Paul Mayasich: Home-Cooked Blues

Paul Mayasich grew up in a home of eight siblings with every genre of music pouring from the very cracks and crevices of the homestead.  From classical to pop, the family shared a love for the music they heard and the music they played.  At a young age, Mayasich was introduced to certain, more obscure, music brought home from college by his older brothers.  He describes blues as the first type of music he really felt "tug" at him.  A Bonnie Raitt concert he attended during his fifth grade year, which he clearly recalls today, helped nudge Mayasich (whose previous ambitions involved drumsticks) onto the path to becoming a superb slide guitarist.  Thank you, Bonnie Raitt.

Mayasich believes the wonderfully naive outlook of a young artist, excited over any opportunity to perform, is what motivates the beginner to begin and the seasoned to continue.  The ability to retain a belief in possibilities is what keeps the musician young and fuels the passion to create and perform.  As a performer, Mayasich discovered doing exactly what he loves can be a sort of musical therapeutic release.  It is his perfect outlet for "emptying the garbage basket" after a bad day.  The reward comes from the positive affect his music has on his audience.  When his blues provide a night of enjoyment and makes people happy, Mayasich is satisfied.

Mayasich's many Cd's provide a mix of his original music with covers that are seamlessly infused with his personal sound.  He says his original songs are created musically more easily than lyrically.  Mayasich claims, "If I have enough lyrics, I have enough music."  The claim should not deter the listener from giving his lyrics the attention they are due.  They are moving, thoughtful, often witty, and always cleverly arranged.  Mayasich prefers to write about the "everyday."  His are relatable topics stemming both from his own life's musical journal as well as from fictional characters which allow him the ability to approach topics from different points of view.  Mayasich enjoys his "characters that exist only for the sake of song" because at times it is more fun to live vicariously through them, and it harbors the ability to relieve responsibility.

To Mayasich, the blues are everything he plays and a style in which he finds great satisfaction.  He believes the blues will always last, transcending other popular musical styles which may be in and out of fashion in a few short years.  As long as it has been around, the blues have captivated a loyal following.  Mayasich is certain that generations to come will discover and carry on the legacy of this "music for humanity."  It is music that belongs to the people who enjoy it, and Mayasich thrives on sharing its various accents through his performances and recordings.  Although he appreciates music in each of its many diverse forms, Mayasich describes the blues as "the difference between canned ravioli and a homemade Italian meal."

Mayasich can be seen in and around the Twin Cities, and to its north, and to its south, playing with his trio, his friends, his siblings, solo, and more.  Find out where you can catch the blues of  Paul Mayasich.

Michael McElrath: A Lifetime in the Making

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:               School II
Date:                 December 15, 2010
Time:                 7:00pm

In the summer of 1957, a young boy received a brand new transistor radio.  Through it came the sounds of Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, and their contemporaries.  The boy was entranced.  The following summer, he attended family day at his brother's Scout camp where he witnessed a live performance of Buddy Holly's "That'll be the Day" by Chip, the camp counselor.  The boy knew instantly his would be a life of music.  A gifted guitar from his cousin with instruction on George Jones and Johnny Cash songs opened for Michael McElrath the doors to live performance, songwriting, and a lifelong love affair with music.

A "love affair"  because similar to any relationship, McElrath's relationship with music saw good times and bad, struggles and triumphs.  But even when he thought he'd had enough, a song or a friend or the song of a friend would draw him back in.  McElrath spent years working toward a "successful music career."  Disgruntled by the juxtaposition of his realized level of success and that which he sought, he tried to ignore the desire to express himself musically.  The attempts never lasted.  Eventually, McElrath abandoned the conventional idea of success and found his way back to music for the sake of enjoyment.

A few of McElrath's recent breaks from music were due, instead, to the great cancer battle.  Three years ago, he was diagnosed with colon cancer, underwent surgery, and was cleared fairly quickly.  However, there was concern it would resurface in his liver, which it did this past year.  McElrath has recently completed four months of chemo, a surgery removing sixty percent of his liver, followed by an additional two months of chemo.  He was so impressed with the nurses who daily lift the spirits of patients undergoing chemo, he wrote a song, "Chemo Angel," to honor their priceless contribution.

Happy to be regaining his energy, McElrath will soon be releasing his first ever CD, Keep On Drivin'.  It includes some originals from his repertoire, a few collaborations, a 20-year-and-running favorite original, and a few songs of an old friend that, with his friend's blessing, McElrath has "personalized."  After many musical years, McElrath feels as though he is just getting started.  He is writing more than ever, re-entering the live-performance circuit with guitar and harmonica, grateful for all the positive energy from family and friends, and feeling lucky the liver is capable of regeneration. 

Find out more about Michael McElrath

Kyle Fletcher: "Don't Tell Anybody, but I'm a Songwriter"

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:               School II
Date:                 December 15, 2009
Time:                7:00pm

According to the wisdom bestowed upon Kyle Fletcher by his mother, everything has it's place.  Fletcher found his place in song, but it wasn't without some slight detours along the way.  At age seven, he raised the money for his first guitar mowing lawns.  At age fifteen, he moved out of his parents home and attended music school.  The independent teenager discovered trouble and spent a year and a half correcting mistakes he made and then made again.  As he began to mature, he buried himself deeply in his music and it became his sustenance while he began to change the course of his life.

Fletcher worked as a hotel engineer for a time.  He discovered he was not cut out for a "day job."  Fletcher desired to be recognized for his creativity.  He felt that if he did not make a career out of his music, he would be settling for something less than what he was meant for.  "It is one thing" he says, "to use it as a means to an end, but it is settling to let the means become the end." 

Fletcher's "end" is that of singer/songwriter.  He recalls his mother telling and re-telling the story of checking in on her five-year old and he whispered, "Mom, don't tell anyone, but I'm a songwriter!"  Fletcher's writing focuses heavily on his lyrics.  He enjoys challenging himself to be creatively abstract and metaphorical yet relatable.  Now in his early twenties, Fletcher's livelihood comes solely from his music.  And it is no longer a secret that he is exactly the songwriter he proclaimed to be as a child.

Fletcher's musical success directly affects the rest of his life.  He firmly believes failing to pursue a music career would adversely affect his entire outlook.  The joy he finds in writing and performing provokes a happiness that overflows into his attitude, his relationships, and his peace of mind.  He feels that doing what one is meant to do allows a person to excel in other areas of life.  Now that he found a voice to express himself through, the positive energy seeps into outlying areas of his life and the lives of those around him.

