Howdy y’all, and welcome to another week’s Reservoir Music Notes in The Townsman. I’m so excited about our summery weather this week that I can barely write, but I’ll try.

I haven’t received any feedback on last week’s column, which is kind of discouraging. I hope somebody out there cares about live music, because if nobody does, pretty soon, there ain’t gonna be anywhere to hear music in a live setting. The weather’s warming up soon, so show your love by getting out of the house and catch some music live. You know you’ve got cabin fever anyway, so it’s a win-win situation.

We’ve got a pretty good week coming up and March promises to be very exciting, with shows by Dave Mason, Doctor John, Loretta Lynn, and quite a few other world class, top shelf musicians visiting our area. Here’s this week’s picks:

Thursday, Feb. 24 – This is a little different than what I usually recommend. It’s unusual, but a ton of fun. Make that 2 tons of fun. It’s MISS ANGIE’S KARAOKE NIGHT at The Bearsville Theater. This happens almost every Thursday at the theater, unless a band is booked, and it’s not your parent’s karaoke night. It’s really cool and a lot of fun, and there’s usually quite a few actual really good singers who show up. It’s a great way to loosen up and blow off a little steam before the weekend starts. It starts at 9 and admission is FREE!

Friday, Feb. 25 – Also at The Bearsville Theater, local favorites, “3”. These guys have had a major label deal and toured nationally, so this is a great opportunity to catch them up close and personal at home in an intimate setting.

Friday, Feb. 25 – For those of you that don’t mind a little drive, JIM WEIDER, one of the guitarists from The Levon Helm Band, will be bringing his own band to The Turning Point in Piermont, NY. Jim is considered a master of the Telecaster, and this tiny room is reknowned for bringing national acts to it’s stage.

Saturday, Feb. 26 – THE KANE BROTHERS BLUES BAND at The Bearsville Theater is this week’s PICK of the WEEK, even though Taj Mahal and Robert Cray are in town, which is really sayin’ something, but with their track record, the low $15 ticket price, and factoring in the drive time, well, this show can’t be beat! Plus, local youngster, CONNOR KENNEDY is the opening act, and I’ve been hearing lots of good things about him as well. Rather than go into detail about where these boys have been in their careers, I’m just going to direct you to www.bearsvilletheater.com, where all their accomplishments are detailed, and where you can also find out more about all of the shows at The Bearsville Theater.

Saturday, Feb. 26 – The ROBERT CRAY BAND pulls into The Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, NY for the night. Robert is one of Eric Clapton’s favorite modern guitarists, and is worthy of the distinction. This show will not disappoint even the most critical music fan.

Sunday, Feb. 27 – Rounding out the weekend, and the month, is the immortal TAJ MAHAL at UPAC in Kingston. Word is that Taj will have an actual band with him at this show, which, I think, is pretty unusual for him. Taj’s early work with Jesse Ed Davis and Chuck Blackwell is on my all-time favorites list, and his more recent work, while not having the edginess and uptempo energy of those days, is still fantastic, so this is a rare opportunity to catch him locally.

Have a great week everybody!

As promised last week, I’m starting this week’s column with a reprint of a letter that my friend, Bar Scott, a fairly successful musician who lives in Woodstock, wrote a while back, which lays out the pitfalls of being a musician. I find it particularly ironic that in an area that is known worldwide for music, there’s almost nowhere to play, and it’s almost impossible to make any money at it. This letter was written about our local situation, but it’s the same almost everywhere, especially in this country. Why is it that Europeans, Asians, and South Americans appreciate and support American music more than we do here at home? I mean, what’s up with that? It’s pitiful! Well people, you know what they say, use it or lose it! Here’s the letter:

I got an email from someone last week in advance of a show I was doing this past Saturday night at the Colony. He was expressing his disappointment that ­he wouldn't be able to be at the show and wished me luck. The last phrase of his emailsaid: "Have fun and make a lot of money." "Hah," I thought to myself, "wouldn't that be something?" It wasn't the fun part I was chuckling about; it was the making lots of money part. I spent a lot of time that day thinking about the fact that most people don't know how musicians make a living, so I thought I'd take a minute and use Saturday night's show - a suc­cess, I think, both musically and atten­dance wise - as an example.

