The Village Voice or as I like to call them the New York City guidebook for all that’s going on in the area with the wit of a hundred Anthony Bourdain’s is currently looking for a full time staff writer/blogger for their uber sophisticated blog; ‘runnin scared.’ What’s it take to catch the attention of these fine folks? You better be a talented scribe that can tell it how it is, and give it to them with rawness, honesty and professional media integrity. If you find yourself engrossed in the web and if social media is running through that blackened heart of yours, then be sure to check out their website for further details. Most of the articles that are posted read like a Johnny Cash inspired song and are a breath of fresh air in this online media driven world. Think you can help build their fan base by perhaps combining your own fan base with theirs? I think if the answer is a resounding yes you should click on the link to try your hand at the chance of a lifetime. Here’s the link for all you bloggers, writers, thinkers, drinkers and lovers of all things involving a key board and screen: Village Voice Runnin Scared. How does this particular rant involve folk, blues or Americana you may ask? It doesn’t. I just like them a lot and you should too. If you don’t want to write for them, you will at the very least find some great reading material. Also, my next article that does relate to the folk/blues genre I adore will be posted on my Examiner.com site tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Hudson Valley Folk Lore
New York’s Hudson Valley has always been fertile ground for the arts, including the folk arts. On any given day you can be treated to some of the finest art and music around. This idyllic area, one of the fastest growing in New York, has been called home by legends of folk music. Pete Seeger lives happily in Fishkill, NY and is actively involved in the growing art community of Beacon, NY. Bob Dylan has also called the Hudson Valley home and penned some of his most loved songs while living in the area, including “Spanish Harlem Incident”, “Mr. Tambourine Man, and many others from his Woodstock, NY home. Joan Baez and John Sebastian often sang with Dylan during that time frame while traveling back and forth from Woodstock to Kingston. The rolling hills of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts located in Bethel, NY is the original site of that tiny little three day music festival known simply as “Woodstock“. It seems everywhere you turn in this area another living legend is performing. Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary fame, just performed a benefit concert this past June at The Freedom Plains Presbyterian Church in Lagrange. For a complete list of upcoming shows be sure to check out the Hudson Valley Music Calendar at http://www.hvmusic.com/listing/calentry_list.php
Don’t miss the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts website for information on their museum dedicated to the Woodstock music festival held there in 1969 as well as special art exhibits they showcase. They are hosting a special concert on Saturday August 15th to celebrate the 40th anniversary called the “Heroes of Woodstock”, featuring the Levon Helm Band, Jefferson Starship, Ten Years After, Canned Heat, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Mountain, Tom Constanten and Country Joe McDonald. http://bethelwoodscenter.org/default.aspx
Don’t miss the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts website for information on their museum dedicated to the Woodstock music festival held there in 1969 as well as special art exhibits they showcase. They are hosting a special concert on Saturday August 15th to celebrate the 40th anniversary called the “Heroes of Woodstock”, featuring the Levon Helm Band, Jefferson Starship, Ten Years After, Canned Heat, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Mountain, Tom Constanten and Country Joe McDonald. http://bethelwoodscenter.org/default.aspx
Friday, July 31, 2009
Bobby Long Kicks off his Dangerous Summer Tour in NYC
The talented British musician Bobby Long touched down in New York City to kick off his Dangerous Summer Tour.
Bobby started his tour at S.O.B's in NYC on Sunday July 26, 2009 as part of the Hope Stock Benefit. The crowd mostly compiled of women young and old was eager for the 22 year old folk/country singer to take the stage. Long's Manager Phil Taylor set up his acoustic guitar and a million hearts began to race. A few short minutes passed and Bobby took the stage. Bobby Long can captivate you with his voice like fresh honey dripping slowly over guitar strings on a warm summer's day. His lyrics are poetic in nature and leave the listener open to interpret them as they please. He is a true artist: his guitar his canvas, and his lyrics the paint. He played his heart out for the crowd and mesmerized everyone with his harmonica and guitar skills. He is a throw back to the days of true poetry in music and the sixties vibe oozes from his core. After the show he took time to meet and greet all fans, signing limited edition posters and memorabilia and taking pictures with all who were there.
