1969 Cool Blue 45 coverTop L-R: Ricky Sparks (Drums), Greg Martin (Lead Guitar), Jerry Martin( Vocals, Trumpet) Bottom L-R:Tommy Higgason ( Bass Guitar, Guitar ), Wayne Sexton (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards), Mike Wilson( Lead Vocals) & Tommy Lane Shirley(Bass Guitar, Guitar).

The Boerwinkle Jam is a night of music supporting Barn Lot Theater and Trooper Island in honor of Tommy Lane Shirley. The music will feature members of the Kentucky Headhunters, the Lowdown Pesky Buzzards, Nolido, and Cool Blue as well as Jim Buchanan.

According to Shane chambers, Executive Director of the theatre, Tommy Shirley was a big supporter of Barn Lot Theatre. After his passing in January of 2005 friends spoke with Shirley’s family about getting together to jam in memory of their old friend. Barn Lot Theatre (http://www.barnlottheatre.org) was happy to accommodate the request and the first annual Boerwinkle Jam was held in 2006.

The name comes from Shirley’s nickname in high school which he attended in Metcalfe county.

“Tommy was a good friend to all of us, turned me on to some great music at MCHS, Delaney & Bonnie, Led Zeppelin; even showed Fred some early drum stuff. Tommy was super talented, played guitar, drums, banjo, whatever you put in front him. Tommy was around us during our formative years as aspiring musicians, he was a big part of our maturation as musicians and people.” said Greg Martin of his friend.

Martin, best known as guitarist for the Kentucky Headhunters, was in bands like Cool Blue (Ricky Sparks, drums; Greg Martin, lead guitar; Jerry Martin, vocals and trumpet; Tommy Higgason, bass guitar and guitar; Wayne Sexton, Guitar, bass guitar and keyboards; Mike Wilson, lead vocals; and Tommy Lane Shirley, bass guitarand guitar) and The Unit Five (Tommy Lane Shirley, drums; Bill Bartley, lead guitar; Mike Wilson, lead vocals; Mike Perkins, bass guitar; and Greg Martin, guitar) with Shirley during high school in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

Tommy Higgason, a speech and drama teacher at Metcalfe County High School who played trumpet and sang backup vocals for Cool Blue passed away in 2004 and is also remembered by the musicians participating in the jam.

Other friends who are participating include some of the members of bluegrass band the Lowdown Pesky Buzzards (David Roemer, mandolin; Larry Bolton, banjo; Steve Weber, guitar; Ricky Burch, violin; and Eric Albany, bass) which broke up nearly a decade ago and Nolido (Seth Sparks, vocals and guitar; Jay Vibbert, guitar and vocals; Ethan Bowles, bass; Sam Bass, Drums) which continues to be a band based out of Lexington whose members are originally from Edmonton.

The event takes place the second Saturday each December and will be held this year on December 8. In addition to raising funds for Barn Lot through concessions a new charity is chosen every year on Tommy Shirley’s behalf. Last year his wife chose to give all the proceeds to Barn Lot Theatre. this year his daughter has picked Trooper Island as the recipient of funds raised.

Admission is $10 per person. Tickets are only available at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show.