Here goes: My concert at the Colony had a $10 ticket attached to it. 60 people paid to get in, which equals $600. Great.! Off the top, the Colony pays the person who takes tickets $20, which leaves $580. Then the Colony and I split the rest: $290 for them (to cover the mort­gage, heat, staff etc) $290 for me. My $290 covered $75 for my pianist (underpaid in my opinion, but the best I. could do); $50 for my assistant (who sells CDs, does sound, helps me load and unload my gear and drives two hours each way to do so ­also underpaid); and, finally, $175 for the ad that I put in.Wood9tockTimes. My pay? A loss of $30. We musicians call it "pay­ing to play." I did sell a lot of CDs - $260 worth, so that's good, but here's the catch: investors own my records, so for every­one that I sell, I send them $10. I sold 22 CDs, so I'll send the five people who gave me the money to make those CDs $220. That means that I made $40 on CD sales. But I lost $30 on the income from the door, so in the end, I made $10 at my show on Saturday night. It used to be that I lost a lot of money at my shows, so at least it's get­ting better year after year. This is why it is so important for you to go out and support the musicians that you love. Your dollars at the door make it possible, literally, for them to keep doing what they're doing. The math that I've just described is typical for me at a local gig. The only time I do much better is when another musician hires me and I'm guaranteed a fee for showing up and singing what they've asked me to sing. In that scenario, the other artist is taking the same risk that I took Saturday night. It's a game that we all play, and I for one, am willing to do it over and over again be­cause I love what I do and because I feel strongly that it's what I'm on this earth to do. There's another side of the story, too, which I won't go into here, but that's the story of how much it costs to make a re­cording in the first place. If you're inter­ested in that, I've written an article about it that's posted on my web site. You'll find it at barscott.com under the "Articles that Bar Has Written" link on the home page. '

Thank you everybody, for making my musical life possible.

Bar Scott, Woodstock, NY

                                                                         

        I welcome your thoughts and feedback on this situation. You can write to me c/o The Townsman, or at my email address, reservoirmusic@gmail.com

       Here’s this week’s live music picks:

Thursday, Feb. 17 – THE DON AND BUNK SHOW featuring DON PRESTON and BUNK GARDNER, original members of THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION @ The Bearsville Theater – This should be a real treat. Frank Zappa’s gone, but fortunately, some people are still carrying the torch, and who better than these two, who were there at the beginning, and stayed along for the ride through the glory years. Zappa was a one of a kind original, and Don Preston and Bunk Gardner are two of a couple dozen people in the world who know how to play his music properly.

Saturday, Feb. 19 – Another cool show at The Bearsville Theater. It’s THE BIG TAKEOVER’S CD Release Party. For those of you who haven’t heard this band, they’re an authentic reggae band from right here in the Hudson Valley, except for their female lead singer, who’s originally from Jamaica, hence the descriptive word “authentic”. Opening acts are Royal Khaos and local Onteora High School heroes, The Paper Planets.

Saturday, Feb. 19 – For anybody who’s going to be in the Capital region, TREY ANASTASIO from PHISH brings his solo project into the Palace Theater in Albany. For Phish fans, this is a  can’t miss. For anybody else, it’s hit or miss, but overall, probably more hit than miss, and there’s a pretty good possibility that some amazing music will be made along the way.

Sunday, Feb. 20 – THE JOHNNY MONSTER BAND returns to The Bearsville Theater. I haven’t heard these guys myself, but they opened for Johnny Winter last week, and from all reports, practically stole the show, so this is probably worth the price of admission, and on a Sunday night in Woodstock, it’s the only show in town.

       Have a great week.

     Hello again my loyal and faithful readers. I hope you’ve all had a great week and kept warm. I don’t know about you, but I know exactly how many days there are until Spring. Until then, stay warm and try to get out once in a while to support live music.

    I was looking through some old newspapers before I converted them to packing materials recently, and I came across a letter written by a fairly successful local musician that outlined the financial pitfalls of being a musician who plays out locally, or anywhere. I don’t think too many non-musicians ever really thought about what goes into making live music happen, or how much time, effort, work, and money the artist puts into it before it’s displayed to the world, so I’m going to make this letter the whole of my column in a few weeks. Trust me, there’s a lot more to it then you think.

