Me, a journalist? Probably not.
Oct. 3rd, 2003 04:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mellymellAfter what I believe to be one of the best shows I've ever seen, I got to work on Tuesday morning and just had to write an email to Dave Ratner and Brandon Mann, The Motet's manager and booking agent. After months of work, emails back and forth, and probably over 1000 flyers slipping through my hands in one weekend, (as well as the hands that so graciously helped me out in my absence) I just had to thank the guys who really made it happen. Also, I just had to sing the praises of an amazing band. So what do I get in return? The manager offers to distribute a review of the show on jambase, all over the net and anywhere else he can manage to get it, if I'm willing to write it. Hmm.. . . am I up to the task? He persuades me with a title of "Official Huntsville Correspondent for Jambase.com". Although I think its somewhat the same as the "Anointed Promotions Director" position he gave me for the show. Mostly bullshit, but sounds fun.
Well, obviously Sunday night was nothing short of phenomenal for me. SCI in my own hometown, The Motet in my favorite local bar!!! No way!! YES WAY!! Well, all weekend we were talking about what sort of SCI show Huntsville was going to be. Honestly I had to say, I just didn't know. I couldn't imagine with their new directions what they would try to pull off.
We got back on Sunday in time to rest for a bit, change clothes, and head down to the Jam to start distributing the remainder of the flyers. I was pleased to find out once I got there that nearly everyone I handed a flyer to either already knew about The Motet show to follow, or had already gotten a flyer some time over the weekend (ah, my minions at work, WAY TO EARN YOUR KEEP GUYS!!! Thanks a million to those who helped and those who came out too!).
The SCI set started out a bit slow, and I thought it was going to be another hometown flop honestly. But then they picked up a little bluegrass, and just went with it. The local "family" and the travelers made the best of the gravel parking lot we had to dance in, and spirits started to soar. They finished set one on a high note, and I was buzzin'.
Chris and I went to grab a bite to eat and get rid of the rest of the flyers at set break. We wandered around, talking to familiar faces, seeing old ones we hadn't seen in so long (granted if we'd leave the house more we'd probably see them a lot more often). It was heartwarming really to see so many old friends, and then familiar faces from the road, all nestled in the same place together.
So, second set starts, and who comes out, but Dave Watts, Scott Messersmith, and Dominic Lalli (drums, percussion, and sax) of The Motet. Billy mentions the guy's show following the Jam at Crossroads, as well as a little known trivia fact that The Motet played he and Jill's wedding (bet that was quite a party). At that point, I looked at Chris and said "well, so much for flyers, that's all the promotion we need now". But what would they play?
Well, they broke out one of my old favorites, Paul Simon's Under African Skies, which is always beautiful, but these guys are drum masters, they added that extra kick of Americubafrican Groove. So that's over, and the rest of The Motet (Mark Donovan on guitar and Greg Raymond, keyboards) comes out to join them for Freedom Jazz Dance. So, ok, I boogied my ass off!!. And then took most of the rest of the set to relax and prepare for the after show.
Shortly before the encore, Chris and I headed over towards Crossroads. There was talk of it selling out, so I wanted to be sure the show I'd been working so hard for I wasn't going to miss. We got our stamps for entry, and then headed over to Booksys real quick to make use of their facilities and their water cooler. Then we went to sit outside of Crossroads with Kristin, Krissy and Alex. Slowly after the encore, people filed over to the bar to see about getting into the show. We drank about a pitcher of beer while we waited, and then I heard the first song start, so I made my way inside and up to the front.
My oh my what a treat!!! All our hard work paid off ten fold, and I was left breathless, and aching from dancing non-stop for nearly 3 hours. I thought their drum jam was never going to end!!! And in some ways, I hoped it never would. After the show, and the encore that was begged out of them (note: I've never seen a Crossroads crowd beg for an encore from a band), I stepped to the side of the stage to say a quick thanks to Dave. He thanked us for being such a great enthusiastic crowd. Later I got the chance to say the same to Scott. They seem more than willing to make future appearances here. I heard Megan run up and say that Scott was asking around for where the drum circle was after the show. Chris had class early in the morning, or I would have totally said, "pack up your stuff, except what you want to play with and meet me in the park in an hour", and then distribute all my drumming buddies to assemble the troops and do the same. So much for early mornings I suppose.
Jason said after a bit of what sounded to me like P. R. work, plugging my name into every comment he could while talking to the guys (as well as some undeserved praises of my drumming skills, I'm sorry, but I'm in no way the best drummer around here), he gave them his number, said he had a kit set up in his living room already and would be happy to stay up and play some drums.
I gave him a call and told him if anything happened and they showed up or called to let me know, because Chris was willing to skip class the next day to appease me. Well, never heard back, should have gone with my impulse and gotten them to the park. Some other time perhaps.
All goes to show that when you put your mind to it, and apply yourself to a cause you believe in, throw in some determination and a slew of friends who support you and your ideals and are willing to lend a hand, you can actually make some positive things happen.
Well, obviously Sunday night was nothing short of phenomenal for me. SCI in my own hometown, The Motet in my favorite local bar!!! No way!! YES WAY!! Well, all weekend we were talking about what sort of SCI show Huntsville was going to be. Honestly I had to say, I just didn't know. I couldn't imagine with their new directions what they would try to pull off.
We got back on Sunday in time to rest for a bit, change clothes, and head down to the Jam to start distributing the remainder of the flyers. I was pleased to find out once I got there that nearly everyone I handed a flyer to either already knew about The Motet show to follow, or had already gotten a flyer some time over the weekend (ah, my minions at work, WAY TO EARN YOUR KEEP GUYS!!! Thanks a million to those who helped and those who came out too!).
The SCI set started out a bit slow, and I thought it was going to be another hometown flop honestly. But then they picked up a little bluegrass, and just went with it. The local "family" and the travelers made the best of the gravel parking lot we had to dance in, and spirits started to soar. They finished set one on a high note, and I was buzzin'.
Chris and I went to grab a bite to eat and get rid of the rest of the flyers at set break. We wandered around, talking to familiar faces, seeing old ones we hadn't seen in so long (granted if we'd leave the house more we'd probably see them a lot more often). It was heartwarming really to see so many old friends, and then familiar faces from the road, all nestled in the same place together.
So, second set starts, and who comes out, but Dave Watts, Scott Messersmith, and Dominic Lalli (drums, percussion, and sax) of The Motet. Billy mentions the guy's show following the Jam at Crossroads, as well as a little known trivia fact that The Motet played he and Jill's wedding (bet that was quite a party). At that point, I looked at Chris and said "well, so much for flyers, that's all the promotion we need now". But what would they play?
Well, they broke out one of my old favorites, Paul Simon's Under African Skies, which is always beautiful, but these guys are drum masters, they added that extra kick of Americubafrican Groove. So that's over, and the rest of The Motet (Mark Donovan on guitar and Greg Raymond, keyboards) comes out to join them for Freedom Jazz Dance. So, ok, I boogied my ass off!!. And then took most of the rest of the set to relax and prepare for the after show.
Shortly before the encore, Chris and I headed over towards Crossroads. There was talk of it selling out, so I wanted to be sure the show I'd been working so hard for I wasn't going to miss. We got our stamps for entry, and then headed over to Booksys real quick to make use of their facilities and their water cooler. Then we went to sit outside of Crossroads with Kristin, Krissy and Alex. Slowly after the encore, people filed over to the bar to see about getting into the show. We drank about a pitcher of beer while we waited, and then I heard the first song start, so I made my way inside and up to the front.
My oh my what a treat!!! All our hard work paid off ten fold, and I was left breathless, and aching from dancing non-stop for nearly 3 hours. I thought their drum jam was never going to end!!! And in some ways, I hoped it never would. After the show, and the encore that was begged out of them (note: I've never seen a Crossroads crowd beg for an encore from a band), I stepped to the side of the stage to say a quick thanks to Dave. He thanked us for being such a great enthusiastic crowd. Later I got the chance to say the same to Scott. They seem more than willing to make future appearances here. I heard Megan run up and say that Scott was asking around for where the drum circle was after the show. Chris had class early in the morning, or I would have totally said, "pack up your stuff, except what you want to play with and meet me in the park in an hour", and then distribute all my drumming buddies to assemble the troops and do the same. So much for early mornings I suppose.
Jason said after a bit of what sounded to me like P. R. work, plugging my name into every comment he could while talking to the guys (as well as some undeserved praises of my drumming skills, I'm sorry, but I'm in no way the best drummer around here), he gave them his number, said he had a kit set up in his living room already and would be happy to stay up and play some drums.
I gave him a call and told him if anything happened and they showed up or called to let me know, because Chris was willing to skip class the next day to appease me. Well, never heard back, should have gone with my impulse and gotten them to the park. Some other time perhaps.
All goes to show that when you put your mind to it, and apply yourself to a cause you believe in, throw in some determination and a slew of friends who support you and your ideals and are willing to lend a hand, you can actually make some positive things happen.
