Feelin' the blues with the Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band

The Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band.
(L-R) Kim Shomaker, Darrell Young,
Harvey Dalton Arnold and Tim Carey

  When Steve Hill, manager of the Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band, called and invited me to stop by the bands practice, meet the guys and hang out for a while I was thrilled to say the least. Even though the band is based out of Burlington where I live and practices there I had not been able to catch their show yet. I had heard great things about them from many of their peers and fans and was anxious to hear them, so when Steve extended the invite there was no way I would refuse.

  When I arrived the band was in full force, driving through an infectious number that instantly brought a smile to my face. Steve introduced me to the band after they finished the number – Kim Shomaker on lead guitar, Tim Carey on drums, Darrell Young on bass and of course Harvey Dalton Arnold on guitar. Offering me a stool and a beer I sat for the next hour listening to amazing renditions of cover tunes (including an off-the-chain cover of the Beatles “I Want You”) and original material and chatted with the guys about the band and their music. It was evident from the start that these guys are a tight unit, both musically and as friends and each of them play with an enthusiasm and love for the music that makes you realize it is more than just a song to them.
  The band came together in the spring of 2010. Arnold, who found fame early in his career as a member of the 70's rock group The Outlaws, had stopped by Shomaker's guitar store in Burlington one day and they began to jam. In short order they added Young and Carey. Each member is a prodigious talent in their own right but collectively the music HDABB creates is unparalleled. Watching musician's who perform as though they are enraptured by the music they are creating enables the listener to also "get lost" in the music... the performance becomes a drug and the music is the trip. Sitting there watching and listening as these formidable musicians went through their repertoire in practice I could only imagine how infectious their live stage performance would be.
  I plan one day soon to catch the Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band's show and highly recommend that you make plans to do the same. The "trip" will be worth it!

Harlot's Web

  In the spring of 2010 an idea was born when I attended Plum Krazy's annual Spring Fling and saw three different bands that day all fronted by female lead singers. Amazing singers really. Singers who's voices and talents hit me in the gut. Wouldn't it be fantastic to have an all-female band fronted by one or more of these incredibly talented women? For the next few months I mulled it over in my mind, never quite able to get the idea out of my head - and really, I didn't want to. But each of those women were already in a band. What to do, what to do? What if I were to put together an all-female band that would be a side-project, a project that was devoted to a cause and what better cause for an all-female band than breast cancer awareness. The idea stuck with me, caused me to loose sleep at night as I lay thinking about the possibilities.
  Finally I came to a point where I figured I needed to find out if they were interested. Each said they were. I had the singers, now just to find the female band members. In early December 2010 all the pieces seemed to be in place, including a name for the group - Harlot's Web - and practice sessions began. By mid January though it seemed the whole project was falling apart as first one member had to depart and then another until only two were left - lead singer Staci McBeth and drummer Lauren Myers. I was despondent but thankfully Staci and Lauren were committed to the project and wouldn't let it die. With their help guitarist Sharon Davis came on board and original bassist Sal Burnette returned and practice resumed. After the first night of practice it was evident that this lineup was absolutely incredible! They steadfastly progressed, adding song after song to their set list in short order, evolving into an efficacious ensemble of rocker chicks who know how to wrestle the power out of a song and deliver it with force and emotion.
  The presence Harlot's Web has on stage and the high level of musicianship they exhibit would be enough to get audiences through the door, add in the cause they all represent (fighting breast cancer) and venue's will be hard-pressed for room when the doors open. But the poignancy of Harlot's Web is greater than just an all-female band supporting a cause as lead singer Staci McBeth is waging her own personal battle against breast cancer. In the month's since the idea of Harlot's Web first sprouted in my mind I've been blessed to have developed a wonderful friendship with Staci making this band and its' success a very important part of my life.
  Harlot's Web will have their debut as part of a fund raiser for Athena's Fighting Chance, a group dedicated to the cause of finding a cure for Gynecologic Cancer and the Women's Cancer Foundation of Forsyth County. In addition to Harlot's Web, other performers include Ed Clayton, Slawterhaus 5 (featuring Lauren Myers from Easybake and Harlot's Web), and The Burke Street Band! I hope to see you all there, so mark your calenders now!