    Conspicuous in it’s absence from my live music picks has been one of the best musical events in our area, or anywhere, for that matter. I’m talking about Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble, and the reason I have not mentioned them is that the price is out of range for most locals, BUT – I must say that even though the ticket price is high, all music fans should experience a Midnight Ramble at least once. I know nobody has any extra money right now, but when you do, do yourself a favor and attend a Midnight Ramble. There’s always a great opening band or two, but the main attraction is The Levon Helm Band itself. Stellar musicians all, but special mention must be made of musical director, Larry Campbell, a 5 year veteran of Bob Dylan’s Band, Phil Lesh and Friends, and producer of the most recent album by Jorma Kaukonen, as well as the co-producer of the last two Grammy winning Levon Helm CD’s, “Dirt Farmer” and Electric Dirt”. Larry is also on board to produce the next Hot Tuna CD, and I haven’t even scratched the surface! Google him if you want more. One of the best all-around musicians anywhere, Larry plays just about every stringed instrument known to man: guitar, fiddle, mandolin, lap and pedal steel guitars, banjo, and probably a few that I don’t know about. Just to give you an idea, when Larry quit Bob Dylan’s Band, Bob had to replace him with 3 people! The amazing thing is that Larry plays each of those instruments better than most people who have devoted their lives to mastering only one of them, and, he’s completely self taught! Never had a lesson in his life! Add to Larry and Levon’s talents the soaring, angelic voices of Larry’s wife, Teresa Williams, and Levon’s daughter, Amy Helm, The scorching guitar of Jimmy Weider, who’s good enough to be the number one guitar player in any other band, the amazing horn section, the piano of Brian Mitchell (and sometime guest, Donald Fagen of Steely Dan), and you’ve got yourself one of the best bands on the planet! Plus the Rambles take place in Levon’s home, in his studio known as The Barn, so guests are in for an intimate treat that just can’t be found at any commercial concert for any price! Let’s put it this way – one of my friends paid $290.00 apiece for nosebleed seats for Eric Clapton and Stevie Winwood at Madison Square Garden, and those weren’t scalper’s prices. That was the actual ticket price. In comparison, the Rambles are a bargain! And to anyone who offers the argument that Clapton is a bigger star than Levon, let me remind you that “Music From Big Pink” changed Clapton’s life, eventually bringing him to Woodstock, where he wanted to join The Band! So, think again, loyal readers. Do it at least once. A splendid time is guaranteed for all! More Ramble info at www.levonhelm.com.

   This week’s live music picks –

Friday, Feb. 11 – NINA VIOLET at Market Market in Rosendale. Nina is a quirky, fun artist who usually performs by herself with electric guitar accompaniment, which is kind of unusual, and Nina is an unusual, but very talented musician, singer, and songwriter.

Friday, Feb. 11 – For those of you on the other side of the river, BIG JOE FITZ’S BLUES PARTY pulls into The Rhinecliff Hotel for the night. Big Joe is known for his blues radio show on WDST, 101.1 on the FM dial, every Sunday night at 10 o’clock, immediately following the only great radio show left on the planet, Little Steven’s Underground Garage.

Saturday, Feb. 12 – SYD STRAW at The Bearsville Theater. Syd has been around forever on the periphery of my musical vision, always playing with world class musicians. The only record I ever had of hers was The Golden Palominos, which was pretty good, and featured the talents of Michael Stipe, Richard Thompson, Jack Bruce, Matthew Sweet, and T-Bone Burnett. The band she’s bringing to The Bearsville Theater is no exception, featuring Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel (Del-Lords, Steve Earle, The Yayhoos), Francis X (Gang of Four, B-52’s), and the guitar player from Yo La Tengo.

Saturday, Feb.12 – GARLAND JEFFRIES at The Falcon in Marlboro. Listen, it’s a short drive, but worth it. I’ve heard the place is beautiful and they don’t even charge a cover. Instead, it’s by donation. The Falcon needs to be supported, and Garland Jeffries is a great way to do it. Best known for his anthemic hit, “Wild in the Streets”, Garland is an old school rocker who is making a rare appearance in our area. DON’T MISS IT!

Saturday, Feb, 12 – THE BALL AND CHAIN REVUE, featuring 3 great bands which all feature husbands and wives performing together, at one of my favorite venues, Club Helsinki in Hudson. The B&C Revue consists of The Jack Grace Band, Vicious Country, and The Five Points Band.  Jack Grace fronts the rockinest drinkin’ and carousing country rock n roll band around, and The 5 Points Band are known as The Addams Family of Woodstock. I haven’t heard Vicious Country, but the band features Popa Chubby and his wife Galea, so it’s definitely gonna be rockin’.

