It started out as a few high school classmates getting together over Thanksgiving break for a jam session.

Now some members of the Pacelli High School class of 1975 and other local musicians are planning to play at the 25th Annual Turkey Jam this Saturday.

Pacelli classmates Kevin Brady, Joe VanRyk and Matt Wagner played in a band in high school with Wagner's brother, Paul.

A couple of years after graduation the young men began meeting up at each other's houses over Thanksgiving break.

Eventually, they began playing at local bars and inviting other musicians they knew to join them.

The reunions became the "Turkey Jam."

On Saturday all local musicians are invited to "jam" at Trader's Bar from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Then the men, along with George Dahl and Mike Chidak, will perform their eclectic mix of blues, jazz and rock 'n roll.

"It's just a good way for us old guys to get together," Wagner, of Austin, said.

The men have played in various bands over the years, the first being Able Day, the band they started in high school. The Wagner brothers and Dahl formed the band Cracker Jack in 1979. Brady, VanRyk and Mark Gunderson put together a bluegrass band later called Home Cookin'.

"We've played off and on in different bands that never got off the ground, but we had fun," Wagner said.

The men also invited some musicians they haven't seen in 10 or 12 years. Jim Stadler, Tony Twiggs and Dave Novak are expected to play at the Jam, Wagner said.

Dahl, who plays drums, said he has been involved with the Jam for the past five or six years.

"It's a good time," he said.

The Jam has varied locations in Austin and has been held in Winona, where Brady used to live. The Jam has been held at Trader's three or four times.

"It's a great place to do it," Dahl said because the stage is big.

Brady, who now lives in Fountain Lake, Wis., encouraged local musicians to show up and play.

"Any musician is welcome," he said.

Wagner said the Jam was once a tribute to the late Don Stigney who owned Stigney Music.

"He was our patron saint -- the patron saint of all musicians," Wagner said.

Stigney would work out payment plans that worked best for his customers, even if the payments were as low as $10 or $15 a month, Wagner said.

Saturday will be one of the first times the Turkey Jam will be held at night, Wagner said. Usually it is held in the afternoon.

"It's a big thing in our minds," Wagner said. "It has always been a great thing."

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com