It’s no secret that some of the greatest music is the music you will never hear. This is can be a bitter pill for a music lover to swallow because we want to soak in as much as we possibly can. But whenever you stumble upon a musician/band/performer who is part of this undertoe of the overall musical tide you feel like you’ve discovered a holy grail of sorts.
The other evening I stumbled across a singer/songwriter by the name of Drew Peterson that fit this bill. I was among a handful of folks in the club, most of whom appeared to be more interested in their drinks than the music. But as he cooly and calmly strummed through his songs people started to to collect at the tables in front of the stage. To me he had an air of John Prine, a hint of Loudon and strangely enough, Bob Schneider. His songs were soulful, humorous, and delivered in a meaningful easy-going style from someone with nothing to prove. It was captivating, engaging and completely what live music is all about. A lone musician on stage, under the lights inviting hazy-eyed onlookers into his/her world so that we may escape ours if even for a moment.
These are the type of musical moments and discoveries that are few and far between, but it’s what keeps us going to shows, buying new music and falling in love again. A quest for that next big thing. Even if that big thing is small. Hell, that’s how are label started. Greg Brown was a little known folk singer who captivated the ears of Bob Feldman who in turn helped bring Greg’s music to the world as well as many of our current artists.
So this weekend as the news stations saturate the airwaves with retrospectives on Michael Jackson, take the time to go out and make that secret discovery. Wherever you are. Every town has ’em, you just have to be in the right place at the right time. Sometimes you don’t even have to be in that place. Cruise the internet or your local record store and pick up that CD you’ve “heard about” but know nothing of the band. Or the one with the cool cover. It can open doors.
If you haven’t been before, start off by going to our website for some great roots/folk/ blues music: www.redhouserecords.com. Peruse our catalog, find something you like and give us a call (800-695-4687).
Brandon
Red House Records
www.redhouserecords.com
p.s. To listen to the afore mentioned Drew Peterson visit his myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/drewsmusic
