Down On The Corner

By Paul Moffett

• Louisville's own improvisational "folks" musician Misha Feigin is back in town for a bit. Feigin says his German, though grammatically flawed, is much improved, in part because he got lots of chances to practice during his recent tour out of the country. He also says that a well-respected British label, Leo Records, is set to release a CD of instrumental duets between Feigin and a gathering of famous players.

• News of Another Colour comes from vocalist Grace Delligatti. On the really happy news front is word that she will sing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium, on Monday night, August 2, to open the 7:30 p.m. game between the Yankees Toronto Blue Jays. If you just have to get tickets , log on to AC site at http://members.aol.com/anothercol

On the not-quite-so-thrilling front, Grace allowed as to how she and her bandmate / significant other Paul Del Aquila have relocated their residence to Nashville, though they are in Louisville frequently. She isn't willing to say that the move is permanent.

• John Cowan fans have but one little chance to hear their favorite songbird in Louisville this summer and that will be at Disc Jockey Records on Shelbyville Rd. on Saturday, July 31, from 3 to 5 p.m. It will also be the only way to buy a copy of Cowan's new eponymous CD, unless you follow him to, say, Bean Blossom later that day.

• Singer/songwriter and physician Patrick Moore sent a postcard to LMN from Big Sur, California, where, he says, he's shooting videos for his public access TV show. Tough job, Patrick.

• The PNC Band Broadway Series Education Program picked up a tidy $5,000 from the League of American Theatres and Producers and the Theatre Development Fund to buy tickets for a presentation of "The Civil War," a new musical by Frank Wildhorn to be presented at the KCA April 25-30, 2000. The students also will be involved in various programs about Kentucky and the Civil War.

• Hazards of the Trade Dept. Eddy Metal of the Fox's Attitude Network wrote about a rough experience (a fight) he had with the guitarist with Iced Earth back in June. Didn't mean to omit it. . Eddy acquitted himself well, by his account.

• How Are You Going To Keep Them Down On The Farm Dept. The Harvest Showcase, set for September 16, 17 and 18 at Headliners Music Hall in Louisville, KY, will be webcast live, with the support of Microsoft.

The music from all performing bands will be available for free download from MP3.com. On each evening, the first 500 people through the door will receive a free 1999 Harvest Showcase CD containing music from the bands participating in the event. Also, all the bands that submitted for the Harvest Showcase will be included on the CD as well - in the MP3 format, of course.

• From Lexington comes word of a new twist in the Michael Johnathon/Poetman Records story. Johnathon is a dyed-in-the-wool folksinger who promotes folk music with considerable energy and persistence, including a radio show, "Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour." Now he has added a radio service compilation CD, called the Acoustic Rainbow Radio Sampler to his list of promotional activities. On top of that, Poetman Records has also added a booking sampler CD, which is shipped to various venues and programs which book acoustic music. These compilations are more along the lines of moneymaking ventures (gasp!) than not-for-profit activities, so if you are an acoustic musician and/or singer/songwriter with a CD to promote, contact Poetman Records at www.acousticrainbow.com.

• KET2 has introduced a new program called "Mixed Media," which will shine the old spotlight on performances, arts and local arts programs. The host will be Scott Dowd, formerly an on-air personality with the Public Radio Partnership. Look for pieces on mainstream arts activities and organizations, including Stage One, Music Theater Louisville and the Louisville Visual Arts Association. The program airs on Tuesday on KET2 at 8/7 p.m. ET/CT.

• National Academy of Songwriters and Songwriters Guild of America have joined forces to create a larger, stronger organization to work on behalf of songwriters. The best programs of each will be continued, will some fees will decrease.

• The Louisville Thoroughbreds picked up a fifth-place bronze medal at the 61^st Annual convention of the "Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America" on July 3. The international competition included choruses from Australia, Sweden and England.

The Thoroughbreds have captured seven gold medals in international competition over the years of the group's existence. Their bronze medal made them the first chorus to win a medal as a "wildcard" entrant. For more information, call 267-SING.

• Friends and patrons of the J. D. Speed Art Museum can catch Caribe at the August 19 "Afterhours" event at the museum. In addition to the calypso beat of Caribe, there will be tropical drink tastings, light refreshments and door prizes. Call the museum at 634-2700 for more information.

• The 2^nd Annual Atlantis Music Conference is set for August 11-14 in Atlanta. It will feature the usual array of "How-to" seminars, showcases and general music biz schmoozing with assorted A&R types. For more information, log on to www.atlantismusic.com or call 770-499-8600.

• The Kentucky Opera's "Puccini and Pasta" event is scheduled for August 18, 19 and 20 at Vincenzo's Restaurant at 5^th and Market Streets. Eat and be entertained by members of the Kentucky Opera for only $39 a person. Call 502-584-4500 for information or to make reservations.

• Actors Theatre of Louisville will hold auditions for children's roles in the upcoming production of A Christmas Carol on August 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. One girl and two boys are needed for the production. Appointments can be made by calling 502-584-1265 ext. 3017.

• Dan Hauck dropped LMN a line about his recording studio, Backstreet Studios, in Shelbyville. Big room with good dynamics, lots of vintage and retro gear plus the other regular stuff. You can contact him at 502-633-4612.

New Releases

• Blues/rock trio Zero Cycle released their eponymous CD on July 15.

• The rock quartet String Relief has released First String, a baker's dozen of tunes written by members of the band. MS to Ms Lucas: Lefty lives - but in a new house.

• The Marks, those zaftig zanies, have issued a two-song CD, Here In Hell/Only One. A more CD with more songs on it will be forthcoming.

• LeRoy Barbour has released a CD of his Adult Contemporary / R&B tunes under the title of Classic Expression.

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Codas

• Arden L. Vance, 84, died in Bloomington, IL on July 13. He was the former director of music at Jeffersonville High School and a former trumpet player with the Louisville Orchestra.