night a group of a dozen or so band-mates,
friends, and myself, witnessed a drunk couple “doing
it” in the grass outside of Spanky’s East. The highlight
was when my best friend climbed on top of a van that
was parked just a few feet from the action and
snapped a photo for posterity.
Most unusual request while playing out? A request
to “NOT PLAY” while the pompous and arrogant Mr.
Elvis (thinks he’s a troubadour) Costello was in the
bar. Yes…that actually happened on October 30th,
2002 at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville, TN.
One night a group of a dozen or so band-mates,
friends, and myself, witnessed a drunk couple “doing
it” in the grass outside of Spanky’s East. The highlight
was when my best friend climbed on top of a van that
was parked just a few feet from the action and
snapped a photo for posterity.
Most unusual request while playing out? A request
to “NOT PLAY” while the pompous and arrogant Mr.
Elvis (thinks he’s a troubadour) Costello was in the
bar. Yes…that actually happened on October 30th,
2002 at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville, TN.