Hello fellow Chops,
Tim Queen here!
I’m following up on Pat’s recent email about the Homecoming festivities and I wanted to share some additional details about the awesome new format for this event!
The parade will start around 5:00 p.m., but we need all our Chop fraternity brothers to be in downtown Sylva by 4:30 p.m., ideally at Martha’s Place (formerly the Papermill).
Martha will be serving dinner with limited menu items and, of course, drinks will be available as well.
Additionally, there will likely be a gathering for ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s alumni at Innovation Dillsboro from noon until 4:00 p.m. the same day. It’s always a great time, and I encourage you to attend. This is a big Greek event, so you’ll see lots of old friends and maybe even some independents.
The 25th Anniversary Jam will feature a lot of the Homecoming Musician’s that have played at various WCU HC venues in the past. These talented cats have been jamming over the last 25-30 years.
Stacy Miller (WCU alumni gal who took over from Marty Ramsey) is coordinating many of the invitations, which will go out via email for events at the various Main Street venues. This years HC event is a start on downtown Sylva becoming a huge main street festival including:
Matt Stillwell @ Mad Batter: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Chop Jam @ Martha’s Place: 6:30 p.m. – late
Duo @ Balsam Falls: Time TBD
Acoustic @ Innovation near the end of town: Time TBD
One of the alumni contacts mentioned to Tim Gillespie a couple weeks ago that there wasn’t enough$ in this year’s budget to pay for the typical Homecoming band, The Sophisticats. After discussing with the band members, I decided we would try to raise enough money to bring in a band by having the Chop alumni contribute to the musicians.
Mr. Tad Grattan will be the primary supporter for this event, stepping in to cover any financial shortfall once we determine the amount needed.
The plan is to have a main four-piece rhythm and blues group, providing the rocksteady foundation: bass, drums, and two guitarists, including John Luzzi, who many of you know from previous Homecoming gigs. This group plays regularly at the casino and other venues, so they know a ton of tunes to jam on.
The event will highlight all the jammers from past Homecoming bands, including:
Yours truly on mind melting guitar!
Tim Gillespie on trumpet, harmonica, vocals, and acoustic guitar!
His evil twin brother, Mike Gillespie, on Bass!
Steve Goulas on drums!
My sister, Terri Lynn, on vocals!
Mike Byers (WCU CFO and lifelong best friend) on drums!
Steve Crawford (Sig Ep) on drums!
Isaac (WCU Marching Band member) on drums!
Mike Neal on acoustic guitar (He may not be able to attend, but let’s give him some friendly pressure to join the Jam!)
Come on Nealo you and Pam get up to HC.!
Other performers:
Forrest Todd Hoppes on acoustic guitar!
Pat Anderson and Rick Hill on the pan flute (AKA the Zamfirs)!
Greg Hutchinson, Vic Cope, and Greg Hamer on cowbell and tambourines. (LOL)!
Scott Baker on guitar!
Tommy Dennison on guitar!
My cousin, Marni Queen, on vocals and acoustic guitar!
Along with many others!!!!
Also all donation names will be highlighted on a large banner @ the event.
BTW: if anyone on this link is a musician and wants to Jam at HC please reach out to me @::
I will have a rough set list here in a couple of weeks.
Here is the donation link to help pay the band:
https://www.venmo.com/u/wcujam
Me and all of the musicians performing at the gig really appreciate the financial support from the best Lambda Chi Alpha Chapter Ever!!! We are gonna Rock and it’s gonna be EPIC!!!
Naught Without Jamzzz!!!
In Zax,
Tim Queen
BZ: 285….
Rock On!!
BZ Alumni Association 