Down On The Corner

By Paul Moffett

• The funeral for Scott Robinson drew a crowd to Pearson's large enough that they had to drag out the spare chairs. We'd all rather not have to test our popularity posthumously, however. Michael Campbell and a group of friend's sang "Tupelo Honey" in tribute, after being unsuccessful in finding an `approriate' song in Scott's catalog. Dan Gedimen is interested in putting together a tribute CD for Scott, with various performers doing his tunes. We'll keep you informed.

• Bassist Mike Williams and his wife Mary are the new lease holders at the building at Pope and Frankfort that last housed The Lighthouse. They are planning a venue designed by musicians for musicians and music. A tentative opening date is September 1.

• Meanwhile, Bob Stack, formerly at the Lighthouse, is busily rehabbing the old Do Drop Inn on Story. A sign on the door suggests an opening of August 1.

• There's also a new open stage on Tuesdays in the Family Room, a new coffeehouse at 204 S. Preston. Owner Randy Winkler has a business next door. He says the open stage will run from 9 p.m. until midnight or so. There's no host, so show up to sign up. The phone is 587-2018.

• Tickets are now on sale for the first Jamfest, scheduled for September 20-22 at Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park. The lineup is lengthy and stages and scheduling have not yet been announced. Among the national acts set to appear are Delbert McClinton, Richie Havens, Tift Merrit, Los Lobos, Sam Baush, Jerry Douglas, Leftover Salmon, Patty Griffin and the Alison Brown Quartet. The musicial focus of the festival is Americana, rather than bluegrass. For a complete list, log onto www.blueskykentucky.com or go to www.louisvillemusicnews.com and search for Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

• The Louisville Ballet has a new Director of the Louisville Ballet School. Former Artist Director of the Evansville Dance Theatre Don Tolj has taken over the position. The Ballet School has an enrollment of over 250 studuents.

• The Louisville Youth Orchestra will be holding auditions for interested youth musicians through age 21 for the 2002-2003 on August 23-25 and September 6-8. Any young person playing an orchestra instrument may apply. For more information, contact Melody Welsh-Buchholz, Executive Director at 502-584-0135.

• For the songwriters out there, a heads up: the Songwriters' Association of Washington's 19^th Annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest deadline is August 12. This contest has a $1,000 Grand Prize, plus an array of other prizes. If you're interested, log onto www.saw.org or call them at 301-654-8434.

• The 10^th Annual Cutting Edge Music Business Conference and Roots Music Gathering will be happening in New Orleans on August 21-25 at the Hotel Inter-Continental. For info about this event, logo on to www.hass.com/cuttingedge/ or call the Music Business Institute at 504-945-1800.

Codas

• Frank V. Bentley Jr. 49, died on July 17 in Louisville. He was a musician and had song with the Bentley Brothers.

• Michael Scott Robinson, 45, died in Louisville at a friend's home on July 22. Robinson was a singer-songwriter with a pair of CDs to his credit.