Pickin' on the Patio - Overland Park, KS

2011 Season starts Monday

2011-06-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

The eighth year of Homer's Pickin' on the Patio hosted by Sky Blue starts this Monday, June 6 at 7:30.

Everybody is welcome and anybody who wants to play or sing will be given an opportunity.

See you then.

Our eighth season!!

2011-05-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

Pickin' on the Patio is just a month away. The eighth year for "Pickin'" will start on Monday, June 6 at 7:30.

I hope you've all been practicing up and learning some new tunes so we will all be ready to go on June 6.

See you then.

Singing Lessons

2010-09-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

All my life I wanted to be a singer, but I was never very good. One day I decided I would get out a tape recorder, record myself, and try to figure out how to improve. As I got better, I tried singing in public with some success.

Before long my wife suggested that if I was a going to sing I should take some voice lessons. Rather that take that as a criticism, I decided she was right.

I signed up with a voice coach named Ronni Ward. mailto:rwsings@att.net Ronni helped me learn to breathe, to get more sound out. She helped me with phrasing and getting more emotion and energy into my voice. With her help I was able to expand my range by several octaves.

In short, spending three years with Ronni was one of the best things I ever did. I still have a long way to go, and I practice everyday, but I am now confident of my singing, I've been able to develop my own style, and I am not afraid to sing any place.

I regularly hear people who could be very good singers with a little bit of training and coaching. The most common problem is weak sound and wimpy tone due to poor breathing techinique.

Ronni says that singing is about energy and communicating emotion. If people start yawning or head for the door when you start to sing, you are ready for voice lessons.

Singing is learned skill just like playing an instrument. If you want to be a better singing, I would strongly encourage you to enlist a voice coach, sing everyday, and come to Pickin on the Patio to practice in front of an audience. Jim Mathis

One week to go for the season.

2010-08-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

Next Monday night, August 30, will be the last Pickin' on the Patio for 2010.

Theresa has given us all the assignment of only happy uplifting songs for the final week of this, our seventh season. I guess that means no "Eve of Distruction," or other songs about murder and mahem. She would probably even censor, "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive, " and "Mama Tried." This will be a smiley week!

The weather was great last night and I am sure that the 30th will be even better.

If all goes well, the Lord is willing, and the creek don't rise, the next Pickin' on the Patio will be June 6, 2011.

Two Weeks to Go

2010-08-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

It has been a good season for Pickin' on the Patio with good attendance every Monday night. There are just two weeks to go before we close for the season, so come and join the fun.

We still have Pickin' on the Patio T-shirts, so get yours soon. We will also have them on sale this Saturday night when Sky Blue will be playing a two hour concert at Homer's.

Thanks to all.

T-shirts are in!

2010-08-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

Pickin' on the Patio T-shirts are here!

We have a selection of colors and sizes. Theresa's smiling face is on the front and the back says, "Pickin' Til Dark," with the web address. The price is $15. You can get them any Monday night at Homer's or call Jim at 913 269-6709, Jim@SkyBlueBand.net, and we will get one to you.

Pick up your shirt on the 9th and then wear it on the 16th and we will get a group photo.

A hot night!

2010-08-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

You people are amazing! On one of the hottest nights of the year, the parking lot was full of people to hear the dozen or so musicans who came to share their talents.

We had some great singers and players as well, and as the temperature on the bank clock across the street slowly slid back to double digits from the low 100's, those of who came to play or just listen, enjoyed the slight breeze.

Overall, one of the best nights yet in spite of the high temperatures. Four more weeks to go for the season.

Pickin on the Patio T-shirts should be here next week. They are $15 with Theresa's picture on the front and "Pickin' til Dark" on the back.

Pickin' on the Patio T-shirts

2010-07-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

Pickin' on the Patio T-shirts are in the works. They are soooo cool!

Save your pennies. They will be $15 and be ready in a week or two.

Theresa fans (and who isn't?) will love them.

Rain or shine

2010-07-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

Pickin' on the Patio is "on" for tonight. If it is raining at 7:00, we will setup under the shelter.

Attendance is Up

2010-06-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Now into our seventh year, it appears that Pickin' on the Patio has become an institution in Downtown Overland Park. For the past several weeks we have had record attendance with many new players and well as a growing audience.

Thank you to everybody who is making POTP a success.

First Night of 2010

2010-06-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who came out last night for the first night of our seventh season of Pickin' on the Patio. It was good to see a lot of our old friends from last year as well as our good friends who have become faithful followers of SKY BLUE.

The rain held off and the weather was great. We will be on the patio outside of Homer's for the next 12 Mondays, so come when you can.

