Singer-songwriter Jon Shain, of Durham, N.C., will share tips and tricks of the craft during his Acoustic Blues Guitar Workshop set for Sept. 19 at Metuchen’s Old Franklin Schoolhouse. Take it from a fellow musician — the upcoming Acoustic Blues Guitar Workshop with Jon Shain promises to be finger-pickin’ good.
In fact, borough singer-songwriter Sharon Goldman — who founded the quarterly Schoolhouse Songwriter Series at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse — studies under Shain.
“He’s such a great guitarist and such a great teacher,” Goldman said. “I think he’ll be a perfect fit to share his wisdom and playing at the schoolhouse.”
Part of a slate of arts events set for Sept. 19, the hands-on workshop will run from 3-5 p.m. at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse, where Shain will join with other musicians at 8 p.m. for an installment of the Schoolhouse Songwriter Series.
Originally from Massachusetts, Shain crossed the Mason-Dixon line in the 1980s to attend Duke University in North Carolina. While the singer-songwriter always had a love for the blues — citing Jorma Kaukonen, of Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane, as a favorite — being immersed in the southern sound just sealed the deal.
“I got to hear some of the older players … and that’s probably what got me hooked, I think,” Shain said.
It was Kaukonen’s playing, however, that introduced Shain to the Piedmont fingerstyle, which involves finger picking with an alternating thumb to create a unique sound, he said. Playing in Big Boy Henry’s backup band, Shain got the chance to learn the style firsthand. He honed it while playing with a number of blues greats from the area.
Now, having released six albums and toured internationally, Shain is sharing his musical chops with others.
“When I’m not performing, I spend my time teaching guitar,” said the recent finalist at the International Blues Challenge.
While Shain certainly seems to fit the bill as a blues man, he points out that he is not a purist, and injects rock and jazz into his offerings, also mixing in bluegrass, swing and ragtime.
Goldman first met Shain at a music conference, where she attended one of his blues guitar workshops. When she found out he offers lessons via Skype, she quickly became one of his students, she said.
“We were coming upon the autumn edition [of the Schoolhouse Songwriter Series], and I invited Jon to join us. … It occurred to me that he does these wonderful workshops … I just thought it would be great to bring this Southern-flavored blues to Metuchen.”
Shain happened to be coming this way for a stint of solo tour dates, providing synchronicity for the workshop and performance.
“We’re just lucky he’s passing through,” Goldman said, adding, “I think even if you’re a strong guitar player, you’re going to learn a lot with Jon … like little tips and tricks to spice up your guitar playing.”
Saying the workshop is best for those at an advanced beginner to intermediate level, Shain explained that he assesses those who attend and caters his workshop to work for them.
“I’ve always got a few tricks up my sleeve, even for folks who are decent players already,” he said. “I’ve been at it for a long time and I hope to be able to shed new light on it for people.”
Shain will cover iconic riffs and elements of the Piedmont and Delta styles, blues song forms, and possibly some slide playing and open tunings.
Advance registrations costs $30; at the door, the cost is $35. For more information or to register, email Goldman at sharon@sharongoldmanmusic.com.
Goldman will host Shain that evening for the café-style show, sponsored by the Metuchen Arts Council and Borough Improvement League. She’ll also welcome Princeton-based Sarah Donner, an indie folk-pop artist, and Ronda Dale, who hails from Portland, Maine, and infuses humor and passion into her songwriting.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Franklin Schoolhouse, which is located on Middlesex Avenue. The cost is $10 for adults, or $5 for children under 12. Refreshments will be available, and adults are encouraged to bring their alcoholic beverage of choice.
Those who are not musically inclined to attend the afternoon’s workshop have other options in town during the time slot. Nails in the Wall, the Gallery at St. Luke’s, 17 Oak Ave., will open its “Earth- AirFireWater: Elements/Sacraments” exhibit from 2-5 p.m.
“The Gallery at St. Luke’s has become a wonderful public resource, and I encourage the public to attend,” Council President Ron Grayzel said at the Sept. 8 council meeting.
He added that people could start at St. Luke’s and make their way to Jazz Fest, set for 3-5 p.m. in front of Borough Hall, on the corner of Main Street and Middlesex Avenue — incidentally, across the street from the Old Franklin Schoolhouse — where Carrie Jackson and the Jazzin’ All Stars, and The Derrick Baker Group will perform. The free show will be moved to the Senior Center in case of rain.
“If you’ve participated in these arts events, you can then go out for dinner in Metuchen with your friends and family and come back for 8 o’ clock at the schoolhouse,” Grayzel said.