The first time I ever heard Jake perform was at a little bar in Meadville PA (Bobo's) back in the early 1990's. Having worked with Jake now for several years I have heard many of the stories. Everyone seems to remember the first time they heard Jake, and the lasting impression he has made in their lives. Recently I asked his Facebook friends to recall their first time, and the answers are below. -Lisa
The first time I heard Jake's Blues....I was at Goofies on west 12th street in Erie!!! It was very cold outside....but HOT inside! :)
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Myron Swanson the first time I heard Jake's Blue's was when i was the sound engineer at the french quarters......I always enjoyed mixing that great group of musicians.
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Rose Finchio Cole First time I heard Jake he was noodling on one of Henry's guitars!
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Rich Sitler The first time I met Jake was at Shellys house and the first time I heard them play was at the beer mug... at to say the least the rest is history.
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Arleen Thompson Proper Well, the first time I ever heard Jake play was on the school bus way back when I was in middle school. First time I ever heard Jakes Blues was at Lakeside.
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Melissa Anne Bartlett I don't remember the first time I ever heard Jake's Blues but I do remember Jake partying with my dad when I was younger.
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Stephanie Allen Mcwilliams The first time I heard Jake play was at the burger bar in Waterford. Very fun night!!!! That was 18 years ago!!!
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Athena Nicholson Bonfa On state st I met the most amazing guy and had the most romantic night of my life.
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Joe Fletcher I dont know if it was French Creek or Lakeside,or Sherlocks! lol
Cathy Biletnikoff Hanes The 1st time I saw jakes blues was at 8 great Tuesday's several years ago (can't exactly recall the year). I can't wait for this year!!!
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Amy Miller Artman Lakeside was the first, but I loved to go out wherever they were playing.
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Tanya Berry My first time was at Erie Days with One Wold Tribe and a Beetle cover act back in 1997. From there I got to meet him and hang out with him at music expo and partied a few times with him. He was awesome to hang out with, never acted like he was better than anyone, his band players were just as personable as he was. I have followed him here and there every time I can. His passion for guitar cannot be described in any words that I can possibly think of. Here's to many more years with Jake and the Blues ;)
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David H Longley 1992 or 93...the band opened for Head East @ Goofies...I went there to hear Head East...Jake played a few songs and it sounded like Stevie Ray Vaughn was in the room...then he played some Jimi Hendrix...played Third Stone From The Sun and blew me away with his feedback on the amps...Head East came on and all I wanted was to hear Jake again...from that point on I made it a point to get to know the man and his family.. hauled equipment, helped set up, ran the lights at Sherlock's....great friends to this day....
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Jennifer Joint Campanelli Celebrate Erie with Foreigner a couple years ago...my aunt (Bunch Joint Cheesebrough) knows Jake's sister and used to take me to their house when I was little.
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Beverly Ritson Maples Tavern a looooong time ago! No stage in the back room ...had his Stevie Ray vibe on ....and dimples ...enough said!
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Steve Ellis The first time I heard jakes blues was at the beermug and I don't think I've every heard someone play the guitar live like I heard that night ... Just amazing
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Shawna Slater Wiggett I can't remember the bar I saw him in for the first time--been awhile since I've been in Erie--but I can just remember when I saw him play the guitar behind himself! I was fucking impressed! I'll think of it and then I'll post!
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Trisha Gutowski Byham The first time I saw Jake's Blues was at a bar called Rumorz where I used to bartend. They played there often and I enjoyed every single minute of it!
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Wendy Campbell-Sundberg I have known Jake almost all my life. I never had the oppertunity to hear him until last year at the race track enjoyed it very much. On the other hand I remember hearing him on the radio singing Jeremiah was a Bull Frog. I dont remember how old but very young.
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Marsha Crocker Brown I aslso have known Jake forever...since kindergarten in Mill Village and he always sang. I remember him singing the prom theme in high school and many talent shows. He is still the same Jake now as he was then. Nice to know that the good guys are still around.
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Bill Markiewicz Playin' with Pavone on one of those cool majestic boat cruise..."blues cruise"....both were jammin' in their own right....kick ass....blues...Glenn started goin' off and Jake gently pushed a couple of honey's aside and just enjoyed...nice! Jake...what a showman...real cool...as always....
