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Traveling through the area and picked up a local magazine in Asheville, NC called "Mountain Xpress". Checked out their CLUBLAND listings for a Tuesday night.

All 41 clubs list some kind of event, such as Ping Pong Tournament or Trivia or whatever, but 14 of them advertise it to be some kind of an open jam session or open mic night.

That means nearly 1/3 of advertised clubs in a population of 83,000 have a live music jam sessions of some sort on a Tuesday evening. Just glancing at this magazine and Wednesday Thursday, Sunday, and Monday all look the same with jam sessions. Concerts on the weekends.

I listened to a bluegrass jam last night for a couple of hours. Anywhere from 8 to 15 people would get into the circle with their fiddle, upright bass, mandolin, guitar, or some other acoustic instrument. In some songs, people would get up and clog dance (?) on a board as the rhythm section.

Seems like the Jam capitol of the USA per capita?

Evidently! I read that they were contemplating enforcing tough busking laws in Ashville - licensing, amp maximums, I dunno.

With that many clubs having jams at the same time, I wonder if the hosts are getting paid anything or if its 'free music' and drink sales for the venues?

Didn't see anyone busking this time, though they were on every corner when I was here last.

Still in Asheville, went to a jam at "Tessa's" last night. I had visited their Tuesday night jam about 4 years ago, and tonight it was the same band so my guess is that they are getting paid something. This band does a lot funk/jazz so it's not a typical jam. You'd need to be somewhat accomplished to get up with them. There were plenty who did.

But earlier I was at restaurant that advertised a "blues" night and there was no one in attendance, with only one guitarist/singer hosting. He was playing some obscure songs and had great bluesman technique, finger-picking rhythm while playing lead. Felt sorry for the guy at the end of every song when I was the only clapping hands.