Down On The Corner

By Paul Moffett

• Nancy Harris of Harris Entertainment sent along this quote from Louisville's Hunter S. Thompson:

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs.

There's also a negative side."

• Following the passing of co-owner Mike Pollard recently, rumors have been circulating that Headliners Music Hall was "up for sale" and "going under." Given that the venue has essentially been on the market since its opening, a bit of investigation seemed to be in order. A morning chat with manager Mary Ferrill quickly revealed that, yes, the venue was on the market but that had been the plan of Pollard and Fred Wooten from the beginning. While the passing of Pollard, a noted music fan, was sad, the business was continuing right along, according to Ferrill. The club remains available for four-wall deals, outright rentals and the occasional inhouse booking, Ferrill noted. There was some discussion about adding an improvisational comedy night, along the lines of the "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" television show, in the fall but nothing had been firmed up.

Aside from that, Ferrill noted, look for more touring acts and CD release parties, the bread-and-butter shows of the mid-sized venue. On that note, she left to tend to some put off paperwork.

• The Kentucky Center for the Arts sent a flurry of press releases during the month of July. Eric Wiegel, formerly the Executive vice President of Triangle Talent, moved into KCA as Vice President of Events. In that job, he will be trying to maximize the use of the KCA and the Brown Theatre - booking wedding receptions and birthday parties as well as concerts and conventions.

The KCA has also negotiated an agreement with Ticketmaster which will allow Ticketmaster to sell admissions to KCA events, with Ticketmaster's extra "service charge" added on, it is to be presumed.

The change-over in restaurateurs continues at the KCA with the Kentucky Cove restaurant, a.k.a. Zephyr Cove Downtown, getting ready to move into the space formerly occupied by the Bristol Bar and Grill. The new facility should be up and running by fall.

• Over at the Public Radio Partnership, the live concert series "Lunchtime Classics" is set to go weekly, starting September 19. The performances will be free of charge and staged in the performance space in the PRP building at 619 S. 4^th. Seating is first-come, first seated.

• Hawley-Cooke Booksellers' person in charge of music has been making the scene at the Lighthouse on Frankfort, presumably to check out some new music as well as play a little herself. Marian Dries has been handed the task of managing the truly eclectic mix of CDs and cassettes for all three Hawley-Cooke locations, which should simplify matters for musicians with product to place there. Dave Regneri, who was formerly the classical music guru at the old Disc Jockey Records (now Coconuts) store is Dries indispensable right hand man. Dries can be reached at 893-0133.

• Errata Dept. Last month's News From the Pit column referenced some free studio time time from Canyon Productions for the winner of the WLRS "Battle of the Bands" at Willow Lake Tavern. It seems that the organizers had a small "failure to communicate," but the matter is now worked out.

• The Louisville Youth Orchestra will hold auditions for musicians through age 21 for the 2001-2002 season on August 24-27. Members of the 2001-2002 Symphony Orchestra will be eligible to attend the National Youth Orchestra Festival in Sarasota, Florida during the week of June 23-30, 2002. For information, please contact Melody Welsh-Buchholz, Executive Director, LYO, P. O. B. 997, Louisville, KY 40201-0997 or call 502-584-0135.

Codas

• William Stephen Murphy, 73, formerly of Louisville, died in Cincinnati on July 21. He was a pianist and organist and a member of the Musicians Union.