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Bill Patch Fuhrmann Hi Lisa. Met and first saw Jake play while attending the biker event in Erie Roar on the Shore in 2009. I ran into a buddy of mine who lives in Erie and mentioned I might "like " his guitar playing as I also play a Fender and the blues. Wel...l, when Jake starting playing I left the bar where I was sitting and found a table right up front! HOLY CRAP was my comment to my friends there and we closed the place that night. During one of Jakes breaks, outside of the hall I met him and I was taken by his personality and friendly way. He even had a picture taken, you took the pic Lisa to go on the web site. Since 2009, we have been back to see Jake 6 times...I live in Rochester N.Y.
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Brian Kelley the first time we heard and saw you was at 8 Great Tuesday's when you were there the first time was very glad we went
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Misty Wells It was my birthday went to erie days loved them.
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Melissa Brochey Sabolsky The first time i seen JAKE'S BLUES was about 17 years or so at Lake Side in waterford,you guys rocked it!!!
*** Pepper Sult i saw jake at great 8 tuesdays here in erie its better outside then inside cant wait to c u again
*** Juliet Suzzane Dombrowski Way way back when I first got out of the service. We we're both working at John V Schults.... 1993?? I'd never even seen a blues band before. You made me go and I was happy I did cause you guys were awesome and still are. I got my appreciation for blues music from you, so THANK YOU!! I'm sooo happy you are still playin out after all these years. Hopefully we can catch you out sometime this summer ♥ ya :)
*** Lisa Light First time I saw Jake was at Steve and Linda's wedding reception.
*** Jason D Goodwill The first time i seen jakes was at the Rib Feast in old North East I was 15 years old and out with my Father so glad i went and heard him. He rocked the house. Jake made me get into blues music he is a great guy and his music is the best. Cant wait to see you out this summer jakes
*** Cindy Bartlett The first time I saw Jakes Blues was at Bay County Hotel...many moons ago. They played in a bank at First Nite Erie. Saw them at that club (can't remember the name) that used to be in the plaza at 12th & Pittsburgh Ave. A few times since...Jake never disappoints! :D
*** Lisa Frisina the first time i saw jakes blues was at sherlocks/park place in erie. i had just turned 21 & i was in awe when i heard the music & watched him play....i have been a huge fan & friend ever since...i have watched jake's blues through the years & they and he just seem to get better and better. always a good time!!!!!
*** Bobbi Goodwill the first time i saw jake was years ago!!!! i remember this day clearly as it was at docksiders and my husband and his father were talking about this awesome guy named jake that new the guiter better than ne1....so i had 2 check it out 4mys...elf!!! however i was underage so docksiders wouldnt let me in i was so dissapointed until my husband said hold on n next thing u no jake came over n said to the bouncer, "she is with me!" i felt like the luckiest young woman!!!! that nite he played rite on the table in front of me n i fell head over heels in love!!!! he is the best of the best n has all my support! I LUV U JAKES BLUES N LISA U GUYS R AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*** Steve Leitzinger Grape Jam at the Erie County Fairgrounds, August '99. I'd just moved to town and was still pretty unaware of local music. I had been in the rain listening to Mickey Hart's set and when that was over, someone suggested Wolfman someone in the... dance barn. It was like a sauna in there and there was this guy with sweat literally pouring off his body, wailing on his guitar. I later found out that it was my first "Jake's Blues experience". He took his mic into the audience and left it there. He played, we sang, and we all sweated until they told us to go home sometime well after midnight. A glorious introduction to the blues, Jake-style!
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First time and every time. He is that rare combination of an extraordinary musician with an unbelievable stage presence. His sensuality, charisma and bravado make him irresistible to women and genuinely likable to men. His voice and guitar ...playing are so mesmerizing and passionate it's transforming. You get so swept up in it you forget you're in a bar surrounded by people. I dragged my man to Sherlocks to see Jake's Blues one night much to his chagrin and made him watch a set uninterrupted and all he could say was HOLY SHIT! Needless to say, he was blown away. He does belong on stage packing massive arenas in big cities as long as he plays Erie periodically so I can buy him a shot of tequila.