Fletcher does not believe his talent alone will find him success.  He works to nurture his talent, but realizes there are many factors that play into the cards dealt.  He continues to enjoy sharing his music and appreciates the times he is dealt a little fate and luck to compliment his talent.  Meanwhile, he is re-stitching his hat for the fifth time.

Learn more about Kyle Fletcher or Kyle Fletcher's Official Website

Joel Kachel: Winter's Music-scape

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:               School II
Date:                 December 15, 2009
Time:                 7:00pm

Joel Kachel is a landscape entrepreneur by summer and a musician by winter.  He is a young talent who's innovation combines his business and creative personalities.  Taking advantage of the slow winter months in the landscaping business, Kachel uses the time to write, perform, and promote his music.  Over the relatively short five years of Kachel's involvement in music, he released a Cd, Tennis Shoes and Diamond Rings, placed second in a singer/songwriter competition, and opened for the lead singer of a national act. 

Kachel's musical beginnings began when his father revamped the family living room into a music room and taught Kachel his first few chords on the guitar.  Ever since, Kachel preferred writing his own music over traditional lessons.  He finds his personal avenue to creating a song develops patience, rewards with great excitement, and simply "makes the day more fun."  He laughs at the fact that even with all the experience he has gained, he is yet unable to name the chord he is playing and in which key.   It is an inability which has never inhibited Kachel from pursuing a life of music.

Kachel's music benefits greatly from travel.  He planned a two week trip to Nashville, booked two shows for the stay, and hit the road in his van.  He enjoyed playing around town at open mics, a performance at the Bluebird Cafe, and many other great experiences.  He spent half the trip sleeping on couches offered by newly-made friends and the other half sleeping in his van.  And Kachel loved it.  Kachel also became involved in the Third Wheel Project in Alaska.  This group of musicians supports the work of peers and provides guidance for new artists arriving on the scene.  Third Wheel Project invited Kachel to give five performances over a fourteen day period.  Kachel wound up playing twelve of the fourteen days and enjoyed air time on four radio stations. 

Kachel considers himself "young as a musician" and is still learning what, exactly, he would like to represent.  Generally, he has a lot of faith in life and believes there is more to it than mere coincidence.  His upbeat music reflects his personal outlook on life.  He uses failures and unplanned setbacks as a learning experience and motivation for future successes.  "It is not about saying you are going to do something, it is about actually going out and doing it."

Learn more about Joel Kachel

American Gypsy: Leather Chaps to Knitted Caps

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:               School II
Date:                 December 15, 2009
Time:                 7:00pm

Jodi Jarchow, known as American Gypsy, played "kick ass country dance music" for years with her husband.  They met while Jarchow was working as a nurse's aid, and he as a counselor, in a detox unit.  Upon discovering they possessed mutual interest in music, they began playing guitar together; Jarchow singing harmonies to her future husband's melodies.  Eventually, the time came when Jarchow realized she had a "thing" for this man, and then realized he was quite taken with her.  They married.

The couple built a business together, traveling around selling leather goods at biker rallies.  The couple's company was named "American Gypsy Trading Company."  Jarchow would bring her guitar to these events and while the stage was being re-situated between scheduled entertainers, she would persuade the stage managers to allow her those few moments to play to the audience.  Soon, her appearances became so regular the event coordinators would ask the audience to stay seated to enjoy the music of the "gypsy lady." 

Jarchow's husband, who dubbed her the official "American Gypsy,"  passed suddenly in 1996.  After years of playing shows together, playing privately in their kitchen together, and playing together while traveling with their children, the duo ceased.  Jarchow spent a year and a half lost without her husband, without her music.  And then she began to write songs.

She poured her emotions into songs in order to provide a tangible legacy of her husband for their children.  Through her writing and reunion with music, life came trickling back to Jarchow.  Eventually, she met her current "sweetheart," Bob.  He is a huge supporter of her music and designed a beautiful website for her, which she will repeatedly credit him for as she claims to be less than computer savvy.  He is also her sound man when she performs and she introduces him to her audience as "the man who turns me on and makes me loud!"

Along with music, Jarchow began a new business endeavor to replace the American Gypsy Trading Company.  She knits hats and mittens for schools across the country and is happy with her success.  With her knitting, she loves being able to walk downstairs in her pajamas, sit down, and think "I'm at work."  With her music, she loves that she can slap her hand on the bar, claim it as her work station, and good-naturedly ask "alright, who's been having sex on my desk?"  Jarchow's advice to the world:  Have a little fun and laugh when you can, you never know what day you're gonna get.

Learn more about American Gypsy

Tony Ortiz - "Someday"

Dwight Hobbes - "Pretty Girl"

JJS: Country/Rock Rodeo

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:               School II
Date:                 December 1, 2010
Time:                 7:00pm

Jeffrey James Sutherland  (JJS) grew up on a blend of country and rock music.  JJS was enraptured by the sound of bands such as his two favorites:  The Monkeys and Credence Clearwater Revival.  His father enjoyed the more traditional country sounds of artists such as Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash.  His father was deeply involved in horse culture, and the two would travel together from rodeo to horse show.  Music always accompanied the father/son team on their trips.  JJS recalls his father’s tactics to instill an appreciation for country music, “I would want to listen to The Monkeys and my father would make me listen to an entire album of Patsy Cline first.  In order for him to allow me to listen to CCR, my father would make me listen to an entire Hank Williams record.”  In this manner, the energy of infectious pop music and the lyrical storytelling of country music became ingrained in JJS.

Though writing and performing music was always his first passion, JJS discovered he had other talents on stage.  He worked for a time helping his manager sell comedians to venues and would do so by giving impromptu examples of different comedians’ jokes.  He discovered his comedic delivery provoked laughs, dabbled in writing a his own jokes, and ended up spending the next ten years traveling and performing as a comedian.  His is the age-old story of the musician-at-heart using his day job in stand-up to travel from city to city writing songs in hotel rooms during his down time – quite common and relatable.

JJS found notable success with his songwriting while living in Nashville.  There he was able to work with a number of highly talented artists.  JJS said working with the caliber of talent that he did taught him to always bring his A-game.  He took from the experience an improved working knowledge of well-written songs, a focus on the “tightening” of songs with an appealing lyric, melody, and chorus formula, and a realization of how much he did not previously know. 

JJS was showered with praise over his Cd, All My Near Mrs.  However, it was being distributed during a time when Nashville’s target market was beginning to make a shift toward a younger audience.  JJS’s music was meant for a more mature audience, so after receiving a number of unfulfilled promises during high-level meetings, JJS decided to exit Nashville rather than become “a casualty of the town.”  And that is the abbreviated version of how Nashville’s loss became the Twin Cities’ gain. 

