I met a quirky chemist named Sherm in the dog park across from my job in Thousand Oaks, CA. We both worked at biotech giant Amgen. I was in corporate communications, and he was in the research lab. My Neil Young t-shirt was all it took Sherm to “id” me as a potential bud. He introduced himself and our conversation quickly turned down a musical rabbit hole.
As I was walking away over an hour later with my dog Max, Sherm invited me to join him the next night to catch a show at a funky dive bar in Santa Barbara. I didn’t know who Jerry Joseph was at the time, but soon fell in love with his raw style. I’ve been an active fan of Jerry Joseph (JJ) ever since and have Sherm to thank.
I have seen many bands and haven’t found anyone quite like JJ. He is like Pistachio ice cream, which is my favorite.
You can access a bootleg copy of 5/31/03 show at Elsies on Archive.org (click here).
That night, I caught lightning in a bottle.
You never know when these magical moments strike. Through the years, I have gotten pretty good at finding those magic nights.
Most recently, Shooter Jennings’ Warren Zevon show in Brooklyn was a legendary deliberate find (click here or below for that story.) I brought eight buddies and blew their minds!
Ten years after that first night at Elsies, I caught JJ again with his rock band (THE JACKMORMONS). This time in NYC at the Mercury Lounge with my buddy Burke. Click here for that story.
There weren’t many of us at the club that night. The music was epic.
Another 1+1=3 magic music night.
JJ stands 2 for 2.
On New Year’s 2025 I saw an email notice that JJ was doing a solo acoustic residency at a small venue… I decided immediately that I was in. One of those “life is short” moments. He is playing a series of acoustic solo shows in February at an intimate Portland, OR club (Laurelthirst).
Maybe JJ will have interest in talking with me for The Music People Project while I’m visiting. (HINT, HINT.) No matter, I will have my ears and eyes wide open and share the experience with you.
Sherm and I became fast music friends. I never knew anyone like him.
He often would dedicate JJ’s “Brother Michael” to me before starting out one of our marathon listening parties after work. Sherm’s place in Agoura Hills was sparse and centered around a high end 80’s sound system. Huge speakers with two big pillow chairs in front.
Here is a recent clip of JJ jamming what became my “walk up” song when I showed up at Sherm’s lair.
In addition to Jerry Joseph, Sherm introduced me to Widespread Panic.
Phuck yah.
He was a fanatical Widespread fan and spent many evenings curating playlists for me that best captured their magic so I would be hooked too.
In fact, Sherm brought me to my first Widespread show at the Los Angeles Greek Theatre.
Phuck yah.
I popped my cherry on July 24, 2002.
The second set’s “Let’s Get The Show on the Road” touched me profoundly. Soon after “Climb to Safety” reached depths within me that no person or thing had penetrated before. I remember every minute.
Over a period of two years, Sherm and I caught dozens of great shows in the Los Angeles area… including Les Claypool at The Palace (10/15/02 – setlist) , Leo Kottke in Libby Park, Ojai, CA (5/15/04), and Jorma at McCabe’s Guitar shop (7/6/02 – setlist).
Our friendship was short-lived as Sherm’s demons got the best of him. He had a robust list of unsavory habits. His behavior was bizarre, often at the most inappropriate of times. Sherm’s devotion to sharing music with others was his salvation. I was his last witness.
My east coast friends were entertained (and sometimes a bit nervous) when Sherm joined us during their visits. Despite the dangers and frustration that swirled around him like the Peanuts Pigpen, I enjoyed our hardcore music sessions. The idea that he introduced me to Jerry Joseph and Widespread Panic is meaningful.
I hope he found peace (and a good shower) in the clouds.
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