The following day Long performed at Arlene's Grocery in NYC his self proclaimed favorite place and was again greeted by anxious fans. He sang new and old songs and dazzled the crowd with humor and stories of his rainy day spent in the city. I had brought a few new people to the venue as well to experience Long for the first time and they were not disappointed and can't wait for his return visit in September. Bobby is great with his fans, giving the set list away and making time to thank each and everyone for showing up and giving their support. He is a special individual whose talent is only just peaking through the clouds. His is a star that is fast on the rise and I cannot think of another person that deserves it more. He possesses a strong stage presence as well as maintaining a true appreciation for the people who adore his music. If you haven't done so already you must check out his myspace page at www.myspace.com/musicbobbylong. Go check him out in a city near you, you will be happy you did.
| Poor davids Pub +18 | Dallas | ||
| Poor Davids Pub (aftershow party) +18 | dallas | ||
| Twicon Film Event | Dallas | ||
| Room 710 | Austin | ||
| Mama Java’s Coffee House (all ages) | Phoenix, Arizona | ||
| The Loft at uc san diego +18 | San Diego | ||
| The Hotel Cafe | Los Angeles, California | ||
| The Hotel Cafe | Los Angeles | ||
| Elbo room +21 | San Francisco | ||
| Berbati’s Pan | Portland | ||
| El Corazon (all ages) | Seattle | ||
| Backstage Lounge +19 | Vancouver | ||
| Hi-Dive, Denver +16 | Denver | ||
| The Loft, Colorado springs (All Ages) | The Loft, Colorado Springs | ||
| FIREBIRD St Louis. 18+ | St louis, Missouri | ||
| Neil’s Music Room | Memphis | ||
| 3rd and Lindsey bar and Grill +21 | Nashville | ||
| The Earl +21 | Atalanta | ||
| Andrews Upstairs +18 | Atlanta | ||
| Dunedin Brewery 18+ | Tampa, Florida | ||
| One Eyed Jacks +18 | New Orleans, Louisiana | ||
| SMALL’S BAR (all ages) | Detroit | ||
| Double Door | Chicago | ||
| ³Gasthof zur Gemütlichkeit² +21 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | ||
| Club Passim (all ages) | cambridge, Massachusetts | ||
| L’Hemisphere Gauche | Montréal, Quebec | ||
| Revival Bar +19 | Toronto | ||
| Arlenes Grocery | NYC | ||
| Arlenes Grocery | NYC | ||
| Drew Hall | New York | ||
| The Bitter End (all ages) | New York, New York | ||
| SALAMANDRA SALA | barcelona | ||
| K LOUNGE | Paris | ||
| LOGO | Hamburg | ||
| knaack club | berlin | ||
| RingCon | Bonn | ||
| Arlenes Grocery | NY, | ||
| The Hotel Cafe +21 | LA, California | ||
| The Hotel Cafe +21 | LA, California | ||
| The Loft (All Ages) | San Diego | ||
| 3rd And Lindsley | Nashville., Tennessee | ||
| Rhythm and Brews | Tuscaloosa | ||
| Rumba Cafe 7pm 18+ and 9pm 21+ | Columbus,, Ohio |
The Bob Dylan Show @ Bethel Woods 7-18-09
Where to begin...
The Bob Dylan Show at the original site of the Woodstock Music Festival, was an experience I will never forget.
How could I even begin to describe the emotion, the feeling, the complete awe that can be felt not only at the venue, but by watching a living folk legend perform? The day started out by taking the hour plus drive to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. It was perfect, the sky was a beautiful shade of blue with large white cotton ball clouds scattered across it. Driving into the site, parking and walking up the rolling hills to the pavilion and museum was incredible. The museum was filled with every last drop of information you wanted to know about Woodstock and the sixties, from the musicians, to the entire shape of the decade that defined a generation. I could have spent all day in there mulling about in silent awe, but there was more to see. Downstairs they were showcasing a special exhibit of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed in for Peace. My favorite part of the exhibit was the wish tree for peace, it's a tree made up of tags where people can make their own wishes for peace and hang them. An overwhelming feeling of peace and silent wonder filled the room where the exhibit was. Wandering back out to wait to get into the pavilion I ran over to the stand where I could purchase my Bob Dylan Show poster for my music room. Ahhh glorious. Inside I found my way to the frozen margarita stand, got my drink grabbed some fries and was pulled from my reverie by the sound of the blues. I grabbed my sister and we ran down the hill and into the seated section where an attendant helped us find our seats. They were perfect. We were under the covered pavilion just slightly left from the center of the stage about half way back. The sound of Americana/Blues filled the sweet summer sky as a smile crossed my face from ear to ear. The Wiyos were on stage and I was really taken with their sound and stage presence. Check out their myspace page for details you won't be disappointed www.myspace.com/thewiyos. I almost forgot who I was there to see as I was blissfully enjoying one of my favorite genres of music, the perfect summer day and a passing moment of shear happiness. Moving along Willie Nelson took the stage an American Icon himself. He playfully tossed his bandanna and hat into the eager crowd as he sang Whiskey River and the crowd proudly sang along and clapped in time to the music. Next up was John Mellencamp he started his set with Pink Houses and ended it with the ever popular Authority Song. The crowd really came alive and the music goers were out of their seats dancing like trees swaying in the breeze to his little taste of America and good old small town charm. By the time Mellencamp was through, the sky had turned from lazy blue to darkened black and the thunder rolled in. The sky opened up and hell poured down for a little while, but I was safe under the roof waiting for my favorite poet to take the stage. Then finally, the stage went black. A single baritone voice cried out to the crowd to put their hands together for the poet laureate of folk music and introduced the man himself, Mr. Bob Dylan. Like a school girl running wild with emotions I called my parents and put the phone on speaker so they could hear the first notes Dylan played. Some nay sayers may believe that he is not the same and should hang up his hat, but I tend to disagree. The legend that is Bob Dylan is like the cheesy saying of "a fine wine only gets better with age." Dylan has been a fine wine his entire life and I don't think he has any expiration date. His words are like poetic swirls floating along the stage. His music, his soul pouring out over the harmonica he played, was everything I had hoped it to be and more. He is a true inspiration to anyone that appreciates poetry, songwriting and folk music. I have been inspired by him and I know that future generations will be inspired by him for many years to come. I will always look fondly back at my time at Bethel Woods and would recommend to visit the venue at least once. Thank you Mr. Dylan for an amazing show. My mere words could never do justice for such an epic performance.
