Acoustic Americana Music Guide, Feb 9 to 15 (with weekend events & current & early picks)
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Plenty of hot and fresh NEWS is here for you. PLUS, if you haven’t checked it yet, the GUIDE’s amazing VENUE DIRECTORY of well over FIVE HUNDRED acoustic-music friendly venues in the Los Angeles region – and even more throughout Southern California – has been re-published with extensive updates, at
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http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/01/venue-directory-updated-january-28-2011.html
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Tied to the Tracks
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC GUIDE
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FEBRUARY 9 to 15 (plus weekend events & early picks through Feb 15)
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“QUICKIE ACCESS:” NEWS FEATURES & “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” PICKS…
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1) “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” PICKS – FEBRUARY 9th THROUGH 15th
2) IBMA BLUEGRASS STARS PLAY SATURDAY AT GLENDORA’S HAUGH CENTER
3) NATHAN ROGERS, CANADIAN MUSICIAN SON OF AN ICON, TO PLAY SATURDAY
4) SUSAN JAMES CD RELEASE PARTY TO BRING HUGE LINEUP, FEBRUARY 15
5) FRANK FAIRFIELD, OLD-TIME STRING MUSIC MAESTRO, PERFORMS TUESDAY
6) “NEW MUSIC SEMINAR” COMING TO L.A., MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY
7) ASSOCIATION OF FINGERSTYLE GUITARISTS ANNUAL FESTIVAL IS FEBRUARY 19
8) THE BEST NEW PRODUCTS WE FOUND AT NAMM
9) EDITED TRIO LEADS FULL LINEUP – CONCERT REVIEW
10) SENDING YOUR MUSIC TO MEDIA – A CD OR DOWNLOADS?
11) GRAMMY AWARDS ARRIVE SUNDAY – WHO WILL WATCH?
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Here are these feature stories…
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1) “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” PICKS – FEBRUARY 9th THROUGH 15th
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Wednesday, February 9th’s “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks
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* 8 pm “THE MUSIC OF JOHN DENVER” with JIM CURRY at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, Altadena.
* 8 pm RICK SHEA & THE LOSIN END at Café 322, Sierra Madre.
* 8 pm PIERRE BENSUSAN plays a “TRIBUTE TO PAT MILLIKEN” at SOHo Restaurant and Music Club, Santa Barbara.
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Wednesday’s “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK FOR ARTISTS:”
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* 7:30 pm “ICONS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY: CLIVE DAVIS” with the man himself at the Grammy Museum, L.A.
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Thursday, February 10th’s “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks
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* 8 pm “THE BYRDS AND BEYOND,” with ex-Byrds JOHN YORK & BILLY DARNELL, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, Altadena.
* 8 pm SARAH McLACHLAN plays the Samala Showroom at Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez.
* 8 pm TAB BENOIT “VOICE OF THE WETLANDS” at The Mint, Los Angeles.
* 8 pm “THE ONION EDITORS” bring their satirical spoken word to UCLA Live, Royce Hall, Westwood.
* 1:30 am (Wed night) & 11:30 pm (Thu), on cable TV, “BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: A CONVERSATION WITH HIS FANS,” on VH1 Classic and Palladia.
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Thursday’s out-of-town “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks:
* 8 pm JUDY COLLINS plays 4th and B, San Diego.
* “THE WIYOS BLUEGRASS AND OLD-TIMEY MINI-FEST” with LAURIE LEWIS, and TOM ROZUM with THE FOGHORN TRIO (CALEB KLAUDER, SAMMY LIND & NADINE LANDRY), plus, of course, the wonderful band called The WIYOs, at Don Quixote’s in Felton, CA.
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Thursday’s “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK” FOR ARTISTS:
* 5 pm “MISSISSIPPI BLUES TRAIL MARKER” unveiling and dedication at The GRAMMY Museum and Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE, downtown Los Angeles.
* “INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED FLATPICKING GUITAR WORKSHOP” with TIM MAY & DAN MILLER in Santa Barbara.
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Friday, February 11th’s “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks
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* 8 pm “THE MUSIC OF JOHN DENVER” with JIM CURRY at the Grand Annex, San Pedro.
