Wendy V's Local Blend

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

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9/19/2005

Nashville connection

As mentioned in my last post, I am back from my 50th birthday trip to Nashville. For all of you fans of my trip reports, especially the Nashville ones,  click here for a link to this one.

I didn't have as much opportunity as I would have liked to talk with music industry folks this time around. However, I did have some conversations with singer/songwriters who work service jobs and people in line to get a seat at the Bluebird Cafe. The one consensus I got is how hard it is to make it as a musician in Nashville. It's been said that one will be humbled very quickly. Yet, just by observing the couple of events I attended, I can see the attraction of a place surrounded by so much music and a sense of community among the struggling singers, songwriters and musicians. Hey, maybe I will retire there, learn how to write song lyrics and get a volunteer gig at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

One local fellow who is planning a trip to Nashville next year to try his luck at song pitching for Music Row is Wayne Hamilton. Wayne's been a busy guy lately. He's working on his second CD, which he hopes to have out by Thanksgiving. Some guest artists include Matthew Fox, Clint Hoover, Joe Juliano and Michael Loonan, among others. Wayne has also collaborated with Michael Loonan on some jingles...they've formed a partnership called JingleMasters. Wayne's first CD title tune, Lucky That Way, is also being heard on Holland Casino ads in the Netherlands.  Wayne is also trying to put together a benefit concert of local musicians for Hurricane Katrina relief. I will keep you posted on further information as it becomes available.

Fall is a busy time for concerts and annual events for me. A few of those I will plan to check out:

 St. Joan of Arc Cabaret, October 28 and 29. This year's theme is "The Late Show: The Dear Departed Legends of Song". The annual concert routinely features some of the best of the best locally: Dan Chouinard, Prudence Johnson, Bruce Henry, Peter Ostroushko, T. Mychael Rambo and many many more!

Also happening at St.Joan of Arc, the CD release concert for Robert Robinson's "Inspiration", Friday, September 30.

Sam Shaber, the New York based singer/songwriter whose work got a bit of attention by 89.3 The Current when last she visited, is coming back to town to play at Ginkgo Coffeehouse on October 14.

8/14/2005

Now what??

OK, now where did she go? What happened to her promise of getting back out and about, and writing about it? 

Well, the latest thing to intervene was one of my worst nightmares: a computer crash. My computer spent about a week in the "hospital" due to a dead motherboard. I was able to back up most but not all of my files before it stopped working, and I didn't know if I'd ever see some of my files again. But thanks to the expert help of the Best Buy Geek Squad, the computer came home with all of its data intact...for that, I am most grateful.

So, that explains my online absence, I hope. But I haven't been hiding in a cave. In the meantime, I'll try to catch up and mention a few notable people I have seen or heard from lately:

I received a very sweet to listen to album by Charlie Hartwell, "Crossing Over". This warm and charming acoustic CD album was produced by Tim Frantzich and features backup support by Tim and brother Paul, Brothers Frantzich band members Joe Savage and Noah Levy, and a host of others, including Hartwell family members. Nicely done playing and songwriting--you can find most of the lyrics for the songs on the CD on Charlie's website.

I caught up with the multi talented singer/songwriter/pianist Vicky Emerson during my neighborhood's National Night Out celebration. Vicky is seeing her career take off in great ways these days. Visit her website and sign up for her e-mail list--she tells some great tales of her travels!

Heard a great gig at J & S Bean Factory in St. Paul recently, with singer/songwriters Ben Lexau and John Moore. These fellows say they haven't played many gigs out over the past couple of years, but I'd encourage each of them to keep doing so, whether together or solo--they've got some very good original material.

Once again, I'd like to thank both the Minnesota Association of Christian Songwriters and WIMMN (Women In Music Minnesota) for having me out at their recent meetings to share my message of encouragement. Speaking of WIMMN, I had a great time connecting and re-connecting with many members at Gigi Swanson's annual networking pool party...watch for a special event in November sponsored by Women Reign!

Next month, I will be celebrating my 50th birthday with a trip to Nashville. Once again, I will be doing a website report on my trip...much to my surprise, my first Nashville trip report from a couple of years ago is still an often-visited page, according to my webstats. So, I figure I'll stick with what works. 

Till next time ... Wendy

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Please be sure to visit  www.wendyv.com  and the Embrace Encouragement site and have a look around!

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