feliciakw: (Default)
[personal profile] feliciakw
Okay, so today's a very quiet day at the office, and so I'm spending some time surfing YouTube. And I come across a video of Jensen Ackles singing with his friend Jason Manns at a wedding. (Jensen sings the harmony. I'm very impressed.) And I read in one of the comments that a full version is available on Jason's MySpace site. So I go take a listen. (Totally would not have recognized Jensen's voice if I didn't know it was him.) Anyway . . .

So as I'm listening, getting a feel for Jason's music, I'm looking at his bio, and it says he's from Bowling Green, Virginia. *blink, blink* So I Google-map where Bowling Green, VA, is in relationship to Culpeper. It's . . . not that far (by Virginia standards). He's kinda-sorta local-ish. (I mean, he's not local now, but he's from the area.) And this gets me thinking . . .

I work at a theater that will (hopefully) be up and running by the 2010-2011 theater season. And we're going to need to book artists. And one of my big things is introducing (and being introduced to) artists who aren't necessarily well known. Because a lot of great artists that I've just sort of stumbled across, whether via the Club Kuss series at that PAC, or Geo downloading them off iTunes, or whatever, aren't "mainstream." But they are well known in their respective circles. (Two of my favorite discovered-via-PAC's-Club-Kuss are Phil Keaggy and Eric Bibb. Mr. Keaggy is very well known by guitar aficionados, and Eric Bibb is the . . . son, I think . . . of blues singer Leon Bibb, an artist with whom Geo is passingly familliar.)

So given that Jason is from the area, I wonder if he'd be available for booking when we start booking performers.

Like I said, me being fanciful.

Date: 2008-10-28 06:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kimmer1227.livejournal.com
I think Jason would be up for that. Being a hometown boy, and all. You'll never know until you try.

Go for it!

Date: 2008-10-29 10:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
Indeed. As I say, the worst he can do is say no.

If it ever does happen, you'll see the announcement here. :-)

Date: 2008-10-28 06:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mtee.livejournal.com
http://tylerreeve.com/
I like his stuff -- he's around the Atlanta area - does colleges and opens for people. More of a southern country.
You can find some of his stuff on iTunes. Whiskey Down is great. I think it could be on the radio now.

Did you download Crazy Love with Jensen singing harmony? I love that song. His singing voice is higher than I would expect.

Date: 2008-10-28 06:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mtee.livejournal.com
OOh have you heard of Marc Broussard? His stuff has been on the radio - but he's not widely known. Very bluesy. A voice that doesn't match the face.

Date: 2008-10-29 10:53 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
Cool. Thanks for both recs. I'll add them to my list.

I think it's really cool that Jensen sings the harmony up rather than down. On the download, he sing's the second verse, yes? It sounds so country, which I think is part of the reason why I didn't recognize his voice.

Date: 2008-10-29 12:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mtee.livejournal.com
I'm not sure about the second verse. It's so hard to figure out who's singing what - I always wondered if he was singing some of it with Jason.

Date: 2008-10-28 07:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] izhilzha.livejournal.com
Well, that would be *awesome*. :-)

Date: 2008-10-29 10:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
Well, you know me and my fanciful ideas. If anything comes to pass, you'll definitely be among the first to know. :-)

Date: 2008-10-28 09:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] just-ruth.livejournal.com
Go for it. The least that will happen is that he will be unavailable. The most that would happen? A friend might decide to drop in on his set. . .

(Hey, if you're going to dream --)

Date: 2008-10-29 10:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
Oh, yes. Dream big. :-)

I would be totally floored and flabbergasted if said Friend made the trip from the West Coast to the East just to sit in on a friend's set.

Regardless, I do think it would be cool for a "local" boy to play at the new theater. We're actually hoping for several "local" boys. Dave Matthews is from Charlottesville, which is only an hour away.

Date: 2008-10-29 01:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] leelust.livejournal.com
I love the idea :) You have to ask him - there's always a chance.

Date: 2008-10-29 10:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
He's definitely going on my list of suggestions, along with Phil Keaggy, Eric Bibb, and a brother/sister (I think) musical pairing called Deadman. They're from Texas, and they've got some really cool songs. Discovered them via iTunes.

Date: 2008-10-29 02:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] leelust.livejournal.com
I've read in your comments about them - do you have a link to some of their songs? Just to know who they are and what kind of music they play?

Date: 2008-10-29 02:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
Sure.

Phil Keggy's website (http://www.philkeaggy.com/)

Eric Bibb's website (http://www.ericbibb.com/)

Phil is particularly amazing because he's missing a finger (lost it in an accident as a child).

And Eric's music is bluesy, but not depressing, which I really like. (In fact, he's got one song that could so totally be Dean right now, I Heard the Angels Singing (http://www.tsrocks.com/e/eric_bibb_texts/i_heard_the_angels_singing.html).)

I'd also like to bring Tonic Sol Fa (http://www.tonicsolfa.com/) to play here. And Tiempo Libre (http://www.tiempolibremusic.com/). Tonic Sol Fa is a men's a cappella group (I love men's a cappella music), and Tiempo Libre is just really hot salsa music.

Date: 2008-10-29 03:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] leelust.livejournal.com
Thanx! I didn't find if there's an option to listen to Phil's music *sigh* I'm tech-challenged :( But i like Eric's music which is strange cos i don't like blueses usually. But i didn't know that it was black music - sounds very white for me :) But i couldn't listen Dean's song - there's some kind of error happened :(
And Sol Fa sounds good - a capella is always good :)

Date: 2008-10-29 03:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
I didn't find if there's an option to listen to Phil's music *sigh*

Bummer. I'll try to keep a lookout for . . . oh! I wonder if his stuff is available on iTunes. Do you have access to iTunes? Or maybe that's just in the US.