The Bob Dylan Show at the original site of the Woodstock Music Festival, was an experience I will never forget.
How could I even begin to describe the emotion, the feeling, the complete awe that can be felt not only at the venue, but by watching a living folk legend perform? The day started out by taking the hour plus drive to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. It was perfect, the sky was a beautiful shade of blue with large white cotton ball clouds scattered across it. Driving into the site, parking and walking up the rolling hills to the pavilion and museum was incredible. The museum was filled with every last drop of information you wanted to know about Woodstock and the sixties, from the musicians, to the entire shape of the decade that defined a generation. I could have spent all day in there mulling about in silent awe, but there was more to see. Downstairs they were showcasing a special exhibit of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed in for Peace. My favorite part of the exhibit was the wish tree for peace, it's a tree made up of tags where people can make their own wishes for peace and hang them. An overwhelming feeling of peace and silent wonder filled the room where the exhibit was. Wandering back out to wait to get into the pavilion I ran over to the stand where I could purchase my Bob Dylan Show poster for my music room. Ahhh glorious. Inside I found my way to the frozen margarita stand, got my drink grabbed some fries and was pulled from my reverie by the sound of the blues. I grabbed my sister and we ran down the hill and into the seated section where an attendant helped us find our seats. They were perfect. We were under the covered pavilion just slightly left from the center of the stage about half way back. The sound of Americana/Blues filled the sweet summer sky as a smile crossed my face from ear to ear. The Wiyos were on stage and I was really taken with their sound and stage presence. Check out their myspace page for details you won't be disappointed www.myspace.com/thewiyos. I almost forgot who I was there to see as I was blissfully enjoying one of my favorite genres of music, the perfect summer day and a passing moment of shear happiness. Moving along Willie Nelson took the stage an American Icon himself. He playfully tossed his bandanna and hat into the eager crowd as he sang Whiskey River and the crowd proudly sang along and clapped in time to the music. Next up was John Mellencamp he started his set with Pink Houses and ended it with the ever popular Authority Song. The crowd really came alive and the music goers were out of their seats dancing like trees swaying in the breeze to his little taste of America and good old small town charm. By the time Mellencamp was through, the sky had turned from lazy blue to darkened black and the thunder rolled in. The sky opened up and hell poured down for a little while, but I was safe under the roof waiting for my favorite poet to take the stage. Then finally, the stage went black. A single baritone voice cried out to the crowd to put their hands together for the poet laureate of folk music and introduced the man himself, Mr. Bob Dylan. Like a school girl running wild with emotions I called my parents and put the phone on speaker so they could hear the first notes Dylan played. Some nay sayers may believe that he is not the same and should hang up his hat, but I tend to disagree. The legend that is Bob Dylan is like the cheesy saying of "a fine wine only gets better with age." Dylan has been a fine wine his entire life and I don't think he has any expiration date. His words are like poetic swirls floating along the stage. His music, his soul pouring out over the harmonica he played, was everything I had hoped it to be and more. He is a true inspiration to anyone that appreciates poetry, songwriting and folk music. I have been inspired by him and I know that future generations will be inspired by him for many years to come. I will always look fondly back at my time at Bethel Woods and would recommend to visit the venue at least once. Thank you Mr. Dylan for an amazing show. My mere words could never do justice for such an epic performance.
Labels:
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts,
Bob Dylan,
Music
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