Down On The Corner

By Paul Moffett

• Scott Robinson has had something of a string of bad luck lately. First, he broke his foot; then his car gotten stolen along with his PA. All that on top of moving into a new space. I guess all we can do is go to one of his shows and buy a CD.

• John Grantz and Media Events, Inc. have resurrected the Powertel Rockin' at Riverpoints Concert Series for 1999. Every Friday night from May 14-July 23, a free concert will be held at the Downtown Waterfront Park. Confirmed acts include Southern Culture on the Skids, The Ohio Players, Blue Oyster Cult and The Outfield. Louisville bands with original music will open each show and acts interested in playing should contact Media Events at POB 4126, Louisville, KY 40204.

• The Unsigned Primetime Live Finals at the Toy Tiger on March 16 looked like a Body Art Convention had crashed headlong into a "Coping with Middle Age" Therapy Group. The young chilluns with rings penetrating revealed and not so revealed body parts and tattoos peeking out from clothing in unlikely places were mixed with what had to be parents, plus some folks who were supposed to be record company executives in for the Flaw / Out. / Yellow 5 / Ten Months Later showcase. For a show that started at - I am not making this up - 8:45 p.m. at the Toy Tiger, there was a considerable crowd. The Enkindels' Snake (Mark Brickey) came through the door about 10:30 and said he couldn't believe the music had already begun. The Fox's Keith Olone, sporting a new blonde 'do, had his hands full getting the bands onto the stage and introduced. The music was loud and louder - in short, it was a successful night, though whether or not anybody got a bite from a label isn't known right now. I forgot my earplugs, so about 11:30, I had to give it up in the interest of saving my hearing for another day. However, subsequent entirely unconfirmed word had it that Flaw got immediate offers from a couple of labels. Being wisely counseled, these and other proprosals were taken under consideration. Stay tuned for more gossip about this event.

• This e-mail arrived the other day, entirely unsolicited.

"I want to thank you for all of the complimentary copies of Louisville Music News that you have provided me with over the past six years. I am amazed at its consistant quality of LMN and find it hard to believe that it has not been recognized more nationally.

"Your entire musicial community is to be commended for their support and they equally should be aware of the tremendous effort the staff of LMN does to keep the Louisville Music News available to the public. It is easy to see why Louisville is becoming recognized as one of the music hubs in America.

"I just wanted to take the time out to thank you and let you know what a good job I think you are doing.

Kenny Burford, owner of Central Country Music News (CCMN is currently closed)"

Thanks fer them kind words, Kenny.

• Comes this (somewhat reduced and edited) from the apprpopriately named Flo (Tom Florian), of 52^nd Stream:

"Monday, March 29th, kicks off the Primitive Entertainment/52nd stream Artist Showcase series. It will be free to get in, yet a donation of five canned goods for the USA Harvest is requested. The series will take place every last Monday of the month and will be held at the HideAway Saloon at 1607 Bardstown Rd. Louisville KY from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This month's featured artists are: Paul K, Todd Fuller, Chaz and Flo.

Artists are welcome to send in their music plus a $15 administration fee to: Primitive Entertainment c/o 52nd stream media PO BOX 7005 Louisville KY 40257. Deadline: July 15th 1999. Please mention which song is your signature song. All are welcome to help out!"

• Hawley-Cooke has scheduled a trio of music-related book signings in April. First up is a signing for Blues for Dummies, written by Lonnie Brooks. That's on April 10, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Shelbyville Road store. Brooks will play some blues and sign the book, which includes an hour-long CD.

Next is a signing for Mike and Donn's Coloring Book, which you might remember was mentioned last month. It's a coloring book about musicians who frequent the Air Devils Inn, particularly Mike Murphy and Donn Adams. The signing will be on April , 3:30-5:30 p.m., again at the Shelbyville Road store. Some of the artists mentioned in the coloring book will play.

Finally, on April 24, 4 to 5 p.m., Rick Mattingly will talk about his latest book, The Drummer's Time: Conversations with the Great Drummers of Jazz, also on Shelbyville Road.

All the signings are free and open to the public.

• Plan Ahead Dept. the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset, scheduled for July 15-17, has booked Vassar Clements, Maura O'Connell, Natalie MacMaster, the Laura Love Band, Santiago Rodriguez, Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, Dan Crary, Sparky Rucker Ram, the Beau Haddock Band, the Kettleheads, SRO and more. It promises to be a fair little event. Call 1-8880386-5859 for more information.

• Speaking of music festivals, the 1999 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is happening in N'awlins on April 23 - May 1. This will be the 30th year for this really, really, really big event. The music schedule takes both sides of an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet, single-spaced, name after name after name . . . Contact them at 504-410-4100 for more info.

• Dr. Don & the Love Dogs have been playing around town as long as Louisville Music News has been published: ten years. They're holding a "10-Year Anniversary" set of shows on April 2 & 3 at the Air Devils Inn. Being generous sorts, they're promising free dog biscuits for the first 200 fans.

• Word comes from the Initial Records folks that they have signed two new bands to the label, Pennsylvania's Jazz June and Silent Majority from New York. Besides that, they've released a new EP from Boy Sets Fire called In Chrysalis. If ya can't find a copy, get it at www.initialrecords.com.

• Gary Brewer is working on a new project at Melody Hill Studios. A tribute to the "King Of Bluegrass," Jimmy Martin, the first sessions featured Doyle Lawson, J. D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Terry Smith, bassist for the Osbourne Brothers and Sam Harris, with Brewer handling vocals and guitar. The recording will feature Martin hits form the '50s to the present. A spring release date is promised.

Gary Brewer also recently was honored by the outgoing Mayor of Louisville, Jerry Abramson, for his commitment to the City Of Louisville. He received a Wall Plaque and the Key to the City.

• Bloomington songwriter and chanteuse Carrie Newcomer has released a live CD, Bare to the Bone, to benefit the VOX project, which "uses music to educate young people to make responsible choices and to live healthier lives." The CD will only be available at shows and on the Rounder Records website.

• Tom Sobel of the Comedy Caravan is bragging these days about comedian Tim Wilson's new Capitol Records CD, a big chunk of which was recorded right here in Derby City at the Mid City Mall venue. Wilson will be at the Comedy Caravan during Derby Week.

• The Kentucky Opera's 26th Annual Book Sale is set for Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Trinity High Alumni Hall. If you're a real bibliophile, you can get first pick on Thursday, April 8, from 5:30 - 9 p.m. for a mere $35, which includes refreshments, entertainment and, of course, first choice. Call the KO at 502-584-4500.

• If you happen to be going to Europe in May, be sure to stop off for the European World of Bluegrass, May 13-24, at het Trefpunt, Barneveld, the Netherlands. Call the International Bluegrass Music Association at 888-438-4262 for more about this event.

• WFPK and the Bunbury Theatre have joined forces to tape some "unplugged" performances by up-and-coming singer/songwriters touring the country. The concerts are free, though reservations are required. The next taping is set for April 13 at 7:00p.m., artists to be announced. The Concerts are aired once a month on WFPK. 91.9 FM. Call 585-5306 to make reservations.

• From down in E-town comes word that WKMO-FM morning man Richard Brown and his spouse Lu-Ann have a new son, Jacob Daniel Brown, born February 19.

• Cowboy Corner columnist Michael Stout and his wife Jennie have a news daughter, Olivia Rose Stout, born March 10, 1999. She checked in weighing 7 lbs., 0 oz. Mother and daughter are doing fine.

Codas

• Phillip Lee Slaughter, 55, of Shelbyville, died on March 25. He was a musician with the band The Presidents.