The latest “Home team”
A few weeks ago while I was on my Sunday night new music show Fresh Tracks I was interviewing several people associated with the local music scene. We had local musicians, club/venue owners, and local recording studio’s all represented on the air that night. It was supposed to be a conversation about local guitarist and song writer Charles Hedgepath and his upcoming CD release party August 9th at the Warehouse Theater here in Greenville. But with so many people from different parts of the music scene in the room I started to turn the conversation into a “state of the scene” discussion. Now most people in media, just as in the law profession will tell you never ask a question you don’t already know the answer to, but I’ve always had a little weakness for the risk of a “surprise answer” when in these situations. I will admit I had an idea of what would get when I began this line of questions, however the surprise did come in the form of just how much progress had been made in the effort to grow interest in what is becoming a very good pool of talent in the upstate. The clubs and venues like Smiley’s Acoustic café and the Warehouse Theater working together to put on the CD release party for Charles is a great example. And having Matt Morgan and his Sit N Spin recording studios working with area artists to develop CD’s and demos. And probably the best information that came out of this round table was having local musicians speak of seeing other musicians coming out to see others play. Jeff Chandler, and Shane Pruitt two very talented artists here in the upstate joined in the conversation, and they all spoke of members of different bands getting together to have side projects, or lending they’re talents to other musicians solo projects. This is a great sign of the whole music community supporting the whole scene and when combined with the recent development of well known national recording artists coming in the upstate to not only play with our musicians but record with them as well, it just really started to sound like a lot of positive things were going on for local music. The one thing that has not been mentioned in this blog is how the local music scene, artists, clubs, recording studios and other various related endeavors were being supported by YOU the people of the upstate. Everything from local music magazines and my show fresh tracks to the bands and have been trying everything possible to garner your attention and support for the incredible talent we have here, and it appears that YOU are the last one’s to get on board. So in an effort to help jump on this train and to make Greenville/Spartanburg the kind of music area an Asheville, or Austin has become I ask you only one thing.PLEASE MAKE AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC! I know many of you do and most of you have a favorite local artist you like to see live. But ask yourself when was the last time you actually did go out and see them play? We all know that economics play a role in everyone ability to do things like go see live music, but you are actually helping make the upstate stronger economically as well as culturally by catching some music now and then. Heck you might even make your life a little bit better after finding some great local band or artist that plays “your” kind of music! So I ask you to take the same pledge as I have and all these other talented people have here in the upstate. To get out and support our local artists, maybe we could even develop a mantra of “ONCE A WEEK I CATCH A GROOVE” or something. It’s just a though from a very passionate music fanatic who can speak from personal experience of how one’s life can be just a little bit more meaningful and enjoyable when you sprinkle a little live music on it! Please visit www.mypsace.com/freshtracksradio to find out about some of the local talent and listen to fresh tracks on rock 101 WROQ every Sunday night from 7p-9p for a chance to hear some of these artists too.