Been playing for 40 years. I just listen to what's in my head and then write it down.
Sometimes it's really cool man...

I Stated playing trumpet back in 5TH grade. I played that horn all through High School. At about 7TH grade I picked up a guitar but wasn't too good at it. So I bought myself a bass guitar and learned how to play it. Still something in me couldn't play all the top 40 tunes. Everyone told me I wasn't playing it right. So one day I decided that I ws going to write my own tunes and I did. After 40 years of music behind me and many songs written that I don't have to worry about if I play them right. They're mine, even if I play them wrong I'm still playing them right.
Back in the 70's I met a fellow by the name of Kevin McGuckin and we got together and started to play Monday night mics at Dirty Nellies in the NW Burbs of Chicago. We also played the Maroon Racoon and Comedy Womb together Tuesday through Saturday. We would open the first show at The Racoon and head down to the Womb and open the second show there. This went on for for years and we picked up some gigs on the side when we could. Out of this came many songs we wrote and co-wrote together.
All the while we played together we met and saw Judy Tenuta and Arsenio Hall at the comedy clubs we played. We watched them spread their wings and fly leaving behind the cold winters of Chicago for California and beyond.
Kevin and I went our own way for about ten years after his mom died. I had often wondered what had happened to him and one day I was driving past a music store in a strip mall and saw him out of the corner of my eye. So I did a quick turn about and headed into the parking lot and said hey fish face what's happening?
So we started playing again doing open mics and writing more material, helping each other with lines and arrangments. We would head down to my basement and spend the whole weekend down there writing and recording.
Kevin and I played on and off for 35 years together and then one day he tell's me he has skin cancer and the doc told him he has 6 months to live. Well he made 2 months and he was gone. This February 2009 will be one year he's been gone. I hadn't played any music for ten months since his death and then I discovered Second Life. I said to myself this is interesting. So I picked up the ol Fiddle and started plucking away. Went to see other people play and asked lots of questions and figured out how to play this thing called Second Life.
So here I am Iz Finesmith aka Jerry Kabat playing tunes of Rock and Roll, Rockabilly, some Rythem and Blues, Folk Rock and Folk. Some Cover and some originals for you pleasure.

I received an Honorable Mention from The John Lennon Song Writting Contest for "Sweetest Thing" which made my day.


Peace and Love,

Jerry Kabat

	Got Nothin' To Lose - Cover Written By Neil w Young. I fell in love with this song and asked Neil for the words and music one day. So here Is my version. A little Rock an Roll, a little Country and a little Bluesy. Let's call it RockinCountryBluesAbilly Licensed Cover	Rockabilly
	Sweet Tears Lost Love	Rock & Roll
	Starlight, Moon Bright	Rock & Roll
	Sweetest Thing Recieved an Honorable Mention in The 2000 John Lennon Song Writing Contest	Rock & Roll
	Palm Springs Baby	alternative folk pop
	Todays News	Folk/Acoustic Rock/Americana
	Liberty Americana all the way Baby!	Folk/Acoustic Rock/Americana
	Your Love How do I love you? Let me count the ways..	Classic and Progressive Rock
	Lonely Boy	Rock & Roll
	Sugar Baby	Rock & Roll
	Sing The Blues No More	Folk/Acoustic Rock/Americana
	Daddy Please Be Home For Christmas	Rock

Neil w Young	12/9/2010 8:22:04 PM Bravo Jerry, and well done!!! Your cover and version of my song "Got Nothin' To Lose" is excellent. You done me and the song both proud. The song has got a lot of miles on it from when I wrote it way back when ... yes ... in 1959 when I was in high school. I knew you had the rockabilly bluesy feeling of the song in you Jerry and that you would do it justice. Jacks to you and my song brother!! Neil
The Man With No Band	10/17/2008 7:39:38 PM Just stopping in to say hello Jerry ... I'll be around for a couple more weeks, so I've got you penciled in for a page stream tomorrow ... It's been to long since I've been here ... lookin' forward to the listen .. Peace Sam
Steve White	9/8/2008 6:48:45 AM Hi Jerry! Your song "Sing The Blues No More" Has just made the number one spot on my station "The Place to Be" Congrats!! You can find it here http://iacmusic.com/blog.aspx?id=37080 Steve White
Hugh Hamilton	6/18/2008 12:25:46 PM Gee, Jerry, Congrats on that John Lennon honorable mention - that's way cool! I submitted at least one tune (maybe two or three, don't recall) and never heard from them again (lol)...I'm enjoying a listen to Sweetest Thing - groovy! H
Stik	6/17/2008 8:23:10 PM Thanks for stopping by. The All Stars at Guitar Center? Could have been but not in Illinois. Cheers
J. Patrick Sharpe	12/9/2007 8:27:28 AM Hi Jerry, I am enjoying your tunes!! I added Liberty to my 'Folk Scene' station. You have a nice mix of songs and styles. I would like to hear your Bob Dylan covers! If you get a chance, stop by and check out my artist page. I have a mix of acoustic folk, blues, and folk rock material. By the way, where is Crystal Lake?-- My wife and I lived in Carbondale, IL for 5 years. We liked it out there. -All the best to you sir, -JP Sharpe
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