2010-03-16T12:20:00.001-07:00

We are beginning to think about this year's Pickin' on the Patio season. All the principals are on board for a June 7 kick-off. Theresa and Bob are all set, Jim is ready, and Glenn, the manager at Homer's is excited. We are waiting on the official OK from the building owner and then the City of OP and we will be ready to go.

I hope you have all been practicing up over the winter, getting ready for your big moment at the mike.

We'll see you Monday, June 7 at 7:30 unless there is an unforeseen hitch.

The Last Night of the Season

2009-09-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Monday, August 31 was the last night of the 2009 Pickin on the Patio season. I believe that this was the largest crowd we have ever had. From our modest start in 2003, the event gets bigger every year.

The lion's share of the credit must go to our hostess, Theresa. She does an amazing job of keeping things moving and making everybody feel welcome. Her husband Bob, is a master musician who is wonderful at helping people find their key and knowing chord progressions to just about any song. Pickin on the Patio would not happen without them. Be sure and thank them for their hard work and dedication.

As far as we know now, the next Pickin on the Patio will be Monday, June 7, 2010.

Keep the music going and we will see you next year. In the meantime patronize Homer's Coffee House, come hear Sky Blue whenever you can, and always support local live music.

Monday, August 24, 2009

2009-08-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

It was another delightful night at Pickin' on the Patio. Perfect weather and a good number of performers and observers.

Next week, August 31, will be the last Pickin' on the Patio until June 7, 2010.

Join us one more time this summer and start getting your stuff together for next spring.

Monday, August 17, 2009

2009-08-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

It was another beautiful night Monday with plenty of pickers, singers, and watchers. We have been blessed this year with mild weather for Pickin' on the Patio.

This week we had some cowboy songs, spiritual songs, a little tribute to Woodstock, as well as our usual assortment of country, pop, gospel, and rock tunes.

We have just two weeks to go for the season, so come out and enjoy the live, impromptu music for two more Mondays before Labor Day.

There is such a variety of music and skill leveles that we never know what is going to happen.

If you have never played before or if you have been playing professsionally for 5o years (we have both) come on out to Homer's on Monday nights.

Beautiful weather

2009-08-11T07:04:00.000-07:00

After an afternoon storm, the evening turned out beautiful for Pickin on the Patio. There was a large crowd and plenty of good music.

Thanks to everyone who partcipated. Three weeks to go for this season.

Sky Blue will be at Homer's this Saturday, so everyone be sure to be there.

A wonderful hot night

2009-08-04T09:09:00.000-07:00

Last night the heat caught up with us again. In spite of the temp in the high 90's, we still had one of the largest crowds of the season.

There were a number of "moments" that were extremely moving. Some great songs and emotions came out as the sun went down and the evening settled in.

Those us who serve as hosts agreed that God uses us in amazing ways when we just get out of His way. Pickin' on the Patio has proved to be one of those avenues.

I can't believe that there are just four more Monday nights until we pack it away for the season.

Jim

Rain or Shine

2009-07-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

Last night was a fun night at Pickin' on the Patio even though the weather was soggy. We had fewer participants, which gave those there more opportunities to play. Apparently some people were unaware of the alcove where we can play out of the weather. The evening was cool, and nice and dry under the shelter.

Yes, we pick and grin in all kinds of weather. Join us any Monday after Memorial Day and before Labor Day.

Pickin' on the Patio

2009-07-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

Pickin' on the Patio is a weekly open-mic jam session hosted by Homer's Coffee House, 80th & Metcalf in Overland Park, Kansas.

The group meets every Monday night between Memorial Day and Labor day at 7:30. We began in 2003, so we are into our sixth season.

The hostess is Theresa Kaat-Wohlert who does a great job of keeping things moving and assuring that everyone who wants to play has a chance. Her husband Bob, is a musical giant who will gladly give a free music lesson when asked, and helps keep everybody in time and on key. Jim Mathis plays the dobro and was the initiator of this summer event.

Jim founded Homer’s in 2001 and patterned Pickin' on the Patio after an event his father hosted in the 1950’s. Jim is no longer involved with managing Homer’s and volunteers his time with two of his band mates on Monday nights to make a successful event happen. The band members of Sky Blue consist of Jim Mathis, Theresa Kaat-Wohlert, Bob Kaat-Wohlert and Wes Burrows.

The puprose of Pickin' on the Patio is first, to have a good time; and then to develop friendships and relationships to encourage one another and build one another up. In the process we hope to encourage talent and build musical skills.

All are welcome.