Find out more exciting information about JJS and his music:  Jeffrey James Sutherland (JJS)

Dwight Hobbes: "How Music Got Involved in Me"

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:               School II
Date:                 Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Time:                 7:00pm

What does one say about a man who sets the phone down sixty seconds into an initial phone call with a woman, walks away and bellows expletives so loudly her posture improves and her eyes widen with apprehension, then returns to the phone becoming instantly disimpassioned claiming there are "worse things in life than burning your rice,"  and chuckles?  One would say Dwight Hobbes is a man worth venturing out on a mid-week evening in December to meet.

Hobbes is a singer/songwriter, writer, playwright, public speaker, and the list goes on.  He moved to Minnesota from New York City in the mid-80's seeking employment opportunities.  Finding secretarial work through Kelly Temp Agency, Hobbes wound up paving the way for male "Kelly Girls" across the region.  This was no small feat and Hobbes remains quite proud of his accomplishment.  He enjoys the memory of reporting to assignments and seeing surprised business men's faces who were expecting someone with, let's say, softer qualities.  Along with the ability to change the face of the secretarial pool, Hobbes brought with him the ability to entertain.

When asked how he became involved in music, Hobbes replies, "the question is not how I got involved in music, it's how music got involved in me."  Hobbes' interest in writing lyrics peaked after hearing songs such as "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "The Times They Are A-Changing."  He became enthralled with the manner in which Bob Dylan would craft words into song.  It was unlike anything Hobbes had imagined.  Years later, the likes of Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson, Jefferson Airplane, and The Byrds remain Hobbes' chief influences.  These remain unchanged to Hobbes because although the mind's ideas come and go, his writing comes from the gut and so remain timeless.

Hobbes also enjoys taking advantage of live performances.  A connection to his audience (be it two, twenty, or two hundred) is an accomplishment for which Hobbes strives each time he is on stage.  He believes performing live can grow a performer and strengthens musical chops.  Hobbes thrives on the nervous adrenaline and excitement he feels before a performance and hopes he never sees the day when he is unaffected by nerves.  His connection with his audience is not about complacency.  He believes a musician must "get out and have the humility to hope you reach them, put your ability behind it, and pray it works!"

As far as could be determined from a response, Hobbes' favorite color is laughter.

Hobbes requests a special "thank you" to Jazzy J.  Without him, Hobbes would not have connected with MJ Kroll, and would not be scheduled to perform at School's Out Open Mic as a featured performer.

Find out more about Dwight Hobbes

Andy Lindquist & Badge - "If Mama Ain't Happy"

Life As We Know It - "Bump in the Road"

James Loney - "Ramblin' Jack Elliott"

Andy Lindquist: Musical "Mad Scientist"

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:               School II
Date:                 Wednesday, November 17th
Time:                 7:00pm

Andy Lindquist is an artist whose struggles reach far beyond that of perfecting his music.  He believes every challenge creates an opportunity for growth;  opportunity has repeatedly knocked on his door.  Lindquist is a musician with an unstoppable work ethic.  He averages two Cd releases each year of original works, does all his own pre- and post-production work, writes every chance he gets, and is a classically trained luthier.   Each year, he sets a goal to master a new aspect of music; this year, it was an Irish jig.

His goals are not always obtained, or retained, easily.  At age 32, Lindquist was hospitalized with Behcet’s disease.  He was in the isolation unit, believed to be dying, and it was there he married his wife.  Over the following years, Lindquist suffered a series of strokes.  Each stroke caused loss of motor skills, paralysis, or blindness, or a combination.  There was never a guarantee the loss would be reversed.  Prior to this, Lindquist never identified himself severally from his music and it provoked no small amount of soul-searching.  Lindquist’s positive attitude allowed him to forge ahead.

When intricate work on the guitar threatened to prevent him from composing music, Lindquist bought a piano and now it is what he uses for the majority of his writing.  Music is Lindquist’s form of pain management and writing is his vehicle to leave a mark on the world.  Lindquist, in speaking of his writing habits, states, “I write like a dying man.  I have come so close to death many times and know I want to write as often as I can and express myself as much as I can in this short life we have.” 

Before his hospitalization, Lindquist already secured a solid list of accomplishments including competing on Star Search at age 22.  Living in Seattle for a time, Lindquist performed as a sideman playing guitar with several national acts.  Years after returning to Minnesota, Lindquist is thriving on the challenge posed by what he dubs the “musical wild west.”  He is delighted with the changes technology has brought to the music scene.  Independently releasing two Cd’s in a year, which he averages, was impossible as few as five years ago. 

The ability to record and master his own material allows Lindquist the autonomy necessary for his eclectic brand of music.  In the past, he has been criticized for failing to fit neatly into a particular genre, but Lindquist has found that even without it he has established a recognizable sound.  His work ethic and perfectionism ties him to each project so fiercely, that by the release date, he is disgusted with it.  He works at it like a mad scientist through completion only to need distance from it for an extended period of time before he is able to find appreciation for it.  As obsessive as it gets during the production, Lindquist will still tell anyone, “If you don’t like this one, wait five minutes and I’ll write another!”

Discover more about Andy Lindquist

Life As We Know It: Fantastic Musical Chemistry

Feature Artist:  School's Open
Venue:             School II
Date:               Wednesday, November 17
Time:               7:00pm

John Lyell and Leslee McKee are Life As We Know It.  This acoustic duo have years of experience between them.  McKee’s musical background includes, among other genres, R&B and soul.  Lyell is deeply involved in Ambient – Space music when working out of his studio.  The two met through Lyell’s band mate over three years ago.  At the time, Lyell was ready for a departure from full band performances in favor of a more laid back, acoustic venture.  He heard McKee’s vocals and pursued.

McKee, however, was ready for a break.  She received phone calls from Lyell intermittently over the ensuing 10 months, but wasn’t ready to commit.  Finally, she contacted Lyell to inform him of an upcoming coffeehouse performance.  He showed up to watch and within a short time these seasoned musicians joined forces.  Each contributes to vocals, guitar, and percussion (Lyell being especially fond of exotic percussive instruments).  McKee adds harmonica to the mix while Lyell’s didgeridoo became the star of one song on their Cd.

The two discovered early on that they were well-suited for co-writing original music.  Generally, Lyell uses a guitar riff as a jumping off point and McKee will add lyrics.  For their first original, Lyell had three-quarters of a song ready, and as he played it for McKee, she began adding lyrics on the spot. They feed off each other’s ideas in both music and lyrics, adjusting one to coincide with the other.

