Lady wants to meet The Kid

Savannah

  Savannah “Lady” Childers is a typical 13 year old girl. She would rather be with her friends than her mom most of the time, blast her music at extreme volume and like most teenagers she has a passion for music and especially her idol Kid Rock. But if you’re reading this story and expecting it to be a light-hearted tale of teenage music angst you will be disappointed. You see, unlike most teenager girls Savannah cannot tell you about her passion, or sing along to the songs she loves. She cannot dance around the floor on her own two feet, or jump up and down or talk about her love of music as she is non-verbal. For Savannah each day is a constant struggle filled with enteral feedings, breathing treatments, a daily medication routine and confinement to a wheelchair.
  When Savannah was born doctors told her mother Katrice not to expect her to live long. Born with a condition known as Chromosomal Deletion Syndrome, or more commonly called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, the condition results in seizures, marked muscle weakness, distinct facial appearance, congenital heart defects and growth and mental retardation.

Mother sings to her daughter
on her 13th birthday

  The fact Savannah has survived to be a teenager is a tribute to the love and determination of her mother. Katrice is quick to point out though how Savannah saved her life. At a crossroads in her own life when Savannah was born, her baby’s special needs impacted Katrice and made her realize she had to make changes in order to be the mother Savannah needed if she were to survive. While the struggle which laid ahead for the young mother and child were daunting to say the least, it has been a journey of joy and happiness for the pair. A happiness with music as a central theme in their lives. Katrice’s joy of music and singing has passed on to her daughter. “Savannah is never in a bad mood,” says Katrice “except for when the music is turned off.” Savannah’s favorite artist happens to be Kid Rock. “As long as the music is playing she (Savannah) is happy,” says Katrice “and when Kid Rock comes on the radio or TV her good mood only gets better.”
  For Savannah, Kid Rock is one of the few things that can take away the struggles of daily life - if even for just a few moments.
  When Kid Rock announced the cities he will be playing during his current tour Katrice knew she had a new mission in life - not only to take her teenage daughter to her first concert but also for Savannah to actually meet Kid Rock. The pathway to the stars though is rarely an easy one and finding the right person to connect with to enable her daughter to meet the Detroit rocker has not been easy. Using Facebook, Katrice has created a page (Savannah Wants To Meet Kid Rock) devoted to gathering “Likes” to help her impress the powers that be at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Charlotte to grant her wish for her daughter to meet the star.

  You can do your part to help Savannah by doing two simple things - first, visit her page on Facebook and “Like” it and second, be sure to "Share" the page so that others can also see it. You can also share and tweet this blog article by clicking the icons directly below this story. Katrice hopes to get a 1000 “Likes” but knowing the generosity of the local live music scene I’m sure that number could be much higher. Liking Savannah’s page won’t cost you a dime but you will get the satisfaction of knowing a simple little click on a Facebook page might encourage someone in Kid Rock’s inner circle to make a little girls heart glow with joy.

Trial by Fire - the Journey Tribute

  Even though I've seen a couple of tribute bands in the past I've never really understood the whole tribute band phenomenon and so it was that for some time now I had put off going to see Charlotte based Trial by Fire, the Journey tribute band. I had determined a few days ago that I would however go see them at the new Clubhouse in Greensboro which I had not been to since they changed ownership.
  What I got in return for my $10 cover charge though was well worth the money spent. Behind the vocals of lead singer Ernie Shepherd Trial by Fire quickly got the audience into the music, sounding every bit as good as Journey. Shepherd's range easily allowed him to achieve the same sustained high notes made famous by Steve Perry, Journey's front man. Throughout the first and second set the group treated the audience to hit after hit - "Any Way You Want It," "Send Her My Love," "Open Arms," "Lovin', Touchin, Squeezin'," "Stone In Love," "Who's Crying Now," and probably the most requested song of the night - "Lights." As the night progressed I realized I had forgotten just how many hits Journey had.
  The third and final set of the night was given over to mostly repeats of songs performed in the first set, much to the delight and pleasure of the audience who just didn't seem to want to leave.
  On my way home I tried to analyze just what it is about Journey's music that is so powerful that still drives crowds not only to Journey concerts but also to the Journey tribute shows as well - especially women who outnumbered the men last night three to one (I like those odds!). I finally decided it wasn't any one thing in particular, instead it is the total package - well written songs that are played, sung and performed in a coherent, dynamic presentation - just the way Trial by Fire did it last night.

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!