* 8 pm TRACY NEWMAN AND THE REINFORCEMENTS in a co-bill with DUTCH NEWMAN & THE MUSICAL MELODIANS, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, Altadena.
* 9 pm LILY WILSON & THE DREAM BAND at Molly Malone’s, L.A.
* 11:30 am & 6 pm, on cable TV, “BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: A CONVERSATION WITH HIS FANS,” airs throughout February on VH1 Classic and Palladia.
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Saturday, February 12th’s “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks
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* 7 pm “TOM CORBETT Y AMIGOS” all-star trio at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, Altadena.
* 7:30 pm RICK SHEA with RITA HOSKING at the Fret House, Covina.
* 7:30 pm TIM TEDROW & TERRY VREELAND plus BRAD ANNAN at the “Gelencser House Concert” series in Claremont.
* 8 pm Bluegrass stars DAILEY & VINCENT at Haugh Performing Arts Center, Glendora.
* 8 pm Nathan Rogers plays Russ & Julie’s House Concerts, Oak Park (Agoura Hills area).
* 8 pm GOLDEN STATE POPS ORCHESTRA plays “CLASSICAL CONTRASTS” at the historic Warner Grand Theater, San Pedro.
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Saturday’s out-of-town “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks:
* Annual “SAN FRANCISCO BLUEGRASS AND OLD TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL” includes a show with LAURIE LEWIS, and TOM ROZUM with THE FOGHORN TRIO (CALEB KLAUDER, SAMMY LIND & NADINE LANDRY), at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley.
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Sunday, February 13th’s “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks
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* 2 pm monthly “SONGWRITER SANCTUM” brings KEVIN FISHER, FELICE PERES, STEPHEN MICHAEL SCHWARTZ, & KIM ACUNA to the Church in Ocean Park, Santa Monica
* 3 pm KEN O’MALLEY presents “THE WOMEN OF IRELAND,” at Coffee Gallery Backstage, Altadena.
* 5 pm MARK ST. MARY ZYDECO BAND plays the Cajun-Zydeco Dance Series at the Golden Sails Hotel, Long Beach.
* 7 pm THE SCARLET FURIES at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, Altadena.
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Monday, February 14th’s “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks
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* 11 am-6 pm at DISNEYLAND, the wildly funny and quite musical group BILLY HILL & THE HILLBILLIES perform their comedy-bluegrass in the Golden Horseshoe Review in Frontierland and the wonderfully talented PHIL WARD sits-in as the “head goober.”
* 8 pm THE EAST VALLEY JAZZ SEXTET at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, Altadena.
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Monday’s “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK” FOR ARTISTS:
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* “NEW MUSIC SEMINAR,” Feb 14-16, at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, Universal City, with nightly performances at The Music Box / Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood and the Roxy in West Hollywood.
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Tuesday, February 15th’s “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks
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* 7:30 pm “SUSAN JAMES CD RELEASE PARTY” really IS a concert party, with a huge lineup and “a rolling review” with performances by SUSAN JAMES, OLD CALIFORNIO, TONY GILKYSON & KIP BOARDMAN, DOUBLE NAUGHT SPY CAR, I SEE HAWKS IN L.A., DJ BONEBRAKE, THE QUARTER AFTER, EVIE SANDS, ANNY CELSI & NELSON BRAGG, and others, at the Echo, Echo Park.
* 8 pm FRANK FAIRFIELD, the old-time string music maestro, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, Altadena.
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Tuesday’s out-of-town “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick; in Berkeley:
* “FLATT & SCRUGGS TRIBUTE” at the renowned Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, with TOM ROZUM, KATHY KALLICK, BILL EVANS, LARRY COHEA, JIM MINTUN, DEL WILLIAMS, MARKIE SANDERS, PAUL SHELASKY, DAVID THOM, and more.
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Tuesday’s “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK” FOR ARTISTS:
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* “NEW MUSIC SEMINAR,” Feb 14-16, at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, Universal City, with nightly performances at The Music Box / Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood and the Roxy in West Hollywood.