Lyell and McKee are enjoying their acoustic performances.  For the past three years, these previous full-band members are enjoying the different circuit available when performing acoustically.  They find it a relaxing, revitalizing, and refreshing experience.  All in all, Lyell and McKee are pleased with Life As We Know It.  Pun intended.

Find out more about Life As We Know It

James Loney: Feel the Music

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:               School II
Date:                 Wednesday, November 17
Time:                 7:00pm

About the time he was turning twenty, guitar hobbyist James Loney was working at a fast food joint on Hennepin Avenue.  A band called the Flamin' Oh's walked in so Loney offered them free burgers whenever they felt like swinging through.  Singer Robert Wilkinson took him up on the offer and soon after Loney was traveling with the band as a guitar tech.  Not only did this fill Loney's Friday and Saturday nights with work and music, it provided him a group of musicians who were willing to mentor him.

Loney says whether or not they knew they were teaching, he learned a lot from the members of the Flamin' Oh's during this period.  He credits Wilkinson with encouraging him to sing when he had never considered himself a singer.  Even with Wilkinson's urging, Loney did not take the leap into singing until he was auditioning lead singers for his band.  Unimpressed, he realized he could get what he was searching for in his own voice.

Loney's songwriting followed suit with his singing.  He has always enjoyed stream-of-consciousness journaling.  Songwriting, he feels, is a very similar experience to his journaling but simply formatted differently.  Loney's writing and music are his release.  He does them both daily and never considers it "practice" because labelling it as such "just sounds like it would be awful." 

Loney's recording of his original song, "Book About Dreams," was included in the soundtracks for the 1997 film, Just Write, with Jeremy Pivven and the 2000 film, Luckytown, with Kirsten Dunst and James Caan.  The Flamin' Oh's, Soul Asylum, The Phones, and Golden Smog are a few of the groups Loney's bands, House of Mirrors and James Loney and The Velvet Troubadours, have played with live.

 His EP, Who's the Lucky One? boasts Loney's personal folk/rock blend.  After a 13-year hiatus from live shows, Loney is back playing solo gigs and can also be spotted sharing the stage with Robert Wilkinson and Paul McFarland. Hear him perform and experience this original artist feel the music.

Learn more about James Loney and where you can catch his shows:
James Loney Music

Tony O - "Regular Joe"

Tony Ortiz: Not a Regular Joe

In the early 1980s, a San Diego band was searching for a replacement lead singer.  The bass player remembered a man with incredible vocals he saw at an earlier audition.  Tony Ortiz was called and performed three songs for the band.  By the end of the last song The Monroes had found their man.  Together, the group performed Ortiz's original songs at a number of showcases in the L.A. area.  They were thrilled to be signed by a small Japanese label, Alpha Records.  By 1982, The Monroes' song, "What Do All the People Know" reached #52 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The group performed on the Merv Griffin Show, and by that summer, were on national tour opening for Rick Springfield.

The Monroes traveled the first leg of their tour via station wagon.   Ortiz has many great memories of the time and is still in contact with his friends and band mates.  While on tour, Ortiz was backstage preparing for a show when a man approached him and complimented Ortiz on his vocal abilities.  As the man walked away, Ortiz's manager asked if he knew who the man was.  Ortiz was shocked to discover the source of the compliment was Neil Young.

But good things do not always last.  The small record label went bankrupt midway through the tour.  Shortly after, The Monroes were signed to another label, but the relationship did not prove as illustrious as the first.  Eventually, the group dispersed.  Ortiz moved to Minnesota where he currently resides.  He is working tirelessly on a new Cd, Tony O.:  Someday, filled with Ortiz's original music which is nearing release.

This self-taught singer/songwriter is proof that if you discover your talent and continue to cultivate it, limitations will fall away.  In every aspect of life, Ortiz believes "you never know how what you do is going to affect people, so always do your best."  If the opportunity happens to present itself, do not miss the chance to see Ortiz performing his best originals works.  He is often spotted at School II and Plums Bar in St. Paul participating in open mic nights.

Find out more about Tony Ortiz and his upcoming shows @
Hip Pocket Records
Tony's myspace

Merv Griffin Performance
*Tony will be appearing at Living Waters Market on Nov. 20th with MJ Kroll

Bungalow Boys - "Wise Man"

Bungalow Boys: Equal and Opposite

Featured Artist:  School's Open

Venue:               School II, Chanhassen, MN

Date:                 November 10, 2010

Time:                 7:00pm

Eric Cavanaugh and Mark "Guido" Alm have a long history of playing together.  The gentlemen kicked off their music career in the seventh grade.  They were frequently participants in high school talent shows, special guests in classroom performances, and entertainment at local parties.  They were never adverse to creating opportunities to show off their musical chops.

The Bungalow Boys are two members of the well-known local group, The Eddy Bungalow Band.  Cavanaugh and Alm created the offshoot, Bungalow Boys, because they thoroughly enjoy performing live.  Performing as an acoustic duo allows a greater pool of venues in which to perform, many of which are not equipped to handle a full band.  Cavanaugh and Alm are able to promote The Eddy Bungalow Band with their performances in smaller venues as the Bungalow Boys.  Acoustically, the two create a more instrumental, melodic sound from that of The Eddy Bungalow Band.  However, they do retain the Eddy Bungalow sound while experimentally veering away from the full band's convention.

Although Cavanaugh and Alm have a ten-year history together, do not think they are generally of like mind.  They tend to think of themselves as "slightly opposite" from each other (assuming opposites can be measure in varying degrees).  Cavanaugh divulges that each will frequently present an idea and one will be as steadfastly for it as the other is opposed to it.  When they happen upon that rare common ground where their ideas coincide, they agree the result is worth the effort.

Offstage, the two can be found enjoying various outdoor sports and activities.  Should you spot a group of gentlemen jamming as they float down the river, it is possible you are witnessing the Bungalow Band Boat.  The band's boat is their unique way of combining their love of the outdoors with their love of music, and it's a great vehicle for sparking the ideas that fuel their music.

Find out more about the Bungalow Boys and their upcoming acoustic and full-band shows @

Eddy Bungalow Band

Jan Edwards - "Wildflower & Barbwire"

Jan Edwards: Award Winning Songwriter

Featured Artist:  School's Open

Venue:               School II, Chanhassen, MN

Date:                 November 10, 2010

Time:                 7:00pm

During the past decade since Jan Edwards first began getting serious about her songwriting and performing career, she has successfully left her fingerprint on the music scene.  As a woman who's talent in the arts includes painting, sculpting, and graphic design along with music, Edwards' singing and songwriting was not always at the forefront.  The realization that she is, indeed, a songwriter, happened for Edwards with a short sentence.  The seemingly insignificant comment made about Edwards by a relative, "well, that's true of all songwriters," struck Edwards in a way that placed her on the path she travels today.

