Hugh Laurie Entertains with a Music Appreciation Lesson. This a Boston Music Coalition Live Music Review

By Doug Ruffin

     President,

     Boston Music Coalition

By now, many students are settled in to classes with the start of the new school year. The audience for Hugh Laurie in Boston, last week, also settled in for a fantastic musical Journey guided by Hugh Laurie and his band with back up singers that also includes Jean McClain. Great Jazz and Blues performances were complimented with Hugh’s sense of humor and his knowledge of song writers and music performers. Hugh Laurie, in fact, complimented the Boston based audience for its recognition of the Jazz and Blues greats he mentioned that were greeted with applause throughout the two hour plus show.   

The Hugh Laurie Music Tour is not instructional, but it leaves audiences ravaness for more of the music Hugh Laurie supports. I wanted to go deeper in to the history of Jazz, Blues and all sorts of music genres to expand my interest in music. All thanks to the lessons learned at Hugh Laurie’s concert.

As for the performance, everyone on stage gave it their all. Upbeat and engaging selections had the audience tapping foot and standing on their feet clapping, cheering and begging for more at the end of the performance.

Live music uniquely celebrates and informs in all genres. Hugh Laurie is one live music performer who truly knows how to guide and entertain as well.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band; this is a BMC Live Music Review.

By

Doug Ruffin

President,

Boston Music Coalition

August 21, 2012

Last May, I attended a great fundraiser. During the event, a silent auction took place. Several choices abound, my law of attraction for live music sent me bidding for an August 18^th Bruce Springsteen Concert at Gillette Stadium. Without breaking the bank, I won a pair of Tickets to a music experience.

Saturday night arrives. My girlfriend lookin’ hot as always, Limo service on time and great eats at, “Toby Keith’s I love this Bar and Grill”. Our seats for the concert were not just good; they were what I would call, a privilege!

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are the embodiment of what popular live music strives to accomplish. The Wrecking Ball Tour Roared in to Foxborough MA Busting out on stage with high voltage and sustaining that energy throughout the four hour concert. Bruce Springsteen welcomed back repeat concert attendees and introduced him self and the E Street Band to those of us who joined the experience for the first time. He stated on stage that he welcomes new and younger fans because he has another forty years in him to perform. The Boss truly ruled. But he achieves that honor to rule without manipulating the audience. Instead, The Boss employed a relentless driving musical force with the E Street Band, amazing interaction with the audience while rockin’ a non stop spiritual vibe that some of today’s younger R&B or Gospel singers have yet to achieve. It’s no wonder why Bruce Springsteen’s 50,000 strong audiences left the concert up lifted and sanctified!

Resources

About Bruce Springsteen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Springsteen  

Latest News: www.brucespringsteen.net/category/news  

Tour Dates: www.brucespringsteen.net/category/live-dates  

The Music: www.brucespringsteen.net/category/music

A Message from the President: The Future of Jazz Radio effects the Future of Live Jazz Music.

By Doug Ruffin

President,

Boston Music Coalition

I have been a friend with the folks at JazzBoston for some time now. So when the call was made to attend a gathering outside of the WGBH studios in Boston because of a programming change that canceled weeknight Jazz programming after many years of sustaining ratings and contributions from listeners, I knew I had to attend. In a large radio market like Boston, Radio formats are likely to change. ‘FNX flipped to a “Jack” format, ‘ODS flipped to the Amp (dance / Pop) format. The change at ‘GBH Radio is not a format change but instead, a cultural change. And they did it with “our” money! Weeknight Jazz programming is relegated to limited hours on weekend nights in favor of a News / Talk format. The market already has News / Talk at WBUR, WRKO  WTTK not to mention WBZ All news during the day and talk at night. So ‘GBH cried poverty, changed culture and went out to purchase PRI. No, Not channel 10 in Providence; bigger! (Public Radio International). You’ve got to be kidding!

