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Volume 11 Issue 1 September/October 2003 -
Writer/Editor: Wendy Vickers |
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Radio Regulars page
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!
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Creating Community... As this newsletter enters its 11th year, this issue focuses on community within our local music area. The coming together of musicians from different genres and abilities on and off stage has without a doubt made a positive and profound impact on the Twin Cities music scene. It's resulted in great musical pairings and collaborative efforts to support each other in a business that's not always so affirming, where acts deserving of notice get lost in the recognition shuffle. I know that I cherish being part of this community as a support person. The friendships and contacts I've made over the past dozen years have always been a solid rock for me. Though this work is not at this point a full time paid vocation for me, I've rarely been treated as less than a peer. When I've questioned the validity of my role, someone would write a note convincing me that perhaps I'm still supposed to be doing what I do after all. I've been blessed to have invited to some great activities in our community this summer, and I'm happy to report there are more to come in the next few weeks! Women In Music About 35 women of the Twin Cities local music community came together in August for an afternoon of networking and support at the first annual Women In Music Poolside Seminar. Brought together by Gigi Swanson (MG Incentives), Megan Foley (Musicland) and Rebekka Fisher (Rebekka Fisher Band), singers, songwriters, musicians, promoters, distributors and other behind the scenes supporters shared their experiences, contacts, encouragement and friendship. This get together was just a beginning of what may be a more formal series of support initiatives among women in the Twin Cities music community. More possibilities will be discussed and developed over the coming year. Showcase and Musicians Seminar Event The Minnesota Association of Songwriters brings us yet another music education and performance opportunity event: Woodbury Showcase and Musicians Seminar Event Date/Time: September 20, 2003 - 11:00 am until 4:00 pmLocation:Woodbury's Central Park Just Plain Folks Showcase/Anniversary What if you could hear over 40 of some of the Twin Cities' emerging singer/songwriters/bands in one evening? Well, guess what...you can. Brian Austin Whitney, founder of the national/international grass roots musician support organization Just Plain Folks, makes a JPF road trip stop in the Twin Cities in September. Part of the plan to celebrate the local chapter's 5th anniversary is a musician showcase at MusicTech College in St. Paul on Friday, September 12 at 8 p.m. (with a networking time starting at 7 p.m). Local chapter JPF affiliated musicians get a shot at showing their best work to each other in a great performance space! Come be a part of the action and show encouragement to some fine artists! Sherer Lunacy Speaking of great collaborations, when musicians equally matched in talent and performance savvy combine forces, you've got a top flight gig. I suspect there were a few extended lunch hours last month in downtown St. Paul at the weekly mini-farmer's market at 5th and Robert Streets. Frontmen/guitarists Michael Loonan and Bill Scherer, supported by Michael's 2nd Generation bandmate, percussionist Marty Applebaum, formed a lunchtime gig combo and royally entertained the crowd with Beatles covers and original Loonan tunes. It's always a treat to hear Michael and 2nd Generation, but Bill Scherer blew me away. This fellow, a veteran of the Johnny Holm Band, is the complete package of musicianship--great guitar player, a powerhouse voice and entertaining stage presence, joking about everything from his blindness to the buses running during the gig and continually swapping one liners and Beatles impersonations with Michael. It's
great to see friends and gifted musicians play off each other so well in a
supportive rather than competitive spirit. So if you hear of any of these
folks playing in your area, separately or together, I recommend that you
check them out!
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What are YOU up to? Let me know! Snail Mailing address for query responses, news, etc Wendy Vickers
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Wendy Vickers, #206, 2136 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116-1863
All original written material ©2001-2003 Wendy Vickers