The experts say it does not last. The experts say it’s fleeting … Then tell me why is my heart still beating?

Tim Bolick. What can I say about Tim? Following The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged] in 2000, I named my first born, now 4-year-old son Timothy after him. Not really, but that sounds really palsy-walsy, doesn’t it? It took six years for our paths to cross again and I pray it doesn’t take another six. Tim is a joy to work with. He’s fuel. A tank full of premium. He gives you so much to work with on stage. I never tire of our rapport on and off stage. He’s one of those talents I feel the need to take additional strides and make extra efforts to work with as much as humanly possible.

Janet Brooks. I can’t decide if Janet is like the sister I never had or the hot cousin everyone sees once every five years at their family reunion! I think going from kinky tango to dysfunctional brother and sister has forever confused and damaged me mentally. Seriously, there’s nothing I have looked forward to more during this production than hearing her laugh. With the exception of Janet’s husband and my wife, Pam and Alice couldn’t have cast a more appropriate pair for some of the scenes and exchanges Janet and I have had with one another. I was amazed to learn this was Janet’s seventh production … ever! Is that right?! When a director speaks of truth and humanity, Janet is the poster child. She manages to effortlessly reveal those truths and be self evident in a manner Broadway actors could envy!

Leesa Shoeberle. I could begin with any number of “short” jokes. All of which I’m sure she’s heard a million times over because I … well … think … Look, she’s just the most … shortest woman I’ve kissed in ages. Certainly the best tennis player. Leesa brings an energy and a flare to a production. Glamour. Esteem. Quality. There’s something legit about doing a production with Leesa. She makes me want to be a better actor. You know she’s going to take you to a higher level (and it’s not because you’re taller than she is). She’s the tallest person on stage! Forever my “Babe.”

Pam Livingstone. Meticulous. Calculated. Articulate. Direct. My first experience with Pam was five or six years ago when the two of us adjudicated a high school theatre competition hosted by Lenoir-Rhyne College. Pam makes it a point to make a point well. She brings out things in you as an actor you’re unaware you’re capable of. Pam is a perfect example that trusting your director will allow you to harvest other choices and tap into emotional resources you otherwise neglect. It’s been an honor benefiting from her education and experience.

Alice Barlowe. Music Director. Living proof how important two-hand, independent exercises are! Alice is personality. She’s larger than life. She makes you feel like you’ve known her your whole life. She knows how to make an entrance and light a fire under your vocals. You know you’re in good hands with Alice, even if it’s just one hand and two fingers! I look forward to any opportunity to work with her in the future.

Misty & Ed Allen. Too happy. They make me sick. I did all I could to keep that Mexican cheese dip down. Just kidding!!! Misty and Ed are adorable! They are so sweet! I just wanna put ’em in a blender and drink ’em! They have reminded me of the discovery and elation involved with newfound love. There couldn’t be a better pair of stage managers for this particular production or a better husband and wife for each other.

I regret there wasn’t more time to get to know the rest of the crew and musicians as well as the others. Only more reason to remain involved with community theatre and keep in touch with those you meet as much as possible. Thank you all for such a wonderful experience. I love you, you’re perfect, don’t change.

After nine weeks together. All those brutal costume changes. Those futile scene changes … Shouldn’t I be less in love with all of you? … No.

Well, as you can see, Coble decided he couldn’t wait for his own birthday cake. He reached up over the kitchen table and pulled Timmy’s cake to the floor and went to town. Kellen was apparently too busy ripping the pages out of a book off Mommy’s and Daddy’s book shelves to eat cake. Timmy’s sticking Silly Putty to everything in the house. Needless to say, it’s been a busy morning with the boys. I threw Coble in the tub, but his lips, hands and feet are died black from the food coloring in the black icing. He looks like some sort of strange, undiscovered species of monkey. So, I’ve been calling him “Cake Monkey.”

William Shakespeare wrote, “What’s in a name?” Well, I’ll tell ya’! It’s important to me folks realize the number of musicians, families, friends and fans that have accompanied me and the stories of my life as “Scott Jeffrey’s Band” in the variety of ways that they have over the period of time that they have. What I hope the new website will help demonstrate is how many variations on the sjB theme there has been through the years. It’s not just two or three people we’re talking about cultivating the reputation, style and arrangements of my music. We’re talking about an entire community. I fear using clich?s, but “it’s all about the music.” We’re so grateful.

I also appear as “Jeff Hartman” as a simpler, refreshing personal choice. It’s been a debate for years. So many folks refer to me as “Scott,” now. The use of my middle name was intended to establish some sense of anonymity as a less individualistic props to the ensemble nature of my bands. It was never intended to serve as an alter ego. “Jeff Hartman” by day, “Scott Jeffrey” by night. That sort of thing. When forced to choose, I choose to be myself. The focus remains on my original music where it belongs. It’s certainly easier fusing theatre and music under one name.

The name “Scott Jeffrey’s Band” materialized when nothing else would. I founded a band in 2000 when I decided to shove my original music down the throats of all cover band downtrodden. With no name, the band was simply referred to by friends and family as “Jeffrey’s Band.” While I searched for something less individualistic, my girlfriend suggested throwing my middle name in front establishing some sense of anonymity thus representing the ensemble of the group and any other’s contributions along the way to the arrangements and the creative process. Leaving the possessiveness in “Jeffrey’s” would serve as a reminder and personify my body of work as the foundation for which my bands are built upon.