Edwards spent seven years living out of a suitcase between Nashville, TN and Minneapolis, MN.   This time was spent collaborating with a number of notable hit-song writers from Nashville.  She was recently awarded second place in the USA Songwriting Contest's country category.  This win resulted in an invitation to play at Nashville's famous Bluebird Cafe.  In 2009, an Edwards original placed within the top ten out of approximately 10,000 submissions in the CMT Songwriting Contest.  Edwards has also placed first in the SL's Got Talent Contest and 2nd in the WIMINN Songwriting Contest.

Edwards is also one of a growing number of artists thriving on Second Life.  She performs under the pseudonym Moondoggirl Moomintoog and has given upwards of 300 hour-long performances over the previous two years.  This alternative platform allows her to exhibit her personal brand of edgy country-blues around the world from the comforts of home.

Edwards feels things have a way of working out how they are supposed to and her songwriting career seems to be doing just that.  She broke into the music business by being proactive and positioning herself to meet people with shared dreams.  Discovering her direction in songwriting prompted her to pursue her ambition, and she is now enjoying the path to realizing her aspirations.

Find out more about Jan Edwards and her music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-xnEx8w3zY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-NLbbbrTiI&feature=related
www.myspace.com/janedwardsmusic

Dan Dragich - "The Day My Ship Comes In"

Katrina Litz - "My Friend the Moon"

Dan Dragich: The Art of Being Artistic

Featured Artist:  School's Open

Venue:               School II, Chanhassen, MN

Date:                 November 3, 2010

Time:                7:00pm

Does torment nurture the artist or does the artist nurture torment?  Where Dan Dragich is concerned, the answer may very well be "both - one cannot survive without the other."  Dragich subscribes to the theory that discord is the catalyst for artists and the art they create.  Without it, inspiration cannot thrive, creativity becomes dormant, and art will be dead.  Therefore, it is often the artist who creates situations in which struggle, discontent, disappointment, and solitude become abundant and provide an environment ideal for art's survival.  In a sense, a healthy environment for art must be unhealthy for the artist.

Dragich identifies with the ill-adjusted artists rather than those who appear well-adjusted.  He affords much of his own discontent to a simple lack of stimuli.  When life is well and good, Dragich is uninspired.  His art, however, can be inspiration to many.  Dragich has been working on a new Cd for a number of years.  He is currently able to play thirteen instruments including guitar, mandolin, violin, cello, accordion, piano, and various wind and brass instruments.  Along with being the sole musician on his Cd, Dragich is producing and mastering it himself.   He has acquired each of these skills simply because he is an artist who's art required the knowledge.  What would the world accomplish if we all approached situations in a like manner?

Although Dragich identifies with the darker side of life rather than the light,  it does not come without relief.  He is certainly a man who is able to laugh at his own idiosyncrasies.  When asked why he removed his music from various outlets on the Internet, he replies, "I don't know.  Probably because of my own self-conscious, arrogant cynicism," and chuckles.  Likewise, when his philosophy on tortured artists is turned on him, he is obviously amused.  

Travis Wavescorxs - your friend, Dan, thinks you're a good guy and he misses having you around.  (The inclusion of this sentiment could have been less direct, but discomfort also inspires art).

Come to School II in Chanhassen to support the music of Dan Dragich.

Katrina Litz: Movement through Music

Featured Artist:  School's Open

Venue:               School II, Chanhassen, MN

Date:                 November 3, 2010

Time:                 7:00pm

This native of Minnesota is returning to her old stomping grounds to dazzle with an intoxicating blend of blues, jazz, and classical sounds. After a successful run touring the tri-state area and releasing two Cds with her band, the three members decided to go their separate ways. Litz took the opportunity to put out a solo album, The Fugitive, which was released in October ’09. A few weeks later, Litz quit her job, sold everything she owned, and boarded a New Zealand bound flight.

In preparation for New Zealand, Litz booked a number of gigs through connections she made on myspace.com. Her first was scheduled for two days after her plane landed. She settled in a hostel, rented a keyboard for $80/month, and was set for her first week.

Litz found she was able to survive solely on income from playing gigs. She enjoyed opening for local artists with a loyal following. Litz also discovered couchsurfing.com. The site offers information about residents interested in hosting travelers passing through, offering a free couch or room to sleep in for a few nights. Along with helping Litz economize during her travels, it proved an exceptional avenue for creating friendships.

When she didn’t have gigs booked, Litz would search out open mic venues. During her final week in New Zealand, she drove south in the car she had purchased and carried her keyboard from restaurant to restaurant asking if she could perform. She was frequently paid in good food and drink and enough gas money to get to the next town.

During the past year, Litz briefly lived in Canada near Vancouver Island. There she was inspired by the natural landscape and her previous travels to write twelve new songs for her second album which she is currently recording in Seattle.

Learn more about Katrina Litz @ www.myspace.com/katrinalitz

Katrina Litz will also be playing at the Big V in the Midway, St. Paul on Thursday, November 4^th.

MJ Kroll - "Easy"

MJ Kroll: Pursuit of Purpose

Host (and Mastermind behind):  School's Open

Venue:   School II, Chanhassen, MN

Date:     November 3, 2010

Time:    7:00pm

“Don’t try to be good, try to be great.”  This is one motto singer/songwriter MJ Kroll uses to describe her approach to life.  When something is working, Kroll will pursue it without hesitation.  Conversely, she will not pull any punches when something is not creating adequate results.

Growing up in a town with a population reaching the magnificent number of 600, Kroll was lovingly directed toward practicality.  In band, she wanted to play guitar but the flute was better suited for the school’s concert band.  In her career, Kroll craved creativity and music but an engineering degree promised better return on investment.  She tried real estate management for a few years, but found it empty as well. 

Kroll never gave up her desire to learn to play the guitar.  She purchased her first guitar determined to master it.  Immediately she discovered just how little she knew about the instrument when she was informed the guitar was broken.  She chose her subsequent guitar by having skilled musicians play for her to determine if she approved of its sound.    Her current guitar was purchased after losing herself in it for four hours during a fight with her girlfriend.  Not to worry, they are now happy with each other as well as the guitar’s warm tones.

Kroll began her musical journey in adulthood.  Within her first year she was playing gigs around town with her band.  She has since released a full length solo Cd, Resonate, a six-song ep, Wondering, and is currently working on a third.  Kroll put everything she had into funding her learning experience and the production of her solo Cd's.  Resonate is full of radio-friendly songs containing messages of self-discovery, struggle, and perseverance.  The connecting theme is that of searching for your life’s purpose; it is something Kroll takes very seriously.  She also knows this pursuit will not be in vain as long as you Believe.

Find out more about MJ “Rockn” Kroll and where you can see her perform live @

www.mjkroll.com

Robi - "What Do I Do About You"

Amber Anne Love: For the Love

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:                School II, Chanhassen, MN
Date:                  October 27, 2010
Time:                 7:00pm

Amber Anne Love is on a spiritual journey and is using her music to pick up passengers along the way.  Love feels strongly that there is a common denominator among all people that is easily found if one consciously searches it out.  She is a huge promoter of peace and love and wants her music to be an avenue for people to find it in their lives.  Love knows all too well this journey is often long and harrowing.

Love became a mother at age 18.  During those initial years of motherhood, she noticed a lot of lyrics and images in popular music of the time were becoming increasingly disrespectful and violent toward women.  Furthermore, she noticed the way it affected the energy of young men she knew as well as the way they communicated with and treated women.  Eventually, Love felt her spirit break. 

Until she met Cheryl Sonny Thompson.  The two felt an immediate connection and share a loving, supportive relationship.  Although Thompson has a significant history in music as well, their story did not begin with that.  They began working together on Thompson's book until Thompson, noticing Love was constantly singing and playing the keyboard, asked Love what she really wanted to do.  Today, Amber Anne Love, under Thompson Management, is working on an exciting new CD.

The single from the new CD, "All My Love," boasts an array of well-established musicians.  Included in the project are David Becker, who played on both of Colby Caillat's Cd's, Marcia Day (back-up vocals), Tovia Bradly (drummer), and Walter Chancellor Jr. (sax).  The group is planning to work together on Amber Anne Love's full CD.

Love's earlier EP's and Singles are available at Cheapo and other locations.  Find details about this and more Amber Anne Love information @ www.amberannelove.com.

DeMonica Flye: Can Do it All, Will Do it All

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:                School II, Chanhassen, MN
Date:                  October 27, 2010
Time:                 7:00pm

DeMonica Flye is one of those women who takes what life throws her way and turns it into something as beautiful as her soulful voice.  Emancipated at the age of 15, Flye began an early adulthood and motherhood.  She has since raised three wonderful boys of her own and spent six years raising a friend's three children when she was called upon for help.  Meanwhile, she never stopped performing.

Living in Chicago at age 18, Flye became a licensed DJ and spent a number of years DJing & performing in clubs all over the city.  She worked with Kitty Neely, the number one black female DJ of the time, and with Neely's business Purrfect Production, was able to open for national acts. 

Flye currently fronts her twelve-piece band, Hi-Definition, along with male lead vocalist, Ronell Henry.  She is also spotted regularly around Minneapolis performing house music.  She is adept at creating lyrics on the "Flye."  Her ease with improvisation and wonderful voice often leave her audience requesting a recorded version.  When Flye is not entertaining with house music, she is performing soul, r&b, jazz, and blues.

Along with her own musical ambition of releasing a self-titled Cd, Flye spends her time learning the business aspects of the music industry.  She plans to pass on her business savvy to young talent who may not be in a position to attend classes themselves.  Flye believes it is important for artists to be involved in every aspect of their music to ensure the final product is a true representation of what they wish to communicate to the world.

Find out more about DeMonica Flye and where you can watch her perform @
www.reverbnation.com/demonicaflyehidefinintion.

Bob & Robi: Extraordinarily Delightful

A performance by this father/daughter team leaves nothing to be desired.  Robi’s vocals captivate her audience from the first note and hold them until the performance is finished.  Bob captures them with his guitar, laying the groundwork for song after song.  It is clear these two are equally as entertained by each other on stage as the audience is by them.

As Bob picks the guitar, a half-smile appears on his face communicating the pure joy he gets from playing.  As he harmonizes with his daughter, it is obvious where she inherited her impressive talent.  Robi’s voice has the ability to transport you to an earlier era with her song “What Will I Do about You.”  She mesmerizes the audience with her rendition of Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine When Your Gone” and Sarah McLachlan’s “In the Arms of an Angel.”  Her voice envelopes the audience and is one that can move them to cry, laugh, or dance.  Truly, she is a gifted vocalist.

If the chance presents itself to see these two perform, do not pass it up.

Cold Shoulder

Corey Koehler: Music Goat

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:                School II, Chanhassen, MN
Date:                  October 20, 2010
Time:                 7:00pm

Corey Koehler (pronounced KAY-ler) is a musician with an unending supply of goals for his music career and the ambition to follow through.  The title of his first CD, Never Too Late, reflects Koehler's own path to singing and songwriting.  Around the age of 30, Koehler finally decided he wanted more than he could wean from a nine-to-five job.  He picked up his guitar, which he hadn't touched in years, and discovered not all was lost.  Something about the music gave Koehler the fulfillment he was searching for. 

His singing ability was an accidental discovery.  Though he always enjoyed belting out songs along with the radio, it was his friends who encouraged this talent.  Koehler would grab his guitar while sitting around a campfire to entertain an audience of friends.  Compliments on his vocals became so frequent he started to believe maybe he possessed genuine talent. 

Koehler tried a succession of get-rich-quick schemes dreaming one would position him, financially, where he could devote the majority of his time to music.  In retrospect, Koehler says that was the wrong decision.  He now believes expending his energy on his musical abilities provides the greatest benefit and recommends the same to anyone with a talent of their own.  He feels strongly that once a person begins exploring their talent, they find a more meaningful existence and are better able to positively influence the people around them.

Koehler's insight is present in the seven americana originals in Never Too Late.  Lyrically, his subject matter relates to anyone who finds themselves weary of monotony in the daily grind, inadequate in choosing words to express compassion over loss, and an active participant (eventually, anyway) in the failure of a relationship.  Musically, he makes you want to raise a beer and toast yourself for making it this far.

Koehler is not committing himself solely to americana.  His influences stem from multiple genres, many of which he would like to try in the future.  He considers himself a bit of a "music goat."  He has never been able to decide upon one genre and stick with it, so he decided it was unnecessary.  Koehler arrived at the term "music goat," he says, because a goat will eat anything.  In the same fashion, Koehler will absorb all types of music without a preference for any one in particular.  He also loves a hearty breakfast.

