Playing the bass guitar isn’t all that bad.

Sure, you typically have two less strings to work with than your standard guitar player (results may vary), but that doesn’t mean there’s any less to do. As with almost anything in life, it is what you make it.

For me, playing bass was my first foray into stringed instruments. At the age of 13, I’d been playing the drum kit and auxiliary percussion for a couple years in my school’s concert and marching bands. One day, seemingly out of the blue, I walked by an instruction manual for learning the bass in a store at the mall, and I decided that’s what I really wanted to do. There was no motive or pretense, I guess I just liked the picture on the front cover and thought “that would be fun.” Ironically, I passed on buying the manual and just went straight to getting a bass and playing it.

It’s been a fun time, despite some of the things I find my local music buddies occasionally posting on Facebook that would suggest the contrary. It’s always done in jest, of course, but my regular response to them is to just keep on playing and let the music speak for itself. I’ve received many a compliment from music-lovers throughout the region by using that method.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve really started expanding on my involvement in following and participating in the local music scene. Nothing has been more crucial to my increased proficiencies than exposing myself to a variety of musical stylings and genres, and performing in a number of venues alongside a revolving door of different musicians. It was through experiences such as these that I learned not only how to play songs, but how to feel them; and to develop a chemistry with other performers, because everybody is going to play a song differently.

As a result, I feel I’ve fulfilled a prophecy that was first presented to me by my parents. In so many words, they told me that I would always be in demand if I played the bass because most musicians seeking work in a band setting were likely to pick up the guitar or drums. I never really doubted it, but it wasn’t until I finally decided to come out of my shell and begin appearing in the public eye on a consistent basis that it really became true.

Nowadays, in addition to the many groups in which I perform either as a full-time member or as a sit-in, I can also be found playing at some of the weekly open jams around town – namely the Bullfrog on Sundays and Mojo’s on Mondays. I would never have thought it so, but after having injected myself into such a free-flowing and unstructured setting my improvisational and technical skills have both improved immensely simply from playing something entirely new and unplanned every time I plug in.

But I digress.

All this to say, next time you’re out catching some live music, be sure to throw some love, appreciation and/or attention in the bass player’s direction. I feel it’s time for us bass players to even the playing field, so to speak.

And now, here’s some of what you can expect to find in the area this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

‘Rolling Hills Radio’ To Present Roy Book Binder Today: WRFA-LP 107.9 FM’s monthly “Rolling Hills Radio” will present Roy Book Binder in its 47th overall episode at Reg Lenna Center for the Arts tonight at 6:30 p.m. A legendary blues guitarist, singer-songwriter and storyteller, the 72-year-old Binder will perform on the Reg Lenna stage with a limited audience of 120 situated around him in chairs. Born in Queens in 1943, Binder bought his first guitar while enrolled in the U.S. Navy following his graduation from high school. After his enlistment was up, Binder sought out Davis, who also lived in New York, and became first a student of Davis and later a chauffeur and tour companion. By the mid-to-late 1960s Binder was recording for both Kicking Mule and Blue Goose Records. In 1969, he toured England with Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup and Homesick James, and he later had the opportunity to become acquainted with several of his major influences, including Dave Van Ronk and Pink Anderson. His first album, “Travelin’ Man,” was released in 1971, and his discography currently includes 12 full-length releases. He has performed at most major blues and folk festivals in the U.S. and Europe, and has shared the stage with such notables as Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, John Jackson, Sonny Terry, Doc Watson, Ray Charles and Brownie McGhee. Tickets are $20.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts is located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information, contact the Reg Lenna box office at 484-7070 or by visiting reglenna.com.

JCA 2015-16 Premier To Feature Jamestown Native Stafford Friday: The Jamestown Concert Association will feature Jamestown native Joshua Stafford in the first of its 2015-16 concert series in an 8 p.m. performance Friday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Stafford, who currently serves as director of music at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, New Jersey, will perform a selection of works on the pipe organ. A 2006 graduate of Jamestown High School, Stafford began charting his course toward a successful career as a pipe organist at the age of 10, when he came under the tutelage of former St. Luke’s organist R. Richard Corbin. Stafford would ultimately fulfill the role of the church’s full-time organist and perform a number of recitals before leaving the area to pursue higher education. Stafford would receive two full-tuition scholarships to prominent schools of music in the Curtis Institute of Music and Yale University – from which he received a bachelor’s in music, and a master’s in organ performance and certificate in church music, respectively. He has distinguished himself as a top-notch performer, earning him spots on the nationally syndicated radio show “Pipedreams” and WRTI’s “Wanamaker Organ Hour,” and he has served as assistant organist at the world’s largest, fully-functioning pipe organ – the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ in Philadelphia. Tickets to the concert are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $7.50 for college students. They can be purchased in advance from the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Chautauqua Music, Germaine and Pappalardo, and Trinity Guitars, or by calling 484-7070 or 487-1522. Children under 18 will be admitted for free if accompanied by a paying adult.

For more information on the concert and Jamestown Concert Association membership opportunities, call 487-1522 or visit jamestownconcertassociation.org/.

Murdock’s Will Hold Grand Reopening Friday: Murdock’s Family Restaurant Bar and Cafe will hold a grand re-opening Friday, beginning as early as 10 a.m. when the restaurant opens. The bar will open at 3 p.m. The grand re-opening is to acknowledge the venue’s operations with new management, new chefs, a new menu and a new look. It will feature live music, giveaways, food and drink specials, and more.

Murdock’s is located at 104 E. Main St. in Sherman. For more information, call 761-2049 or find “Murdock’s” on Facebook.