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2) IBMA BLUEGRASS STARS PLAY SATURDAY AT GLENDORA’S HAUGH CENTER
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With three consecutive years of top IBMA awards, including “Entertainer of the Year,” “Vocal Group of the Year,” and “Album of the Year,” these remarkable “Brothers from Different Mothers” are bluegrass stars DAILEY & VINCENT. Headed by JAMIE DALEY (formerly of DOYLE LAWSON’S QUICKSILVER) and DARRIN VINCENT (formerly of RICKY SKAGGS’ KENTUCKY THUNDER), we’ll bet you expected to see another Vincent – Rhonda Vincent – named here. But make no mistake, these guys are bluegrass royalty.
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They recently received their first (as a duo) Grammy nomination, for “Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals,” for their recording of “Elizabeth,” on “Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers.” There’s more info on each artist and their career as a top-award-winning duo, including biographies and photos, at www.daileyvincent.musiccitynetworks.com.
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The concert is Saturday, February 12, at 8 pm. It’s a Guide “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick. See DAILEY & VINCENT at the Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College, 1000 W Foothill Bl, Glendora 91741. Show info and tix at www.haughpac.com or 626-963-9411. Adult tix $26; students and seniors $24; age 16 & under $13.
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3) NATHAN ROGERS, CANADIAN MUSICIAN SON OF AN ICON, TO PLAY SATURDAY
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The son of the late, great Canadian folk icon STAN ROGERS inherited all the musical and songwriting genes. Both his material and performance make him a major folk act in his own right – and if you ask nicely, he just might play you the classic “Northwest Passage,” or some other great song (or two) from his father’s extensive and beloved catalog. But make no mistake – this guy is accomplished in his own right.
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NATHAN ROGERS is a Canadian folk musician / songwriter who became immersed in the songwriting tradition from an early age, gaining a keen appreciation for singers and songwriters like JONI MITCHELL, GORDON LIGHTFOOT and LEONARD COHEN. He couldn’t avoid it: they were his dad’s contemporaries and musical pals. And of course, the music of his father, the legendary STAN ROGERS, featured heavily in Nathan’s early listening.
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With an award-winning voice and two prized Laskin guitars, and a degree in comparative religion under his belt, Nathan founded his own record label, Halfway Cove Music. He released his debut album, “True Stories,” in 2005, produced by RICK FENTON (former AD of the Winnipeg Folk Festival). Distributed by the Festival organization and studded with such outstanding roots musicians as NIKKI MEHTA, JP CORMIER, & MURRAY PULVER, “True Stories” found critical acclaim both at home in Canada and abroad. If multiple encores at every show are any indication, Canadian audiences coast-to-coast like it, too.
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Performing live, Nathan leaves his audience wondering where he’s hidden the rest of the band. Singing, chanting, playing guitar and stomping, he fills any stage with what one critic describes as “magnificent powerfully clear lyrics and arrangements.” Described as “intelligent and witty,” Nathan will “move men and women to tears with his sound and conviction.”
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Nathan continues to earn his place in the Canadian folk and blues canon. As Fenton noted, “I have never seen any musician Nathan’s age who works so hard on his singing and guitar playing.”
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Nathan recently added another aspect – becoming an adept throat singer. He specializes in the Tuvan and Mongolian styles. We’ve seen him perform this material and style – a very distinct skill – and something you must see to believe. Already a cultural tour-de-force in his own right, Nathan can now add that uniquely Eastern flavor to the western traditions of North American folk and blues.
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NATHAN ROGERS is touring his newest album, “The Gauntlet,” available on Borealis Records.
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He performs Saturday, February 12, at RUSS & JULIE’S HOUSE CONCERTS in Oak Park (Agoura Hills area); info, www.houseconcerts.us. Reservations get directions at rsvp@houseconcerts.us or 818-707-2179.
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The evening includes a potluck dessert buffet, a veritable trademark here. All house concert “prices” are “suggested donation” amounts, with all proceeds going to the artist. $15. It’s a Guide “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick. There’s more at www.nathanrogers.ca.
