Wendy V's Local Blend

Wendy V's news and thoughts about some local music and musicians you don't hear enough about

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12/26/04

Well, just about time to wrap up another year! Hope your holidays were happy ones.

Looking back over the past year, the scene was as busy as ever. To recap some highlights: 

-WIMMN (Women In Music Minnesota) formed as a non-profit with a goal of encouragement and support for women musicians. The organization has plans for gigs, seminars and many other activities in 2005.

- Homestead Pickin' Parlor celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. The Richfield store continues to nurture bluegrass players and serve as a great resource for recordings and instruments.

- Just Plain Folks welcomed Vicki Logan as the Twin Cities new chapter coordinator. The ever-energetic Vicki has a strong vision for the Twin Cities chapter and promises lots of action and events in the coming year.

- One promising development for the local scene is the new MPR station at 89.3 FM, set to debut after the first of the year. Programmers pledge a strong commitment to local music airplay. This would be a prime opportunity for all the acoustic singer/songwriters to make themselves known to the powers to be at this new station and make their pitch for  exposure for their music.

The scene also included several new releases this year. Among those covered here were: Tim Helmen, Amy & Adams, Bill Geezy & the Promise Breakers, Kellie Lin Knott, Kevin Thomas, the Frantzich Brothers and the long awaited CD release by TD Mischke.

One CD release just under the wire: 
Bill Isles - The Calling. Since the Duluth singer/songwriter started earnestly pursuing his craft in 2000, Bill's music has steadily earned him widespread respect and critical acclaim. This CD has a theme of love of nature running throughout, from the lyrics to the packaging. The music runs from basic acoustic to a myriad of support from great Twin Cities players (Dan Newton, Becky Schlegel, Gordy Johnson, Marc Anderson, Kevin Bowe, to name just a few), and the Native American feel of part music/part spoken word "Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love."

Have a great start to 2005...I'm heading to Los Angeles for a few days after the New Year. See ya when I get back.

12/1/04

FLASH!!

Back in September, I told you I was awaiting news on a CD release that I said I would shout about once I had more info.  Well, after about 11 years of waiting to say this, I'm thrilled to say that T.D Mischke is releasing a new CD!! The CD release party happens at O'Gara's, Snelling and Selby Avenues in St. Paul Wednesday, December 8 from 7-10 p.m. It's set to be an evening of acoustic piano versions of the songs on the CD. Cover charge is $5.

Why is this such a big deal? Well, many of us probably have one or two "defining gigs"...shows that left their mark and ones we still talk about years after the fact. In 1993, I went to hear T.D. Mischke at a similar solo piano outing at the old Music City Cafe. That gig rocked my world and in many ways was the beginning of my "career" of support for local musicians in the Twin Cities.  There are parts of the story spread around my website, I think, but I will save a retell of it until next time, when I will report on the O'Gara's gig and the new CD. 

Update: See the special edition for the review...

11/21/04

It's 8:30 all night long. Or at least, that was the sentiment of the crowd who packed a St. Paul coffeehouse recently. They just didn't want the dynamic duo of Bill Scherer and Michael Loonan to stop playing when  9 p.m. closing time came.

When you've got the right elements...talent, personality, stage presence...all coming together, whether it be in a small club or a 15,000 seat arena, you've got a memorable musical experience. The sometime duo of "Scherer Loonacy" traded quips, harmonies and hot riffs before a loyal and appreciative crowd. There was no scripting, no lip synching...just a couple of gifted guys on guitar and piano respectively going with the flow and creating an intimate atmosphere of friends playing for friends. A night to remember, and here's hoping for many more to come.

Congrats to Homestead Pickin' Parlor, celebrating its 25th anniversary in November. This acoustic music institution has taught the best and also features some of the best bluegrass/acoustic artists as part of its staff.  Homestead has another open house scheduled on November 27, complete with performances, door prizes and lots of reminiscing.

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