Music formats have a direct effect on live music in any market. Want to know if Lady GaGa is coming to town? Kiss 108 is here to tell you. Want to know when that rock or alternative band is hitting the stage? ‘AAF is here to tell you. And when you want to know about live Jazz performances, Jazz greats, Local Jazz artists and jazz history? Sorry Bud! You’re out of luck. ‘GBH doesn’t want to play anymore. Remember that local donation you made to ‘GBH to keep local programming going? It was used to purchase PRI.

JazzBoston Stepped up to the plate and invited the public, musicians, radio professionals and educators to an open community meeting Tuesday night at the Boston Public Library where anyone can share positive ideas to help Jazz music survive on traditional radio as well as alternative media. Without Jazz media, fans cannot get current information on Jazz artists, local jazz performers or where Live Jazz music is being performed in greater Boston. Jazz is rich in history and culture and announcers like Eric Jackson bring that history to life so that any 15 year old can appreciate something a little bit more than Lady Gaga.

The well attended community meeting was moderated by JazzBoston Board Members’ Jose Masso and Emmett Price.  Everyone who wanted to speak got the chance to do so. Attendees came prepared with short statements and questions that stayed on topic without a single drifting speech or long over the top commentary. WICN in Worcester was in attendance. That opened the idea to get “repeaters or “Feed” to a Boston area station so Jazz can be heard on the radio again from Worcester to Boston. Many New media ideas were expressed and with a proactive follow up commitment from JazzBoston and the attendees to participate in committees, Jazz could be back on the air. Live Jazz Music will sustain and grow throughout greater Boston. But the follow up has to be just as energetic as the community meeting was on Tuesday. If not, a vital part of music culture will die.

Resources:

Take Action! Get Involved! Find out How You Can Help! Send Questions and Suggestions Regarding the Future of Jazz Radio in Boston to:

thefutureofjazz@jazzboston.org 

Join the Conversation on FaceBook:
http://www.facebook.com/JazzBoston?ref=stream 

JazzBoston:

http://www.jazzboston.org/about/future-of-local-jazz-radio.asp

WICN Radio Worcester:

www.wicn.org

WGBH Radio Boston:

www.wgbh.org

Scullers Jazz Club:

www.scullersjazz.com

MassJazz:

www.massjazz.com

MAJE (Massachusetts Association for Jazz Educators)

www.majazzed.org

DROPPING THE BOMB ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

All of us at the Boston Music Coalition want to hear your voice. That's why we invite you to become a BMCiReporter. Send us information on the music performer or well planned live music event you are excited about via e-mail to; BMCiReporter@BostonMusicCoalition.com . This week, Nick Christopher tells us who's dropping a bomb on the music industry. 

DROPPING THE BOMB ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

THE BAND FROM “DOWN UNDER” DROP TANK

by Nick Christophers

In 2012 the landscape of the music industry has changed drastically in every facet of the business. From the swift shift from CD to digital music the only prayer for recording artists to earn is to perform constantly. Unless you are a house hold name like Bruce Springsteen or Lady Gaga making a profit just from record sales in nearly impossible. Even stars like them have a hard time breaking even.

Many individuals in the business have unwillingly depended on iTunes, Amazon or Beatport to generate sales. In addition the music industry has become so saturated with anyone who thinks they can sing is digitally putting out music. But there are those who still go about the business the “old fashion” way, by utilizing real instruments. One such band is the punk rock band “Drop Tank”.

The band hails from the land “down under”, Australia. The band is a female fronted group that has a cutting edge “in your face” approach. The leader Zebidy Tank is the driving force behind this edgy band. As a teenager growing up she had a strong punk rock influence which led her to experiment with heavy rock and metal. Both of these genres are reflected in her music.

Zebidy, whose real name is Phillipa, is an attractive blonde with a slim figure. But don’t let the pretty look fool you, on stage she is a force that delivers a strong performance that can leave you stunned. The band’s popularity in Australia is very solid and is going global. When it comes to developing lyrics Zebidy has an odd way of coming up with concepts for her music. She gave us a breakdown.

