September 4, 2010
Brooks Robertson Fingerstyle Guitar Concert @ Tom's
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Tom’s Guitar Warehouse, 1103 N Riverside Ave, Medford, OR
$10 cover. Doors open at 6pm show starts at 7pm. Questions call 541-772-1994
September 5, 2010
Pete Herzog at Evo's Java House
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Evo's Java House, 376 E Main St, Ashland Oregon 97520
FREE
September 5, 2010
Open Mic with Little Thom
Time: 9:00 pm
Location: The Wild Goose in Ashland
Brooks Robertson is an outstanding fingerstyle guitar player and will be performing in concert at Tom’s Guitar Warehouse this Saturday September 4th. Doors open at 6:00 show starts at 7:00. The show will definitely be worth it! Come see us Saturday! There will be a 10 dollar charge at the door.
If you have any questions call us at 541-772-1994
See Brooks Robertson on Myspace
It’s this remarkable contrast that constantly fascinates audiences around the globe: They see a young man standing or sitting on stage, while hearing him play the most staggering version of “Cannonball Rag”. Brooks Robertson just doesn’t need much more than two thumbs, eight fingers and six strings on a wooden box to carry his listeners away.
Hailed by prominent exponents of his instrument like Nokie Edwards, Thom Bresh, John Jorgenson and Mason Williams, the young fingerstyle guitarist embodies the creative vision of a postmodern world: It’s the music that counts. Brooks utilizes his superb technical abilities to play bass, rhythm and melody simultaneously and surpass the borders of conventional genres. He merges hauntingly beautiful compositions, country rhythms and jazzy harmonies with funky licks into his very own art form – sometimes delivered with a punch, sometimes with a smile.
Brooks was born in Eugene/Oregon in 1989. Seeing Buster B. Jones perform at a festival near his home town became a life-changing experience for the kid from the sticks. Just eleven years old, he was immediately inclined to pick up the guitar. Soon, the world renowned fingerstyle virtuoso and instructor dedicated his spare time to introducing his new fan into the secrets of the fretboard, and after six months of lessons the natural talent performed his first show with his mentor.
When Buster B. Jones took him under his wings, Brooks began playing high-profile gigs such as the Nokie Edwards Festival, the NAMM Show in Anaheim, the Montreal Jazz Festival or the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield among others. By the time he was a teenager he had become the youngest endorsee of Godin Guitars and traveled to several states and foreign countries to perform. Brooks went on to play on Garrison Keillor’s radio classic “A Prairie Home Companion” in 2004, where he won first place in a talent competition for 12 to 20 year old participants.
In recent years, while still appearing regularly at prestigious events like the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society (CAAS) Convention in Nashville, Brooks focussed on perfecting his craft, soaking up new tunes and styles and techniques as well as blending them into his own groovy and soulful original music. He entered the “Yamaha Six String Theory Guitar Competition”, which drew participants from more than 40 countries all over the world. Brooks was invited to perform in the finals at the Broad Stage in Los Angeles in March 2010. A star-studded jury, including Steve Lukather and Lee Ritenour, eventually chose him as winner of the country category and second place winner overall.
Although he is deeply rooted in the powerful tradition of the genre, founded by the likes of Merle Travis, Jerry Reed, Thom Bresh and Buster B. Jones, Brooks also draws inspiration from the elegant mastery of the legendary Chet Atkins and other phenomenal players. His own compositions and arrangements have even been compared to fingerstyle jazz champions Lenny Breau and Earl Klugh. Now, as energy and maturity come together, this young man is ready to step out of his mentors’ shadows and electrify the world with the sheer acoustic beauty his fingers create, when touching a set of strings.
The Ashland Blues Society, a Blues Foundation affiliate, is holding a competition to select its representatives to send to the 2011 International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, TN February 1st-5th. ABS welcomes blues acts to participate in a dream come true event to play with some of the best blues brothers and sisters in the world. ABS will select the top ten solo/duo acts and the top 10 bands from all the submissions and invite them to perform at Donnelly’s Pub @Lava Lanes in Medford, Oregon on September 10th-11th. Most backline will be provided.
Acts that missed the opportunity to enter this year’s IBC competition have another chance to reach the IBC through the Ashland Blues Society. Donnelly’s in Medford Oregon is minutes from the airport and is easily accessible off I-5. Cash prizes will be available to the top performers in each category, but there will be no other compensation available.
Click Here for Competition Information and to Submit Your Application
Click Here for IBC Information at the Blues Foundation Site
Click here to share your thoughts!
Click here to download Sol Seed’s new EP!
(30.5mb, mp3)
Sol Seed, originally The Mics, got their start in the summer of 2008 playing at an open mic in Medford, OR and, before long, they were a local favorite. People would often come just to get a weekly dose of their song “Fire Rain,” and soon the band was opening up for various local acts. Originally comprised of Michael Lennon and Michael Sorensen, the band received new members Ben Pezzano, in late 2009, and Kenny Lewis, in early 2010 which sparked the need for a new name and the means for a fuller sound. With Lennon and Lewis trading rhythm and lead, Pezzano bumpin the bass, Sorensen holding down kit, and all four on vocals the band has adopted a sound which complements their unique blend of Reggae, Rock, and Blues, what the band calls “Roots Fusion Music,” quite nicely; all the while carrying a message of universal love, individuality, and social/spiritual/cultural relativism.
See them on the web at http://solseedmusic.com
From the album Going My Own Way by Southern Oregon’s own Andy Casad
New Beginings (7mb, mp3)
Silas’ Lullaby (4mb, mp3)
Born in May of 1983, Andy grew up in Southern Oregon. Listening to a wide variety of music, exposed to him by his father, led Andy to pick up the guitar at the age of 16 and he’s been hooked ever since.