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4) SUSAN JAMES CD RELEASE PARTY TO BRING HUGE LINEUP, FEBRUARY 15
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Okay, so everybody calls their CD release show a party. This one IS a concert party, with a huge lineup and “a rolling review” with performances by SUSAN JAMES, OLD CALIFORNIO, TONY GILKYSON & KIP BOARDMAN, DOUBLE NAUGHT SPY CAR, I SEE HAWKS IN L.A., DJ BONEBRAKE, THE QUARTER AFTER, EVIE SANDS, ANNY CELSI & NELSON BRAGG, and others, at the Echo, in Echo Park this coming Tuesday. And why not? She’s performed with a whole buncha stars.
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SUSAN JAMES new CD is “Highways Ghosts, Hearts and Home,” featuring 11 of her original songs. It’s the fourth full-length release from the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter.
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Even before the record hit the street, Susan’s live performance brought a Twitter tweet from well-known Americana and rock artist RYAN ADAMS, who wrote, “Hey, well your set was so fantastic. And what a band. Guitar wizard, bass magician, BONEBRAKE drums… And your great songs.”
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A celebrated singer and accomplished guitarist, James was hand-selected for tours with BOB WEIR’S RATDOG and LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM (FLEETWOOD MAC) and many others.
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James previously made a splash with her three acclaimed releases “Life Between Two Worlds,” “Shocking Pink Banana Seat” and the double-LP “Fantastic Voyage,” wherein she was backed by an eclectic group of guests, including ex-REPLACEMENTS bassist TOMMY STINSON and THE WONDERMINTS.
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“Highways, Ghosts, Hearts and Home” is self-produced, and James has once again surrounded herself with stellar musicians, including PAUL LACQUES, PAUL MARSHALL & SHAWN NOURSE (2/3 of the band, I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. – the guys perform respectively, guitar, bass and drums on all tracks); GABE WITCHER (PUNCH BROTHERS, WITCHER BROTHERS) on fiddle; DANNY McGOUGH (SHIVAREE, SOCIAL DISTORTION) on the Hammond B3; and more.
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It was recorded at Nourse by Northwest Studios in L.A. by SHAWN NOURSE (Dwight Yoakam, Rosie Flores) with additional recording at Fully’s Studio in Topanga by FULTON DINGLEY (Stereolab, Robert Wyatt, Kulah Shaker). Dingley mixed the CD, with additional mixing by RYAN ULYATE (Tom Petty). It was mastered by JOE GASTWIRT Mastering (Beach Boys, Tom Petty, Crosby, Stills and Nash). After tonight’s release, US & European tour dates are planned for spring, 2011. More at www.susanjamesmusic.com
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We’ve seen promo that reads, “James has expanded her lyrical and musical reach through a psychedelic, country-folk lens, with her songs addressing life, love, hope, apparitions and eccentricities. The songs were written, sequenced and produced by her as more of a ‘concept’ than just the sum of all parts. James’ ghostly voice, grasp of lyrics and complex arrangements blend flawlessly to take you on a kaleidoscopic journey throughout the record, and securing her a spot in the Americana spotlight.”
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There’s an article on the band doing the project “DIY” (do-it-yourself, with a major record label) at www.dailykos.com/story/2011/1/6/125642/2671
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The CD release show (and yes, party), Tuesday, February 15, is a Guide “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick. Presented by “The Grand Ole Echo” productions, doors open at 7 pm, and it’s a good idea to be early for the 7:30 pm show. $10 gets you in, AND includes a copy of the new CD; it’s a $5 admission without the CD. Show is 18+, at the Echo, 1822 Sunset Bl, Echo Park; 213-413-8200. www.attheecho.com.
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5) FRANK FAIRFIELD, OLD-TIME STRING MUSIC MAESTRO, PERFORMS TUESDAY
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He’s sustaining a tradition on old time fiddle, guitar and banjo, music that’s long teetered on the verge of extinction. FRANK FAIRFIELD helps us remember something atavistic in the marrow of our bones, some whisper from vanished prewar, pre-interstate days, when regionalism reigned, and personal communication, gestures, movements, and music were restricted to the limitations of our eyes.
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But, for Frank, it’s about more than that: It’s about doing what feels right. Frank Fairfield’s music feels right.
