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The times may be tough, but it's not all gloom
Journal file photo
Joe Blevins of Old Stone Revue, which gets Ed Bumgardner’s Band of the Year honor.
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Published: January 1, 2009
It seems as if 2008 was a really tough year for nearly everybody, everywhere -- but not one without sunbursts.
That's close to optimism, right? Just don't expect a chorus of "The sun will come out tomorrow."
That's pushing it, on many levels.
Last year was particularly odious for musicians who live in Winston-Salem. For that matter, it was a bit dismaying for people who enjoy hearing the many high-quality bands that Winston-Salem has to offer -- for now. The "dash' that everybody keeps talking about, well, that could very well be the plan for the many musicians who, tired of the local struggle, are preparing to head for a more musically fertile clime.
I certainly wouldn't blame them.
There was -- and still is -- lots of great music being made and played by local musicians, many of whom deserve a larger, national audience and the rewards that said audience could bring.
And by rewards, we are talking about scratching out a living -- not playing rock star.
Instead, the places that songwriting singers -- and bands, in particular -- can play in Winston-Salem reached a new low for the city, which itself has seen far sunnier times.
The good news -- musicians, particularly those who play their own music, are used to poverty.
There are local restaurants where weekend-warrior bands of various quality can play. These are almost exclusively cover bands -- not a bad thing. But they are essentially reduced to the role of providing incidental noise to the true business at hand -- eating and drinking. The role of the band is that of a lingering after-dinner mint, which again is fine for the musician who is playing other people's songs, essentially for grins.
But it's not so much fun if you are a band trying to sell your own songs in an environment where the musician is less important than the dining utensils. Playing original music is an altogether different experience. For years, bands hawking their own songs haunted the local clubs, building audiences, honing their sounds and craft, and finding places to network with like-minded bands from outside the city limits.
For most of last year, local options to hear or play original music had dwindled to near extinction.
The seemingly invincible Garage regularly welcomes bands that play original music.
The Werehouse also provides opportunity for local original-music bands and interesting national bands that work far underneath the radar --in addition to providing an outlet for local artists, poets, craftsmen and farmers. But The Werehouse doesn't provide live music every week -- and it can hardly be blamed for that in an environment in which clubs close with alarming regularity.
Winston-Salem's only jazz club -- Speakeasy -- closed last year, essentially putting an end to any semblance of a regular local jazz scene.
Perhaps The Garage, with its intimate setting, and The Werehouse, where innovation and experimentation are embraced and encouraged, will consider devoting a night a week, or at least every other week, to allow local jazz musicians (and there are some mighty good ones) to make their music without having to play musical wallpaper for the masses. It could work. Better to try and fail, then not try at all.
Now, for the annual list of local honors:
BEST CLUB: The Garage, and not just because it's basically the only club. The Garage found a tighter focus in their booking and was rewarded with bigger, older crowds that actually came to hear music.
BIGGEST WASTE OF SPACE: Joel Coliseum, again. Sigh. All the high-quality live music is going to Greensboro Coliseum, a bigger and better-sounding room. But that could change as the music business continues to flounder and the economy tightens. Still, don't hold your breath. Willie Nelson is playing every major city in North Carolina -- except here. Wonder why?
BRIGHT LIGHT ON THE HORIZON: The recent opening of Club Oasis off Peters Creek Parkway could well fill a huge void for local music lovers. The club is big, it's run by two former lieutenants from Ziggy's, and it is booking bands of all genres. National acts are already booked, but it also wants to be a home for local bands, playing original music. It takes confidence to open a club in this economic climate. The least all of us can do is check it out.
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR: Ted Lyons, simply because, as the guitarist, leader, arranger and co-producer for singer/songwriter Sally Spring's band, he has worked more and harder than just about any other local musician. Lyons is a true individual, so much so that you haven't lived until you've heard him play guitar, mandolin -- or drums. That he has been constantly making music the way he wants to make music since the 1960s makes his worth even greater.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Jerry Chapman's Sweet Impossible is filled with earthy, solid songwriting that boasts imaginative pop hooks, smart lyrics and near-perfect arrangements. It's the best album he's made -- and he's made some mighty good ones. This appealing disc will be tough for him to top. It's that good.
BAND OF THE YEAR: Old Stone Revue puts a fresh spin on the Americana vibe. The band's debut album, Heirloom, is a beautiful piece of work, comfortable and lived in, thanks to the fine work of Joe Blevins and Brandon Knox, the band's two singers and songwriters. It's a good-time band, as comfortable as a fond memory, as potent as a case of warm beer.
HERO OF THE YEAR: Every man, woman and child who, in these tough times, took the time to learn, play or buy music of any kind. When you love a song, it loves you back, and it will be there forever.
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