Stemming from a need for entertainment at local parties, Andy found himself filling the spot at most high school gatherings. A string of groups were to follow with Andy at the lead guitar spot: Exit 27, Sidetrack, Right By Chance, The Frankie Hernandez Band, and Oregon Transplant. And, it was with Oregon Transplant that Andy found himself traveling all over the North West, on the same stage with the likes of Albino, The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, English Beat, The Mighty Diamonds, and Bob Marley’s Wailers.
Listen to Andy Casad on Myspace
Click here to share your thoughts!
Ivory Harp is looking for motivated writers who are passionate about music to volunteer their services promoting good local music and writing music reviews, artist bios and concert promos. Contact Michael At Ivory Harp to get involved.
Calling all performers and lovers of music and poetry! It’s the beginning of a new chapter for The Gypsy Open Mic. Your humble new host CGIII would love to hear what you have to share! Please assist your local music scene by passing on the word of this event to the musicians and performers on your friends list! Come out for great food, cocktails, beer, and wonderful new friends….
I do. If you are a musician, you’ve been given a gift! We need to band together! (in the traditional sense of the word”band”)
My name is Michael, two years ago, my best friend and I realized this and started an organization called Ivory Harp whose purpose is to connect artists together and put musical talent towards international need and commercial culture. Our goal is to be a platform to help artists of all kinds, from every spectrum of musical talent.
Do you have a skill? Something that you do really well… most people have one. Sometimes it’s music, or photography, or writing, or painting, or something that is very obviously “art”. Well, I believe that art is more than that. Art can be anything that you care about that you put a part of yourself into when you make it. Coffee can be art, little homemade things can be art, anything, really, can be a form of art. Everyone has something that they are good at, and I want to help those people find that thing and develop it.
I am trying to get Southern Oregon a bit more involved in itself than it has been in the past. There are way too many talented, passionate people who hate it here, because they are being stifled. Let’s network together and share our art!
Musicians
I know recording engineers, music teachers, bands, venues, and a LOT of musicians. My personal passion is for music, and for helping musicians get their art exposed to the world. Even if you don’t have a band, or you aren’t that good, or you just have a bunch of riffs, and no way to turn it into a full song, I think I could help. Maybe you just don’t have time to start a band, but you still play a little bit at home and whatnot… you can still be a part of something amazing. Imagine if you could sit in on your favorite bands practices and give your input on various song ideas and riffs, chord progressions, lyrics. That’s what this is all about! Hit me up! I want to meet you!
Entrepreneurs
Do you have something that you can make that you want to use to make a little extra money? Do you design clothing, or make necklaces? Do you have a pottery wheel? Can you crotchet? I am a web designer, and I work in the internet marketing world. I am trying to build up a network of local artist to showcase on various sites and help them make money. Look at the economy, we all are in need. Why spend all your time working at a job that you aren’t enjoying when you could take an extra couple hours making something beautiful, and then present it to the rest of the valley? That would even help the local economy if it got that big! Help me help you help us! :)
Passionate Individuals
I am trying to find people who care about making a difference in other peoples lives and in the world. If you’re reading this and you like where I’m coming from, I want to meet you. Every single person I have talked to has something that brings them joy, and it’s different for all of us! This idea is beyond just music or the arts. It can apply to every aspect of life. People are starving for something to live for. Something to put their heart and soul into. Musicians are lucky because putting your soul into music makes sense. But say… business people? How do you put your soul into a business and make it beautiful? It’s tricky, but it can be done.
When you really truly care about something, you give it your all and it is the most beautiful thing we can do on this earth. I would love to meet you and get to know your personal passions. Let’s have coffee sometime!
Michael Szczesniak
ivoryharp.com
JCP Open MicIMPORTANT: JCP Open Mic will be held every other Thursday for the summer starting June 10th.
Frankie Hernandez hosts Jackson Creek Pizza’s Open Mic every other THURSDAY! The open mic began 4/20/06. Since then it has become Medford’s premier hot spot on Thursdays. It features several of Southern Oregon’s best up and coming talent and is known to be frequented by some of The Rogue Valley’s top entertainers. JCP is a family restaurant and values the Open Mic as a community event that helps to develop talent and friendships. Peace to you.
Sign up is either via phone: (541)601-3640 on Thursdays between 4:00pm and 6:00pm or on the physical list @ 8:00pm.
Priority will be given (for the early slots) to MINORS or to performers who wish to perform for their family and friends who are MINORS. Thank you for working with us through this transition and we look forward to keeping and building upon the precious event that we have made so far.
Passion, Frankie
All minors must leave the premisis @ 10:30pm. Every is welcome until then. However, pitchers will not be able to be served until 10:30pm. We are grateful to still have this fun, music filled community event and are happy to work within the regulations outlined by the OLCC. WE will also be making some changes to help accommodate these changes.
Click here to share your thoughts!I don’t believe that it’s possible to go through life and not be able to feel the beauty and elegant dance of life and love. 2010 is upon us, a new year! A new beginning! Rise from your beds in your houses of Turmoil and behold the dawn! breathe in the fresh scent of the morning!
A very honorable and wise musician I once knew told me that talent and artistry are the minds release of the expressions of the soul. Every soul has it’s release, and when you can find it and create something beautiful, the sun seems to shine more warmly on your spirit.
May your life shine!
Michael Szczesniak
ivoryharp.com
“A day once dawned, and it was beautiful!
A day once dawned from the ground.
Then the night she fell,
And the air was beautiful!
The night she fell all around.
So look see the days!
The endless coloured ways,
And go play the game that you learnt
From the morning.”
-Nick Drake, From The Morning
Hosted by Derek Maulin. Music starts at 8pm.