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The Los Angeles based, folk-traditionalist has come a long way in the past few years. Since being discovered playing the city’s sidewalks and signing on New York Folk label Tompkins Square, he has toured the country numerous times. He’s played with CHARLIE LOUVIN, POKEY LAFARGE, CHARLIE PARR, & BLIND BOY PAXTON, becoming a popular act at the annual “Pickathon Festival” and appearing on NPR’s “Morning Edition.” After touring the UK and Europe in the fall of 2010, Frank is now back in L.A., recording his next album and compiling his next collection of 78 recordings for release in the Spring/Summer of 2011. There’s more on him at www.myspace.com/frankfairfield.
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FRANK FAIRFIELD, the old-time string music maestro, performs Tuesday, February 15, in a Guide “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick, at 8 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-794-2424; venue phone 626-398-7917 (to see if something good is cookin’ for a quick dinner that night); info www.coffeegallery.com. Tix, $15.
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6) “NEW MUSIC SEMINAR” COMING TO L.A., MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY
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When the “NEW MUSIC SEMINAR” (NMS) arrives February 14-16 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, Universal City, it won’t be confined to the usual hotel meeting rooms. It includes nightly performances at The Music Box / Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood and the Roxy in West Hollywood.
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NMS is billed as “the innovative future of music conference,” and organizers have announced the final schedule and speaker lineup for the Los Angeles event.
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GILLI MOON, president of the global Songsalive! organization and one of the mentors at a 5 pm session at the Seminar on Wednesday, February 16, says, “The New Music Seminar is not your normal run in the mill music conference that ties to spoon feed artists on how to ‘make it’ with music industry guests that sit up on panels like popcorn with no desire to interact. This is a real conference with real learning, and using step by step approaches on how to really succeed in THIS real climate of the music business. Of what I’ve learned from DAVE LORY‘s approach (New Music Seminar’s producer), he brings panelists on board who know how to educate and are willing to engage with the musicians and artists. It’s intimate, exclusive and real.”
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The event includes a Monday night Opening Night Party, February 14, a red carpet event at The Music Box in Hollywood.
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The two-day, three-night conference includes “a symphony of five ‘movements’” as it calls its focused discussions, with 18 “Intensives” (aka presentations) of 18 minutes each, from key industry leaders. There are 25 mentoring sessions, plus the nightly music showcases, and what producers are calling “High-Level Industry Summit Meetings.” NMS creative workshops focus on “Live Performances,” “Singer/Rappers Vocal Performances,” and “Producing and Songwriting,” with “ongoing networking opportunities throughout.”
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Gilli adds, “New Music Seminar is the must-attend conference for the emerging new music industry. The Seminar will address both the artists’ dilemma of breaking out from the ever-growing glut of music releases and the development of a new business model for a sustainable music business.”
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Schedules and info on presenters and speakers is at www.newmusicseminar.com/blog/event-details/schedule/. It runs Monday-Wednesday, February 14-16, and it’s a Guide “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK” FOR ARTISTS.
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7) ASSOCIATION OF FINGERSTYLE GUITARISTS ANNUAL FESTIVAL IS FEBRUARY 19
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With free daytime events in a nice outdoor venue, and an evening concert of all-star guitar maestros, the “ASSOCIATION OF FINGERSTYLE GUITARISTS ANNUAL FESTIVAL” (AFG Festival) arrives in just over a week. It’s open to all, and brings a talented lineup of professional guitarists from across the country. It will be held at the Yorba Linda Community Center, with outdoor free performances in the park amphitheater from Noon to 4:30 pm, and an evening concert inside the Community Center’s Club Room at 5 pm. Nighttime concert tix are $20.
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The evening concert features performers JEFF LINSKY, DAVID OAKES & BRUCE BUCKINGHAM, BOB SAXTON (PATSY CLINE) and GUITAR ROMANTICA.
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During the afternoon in the adjacent park amphitheater, you can see and hear plenty of accomplished fingerstyle guitarists, with featured performances by BROOKS ROBERTSON, JEFF FINDL, REYNALD CHAPUT & FREDDIE HOUSE, EUGENE HOWELL, EB JENSEN, GREG M. ATKIN, TERRY EAKIN, classical guitarist PERFECTO DE CASTRO (10 string Classical Guitar), TERRY BAILEY and special performances by evening concert stars BOB SAXTON (PATSY CLINE), DAVID OAKES & BRUCE BUCKINGHAM, GUITAR ROMANTICA, and JEFF LINSKY.
