Rock Academy Gig

The concert that marks the culmination of the most recent session of Rock Academy is coming up this weekend. Our 13 year-old, Alayne, is singing for two of the bands this time around.

Place and time:

Ballydoyle Irish Pub
Downers Grove, IL
Sunday, November 1st
3:00 pm

In a world where the words "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" make people think of video games before they think of actual musicians, Rock Academy gives teenagers a chance to learn what it's like to play in a band and gig for real. They rehearse for 8 weeks, then do at least one gig at the end of the session.

Usually about 6 or 7 bands play, so if you're in the neighborhood stop by and support these kids. They always put on a great show.

Building an Underground

Rock fans have long been attracted to bands that they think are the "next big thing." They love going to dingy clubs and listening to local, "underground" bands. They go so far as to form street teams and fan clubs for bands that don't even have a record deal.

So why doesn't country work like that? Is it that the country fans are less loyal?

I don't believe so. I think it's the overall culture of what most venues are looking for in a country act. If you want to get a gig at most music venues in my area, they absolutely positively do not want original music. They want songs that everybody knows, and they don't care how prolific or talented you are as a writer.

That, my friends, is crap.

Country fans don't follow original acts around, form street teams, put up posters, etc because they don't get exposure to the people performing the original music. Outside of coffeehouses and open mic nights, most bars are featuring cover bands every Friday and Saturday.

Originality, artistry, and any attempt at all to break out of the mold is frowned upon.

I'm not even sure it's the fault of the bars and clubs, frankly. I believe the structure of Nashville is feeding this mindset. Nashville believes they hold the patent on country music. They take in artists, trim the rough edges with their cookie cutter, hand them the songs they're going to sing, and send them on their way.

Country songwriters, unless they're working for a Music Row record label, are stifled and silenced at every turn. We're caged up and muzzled by the system and not given the opportunity to get ourselves heard for who we really are as artists...not just as the lead singers of cover bands forced to rehash Chesney songs every night.

Nashville's doing their very best to ensure this poisonous attitude trickles down from the record labels to the radio stations to the venues to you. Don't take it. Don't let Nashville tell you what you should and shouldn't be listening to. Support your local original artists. Demand bookings. Demand airplay. Spread the word.

Build the underground.

In Memorium: Rick Roy

We've lost one of the greatest musicians I've ever had the pleasure of performing with.

Rick, you'll be missed and never forgotten.

Heaven just got a piano player.

Alayne at Ballydoyle's

Here's a shot of Alayne at her Rock Academy gig at Ballydoyle's in Downers Grove, IL. The name of her band is Hospital Bill, so the wrap on her wrist is part of the outfit.

She's just shy of 13 but looked like a seasoned pro up there. Great job, kiddo!

I'll post the info for their next session when I get it.

"It's fine being artistic, just not on this show."

Thank you, Simon, for confirming my decision to never audition for American Idol.

That being said, support local music! The people truly paving the musical landscape of this country are in your own hometown.

Mini-rant over.