Ellington Farman Library To Present Play This Weekend: The Ellington Farman Library will present “2 One-Act Plays for 2 Actors” this weekend, with shows taking place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. The play stars Ron Robertson and Luanne Wanamaker, and will showcase Robert Anderson’s “I am Herbert” and W.R. Walkes’ “A Pair of Lunatics.” “I am Herbert” is a comedy featuring two characters, in their golden years, discussing a variety of topics and experiences from their respective pasts. “A Pair of Lunatics” is described as “a serious play with a fun twist” in which the characters meet each other for the first time as visitors at a lunatic asylum dance and mistake each other for inmates. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased in advance from the library, its board members or the Ellington General Store.

The Ellington Farman Library is located at 748 N. Park St. in the town square. For more information, call 287-2945.

‘Wits And Giggles’ Stand-Up Comedy Returns To JSBA Saturday: “Wits and Giggles” Stand-Up Comedy, sponsored by Bud Light, returns to the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The night features headliner Johnny Dam of Warren, Ohio, and will also showcase opener Joe McCormick and host Robb Will. Dam began his comedy career in 1991 performing in the U.S., Canada, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. In 2004, Dam brought his talents to the classroom where he taught stand-up comedy around improv comedy clubs throughout California. His first CD, “The Painful Truth,” released in 2006 and sold out through five production runs. In 2008, he oversaw the creation of the two-time, award-winning politically funny Internet radio show, “The DAMage Report.” Dam returned to his roots in 2012, and began touring the country again with his stand-up performances. Since then, he has reformatted “The DAMage Report” into a two- to three-minute, FCC-friendly satirical newscast which broadcasts throughout the country on three different radio stations. Tickets for the event are $10 presale, $12 day of show, and $5 for students. Must be 18 years of age and up to attend.

“Wits and Giggles” is held in the Bud Light Arena Club, located on the top floor of the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, 319 W. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information, call the arena at 484-2624 or visit jamestownarena.com.

Reg Lenna To Present ‘An Evening With Groucho’ Saturday: The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts will present a show for all ages in “An Evening with Groucho” at 8 p.m. on Saturday. In the show, award-winning actor, director and playwright Frank Ferrante will recreate his acclaimed portrayal of Groucho Marx in a two-act, 90-minute show consisting of Marx’s greatest one-liners, anecdotes and songs. The audience will literally become part of the show as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in grand Groucho style. Accompanied by his onstage pianist, Ferrante portrays the young Groucho of stage and film and reacquaints us with the likes of brothers Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Greta Garbo, Marx foil, Margaret Dumont and MGM’s Louis B. Mayer. Tickets range in price from $15 to $25 for adults, and $10 to $25 for students.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts is located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information, call 484-7070 or visit reglenna.com.

Cherry Creek Event To Feature Amish History, Cuisine Sunday: The Chautauqua County Historical Society is giving area residents an opportunity to learn more about the Amish and their history during an event scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sunday in Cherry Creek. Area resident Carol Lorenc, who also operates Amish Flair Tours, will provide information on the history of Amish settlement in the county, with a focus on the Amish who live near the border between Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. In addition to the presentation by Lorenc, a traditional Amish meal will also be provided for all attendees by Cherry Creek Inn owner and Chautauqua County Historical Society trustee Sharon Howe Sweeting. The meal will consist of Amish recipes for baked chicken, two salads, bread and pie. The event will be held at the historic Cherry Creek Inn, located at 1022 West Road, and the cost to attend is $15.

For more information, call 326-2977 or email cchs@mcclurgmuseum.org.

HAPPENINGS

To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email gpaterniti@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 243 by Monday.

Tonight

Jamestown Young Professionals mixer: 5 p.m., Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge, 10 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Greatest Hits: 5 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Bluegrass Jam: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Karaoke with DJ Eclips: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Acoustic Jam: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Friday

Just Plain Lucky: 6 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Amanda Barton and Bill Ward: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Annual Infinity Instructor Concert: 7 p.m., Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, 301 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Dance Party with DJs Unlimited: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Southern Tier Xpress home game: 7 p.m., Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, 319 W. Third St. in Jamestown

“The Addams Family”: 7:30 p.m., Lucille Ball Little Theatre, 18 E. Second St. in Jamestown

One-Act Thriller Showcase: 8 p.m., The Spire Studio Metro Theater, 316 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Steve Strickland Duo: 9 p.m., Good Time Sallon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Ryan Melquist: 9 p.m., Yesterdays, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

DJ 8on3: 10 p.m., Spirits Bar and Grill, 108 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Smokin’ 45: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Widow Maker: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Gasoline Genes with Slow Motion Breakdown: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

Southern Tier Xpress home game: 5 p.m., Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, 319 W. Third St. in Jamestown

Stray Kat Karaoke: 7 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

“The Addams Family”: 7:30 p.m., Lucille Ball Little Theatre, 18 E. Second St. in Jamestown

One-Act Thriller Showcase: 8 p.m., The Spire Studio Metro Theater, 316 E. Fourth St. in Jamestown

Smokehouse: 8:30 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Jules-R-Us Karaoke featuring Tami T: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Ryan Melquist Duo: 9:30 p.m., The Draft House, 707 Pennsylvania Ave. East in Warren, Pa.

Hooligan: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Sweet Ass Cream Corn: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Randle and the Late Night Scandals: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

“The Addams Family”: 2 p.m., Lucille Ball Little Theatre, 18 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Open Jam: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Spirits Bar and Grill, 108 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Monday

Open Jam: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Wednesday

“The Shining” screening: 7 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown