• Article Photo. Steve and Ruth Armstrong perform during the Guitar Jam.
    Steve and Ruth Armstrong perform during the Guitar Jam.
  • Article Photo. Brian Parr of Vinton plays his guitar.
    Brian Parr of Vinton plays his guitar.
  • Article Photo. Joy Ward of Tiffin plays her violin while Ron James of Mt. Auburn plays guitar at annual jam.
    Joy Ward of Tiffin plays her violin while Ron James of Mt. Auburn plays guitar at annual jam.
  • Article Photo. The audience of more than 80 people heard many musicians from all over the midwest.
    The audience of more than 80 people heard many musicians from all over the midwest.
  • Article Photo. MC Bill Hammond, right, during a lighter moment as musicians prepare to perform.
    MC Bill Hammond, right, during a lighter moment as musicians prepare to perform.
  • Article Photo. A variety of instruments was seen and heard during the jam.
    A variety of instruments was seen and heard during the jam.

The annual Todd Frank Guitar Jam brought more than 100 people to the Tilford auditorium Saturday evening. 

Many musicians from all over the Midwest brought their guitars and other instruments so they could take turns sharing their songs with the audience.

More than 80 people were counted in the audience at one time during the concert, which began at 7 p.m. Admission was free, but the audience was invited to make a donation to the Vinton-Shellsburg Dollars for Scholars program. 

"We raised around $600 for the Dollars for Scholars," said Frank.

Frank, of Vinton, met most of the other musicians through on-line networks of musicians. They usually meet a few times each year at various places to share their music and friendship. But this year, said Frank, their only jam together was in Vinton.

 

"I thought it went very, very well," said Frank. "Our Emcee kept the evening light-hearted and happy."

Local participants included Brian Parr, who played his guitar. Parr is often more well-known for his work as a chain saw artist.

Ron "Rajj" James and his wife, Belinda, of Mount Auburn, also played and sang during the jam. James, a professional musician, moved to Iowa last year with his wife, who is a Cedar Rapids musician. He has a collection of 160 guitars, many of which have been signed by members of the bands with whom he has performed, including War and Rare Earth. 

The MC for the event was Bill Hammond, whose day job is as an editor at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune. 

Frank said he does not know at this time if there will be a seventh annual guitar jam in 2011.