Anyway, if I find an audio link somewhere, I'll let you know.

Re: the blues . . . Oh, yes. Blues music has strong roots in our black/African-American history. That's not to say there aren't white blues musicians, of course, but the history of the music stems from our black American history. And you're right. Eric Bibb's music isn't as . . . strongly? . . . blues as you might expect. That's why he was a pleasant surprise. Blues music is, by definition, rather depressing ("singing the blues" and all), and while Eric does sing some traditional, standard blues songs, a lot of his stuff is very up-beat in its message, even though the style is bluesy (with maybe a folk influence thrown in).

Good stuff. Glad you enjoyed it.

ETA: I should maybe also add that Tonic Sol Fa are a great bunch of guys. I worked their show (at the instance of one of my co-workers, who knew I would love them) when they came to my theater back in Ohio.

And Phil Keaggy is awesome, too. I worked his show, and he and Geo even got to talking about film projectors.
Edited Date: 2008-10-29 04:02 pm (UTC)

Date: 2008-10-29 05:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] leelust.livejournal.com
Hon, i can't pay for iTunes - no credit card - they're rare here. So no iTunes for me. *sigh*
But yes, please if you'll find any other way - let me know.

Yeah, i know the history of blues i just don't like it (as well as jazz) - not my sandbox i think. I'm rick girl and somethimes country girl but no rap or other sh*t for me *giggles*
Eric's songs just sounds like white music - i don't know how to explain - not cos they are up-beat - they just more white than black - that's what i hear. And i like it's not that depressing :)

Oh, you had experience with other guys? Super!

Date: 2008-10-29 05:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
Yeah, i know the history of blues i just don't like it (as well as jazz) - not my sandbox i think.

To each his (or her) own. :-) I like jazz okay (some of it I really like), but not so much the blues or R&B (rhythm and blues).

no rap

Rap? *shudder* No, I'm not particularly fond of rap or hip-hop my self . . . though with those genres, if I'm gonna listen, it depends on what the message is. But as a general rule? No.

Eric's songs just sounds like white music - i don't know how to explain - not cos they are up-beat - they just more white than black - that's what i hear.

Interesting. I'll have to ponder . . .

Re: iTunes . . . drat. Well, I'll keep an eye out. Or an ear out, as the case may be.

Date: 2008-10-30 04:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] leelust.livejournal.com
I understand it - you grew up with those kinds of music and for me they're not as close as for you might be.

I'm not particularly fond of rap or hip-hop my self . . . though with those genres, if I'm gonna listen, it depends on what the message is
See? I'm more music girl than lyrics girl - meaning to have intention to get in that message i first must like the music and with rap? No, there's no music in rap. So - no message for me.

I'll have to ponder
Interesting what your thoughts will be.
I don't know i just listened one sog again and all i can hear is - his music is white (maybe not 100% but close), choir - no,it's black (and for me maybe a little messes with the whole concept) but him - white :)

Date: 2008-10-29 02:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andromakhe001.livejournal.com
I think you should go for it. :) He's gone to England, which I have to imagine was a bit "iffier" in terms of success(it was a success but it couldn't have been a sure thing beforehand). I can't see any reason he'd be against playing in his home state(or thereabouts). Unless he suddenly gets uberfamous(or is already booked), I'd imagine he'd be open to the idea.

Date: 2008-10-29 10:59 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
Yeah, I saw on his site that he has a couple dates in England. I really can't see why anyone wouldn't want to come home and perform in a brand-spankin'-new venue.

But it's a ways off. I'll keep everyone posted.

Go for it.

Date: 2008-10-29 05:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yasminke.livejournal.com
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You have nothing to lose but the price of a stamp (or the cost of a Kb for an email) -- and other such cliches.

Re: Go for it.

Date: 2008-10-29 11:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
Very true. I'm just really eager for us to get a theater manager hired so I can start making these suggestions. "Oh! You know who we should try to book? Yeah! Here. Have a listen."

Re: Go for it.

Date: 2008-10-29 08:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yasminke.livejournal.com
Compile your list and get your demos ready!

(What's his name again? 'Cuz you can't do it alphabetically unless you say there's this friend of the Ackles actor...)

Linked here by a friend...

Date: 2008-10-29 06:52 am (UTC)
ext_37235: (SOB charleston)
From: [identity profile] celtic-cookie.livejournal.com
Hey there! My name's Kate and I'm in the Richmond area and would totally be willing to street-team or help out or ANYTHING. Jason is wonderful, and I'm sure if you just get in touch with his booking people you can work something out. He really is so nice, and he said in his Q&A at Eyecon that he misses VA and would love to play at home.

Also, I may have a contact or two at venues in Richmond...do you think you could make a Richmond show if I could swing it?

Re: Linked here by a friend...

Date: 2008-10-29 10:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] feliciakw.livejournal.com
Oh! Hey, wow. Thanks for stopping by. What an excellent offer for street teaming! Thanks. And great to know that he would like to play in VA.

We're renovating/restoring an old 1938 movie house, but we're doubling the size to include space (stage space, dressing room space, green room space) for live theater and music performances as well. I'm thinking way ahead here (I'm far more interested in the programming--and performance--aspect of theater than I am my current administrative duties), but thanks for posting with your information!

do you think you could make a Richmond show if I could swing it?

Well, I'd certainly try! :-) I don't get to do it very often, but I like to see artists especially whom I think might play well in the new venue. If I could see a performance beforehand and be able to recommend him from seeing a live performance to whomever we higher as theater manager, that would be great! Keep in touch!

Profile

feliciakw: (Default)
feliciakw

January 2020

S M T W T F S
    1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Aug. 11th, 2025 03:20 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios