Live & Local

Originally appeared in The Blue Note, WNMC's monthly newsletter, vol. II, issue #2

In the three years that I've held a Friday radio show at WNMC, it's been a pleasure to watch the growth and transformation of live music in our area. My first show was a jazz show in the afternoons between 11am to 2pm, but even at that hour it was important to play at least a couple of songs from the bands that were playing at the downtown nightclubs, or from the folksingers who were playing at the coffee shops, or at the open mics, or whenever there was a concert at the auditorium. As we were all heading into the weekend together, it was important to make people aware of who was playing, where and when. We have been blessed with a variety of talented performers around here; this is true and certain.

I've always been adamant that it doesn't hurt to have a radio show wholly dedicated to the promotion of live music, especially local music, and musicians playing in our area. I think my fascination with local music stemmed from the time that my mother wouldn't let me drive her car to see a punk rock concert in Detroit. I became a regular turnout at the punk rock shows of my hometown, instead. Also I grew to appreciate radio for its unique appeal and attraction to the people within its immediate broadcast community. Now every Friday, there is a show on WNMC that features our homegrown talent and the artists who often travel great distances to be here and play for us. Often I am asked, "How close is Local?" I suppose the answer is within earshot.

As with the scene itself, it's been interesting to watch the transformation of our radio station. I've seen transition of station managers and a few changes in our format. But we still have the same grassroots sound and commercial-free, community-supported attitude. The same independent record labels (Alligator, Rounder, Fat Possum, Six Degrees and Blue Note, to mention just a handful of favorites) still send us their CDs, month after gracious month. And most of the core personalities at WNMC are the same as when I began (though it was immediately emphasized that the station lives for the broadcast of quality music, not the promotion of a radio personality). But ultimately, it is one person who chooses what goes "on the air" at any given moment. Those choices inherently are an extension of their personality and character.

And the personality and character of the people actually making the music, it must be said, is often a source of great enjoyment and entertainment. This is especially true of our homegrown musicians. They have a common set of experiences that lends them exceptional applicability to our own tastes and interests. And as much as I love that WNMC brings together in my ears the sound of African drum, bayou soul, experimental electronic soundscape, Appalachian bluegrass, pure jazz and urban grit and every variety of harmony and melody in between, I find that it is often the music from our own hometown that I enjoy hearing the most.

I am reaffirmed of this time and again at the Milliken Auditorium's Dennos Concert Series, which has been recent host to John Wunsch, Claudia Schmidt, Jeff Haas and a their collaborators. There have been some great memories weekday-rocking with the band recently voted Traverse City's favorite, Liquid Courage, by the readers of the Northern Express. I have been thrilled at many open mic jams, both acoustic (at the Loading Dock, on Sundays) and electric (at Union Street on Mondays and Little Bo's on Thursdays). Little Bohemia's has provided excellent live jazz, every Monday livelier than the last. The infamous quartet comprised of Don Julin on mandolin, Ron Getz on guitar, Jason Kott on bass, and Dave Collini on the drum kit has been recording and will soon be releasing a live album from Li'l Bo's, which often features guest vocalists, saxophonists and horn players sitting in with the band. Then there are all of the beautiful folk and bluegrass festivals: Blissfest in Cross Village, Dunegrass Blues Fest in Empire, and Farmfest in Johannesburg are all on my list for this summer. Too many venues to name in the space available here, more adding music to their draw all the time.

The great joy of seeing live music from our hometown heroes often stems from the unexpected collaborations and side projects. Traverse City has enjoyed watching the rise of Brian Schram, an artist who began as the lead guitarist in Amanda Waggener's band, developed his talents as a vocalist and a lead man, and has jammed onstage with many of the legends who've recently passed through town. Travis Harrett of the Dopes turned up in a trio succinctly titled 990, with a record release anticipated this Saturday. The intermingling of members of the Fabulous Horn Dogs, including city council-hopeful Jimmy Gallagher onstage with members of Liquid Courage, and Liquid Courage onstage with Jason Kott, and Jason Kott in an electronic side-project with Dave Collini, who recently (as a duo named Sift) recorded their 1st Trks.

Many of the of our favorite folk & jazz legends have been up to their usual tricks: David Chown recently released a fine collection of standards on piano, appropriately entitled Standard Time. Don Julin's latest songbook for contemporary mandolin, this time called Tractor, was received eagerly by our listening audience, as was John Wunsch's classically-inspired guitar album, Looking Towards Leelanau, and of course I Thought About You by Claudia Schmidt with the Jump Boys. Claudia even joined the rising talent of Rachael Davis for a song on her debut last year, an album dedicated to Rachael's musical inspirations, the rather lovely Minor League Deities. And songwriter Jay Webber has been collaborating with a number of musicians on the weekends at the Firehouse Pub in Suttons Bay, many of whom appear on his brand new album. (So new, I haven't heard even it twice through yet!) And we've seen some great grassroots recording; Karen Kay's recent live album was recorded far from home, last summer in Georgia. Empire's own Bubblin' Crude has been developing their sound into a five piece with a new vocalist, slide guitar and keyboard, and just put together an album of highlights from the festivals this past summer. And "bootleg fever" has also hit the downtown bars and night clubs, where Liquid Courage has taped many of their recent gigs, and is shaping these into a proper live album.

WNMC has been luring more and more artists on the air, as well, for interview and live on-air performance. And we've been recording them all! We intend to release our own, LIVE on WNMC project some time this summer or possibly in the fall... we've enjoyed watching this one-time experiment culminate into something that will continue to spread the gospel of live radio. So stay tuned – the best is yet to come!

Originally appeared in The Blue Note, WNMC's monthly newsletter, vol. II, issue #2