Harlot's Web is (L-R) Sal Burnette (bass), Sharon Davis (guitar), Lauren Myers (drums) and Staci McBeth (vocals)

A case for recorded music

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Tue-Mar22-2011

      Someone asked me the other day why I was promoting recordings on TriadLiveMusic.com since "Live" is such an important focus of the site as exemplified by the use of the word in the website's name. He was referring of course to the new section we've added to the site for album reviews. As I explained to him, live music fans don't want to hear music just on the night they are able to get out and listen to music performed live. Given the opportunity I'm sure most would like to take that music home with them and enjoy it long after "last call" is announced.
  Recorded music is one more way that music fans can help support and encourage their favorite local music performers. It is also a way to help preserve much of the original music coming out of the Triad for future generations of music fans when we are long gone. In writing and interview local performers I often find myself at a disadvantage as they start recounting past experiences with previous bands they've been involved with since the Triad wasn't my home in the 80's and 90's. So much of the local music of that era is unattainable for me and others like me who have since moved here.
  It is only rarely that I get to listen to samples of that music when I come across songs on the web during my research. Such was the case in February as I was researching Sok Monkee's lead singer Dylan Setzer for the February Artist of the Month series. Dylan had at one time been in several other bands and by luck I came across a recording from his group J-Train that I was able to stream over the internet.
  What I wouldn't do to have a CD of Cerebus, Society's Child, The Good and the Bad, or any act from that era.
So when you see or hear about a group having a CD release party/concert be thankful they have made it to a stage in their career that they are able to produce a product that you can put in your music library.

A special night of music for music friends

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Jan17-2011

Still 3 - (L-R) Troy Jordan, Brian Smith,
Wayne Arrington

    I heard a rumor a couple of weeks ago that my friend Wayne Arrington and his project band Still 3 with Troy Jordan and Brian Smith were going to be playing a gig so I set my mind to making sure I went to hear them. What I didn't understand at the time I heard about it was that it was a birthday party. So when I called Wayne's girlfriend Staci at the last minute to find out where it was they were playing I was disheartened to discover it was a private party. "Let me call and see if it's okay," she texted me. About ten minutes later she did in fact texted me back that I was welcome and she emailed the directions to me.
  Now I'm not one to go crashing parties but I really wanted to hear Still 3 play again. So I headed to the party to indulge my apetite for live music. Turns out the party was at the house of an acquaintance I had made at Plum Krazy's last year and the birthday party was for him and also for Brian Smith, the drummer for both Still 3 and the ever popular Sok Monkee.
  As I walked in I immediately realized that this wasn't going to be just any birthday party. I spied a number of musicians in addition to the guys of Still 3. Staci McBeth (formerly of Kitty Hawk), George Owens (Native Soul, Big Daddy Diesel, Magazyne), Toy Stewart, and Dylan Setzer (Sok Monkee) just to name a few.
Still 3 took the stage (actually just the floor space in the living room) and laid into some jammin' covers, played a few songs and took a break then came back after a bit and did it again. The third time up they invited some of the guest to come jam with them. Staci stepped up and did several songs including Heart's "Barracuda." Dylan took the mike and performed Alice In Chains' "Check My Brain" and lastly George stepped up and took over guitar from Wayne for a few songs.
  But what made this night extra special was that this was performers performing for the simple love of performing, not for an audience per se but for their peers - relaxed and comfortable in an intimate setting.
  As for Still 3, this trio of long-time friends who have jammed together for over twenty years, is a powerful ensemble of talent. Brian's drum work is ever impressive and was put to the test on the last song of the evening - Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher," a song the trio had not performed before. Brian's flying sticks were a blur as he powered through the song in magnificent fashion. Troy on bass is a wonder to behold. You may recall that I had written about him in one of my first blogs (click here to read that blog) and he is still in my opinion one of the finest bass players I have ever seen. As I said then and I say again - just watching him perform always puts a smile on my face. Every note on his bass is delivered with an excitement and joy of playing to a degree which I have never witnessed before in any other musician. Pure magic. As for Wayne... well Wayne takes guitar to another level entirely. I have many friends who are expert guitar players who I love to see and hear perform, but Wayne's playing is in a stratsphere of it's own. The quality, timing, notes, everything he does on the guitar is the manifestation of perfection.
  Troy (who was most recently with Magazyne) told me he was excited about the coming year musically, saying that the trio have designs on playing together a little more this year after only doing a handfull of gigs last year. Still 3 is truly a brotherhood of musicians, a brotherhood of friends and equals, a brotherhood thriving on the love of music for no purpose other than the joy and love that music gives them.