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It’s AFG’s biggest annual event, bringing an opportunity to enjoy some of the world’s best guitarists and to support a fine music organization with your attendance.
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Many will come mostly for Saturday evening’s indoor concert, at 8 pm, to hear JEFF LINSKY headlining a fine lineup.
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With a strong classical guitar technique and a remarkable gift for improvisation, JEFF LINSKY has developed his own warmly passionate and personal style of playing, blending elements of jazz, classical, and Latin music. An award winning composer, Jeff has several critically acclaimed recordings to his credit. Jeff’s original composition “Up Late,” title track of his Concord Records release, has become a standard in the Smooth Jazz radio format. His composition, “Monterey,” served for years as the broadcast theme of the ‘Monterey Jazz Festival.” His Latin Jazz project, “Simpatico,” featuring WEATHER REPORT veterans ALPHONSO JOHNSON and ALEX ACUNA, was nominated Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors. His completely improvised solo guitar release, “Jeff Linsky / Solo,” was named in Downbeat Magazine’s Top Ten List. More at www.jefflinsky.com
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Daytime – FREE events, starting at noon, outdoors in the park amphitheater. Evening concert requires tickets, and that’s indoors at 8 pm.
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Evening concert tix are $20, and that gets you the full-day admission to all events, indoors and outdoors. AFG member’s spouse gets in FREE to all events. Noon to 9:30 pm, says AFG President GREG ATKIN, is a day of “Non-Stop Guitar Playing Fun.” Free parking,
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AFG is educationally oriented and dedicated to the goals of teaching, nurturing, and promoting the art of fingerstyle guitar. In pursuit of its goals, the AFG publishes a semi-annual newsletter, aptly named “The Sound Hole.” AFG hosts tri-annual Fingerstyle Guitar Seminars, holds an annual Convention (each January), and sponsors special performance events featuring AFG members. Membership is open to the public for $20 per year dues.
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The “ASSOCIATION OF FINGERSTYLE GUITARISTS ANNUAL FESTIVAL” with plenty of guitar maestros, is Saturday, February 19, with FREE daytime events at the Yorba Linda Community Center’s park amphitheater, and an indoor evening concert at 8 pm, at 4501 Casa Loma Av, Yorba Linda 92886. The festival is a Guide “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick. You can become an AFG member at the event (AFG welcomes musicians and music fans). Info is available on the organization and the festival at 714-663-0071 or www.afg.org
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8) THE BEST NEW PRODUCTS WE FOUND AT NAMM
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By Debbie Berry, Guide Correspondent
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Oops. Deadline missed. We’d rather have this one complete and wait an extra week to bring it to you. There were bunches of wonderful new things at the giant NAMM show and conference. Wait… you’ll see…
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9) EDITED TRIO LEADS FULL LINEUP – CONCERT REVIEW
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By Geo. McCalip, Guide Correspondent
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On Sunday evening, January 30, BRETT PERKINS hosted what is becoming his annual “Listening Room Concert at the Sierra Madre Playhouse.” The show featured a number of musicians who have known each other for years, if not decades, and the audience included a number of friends who have followed their careers.
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Brett started by having his 16 month old daughter, Liva September, introduce the opening act, her mother, AMALIE RIIS, (aka Amalie Siir). Liva, who was impossibly cute at last year’s concert, stole the show just by calling for her mommy.
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Amelia, Brett’s Danish wife, performed first so she could take over watching Liva September. She did three songs she had written since her performance at the concert last year. One, co-written with a Swede, showed a remarkable use of the language, especially since English is a second language for both songwriters.
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Next up, Brett introduced BARRY SCHWAM, who helped get Brett booked into the Playhouse years ago. Barry played one song on his autoharp and sang, to the accompaniment of JEAN SUDBURY on octave mandolin, approximately twice the size of a standard mandolin. By popular demand they were asked to stay and do a second song.