Find out more:
www.planetcorey.com
www.musicgoat.com
www.facebook.com/coreykoehlermusic
www.twitter.com/planetcorey

Jazzy J Benefit: Party for Life

A benefit was held last Wednesday for beloved member of the Twin Cities music community, Jazzy J.  Jazzy is the owner of Twin Cities Radio which provides a forum for independent, unsigned artists to display their musical talent.  Jazzy has established himself as a champion of these artists' abilities.

Recently, Jazzy suffered a recurrence of cancer and, as many do, struggles to pay medical expenses.  The Twin Cities music community rallied.  Often times we hear phrases surrounding these benefits such as "outpouring of love" and "a community united."  Jazzy's Party for Life benefit exemplified each of these.  The members of this artistic community came out in droves in support of their friend.  They offered their time, support, talent, art, and friendship to make Party for Life a success.

  The atmosphere of the Bar Fly's loft was one of celebration and seemed to reflect this man's approach to life.  Jazzy was obviously moved.  He could be seen greeting everyone with a smile of appreciation and words of friendship.  It was apparent Jazzy was fully enjoying the experience and equally apparent that the success of each of the artists is as personal to him as his own.

All in all, it was nothing short of uplifting to see this music community, which Jazzy has dedicated much of his energy helping to cultivate, return such an incredible amount of encouragement, warmth, and love.  It is an impressive group of talented individuals worthy of support from their neighbors.  Through their music, we are provided a venue for this celebration we call life.

In honor of the health and happiness of Jazzy J, let there be songs to fill the air.

Little Artist-Repost This to support me ;)

Suzen Juel: Life is an Art

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:                School II, Chanhassen, MN
Time:                 Wednesday, October 13th @ 7pm

Suzen Juel was born in Milwaukee, WI into a musical French family heritage.  Her father played spoons and the washboard.  Juel's mother was skilled on piano, banjo, and guitar, and she was also a painter.  Her first guitar was handcrafted for her by her grandfather.  Juel took three months of guitar lessons, but when her instructor wanted her to sing, Juel was so scared she went home and informed her parents she would not return.

She began playing the piano as a five year old.  When her parents' visitors asked if she was taking lessons, her parents would inform them that she played by ear.  This upset the five-year-old Juel who would insist, "I do not use my ear to play the piano!"  But that is exactly how Juel has developed her musical abilities.  She never learned to read music, so her repertoire is strictly original works.  She is currently working on a new CD of storytelling types of americana/folk/blues songs with titles like "Drinking the Wrong Man Right."  She sings with a dry, throaty sound and has been referred to locally as "our own Lucinda Williams."

In 1989, Juel was living with her family in Michigan's upper peninsula.  Her gut told her a move to Minneapolis would be the right thing for her.  She left home with her guitar, a stranger she met the night before, and a one hundred dollar bill.  She crashed on the stranger's couch until she got her footing in a new city and was able to venture out on her own. 

For a period of time, Juel was in a band opening for Tina and the B Sides.  She very much admired Tina's drive and worked up the courage to approach Tina with a cassette of her music.  Shortly after, Tina called to say she would love to produce Juel's music.  Nothing became of the exchange, but it sparked something in Juel.  Six months later, her band dissipated and Juel began a solo career.

Juel can be found performing for a global audience through Second Life.  Second Life allows Juel to perform from the comforts of her own home, earn as much, if not more, for her shows and be accessible in many countries.  She spends her mornings painting, and her time on stage projecting all the emotion she can offer to and absorb from her audience.

Find out more at www.suzenjuel.com

Holly Jackson: School's Open Found It's Class Clown

Feature Comedian:  Schools Open
Venue:                     School II, Chanhassen, MN
Time:                      Wednesday, October 13th @ 7pm

For fourteen years, Holly Jackson enjoyed a career as an event planner dabbling in wedding planning on the side.  Two years ago, her husband was deployed to Iraq.  Jackson was deeply affected by the absence of her husband and her friends took notice.  Shortly after he left, Jackson's friend told her, "you're an event planner, plan an event and go over there."  The conversation happened on a Friday.  By Monday, Jackson managed to arrange a line-up of well-known comedians and submit the program to the USO.  The show is cleared to perform for the troops this spring. 

The past two years of Jackson's life were something of a whirlwind.  She now runs her own entertainment management company, NAF Entertainment.  She has organized a Gospel tour through Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.  Soon, Jackson will head to Dubai to assist a start up record company with public relations, and she is just beginning to delve into her own stand up comedy career.  She will be performing Monday, October 12th at 8:00pm at the Acme Comedy Club in Minneapolis.

Jackson is also proud to be heading a fundraiser for Bruno Serato, owner of the White House restaurant in Anaheim, CA.  Serato was recently featured in People magazine and interviewed by Katie Couric for donating thousands of meals to the Boys and Girls Club of Anaheim.  As a result of his generosity, Serato will receive the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Anaheim International Film Festival.  However, his generosity has also brought him serious financial hardship.  Jackson's fundraising mission will attempt to ease his financial strain.

Jackson still wakes up in the morning, thinks about the opportunities that have come to her in recent years and thinks, "wow, I can't believe this is my life!"  She has a wonderful son working on his second Cd and a loving husband who wrote a book about her. 

Although Jackson will not be singing at School's Open, since her sole venue for that is the shower, she will be providing comic relief between musical guests.  Come out to support a rising comedic genius!

NAF Entertainment
www.nafentertainment.com

Madame

East of Innocence: Madames of the Mic

Feature Artist:  School's Open(to Host at a later date)
Venue:              School II, Chanhassen, MN
Time:                Wednesday, October 13th @ 7pm
Fast friends, Jen VonGroven and Marcy Vonne, founded East of Innocence (EOI) nearly six years ago.  They entertain the crowd with an array of original music, which they have been writing since day one.  Original songs display their versatility through a diverse blend of rock, blues, strong harmonies, and the occasional drinking song.  EOI also performs an impressive number of covers focusing primarily on popular music, the latest of which is their rendition of Lady Gaga's "Alejandro." 

Both VonGroven and Vonne enjoyed music-filled childhoods.  VonGroven's earliest vocal influences were her father, who sang in a barbershop quartet, and her high school choir director who, not surprisingly, directed her high school choir.  In early adulthood, Gwen Steffani, a fairly well-known musician she is happy to have briefly met, fueled VonGroven's musical ambitions.  VonGroven picked up the guitar while living in Mexico.   She would sound out songs note by note until she became accomplished enough to fluidly play such tunes as "Puff, the Magic Dragon."