“The best songs always write themselves. In a stressful or frustrating situation a riff or melody can hit you in the side of the head. I have gotten better at capturing these ideas as they happen immediately. For example, singing into my phone or writing something down. Spontaneous ideas are usually the most fun and interesting and when you exercise your writing muscle on top of it creating songs becomes easier as you have more tricks to use.” 

The band was formed in 2008 after the first group Zebidy was involved with dissolved. To produce a new band she  would frequent various venues and listened to bands and see if she can find one to build on. After a few visits she found the right “chemistry” and formed the group. Her bass player at the time came up with the name “Drop Tank” which seemed fitting for her. Especially, since it signified the reserve fuel tank for a “muscle car”, the type of car that she prefers.

Being the only female in the band and the front – woman, most would think it would be a demanding task. Yet Zebidy honestly confides that it’s not as difficult as it may seem. Zebidy grew up attending an all girl school and was tired of the “cliquey” attitudes and actually welcomed male friends. She did perform with some great female musicians during her time but still preferred to work with an all male group. Because of their stage presence Zebidy admits that they are viewed more seriously in the music world. The band has been together for the past five years.

Drop Tank has so far released two albums, the first was self-titled and the second was titled “Vice”. Zebidy admits that there are two singles that stand out most for her, “White Lady” and “Saw Nothing”. The titles of most of the band’s tracks have an edgy relentless image invoking a “no hold’s bar” attitude.

“Lyrics are written to suit the song. They are based on creative ideas and nothing more.  I have never set out to shock or offend. I have only written ideas for the lyrics to suit the riff or music. I

feel if you become too conscious of your material it can hinder the creative process.  So I guess it is purely entertainment. Lyrics always come last when writing. If you look closely there are good messages in there too.”

Currently, Zebidy is in the process of searching for a producer to work with them on some new tracks they have recently laid down, and is hoping to release these to the public soon. To search for information on the band you can visit http://www.reverbnation.com/droptank

or http://droptank.bandcamp.com/ .

Hugh Laurie and my friend Jean McClain a/k/a Pepper Mashay, on tour and on Jay Leno Tonight!

A Message from the President

By Doug Ruffin

     President,

     Boston Music Coalition

Music has been my life for all of my life but I have not been active in the music industry until the day I set foot in Miami’s Winter Music Conference, back in’05. It changed my life. I met a lot of great people and most are still great friends now. One of them is Jean McClain a/k/a Pepper MaShay. She has introduced me to a lot of people and continues to be a motivating force behind all of my music business activity. A year or so before that, I experienced a heart attack and the first night I could sit up and watch TV, Hugh Laurie was on as DR House and the episode was about, among all things, a heart attack. That episode changed my life and moved me from an ordinary positive person with a dream to the winning grown up most of you know today. So you’ll excuse the life bias interest in the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, 11:35 PM EST on NBC. My friend, Jean McClain joins Hugh Laurie a/k/a Dr House, as they launch on a tour that will take them though many parts of the world and yes, the US. TV has a long tradition of live music performances and live music events. So it’s fitting that just before the tour starts, everyone with a TV can access a taste of some good ol’ hot, swampy Louisiana blues music they’re likely to perform tonight.

So stay up tonight and catch a short tease of the music, then click a mouse and find the tour. You never know, it could change your life.

Resources:

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show

Hugh Laurie Music, Tour and information: http://hughlaurieblues.com   

   

Want to dress up to dine out and waltz to the music? Then you’d better not plan on hangin’ out with me at Dick’s Last Resort!

By Doug Ruffin

     President,

     Boston Music Coalition

Sorry bud; but if ya’ want to go to a proper place to dine out don’t come lookin’ for me when I’m on my way to Dick’s Last Resort. My girl friend and I went to the Big Apple Circus this past weekend and we were in the mood to clown around and grab some grub in Boston’s Faneuil Hall area. Dick’s Last Resort was the perfect choice for us. Why? For one thing, we are not proper or stuffy. Oh, we know how to be proper but we just were not in the mood for it. Two; we don’t have a negative attitude and dumped our ego’s in the Charles River some fifty odd years ago. If ya’ have not dumped your ego and that stuffy high horse attitude you’ll probably not make it at Dick’s Last Resort. And three? Well…, we just came from the Big Apple Circus. Where the hell else are we gonna go?   