Photo Courtesy of Susan Kiser McBride

An open mic gold mine

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Dec09-2010

    It was about 6:00 pm or so and I like an old man (that I am NOT!) I was already dressed for bed and just relaxing around the house when my phone rang. It was Ginger, one of my dearest friends. It seemed that her husband who used to play guitar in a band, but hadn't played in fifteen years, had been bit by the music bug once again and wanted to try an open mic night but was nervous about it. "Would you go with him tonght and give him an honest opinion?" she asked. Without reservation or hesitation I replied "Absolutely." So off the pajama's came and back on with the jeans and shirt and I hit the road. After finding the first venue wasn't having open mic that night as advertised we decided to try the Flatiron in Greensboro. I had never been to the Flatiron before but the venue was on my list to eventually get to. But what I discovered there that night was a gold mine of musical offerings. Now mind you, these artists are not likely going to be found one day on top 40 radio or on arena concert stages - but you just never know.
As we sat and listened to the first several acts the host came over and told my friend he would follow the lady who was just then taking the stage. Her name was Vicki Genfan and as she started in on her three song set it was apparent that she was no amateur. Vicki's acoustic guitar had a beautiful tonal quality to it but she also used it as her percussion instrument by slapping the body and the strings - often simultaneously - and producing a beautiful, unique sound. Vicki's slap guitar playing method was actually "invented" by jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan but I had never actually seen anyone who used the method so well. Amid much applause the host eagerly requested just one more song which Vicki gladly did, playing a delightful rendition of the Beatles "Norwegian Wood."
When Vicki was done we chatted with her for a little bit. As it turns out she was Guitar Player Magazine's "Guitar Superstar of 2008" and was actually enjoying a night off from her current tour and happened to be in Virginia that day and on a whim looked up open mic nights in Greensboro, the closest city to where she was at the time, and settled on the Flatiron to go and "enjoy her day off" from her tour.
And my friend? Well, made even more nervous about playing because he had to follow Vicki, he took the stage, launched into his set and performed three original songs that awed me and made me wonder how he could play and sing so well after not playing for fifteen years (check out the video of one of his songs I recorded and put on YouTube by clicking here).
Live music on the weekends is great but if you want to catch original live music try one of the area's weeknight open mic events - then send me a note to say thank you for turning you on to it!

Giving Thanks for Music A top 10 list of music related things & people I'm thankful for.