Vonne began playing piano at age four.  She played at church and participated in classical piano competitions.  She began to write her own music and lyrics while growing up, eventually making the common transition from classical piano to heavy metal band by the turn of the century.  Vonne used her time in the band to strengthen her vocal abilities.

Vonne and VonGroven found each other at a neighborhood dive bar by chance.  VonGroven was exchanging friendly chatter with a gentleman she saw earlier sitting next to Vonne and, as Vonne approached, feared she would be accused of flirting with Vonne's husband.  Vonne smiled at her husband, marched directly past him and addressed a nervous VonGroven, "I heard you sing, do you play an instrument too?"  Although VonGroven had advanced beyond "Magic Dragon,"  she was still unsure of her talent level but confidently replied, "Yes, the guitar."  Vonne asked if VonGroven would like to join her band.  They had their first practice the following day where Vonne finally confided to Vongroven that there was no band.  EOI was born and they released their first EP six months later.

EOI gave their inaugural live performance to sixty friends and family members in Vonne's garage.  Shortly after, VonGroven made a career decision that took her to San Francisco.  A year later Vonne flew out and the two drove back to Saint Paul together, VonGroven belting out "Route 66" until Vonne threatened  to throw her into the Grand Canyon.  EOI has released two full length Cd's (the most recent entitled UnGlued) of original music since their return.

The newest venture undertaken is co-writing the song, "Madame."  It has very tongue-in-cheek, humorous lyrics which reflects the sense of humor the two women share (and to clarify, it absolutely does not reflect their lifestyle in any imaginable way).  Meeting these women, you get a sense that they take seriously their passion, but do not, passionately, take seriously themselves. 

EOI will be performing in uptown at Famous Dave's for the Battle of the Bands on October 17th.  See all their upcoming performances and preview their music at www.eastofinnocence.com.

Francis Duxbury III: "Comfort Music" Lyricist

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:                School II, Chanhassen, MN
Time:                  7:00pm

"What musical genre do I fit in?"  The question Francis Duxbury III posed to himself was answered by a friend after a moment of reflection, "Comfort Music."  Duxbury agreed, amused by his friends insight, and has described it as such ever since. 

Duxbury, along with Bill Travers (of Four on the Floor) recently celebrated the release of their newest CD,  Francis Duxbury III and Bill Travers:  Hide Me.  Vocal harmonies with Laura Moe (of Dodd Road) are peppered throughout the CD, including the title track, "Hide Me."  The folk-rock comfort music is as inviting as Duxbury's lyrics are revealing.  His lyrics cover a wide range of subject matter from the universal themes of love and heartache to personal stories of loss.  Examples of this range  include "Good Night Marge," about the loss of a grandmother, written for his grandchildren, Julia and Gabe, and their father.  Another is "Right Back with You," written for "the men and women in service of our freedom and for the ones they leave behind" (Duxbury, liner notes). 

Duxbury has been writing song lyrics since he was fifteen.  He is thankful for the gift to write and doesn't question his ability "because then I wouldn't."  Duxbury attributes much of his writing technique to artists such as John Denver, from whom he learned to create lyrics without depending on a structured form.

Bill Travers is Duxbury's friend and supporter of the past ten years.  They share a history of playing the same jam sessions.  Individual styles, they admit, make them an unlikely musical team; however, there is a mutual respect that became critical to the creation of Hide Me.  About five years ago, Duxbury decided to take some weeks off from playing gigs; those weeks rolled into a five-year hiatus.  Travers encouraged Duxbury to play again, insisting that Duxbury had "too much talent to be doing nothing."   Somewhere among the coaxing of Travers and the loss of their mutual, beloved friend Cheater Slick (Jim Tiseth), to whom the CD is dedicated, Duxbury found his way back among his peers.

Together, Duxbury and Travers are a treat to see.  Duxbury, with quick movements magnified by a wonderfully outgoing personality, appears to be everywhere in the room at once.  Travers, on the other hand, enjoys the evening settled back on his heels, reflecting the celebratory atmosphere through a mischievous? glimmer in his eyes.  Moe adds an additional layer to the dynamics of the group that may intrigue them enough to make the trio official.

The two host an open mic/jam session every Sunday evening at the VFW in South Saint Paul.  Stop by to support them during these cooler seasons and let their music transport your mind to a balmy summer evening around a campfire.

www.myspace.com/francisduxburyiii

Paul Booth Johnson - Minnesota State Fair Talent Show

Paul Booth Johnson: One Man, One Guitar, One Mic...Much Blues

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Location:  School II Wine Bistro, Chanhassen, MN
Time:  7:00pm

Blues musician, Paul Booth Johnson, was given his first guitar, purchased at a Duluth pawn shop by his father, at the age of ten.  "I didn't play it, I destroyed it," he claims, recollecting his earliest days with the instrument.  But thanks to a few lessons at a Duluth music shop and a mix of tolerance and support from his parents, Johnson's talent on the guitar improved greatly.  It led him from the acoustic days of his youth, through an '80s high school heavy metal band, to his membership in the band Paradise.  The group played to a solid following throughout the Midwest during the '90s and is currently working toward a reunion.  Johnson has most recently returned to performing solo acoustic styling.

Johnson has played slide guitar for the past 23 years.  The idea of acoustical performance challenged Johnson.  He set out to discover whether he could captivate a crowd with only a guitar and a microphone.  And captivate he does.  Johnson won the open division semi-finals at this year's Minnesota State Fair with his blues song, "Delta Slide. "  The win allowed him to perform to a crowd from the Fair's Grand Stand where he was spotted by a Mankato State University representative. This sighting resulted in an invitation to play at the student union for a program showcasing Minnesota quality talent. 

Johnson's adoration of the blues is evident in his music.  He is quick to provide a laundry list of influential artists and will discuss their musical contributions with a passion and intensity that makes you want to run out and play them all so you can hang onto that energy. 

Johnson remains passionate yet modest when discussing personal inspirations for his music.  Although Johnson has experienced tragedy, including that of his father's suicide when Johnson was only 21 years old, he says he does "not get all depressed and then go write songs."  Instead, he gets an idea from a song or technique he hears, organizes it in his head, then sits down with his guitar.  He practiced this form of writing music while travelling the highways of the United States during his sixteen year stint as a truck driver.  Alone on the road with a song in his head, he would "write" music for miles until he was able to access his guitar.

Paul Booth Johnson has been enamored with music since childhood, just tall enough to watch his mother's record player boast her favorite '50s tunes.  Today he loves a stage, an audience, and his blues.  And he'll happily debate string theory, ghosts, and UFO's between sets.

www.myspace.com/paulboothjohnsonmusic