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.
Homer's Coffee House

Theresa and the "Theresa Fan Club" with Pickin' on the Patio T-shirts
For 2014, Homer's Coffee House has decided to discontinue Pickin' on the Patio. It has been a great ten years. A big thanks to everyone who has been involved.
Pickin' on the Patio was a weekly open-mic jam session hosted by Homer's Coffee House, 80th & Metcalf in Overland Park, Kansas.
The group met every Monday night between Memorial Day and Labor day at 7:30. We began in 2003, so we are into our eighth season.
The hostess was Theresa Kaat-Wohlert who did a great job of keeping things moving and assuring that everyone who wants to play had 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 was 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 hoped to encourage talent and build musical skills.
Pickin' on the Patio was a weekly open-mic jam session hosted by Homer's Coffee House, 80th & Metcalf in Overland Park, Kansas.
The group met every Monday night between Memorial Day and Labor day at 7:30. We began in 2003, so we are into our eighth season.
The hostess was Theresa Kaat-Wohlert who did a great job of keeping things moving and assuring that everyone who wants to play had 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 was 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 hoped to encourage talent and build musical skills.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Our eighth season!!
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.
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.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Singing Lessons
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
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
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
One week to go for the season.
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Two Weeks to Go
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.
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.
Friday, August 6, 2010
T-shirts are in!
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A hot night!
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.
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.

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