Wendy V's Local Blend

Volume 10 Issue 4

March/April 2003 - Writer/Editor: Wendy Vickers

 In this issue:

-  Spotlight on: Irish/Celtic music in the Twin Cities

- USA Songwriting Competition showcases in Twin Cities

- CD: Paul Jones, Vicki Logan

- Quick news blurbs

Related Links:
 
 Gig Calendar

Just Plain Folks

 Links to musicians playing around the area.
 
 Radio Regulars page

What this newsletter's about.

Matter of FAQ: So what's it (normally) take to have your CD mentioned in Wendy V's Local Blend? Click here for the guidelines!

Singer/songwriters, venues: Have a web page full of gig dates? Send me your link for the gig calendar! 

Irish in the Spotlight

It always amazes me how quickly St. Patrick's Day manages to come around every year. Already I've seen the advertisements on the buses for "free rides" for partygoers and revelers. And, I always think, is it that time again? But it's a good thing. It means that spring is ever that much closer at hand. It also means that the Twin Cities Irish music community is front and center.

When I was growing up in the mid-60s, my parents were involved in an Irish heritage social club. As a child and preteen, I was force-fed Irish music. Back then, it was either the Clancy Brothers, guys with accordions, or "show bands." So for years afterward, I resisted any attempt to listen or appreciate Irish music. But when I started listening to folk music, there it was, known as "Celtic". This was okay, I thought. Much of it was melodic and beautiful. And it had instruments other than accordions. It definitely did not sound like my parents' force-fed variety. Slowly, my biases disappeared, and I now listen to Irish and Celtic music without turning the dial.

The Twin Cities has a thriving Irish music scene. One of the most active participants has to be Deborah Martin, fiddle player for the popular Irish band Barra.  Deborah is also Executive/Artistic Director of the annual Minnesota Folk Festival and related events, such as the St. Paul Celtic Connection. "It's a wonderful thing to live in St. Paul, a city with great Irish heritage and have many so many great musicians that live here.  Being in Barra, it's amazing the audience support we received.  And as someone that attends concerts, it's quite phenomenal... the quality of Irish performers that perform here.  Having incomparable musicians like Frankie Gavin, The Boys of the Lough and Paddy Keenan here within one month makes the winter almost bearable!" she says.

Irish music fans have a couple of opportunities to catch some of the aforementioned performers:

Monday, March 17 - St. Patrick's Day Annual Irish Ceili
 CSPS Hall, 383 Michigan Avenue, St. Paul, MN (corner of Michigan and W. 7th). 
 Concert with internationally acclaimed Irish fiddler, Frankie Gavin.
 Irish Ceili dance instruction for beginners, instruction by Ann Wiberg.
 7th Annual Irish Ceili Dance with music by Barra. 

Friday, March 28 - St. Paul Celtic Connection
"THE CELTIC EVENT OF 2003!!

Featuring:    The Boys of the Lough, Celtic Legends
                   Paddy Keenan, internationally acclaimed Uillean piper, founding member of the Bothy band.
                   Peter Ostroushko, Minnesota's most well-known fiddler, frequent guest on Prairie Home Companion.
                   Scoil na d'Tri, Minnesota's most exciting school of Irish dancers, and Barra, Minnesota's loved ceili band.

For more information on the above events, visit:  http://www.minnesotafolkfestival.org

USA Songwriting Competition Showcases in Twin Cities

The Twin Cities has been selected by the USA Songwriting Competition® as one of several areas to host a new series of monthly acoustic showcases that will be offered at Borders stores in 10 cities across America. Wayne Hamilton hosts these Twin Cities showcases, held at 8 pm on the third Friday of every month in the Woodbury, Minn. Borders store, 8472 Tamarack Road. More information on the USA Songwriting Competition is available at http://www.songwriting.net .

CDs: 

Paul Jones - Baptism River. Northern Minnesota artist Paul Jones offers a fine collection of folk/acoustic originals and standards. Paul pays homage to music and places that influenced him and the love of his family. A very nice CD to have on in the background as you're getting things done. Paul will be performing at several area coffeehouses and venues over the next couple of months--check the schedule at his website.

Vicki Logan - Finding My Way. Keyboardist/composer Vicki Logan's latest release is an album of soothing, contemplative instrumentals designed to aid the listener in finding their way through the journey of life, and perhaps evoke some special memories. Along with original compositions, there is a cover of Melissa Etheridge's "All the Way to Heaven" and "Only Time" by Enya. Vicki's music is now being heard as background music on Radio Delilah (nationally syndicated radio show) and her song “Dreams of the Past” was nominated for Instrumental Song of the Year 2002 with Just Plain Folks. 

Quick news blurbs:

Congrats to Katy Tessman and Dave Stanoch on the birth of their baby boy, Louis Robert Tessman Stanoch. According to his parents, the little fellow combines their best traits--and has his mother's strong voice!

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Sometimes it just helps to talk...

Books are great resources as you make your music promotion plans...but sometimes it just helps to talk out your plans and know someone is listening to you. Books can't talk back to you, give you encouragement or feedback on what they think you're doing right or wrong.

Maybe you've been to one of the bigger music seminars and wished you'd had the opportunity to ask specific questions of the pros about your plans...but there just wasn't time for individual attention.

Once again, Wendy Vickers offers affordable individual consulting services for bio writing and general suggestions for the basics of marketing, resources, etc. on your CD or music. One hour, one week, or one month--Wendy partners with you to help develop an action plan to get you started in sharing your gifts and talents!

Groups, bands, musical acts of 4 or more --Wendy can facilitate a special session just for you! Wendy's classes and seminars feature her critically acclaimed materials:  
Booklet, "Promoting and Marketing Your Musical Talent"  
CD, "Out of the Jar...and Into the World"

Contact Wendy or go to www.wendyv.com for more information on consultations!
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Promoting And Marketing Your Musical Talent

Coming in MAY---sponsored by MN Association of Songwriters. More details soon!

Minneapolis Community & Technical College
Wednesday, April 2, 6:30-9 p.m.  CANCELLED