• timb
  • timb
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  • From: Central Massachusetts, USA
  • Registered: 2014-05-09
  • Posts: 315

Topic: Inspiring new musicians

I was thinking about Joe's efforts with Keeping The Blues Alive, and it seems to me that there's nothing more inspiring than seeing this kind of music live.

I took my 12 year old son to see to see Joe in Providence recently, and before that to the Experience Hendrix tour, and both were an unbelievable experience for us both. Joe was phenomenal as expected, and it was impressive to see the tiny stage in the Hampton Casino filled with a dozen world-class guitarists. The web page (http://www.casinoballroom.com/event-detail.php?id=626) lists Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales and Ana Popovic. But there was also Zakk Wylde, and Jon Butcher made an appearance too. Noah Hunt was awesome on vocals.

Anyway...  That's an opportunity that a lot of kids won't get for any number of reasons. Cost, availability, location, too loud, Mom and Dad don't think of it, etc.

My (very small) town does summer concerts in the park. I wonder if Joe's KTBA could help promote free events like that. Reading about the donations on http://keepingthebluesalive.org, I don't think he would want to divert funds that would buy instruments and other equipment. But perhaps they could just use endorser contacts to promote and fund it. A summer series could use local talent, and if it was limited to parks with existing bandstands, I think all you'd need would be PA, mics, and mixer. Regionally you could even use the "street team" approach to do some of the work. I know I could volunteer a weeknight every week for a summer season of "Blues in the park" concerts. It would need to draw on local/regional talent, since I don't think you need a major headliner for this type of initiative. I don't even think you want to make it about a single person performing a concert, and instead have a few each time. A mix of more-seasoned guitarists who can carry it, accompanied by some younger artists.

Not every area has a Quinn Sullivan (http://quinnsullivanmusic.com), but after seeing him kill it on stage with Joe in Providence at age 15 (and with Buddy Guy on youtube!), I know it would be inspiring for kids to see someone like that playing in person.

I started writing some of this while responding to someone about inspiring new musicians, and decided to put the idea out more broadly, and also ask the question, what opportunities does your area have for kids to hear live music?

timb's Website

  • From: Massachusetts, USA
  • Registered: 2014-04-12
  • Posts: 663

Re: Inspiring new musicians

Hi Tim, I'm in Massachusetts also. Here in Springfield they have what they call the summer concert series. Every thursday evening in downtown Springfield, outdoors, and it draws a pretty good size crowd. I've seen a lot of parents with teen aged children at the concerts, which is always good to see.

http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/i … oncer.html

BTW, Joe plays in Springfield at Symphony Hall in November, its a great venue.

Rusty

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  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Inspiring new musicians

We have something similar here in south central NY. http://www.chenangobluesfest.org/   The Summer Series are all free shows. A lot of what happens is due to the businesses that donate or are directly involved. Join your local blues society. If you don't have one, start one. And by all means get the kids involved! Keep them motivated!!!