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Following Barry and Jean, Brett brought up the group now known as TVVT. Starting as TIM TEDROW & TERRY VREELAND, they have now added JOEY VREELAND (Terry’s daughter) on vocals and REV. MARK TORRANCE on bass. Local fans have long appreciated Tim and Terry for their tight harmonies; the extra personnel truly add depth and nuance, not just body count and volume. I found it particularly gratifying to see the confidence Joey has gained in her ability since her early efforts with her father and Tim, and would note that her performance justified the confidence.
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Brett then introduced GWENDOLYN SANFORD who usually performs as the single-named artist, GWENDOLYN. She thanked Brett for helping her get started as a singer-songwriter while still in high school. Some of us, who remembered her from those days, were curious as to what she would sound like at twice that age, and what kind of music she would choose to perform. She chose three Western style songs that proved a wonderful match for her unique and charming voice.
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To round out the first half of the program, Brett turned the stage over to ROBYN ROSENKRANTZ and MICHAEL GLOVER, also known as BRIGHT BLUE GORILLA. The pair of singers / songwriters / actors /movie producers entertained the audience with three songs, with Robyn and Michael taking a turn for one of the songs each on the octave guitar (unlike the octave mandolin, only half the standard size – go figure). They also promoted their new movie, “Lose With English,” and invited everyone to the LA premier on February 5.
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TIM BURLINGAME and KATHRYN SHORR, who perform together as the duo SWEET TALK RADIO, led off after intermission. Writing songs and performing them together for over a decade has established this couple as one of the better local acoustic acts, and their three song set did not disappoint.
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Brett returned to the stage after Sweet Talk Radio and announced a change in the program. Due to time constraints, BRETT PERKINS, DAVID ZINK and MARK DAVIS would each perform only one solo before taking the stage as the trio, EDITED. Brett’s solo demonstrated why he has become well known internationally as a songwriter, with songs on the charts in Europe. David’s soulful performance showed what depth and maturity can do when combined with the talent that landed him a position with THE NEW CHRISTY MINSTRELS early in his career. Mark’s solo left no reason to wonder why his CD had been selected as “CD of the Decade” by the Orange County edition of the L.A. Times.
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While their solos definitely showcased how much talent each has, it was as a trio that they truly shone. The EDITED trio presented the five songs from their new CD, and did so flawlessly. Their harmonies could not have been tighter, and the arrangements worked to make the whole much greater than the sum of the parts. EDITED’s set provided a truly fitting end to an amazing night of music by friends, for friends.
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(Editor’s note: The EDITED trio is currently on tour in Europe, through mid-March. Trio member MARK DAVIS has a new CD set for release upon his return to L.A. We’ll keep you posted.)
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10) SENDING YOUR MUSIC TO MEDIA – A CD OR DOWNLOADS?
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Recently, JEFF PADGETT, esq., of Coles Point Records (www.colespointrecords.net), wrote to ask us, “I was wondering what format you prefer when receiving new music, or do you prefer to take it off of [the artist’s] websites / pages / profiles, etc.”
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Simple question, and it deserves a thoughtful answer. Things are changing rapidly, with the proliferation of new media. So, we began by telling Jeff that all our preferences in this specific regard may or may not be representative. But the reply includes some of what the editor teaches in workshops and advises in artist consultations. So, we thought we should share it.
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“First, I want the artist or label to make contact with me before they send a CD to me ‘cold.’ I don’t like to see anyone waste their money mailing CDs that don’t fit the format of what I do [or what any other recipient plays on the radio or reviews for their publication] .Once that’s established:
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“1) I want a CD with a GOOD ONE-SHEET. And I want the CD in a jewel case or a digipak with good thickness, so I find it by the spine label. Slim cases of whatever kind are terrible, as the CD gets lost on the shelf or in a stack.
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“2) Only rarely do I want a big media kit – that’s usually more than I need, and if I try to keep the CD with the media kit, that can keep the CD out of circulation. (Plus, a printed media kit offers info that I must re-type if I want to use anything as a quote.)
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“2) I can fold a one-sheet with two folds and slip it over the CD, keeping them together on a shelf or in a stack.