Monday, Feb. 14 – ROBERT GORDON at The Turning Point in Piermont. Robert is the foremost proponent of authentic Rockabilly music on the East Coast. I used to see him every other week at the old Lone Star Café in Manhattan, and he never disappointed! His bands back then included Link Wray, Chris Spedding, Rob Stoner, Howie Wyeth, and the late, lamented, Danny Gatton. If you don’t know who those people are, Google them and you’ll see what kind of talent Robert brings to the stage. Worth the drive!

It’s hard to pick just one show for this week’s Pick of the Week, but if I had to, it would be the Ball and Chain Revue, which should just be a lot of fun, and has been described as “like juggling, while on fire and driving through a snowstorm, but funnier”. Of course, you can’t go wrong with Syd, Garland, or Robert, either, so, have fun, and enjoy your week.

Well folks, it’s been a tough weather week, so I hope some of you at least got to go out and hear some live music. There’s some good shows this week too, but we’ll get to that later.

If any musicians are reading this, please allow me to take a moment for some undisguised self promotion. In case anybody reading this doesn’t know, I am the owner of the best, most complete, full service music store in the Hudson Valley, Reservoir Music Center. If anybody’s looking for something unusual that they can’t find at their local cookie cutter music store, please do yourself  a favor and stop by Reservoir Music on Route 28 in Shokan. We have a very unusual selection of inventory that you won’t find many other places, from vintage tube amps and vintage Martins, Gibsons, Fenders, and Gretsch’s, to exotic Chinese instruments, Hammond organs, Leslie speakers, vintage Ludwig drums, Deering banjos, Seagull, Blue Ridge, and Taylor guitars, one of a kind prototypes,  and rock and roll and movie memorabilia. Plus a large selection of vinyl records. If you can’t find something you like here, you’ll at least have a good time not finding what you’re looking for.

Here’s this week’s recommended musical events.

Friday, Feb. 4 – TODD SNIDER, one of our brightest Americana singer/songwriters, brings his many talents into CLUB HELSINKI in Hudson for what promises to be a great show.

Saturday, Feb. 5 – It must be birthday day, because tonight you can celebrate the birthday of two musical luminaries. At the BEARSVILLE THEATER, 5 reggae bands and assorted revelers will be celebrating the birthday of reggae’s brightest star, BOB MARLEY, and at KEEGAN ALE in Kingston, we have the SECOND ANNUAL JERRY MAROTTA BIRTHDAY BASH. Last year was rockin’, and this year will follow suit. With an all-star band featuring Jimmy Eppard, Pete Levin, Charlie Knicely, Nicole Hart, and of course, Jerry, I think I’m gonna have to call this my PICK of the WEEK. Jerry’s played and recorded with Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Hall and Oates, Stevie Nicks, John Mayer, Robbie Robertson, and many more, and the other folks in this band have resumes almost as impressive. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

Sunday, Feb. 6 – Rounding out the weekend is another great show at CLUB HELSINKI in Hudson. Once local, now internationally famous, 5 time Grammy winning lap steel and dobro player, CINDY CASHDOLLAR, takes the stage with RORY BLOCK, for an astounding evening of musical virtuosity. Cindy’s licks have graced the recordings of Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Jorma Kaukonen, The Band, Ryan Adams, and countless others. Most recently, she’s toured with Dave Alvin of The Blasters in his Guilty Women. Rory Block is no slouch either. The winner of 5 W. C. Handy awards and numerous other honors, she has recorded and performed with everyone from Jorma, Bob Weir, and Mark Knopfler, to Keb Mo, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Stevie Wonder, and more. The Blues Foundation calls her “The top female interpreter and authority on traditional country blues worldwide”, The New York Blues and Jazz Society calls her “A national treasure”, and Robert Johnson’s grandchildren say that she should be awarded “A doctorate in their grandfather’s music” and that when she plays, “It is as if their grandfather is here all over again”. You know what, this week we’re gonna have to have two PICK’s of the WEEK! This is too good to not be the pick, but so’s Jerry’s party, so, two picks this week.

Have a great week, and we’ll see you next week in The Townsman.