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Nov26-2010

    I hadn't plan to update the website anymore this week because of the holiday but sitting here at my computer the night before I get to stuff my face with a fantastic meal that someone else labored over I thought maybe I should jot down some thoughts about what I am thankful for. So, here are my top ten music things I am thankful for this year.
10. The Venue's. Yeah, I know Plum Krazy's is closed now and Frank the owner says he's looking for a new location to reopen, but whether he does or doesn't I'm still thankful for the place because it was where I first got to hear many of the local live bands for the first time. And I'm thankful for Boomr'z in Winston-Salem, my first advertisers and a great venue to listen and see a band perform and especially because they stock Cruzan Dark Rum just for me!
9. TriadLiveMusic.com. This website has been my salvation on several levels. In the months after I lost my job last year I had plenty of time on my hands in-between looking for a new job each day. I figured I was already doing the research each week trying to figure out what groups were playing at which venues. The information was out there but nothing seemed to be comprehensive enough. The alternative rags either didn't cover east of Greensboro or they and their websites weren't updated often enough, so I figured I could do a better job. And I feel I have.
8. Friends. I've always been rather introverted. Being a "wall flower" was more my reparte when I'd go out to hear live music. While I'm still pretty much a wallflower, just sitting back watching and listening to the music, having TLM has given me reason to meet people - many who are now very close friends I have come to depend on greatly.
7. The Performers. Of course I'm thankful for the people who are the reason for TLM but I'm especially thankful for several performers who regularly give me a "shout out" for TLM when I walk into a venue. Chris Rimmer of Down N Dirty and Staci McBeth of Kitty Hawk are two that come to mind readily and there are others as well.
6. Clay Howard. Before I met Clay my dear friend Cathi told me about him and described him perfectly when she stated that he was "one of the good guys." I am thankful to Clay not only for the encouragement he has given me but also because his voice is one of the few I've heard that does justice to the Beatle's songs. But whether he's performing his acoustic show or with his originals rock band Stratocruiser, Clay's music just brightens my life.
5. Cathi Wellmon. Cathi isn't a musician even though she does sing but I am thankful for her because of her infectious and critical love of music. When I watch the film "Almost Famous" I think of Cathi because of a line Sapphire says to Russell: "They don't even know what it is to be a fan. Y'know? To truly love some silly little piece of music, or some band, so much that it hurts." That's Cathi, and I'm thankful for her love of music.
4. Harlot's Web. This is an all-female group (Staci McBeth, Suzi Nelson, Lydia Sue Pierce, Lauren Myers, Sal Burnette, Jill Goodson and Shari Strader) I am putting together to do a handful of shows next year for breast cancer awareness and research. I am thankful for the ladies who have agreed to be a part of this project and the enthusiasm they are showing, but the sense of accomplishment and purpose I have derived from putting this together is something that I shall forever be thankful for.
3. Live Music. It is after all what this site is about. From local cover bands like Sok Monkee and Koozie or original bands like Dreamkiller, Jody Lee Petty or Stratocruiser to concerts like Nickelback, Carolina Liar or Unknown Hinson - live music is alive and well in the Triad and I am thankful for each show I get to see and hear.
2. Staci McBeth. Probably more than anyone else Staci's encouragement when I first got TLM off the ground validated the efforts I put into the website. Blessed with an incredible voice I am thankful every single day to have heard her sing. Her voice can lift my spirit to lofty heights and one day, lord willing, she'll record an album so I won't have to wait for a show to hear her.
1. Ginger Bullins-Phillips. I've always had a love of music of all kinds but for years I had allowed myself to be vanquished to a place of musical stagnation in order to apease my ex-wife. But then I met Ginger and she introduced me to music I didn't even know existed. I hadn't even realized it but the music beast within me had been starving for years and once Ginger fed me a cornucopia of music from T.I. (rap) to Buckcherry, Nickelback, Incubus and Audioslave and even country, my appetite became insatiable and still is. It is a thirst for music that grabs me on the inside and drives my emotions to an almost spiritual frenzy that gives me my greatest joy and for that I have Ginger to thank.
Merry Thanxgiving!

Get out of your live music comfort zone.