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“3) A good one-sheet has links to an EPK [Electronic Press Kit] that allows copy-and-paste text and that has links to hi-res pics if I need them to write a print or web-based piece or review.
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“4) Sending me individual song downloads is a good way to be sure I WON’T listen to the song. I’ll get off the computer and listen to a good CD. If it’s a download, it is, at best, background noise as I continue to work. (Though a really, really outstanding music video will get me to watch – if it arrives with a compelling quote or two that lets me know someone with a dependable reputation already found the video worth watching.)
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“More than you asked. Hope it helps.”
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Best,
Larry Wines, editor,
Acoustic Americana Music Guide
Columnist, FolkWorks magazine
Producer/host, Tied to the Tracks
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Do features like this help YOU? Let us know whether you want to see similar pieces.
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11) GRAMMY AWARDS ARRIVE SUNDAY – WHO WILL WATCH?
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The 53rd annual GRAMMY AWARDS arrive Sunday, February 13, broadcast internationally and in the US on CBS TV, from the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. The nationwide broadcast goes out at 8 pm ET, live. It airs at 8 pm PT, tape-delayed after it’s happened, to allow the show to air here in prime time.
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Though precious few Grammys apply to folk-Americana, top performances on acoustic instruments, the vibrant singer-songwriter acoustic renaissance, or acoustic music in general, those that do are the most coveted prizes in “our” genres of music – maybe because there are so few Grammys for us. So, will you choose to endure the endless multiplicity of awards for sh-thump-thud pop, rap, hip hop, those mostly forgettable and essentially disposable recordings, and the event’s live performances of nothing-but that, and maybe a few contemporary country songs about dysfunctional relationships? Still, it IS the music industry’s biggest night on TV.
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Okay, before you pop fans get angry over our characterizations of contemporary pop music, do this – quick! – Name the winners of all the pop and hip hop and rap categories for the last three years, without checking the internet. Can you? And how many country songs these days are about anything BUT dysfunctional relationships? We rest our case, when it comes to our characterizations of pop and today’s country.
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But let’s get serious about the nature of the Grammys. Start by looking at the Canadian JUNO Awards, often referred to as the North Country’s version of the Grammys. THEY have many, many categories for acoustic traditional and acoustic renaissance and “new folk” music.
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Only recently, the Grammys added a single amalgamated award for “Best Cajun or Zydeco Album.” Just one “catch all” Grammy. If those were genres native to Canada, the JUNOs would have separate categories and individual awards for Cajun and for zydeco. And they’d have them in each of several categories, including individual male and female performances, individual song, individual instrumental, best album, best songwriter, best producer, and probably more.
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How do we know that? Take a look at the JUNO’s roots music – the Canadian equivalent genres – Quebecois and Cape Breton. Plus all the other aspects of Canadian music, which is often not that different from genres here that the Grammys ignore. The Grammys still do not have even one award for top western song or album (and ain’t no way anybody would confuse western with contemporary, dysfunctional-relationship, country. Along with the fact that original and contemporary western and western swing are EACH categories deserving of multiple awards – for best male and female performers and best band and best single and best album and best use in a soundtrack, and…)
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Point is, the Grammys have a long way to go beyond their multiplicity of disposable, soundalike, groove-driven “sh-thump-thud” with wtf fireballs of indoor pyrotechnics, incongruous vocal gymnastics, insipid lyrics, pitch-corrected and warped-production tricks that are as UNreal in a time of conflicting admonishments to “keep it real” as any incongruity could possibly be.
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The Grammys must go much farther – to achieve open inclusion of REAL music in vastly more genres, honestly performed by humans on real musical instruments, and honestly recorded without dehumanizing, roboticized techno-tricks – before we come close to getting interested in watching for a whole evening. How about you?
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Events, club & coffee house gigs, big venue concerts, house concerts, acoustic music news, and LOTS more are in the complete edition.
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THE LATEST FULL EDITION of the Acoustic Americana Music Guide is always available at
www.acousticmusic.net or at
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com or by links from the News-only edition at www.nodepression.com/profile/TiedtotheTracks
or by following any of MANY links on the web to get to one of those sites.
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Entire contents copyright (c) © 2011, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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