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Wendy V's blog of news and thoughts about some
local music and musicians you don't hear enough about |
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Radio Regulars page Twin Cities singer/songwriters, venues: Have a web page full of gig dates? Send me your link for the gig calendar! |
12/11/05 Year-round spirit... But the one event which was closest to heart for me was the MPR Morning Show Holiday Pageant and Concert. I have a little detail on it at the Radio Regulars page so I won't repeat much of it here, but I do want to share a little reunion story that took place. About 10 years back when "Radio Regulars" was still a paper newsletter, I got a note from a fellow named Ira Campbell who heard about the newsletter and could he send his wife Kate's album "Songs of the Levee" for a review. I was blown away that someone from Nashville noticed my little publication, so of course I said yes. It was a wonderful album and wrote it up. She played at Music City Cafe in St. Paul not long after that and I introduced myself to her. Since then, Kate Campbell has gone on to greater recognition in the country/folk/acoustic circles. I caught her backstage after the Holiday Pageant, reintroduced myself and told her my story and she said "oh my God! Yes!", she had indeed remembered me. One of the best things about this show was that I knew almost everyone on that show. With folks like Neal and Leandra, Peter Mayer and Dan Chouinard together on stage, it almost seemed as if I could have been at a St. Joan of Arc Cabaret. It was such a great feeling to be able to go back later and share hugs and good stuff with all those people I've been a fan of since I came to St. Paul nearly 17 years ago now. I am so blessed and so grateful for this community. This is really the spirit of Christmas--but for me it's all year round. May music bring you joy this holiday season... 11/25/05 Maybe now I can retire... Hope you all had a good holiday... Back in my "heyday" in the mid-90s when I was newer to the Twin Cities and doing support for coffeehouse musicians that apparently many other folks weren't doing around here, some folks thought I was hot stuff. I had names like "queen of the coffeehouses", "folk angel", "Florence Nightingale of the Twin Cities music scene." I must admit, those were nice words to use as quotes on the website (and I still do!). To be honest, of late I've been less exclusive in my musical support, especially over the past five years or so, and have meandered off in some additional musical directions. Yet, I still get a lot of encouraging words from musicians here from time to time. However, if I'd seen a site like Coffee House Tours around that time, that would have humbled me right quick. If I had more time, energy and resources and just plain thought of it first, this is what I would like to have done. Kindred spirits on a much grander scale, these folks cover the coffeehouse performing scene on a national scope ranging from the musical to music business end of things. Check it out. On tap for me over the next couple of weeks: Frantzich Brothers holiday show at the Fine Line and the Morning Show Holiday Pageant at the Fitzgerald Theater. Maybe some other things if time and weather permit. Congrats to my friend Michael Loonan on his new baby girl Grace Kathleen, his new album with violin prodigy Brigid McCarthy called "A Season of Grace" (review here), and an article in the latest Avenues issue with a plug for the CD. 11/1/05 Quick notes on recent gigs Last time I said I would make some notes on gigs I've been to in the past month. Here they are: It's been some time since I'd been back to Ginkgo Coffeehouse but stopped by to hear Sam Shaber, now relocated to L.A. from New York. She's an especially charismatic performer with solid songwriting, vocal and guitar chops. It was also nice to meet up with some people I hadn't seen in a while (years, in some cases!). The West Bank School of Music had a good turnout for its 35th anniversary concert, with performances by several of the instructors and other guest artists. It was great to hear folks like Butch Thompson and Ellis (I had not heard Ellis before and was very impressed by her music and her sweet spirit). Clint Hoover sat in on sets by musicians Bruce Henry and Karen Mueller...his playing was as brilliant as always. It was also fun to have a look at all the photos and memorabilia covering the WBSM history from the 70s to today. Kudos to Karen Lyu (who sounded great with Global Jazz) and company for the work on this event and for all that the WBSM does to educate musicians. The annual St. Joan of Arc Cabaret concerts were incredible as always - read the reviews here. I worked CD tables both nights and got a couple of news tidbits: - Jerry Rau has a new CD single, called Angels of Mercy, in tribute to the hurricane victims. You may have heard the song during the radio fundraiser back in September. - Kathy Perkins and Shane Speltz filled me in on their new band, Scarlet Haze. I don't talk much about rock bands in this space because I think the genre is already well served by most of the media in this town. But I will tell you to watch this band because they've got a great buzz going early in their career. With Kathy's incredible vocals out front, Scarlet Haze can't miss. They were the winners in the search for a local band to open for Bon Jovi in November..it was a great experience for them and hopefully a door-opener to bigger things! - Paul and Tim Frantzich closed the show both nights at Cabaret, and their CD "Streams of Mercy" practically flew off the table afterward. They have another of their great Fine Line dinner hour gigs coming up on November 27th at 7 p.m. It is an absolute joy to watch such a gathering of tremendous talent perform at their best and get out there and be true cheerleaders for one another when their own performances are done. And, they are some of the nicest folks I've ever encountered...people who remember you year after year (even if you get to see them just once a year) and are very gracious to audience members who stop to give them a compliment on their performance. I have a few concerts and other events by local and non-local artists to check out over the next couple months before the snow comes and I go into my hermit season. More on that next time. 10/9/2005 Looking ahead already.. At work, my supervisor always gives me kudos at how well I plan ahead in asking for time off. Well, I have to. There are so musical and other creative events happening all year around here (and sometimes outside of the area) that I need to get them onto my calendar early. If I don't, before I know it something else will come along I'd have to schedule in and I might miss out on something I wanted to do more but can't because it's now a conflict with something else! (Make sense? If you followed along and it does, give yourself a hand!) Indeed, some dates are already cropping up on my 2006 calendar. St. Joan of Arc Church has announced a stellar lineup for the 2005-2006 Concert Series: *
Sunday, December 4: "Soul"stice: A Christmas concert with the
Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus and guest singer, Gwen Matthews Go to the SJA website for more info or to purchase tickets online. One other event I plan to check out this month that I forgot to mention last time: The West Bank School of Music is having a 35th anniversary concert and silent auction and reunion jam on Saturday, October 22. Just a few of the talented folks taking part are Butch Thompson, Ellis, Bruce Henry, Clint Hoover, Bill Hinkley and many others. Click here for further info and ticket information. Next time I will share some details on some of the gigs I said I'd be checking out this month.
******************************************************************************** What are YOU up to? Let me know!
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Wendy Vickers, #206, 2136 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116-1863
All original written material ©2001-2005 Wendy Vickers