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Oct25-2010

The Allison King Band

    Each week it is difficult to decide just who I want to go hear or where I want to go to hear music. On the one hand I'm a live music fan and I want to have a good time, drink a few beers and enjoy good music and whatever mood I'm in might dictate what kind of music I will go hear. But it's not just about the music either... it's also about the venue. Because atmosphere is key to the enjoyment of music I will consider heavily the atmosphere of the venues and how that will make the engagement more enjoyable for me. But if I left it at that I would probably settle on three or four venues for convenience sake and end up not venturing further afield to taste a wider pallet of musical fare and since I write about the bands and venues I know I must refrain from hearing the same bands and going to the same venues week after week.
    To keep from getting into that rut I try to balance my personal taste in live music with the necessities of covering new and different bands and venues to share with you. In other words I'll treat myself to a performance I want to hear one night and then attend a performance to write about that week too.
    It is as a result of the desire to find that balance and seek out new and different venues and artists that I found myself at Noma in Winston-Salem the other night to hear the Allison King Band. I had never been to Noma (an upscale little restaurant on 4th Street in downtown Winston) nor had I ever heard the Allison King Band. Neither was what I expected - and in this instance that was a good thing. Though small, Noma is a nice facility with lots of TV's, decent bar and a patio area out front that smokers can use. But the band... for some reason I had it in my head that the Allison King Band was country. I couldn't have been more wrong. While the four members of this quartet are all adept at their respective instruments, it was the set list that proved to be most exciting to me. It wasn't the average rock or pop set list that you would expect to hear from a cover band, instead I was treated to the likes of Todd Rundgren ("Hello, It's Me") and Sly & the Family Stone ("Thank You For Lettin' Me Be Mice Elf") mixed in with more popular standards such as Fleetwood Mac ("Rhiannon").
    The point is that it is good to step out of your comfort zone at least once in a while. Go hear a group you haven't heard before or go to a venue you've never been to before. Chances are you'll be pleasantly surprised and might find some new favorite music.

Even local live music has to have a few rules

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Aug23-2010

    This past weekend was a great weekend for live music in the Triad, but for at least one group it was a bad weekend as well. While our area is truly blessed with some extraordinary talent it is unfortunate that some performers feel they are above the rules and above everyone else. There is no good that can come of naming names, rather it should be enough to know that while a band or a performer is allowed to have eccentricities, they still must adhere to the same rules and laws as everyone else. Every performer has a responsibility to adhere to both the law as well as a venue's rules, rules that usually are the result of law and enforced, be it by the Fire Marshall, the police or the Alcohol Law Enforcement officer. It only takes one jack-wagon of a performer to ruin a good evening of music for everyone.
So to help out here are a few "rules" to have or enjoy a successful performance:
1) Don't bring food or beverages INTO a venue that serves food and beverages. Only low-life degenerates without any class or style at all would even think of doing that - yet it happened this past weekend. If you can't drink or eat what they serve then at the very least drink or eat it before you enter the establishment.
2) Tip your bartender, waiter or waitress and be generous. Of course if they offer poor service you need to let the management know. And for bartenders waiters and waitresses - if you can't be courteous then please find another line of work. Even for a rude customer you should still be courteous and let the management deal with them.
3) Performers - leave your dirty laundry at home. If you are a performer and your ex shows up at a gig and starts causing problems have security throw them out, don't let them engage you in arguments or fights while you are performing.
4) This one is similar to the previous one - If your significant other shows up at your gig and doesn't know how to control their drinking and starts causing a scene, then don't interfere when the management cuts them off or throws them out.
5) Don't smoke while performing at an indoor venue. Yea, we all know smokers have rights too but the law is the law - don't light up while performing on an inside stage.
6) Just because the night isn't going your way is no reason to not finish your show. Be a professional, hell, be an adult and finish what you were hired to do and perform to the best of your abilities and for the length of time you were hired to perform.
7) Be aware that at some venues there may still be children in the audience, such as at a restaurant club. Vulgar language and inuendo may be fun for the late adult crowd but be responsible enough to tone it down for the earlier evening shows.
8) Dancers - be aware of your space. It's okay to once in a while bump into someone, we all do, but when your dancing resembles a floppy dervish with arms and legs flailing all about you really need to either sit down or take it outside where there is room to whirl and jump and jerk about.
9) Lastly... don't drink and drive. I know, it almost sounds cliche now, but don't do it. Make sure you have a designated driver or if you plan to drink heavy and you drive then give the keys to the bartender to keep until you're sober enough to drive. You can't go hear great live music if you are behind bars or six feet under.
Oh I'm sure there are other rules or "suggestions" we could list but I think you get the point. Be considerate of others and everyone will have a great live music experience.