When we got there we were greeted by smiling Dick’s last Resort staff who welcomed us while the fun pulsating music opened the doors to an energetic atmosphere. Since we can take a good joke, we were able to take our waiter, Jason, and laugh throughout the night. I’m not sure what I liked more. Our waiter, Jason’s fun style or the reactions to his style. Our table was next to a large party of twenty somethings who thought they were to cool for school. Oh yeah, They had the perfect clothes and the trending phones. But they sat around with their backs all arched back nibbling on salad and not saying too much to one another. Jason reminded them what kind of place Dick’s Last Resort is; But did they listen?  We did, and we watched and we laughed some more. Sorry, but the whole scene was funny. J  Jason made a big paper hat for me and wrote  that I was, “Turned on by Betty White” Gee, How’d he know that? He mad another hat for my girl friend and wrote on it that she was a, “retired pole dancer”. Again I ask, How’d they know that? Obviously, we, at least, can take a joke. J 

What’s great is that the entertainment didn’t stop there. Keep in mind this is in fact a music blog. I like pointing out places to find live music. Well it’s just your luck that Dick’s Last Resort is one of them. On the night we were there, a group called, “Classic Traxx” kept the party rockin’ through the night. Live Music is offered on most weekend nights ( Friday, Saturday and occasionally on Sundays starting around 8:00 PM.) This weekend, check out live music at Dick’s Last Resort. On Friday Nate Walkins performs and on Saturday, Party with Radio Daze. Any time ya’ want to party down and grab some grub; loose the stuffy attitude, stop arching your back and when you are ready to talk and laugh about anything that isn’t trending, You be sure to give me a call and I’ll meet ya a Dick’s Last Resort.       

 

A Message from the President: Live from Together Boston in Cambridge

By Doug Ruffin

     President,

     Boston Music Coalition

This is an exciting time for me. While all of us at the Boston Music Coalition support all genres of music, I have a strong passion for dance / electronic music. Think disco for the new millennium. Or, listen to the direction of most pop music these days, Alternative music, Hip Hop and acid jazz and yeah, you pretty much can see and hear that dance is what’s happening today. It’s not a passing fad as the trend has been strong in the mainstream for three years now with no end in sight.

Music people have just come from SXSW in Austin and the Winter Music Conference in Miami. Enter in the third regional music extravaganza of the season and its here in the Cambridge / Boston Area. It’s Together Boston. Combining music, art and technology, my friend, David Day, is celebrating the third year of Together Boston. This time, with central headquarters on 579A

Massachusetts Avenue

, in

Central Square, Cambridge

, I attended Monday’s press conference to launch the Together Boston week long festival April 2^nd through April 8th. Each year gets bigger and this year is the best. A well planned out and organized launch event with good food, networking and music. Plus a panel that included Cambridge City Government, Boston Press and Music Professionals moderated by David Day him self.

The easy way out would be to promo the Together Boston events that are to take place this week. Instead, the panel at the launch event Monday, went far beyond promotional opportunities and discussed how the City of Cambridge embraced the Together Boston Festival and hopes to work with Boston to make Together Boston the regions SXSW event of New England. The location, the talent, and solid economics are in place. Everyone agreed that a regional music conference can be the future of Together Boston in a few short years.

The Boston Music Coalition will be live in

Central Square, Cambridge

all this week at the Together Headquarters to bring you the panels, the music, the art and technology that combine to make Together Boston a spectacular event! Did I mention that I have a strong passion for dance / electronic music?

For tickets and schedule of events visit: http://www.togetherboston.com/   

Follow us on Twiiter: @BostMusCoalition