Thursday, November 13, 2008

Mom Always Like Them Best

One of the things about my job I like best is working side-by-side with so many talented people. One of our greatest talents is actor, playwright, and resident oddball Jerry Sims. Jerry not only serves as our House Events Manager, he also writes and directs many of our ASC Kids’ Club productions. His shows have included “Alice’s Tea Party,” “Christmas Comes to Mugwumpville,” and this season’s upcoming masterpiece, “A Dickens Vest Pocket Christmas Carol.”

In this blog, Jerry weighs in on the legendary Smothers Brothers comedy duo and the influence they’ve had on generations…

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As a teenager I eagerly awaited The Smothers Brothers show each week. I come from a family of disparate political views and outlooks towards life. The Smothers Brothers provided common ground for all of us. They were funny. Yes, they taught me that it was all right to question the norm and look at politics and life in general from something more than a singular, polarized point of view. But in doing so, they were funny. Their rooted influence includes such great American humorists as Mark Twain and Will Rogers. Their legacy of influence may be found in contemporary entertainers such as John Stewart and Lewis Black. Everyone may not have agreed on every message their rants and rages contained, but if you had a sense of humor at all, you had to agree that they were funny.They gave us the likes of musicians such as Richie Havens, Buffalo Springfield and Mason Williams (who wrote CLASSICAL GAS as well as Tommy's signature song, THE YO-YO MAN).

Any contemporary comedian of note graced their show, and a few lesser known comedians provided a somewhat obscure format for laughter. Who can forget "Pat What's His Name" and his perennial candidacy for president, or the "Share a Little Tea with Goldie Lady?"

Comedy is complex. A simple breakdown is that one either laughs at or with performers.

With the Smothers Brothers, you did both.

Mom was right.

Jazz guitarist and vocalist John Pizzerelli performs first, then the Smothers Brothers take the stage on Sunday, November 23rd. 

You can experience the next original production written by Jerry Sims: “A Dickens Vest Pocket Christmas Carol” on December 7th. Kids will love this show! Tickets are just $7.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Guest blogger Brent Warren logs in on Claire Lynch

The reason that we got into blogging was to provide a forum for people who love music, dance, and theatre to communicate and get out and support the arts in Birmingham. We’re so happy to welcome Guest Bloggers and insights from everyone. If you would like to be a guest blogger, just let us know!

This week Brent Warren logs in on Claire Lynch…

Dolly Parton credits Claire with “one of the sweetest, purest, and best lead vocals in the music business today.” You can’t beat references like that, and I agree 100%! The first time I heard Claire Lynch and the Front Porch String Band, I was struck by her amazing voice and unpretentious stage presence. I have seen her perform on many stages and venues, but no matter how large or small the setting, I feel as if I am sitting on her front porch, hearing the purest, seasoned music coming from these amazing musicians.

If you have ever been to a bluegrass festival, you must have seen all the “shade tree pickers.” They are scattered around the fringes of the festivals, in a circle, playing music. I once heard The Claire Lynch Band warming up for a show under a shade tree at Foggy Hollow Bluegrass Festival. I leaned around the tree, to get as close as I could, and as they played and sang very softly, their harmonies and instruments blended into one richly textured voice that I will never forget…it was special!

Lots of others think Claire and her band are special too. The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) voted her Female Vocalist of the Year, and this year she will be inducted into the Alabama Bluegrass Hall of Fame; guitarist Jim Hurst has received two IBMA Guitar Player of the Year awards, and bassist Mark Schatz has received two IMBA Bass Player of the Year awards. Jason Thomas brings remarkable chops on fiddle and mandolin, and he seems right at home with one of the greatest bluegrass bands currently on the scene.

If you are a musician, you will be amazed and inspired. If you just love great acoustic music…you don’t want to miss this show!

- Brent Warren, Editor, BamaGrass Magazine

Brent is Editor of BamaGrass magazine, published by the Alabama Bluegrass Music Association. His real job is Art Director, and Manager for Southern Living magazine. He is a member of a Birmingham bluegrass band, The Newgrass Troubadours.

He says, “bluegrass music really opened my ears to some of the finest musicians in the business, but it’s also a great form of music for beginning pickers – its up to you how far you want to take it. And, the people you meet along the way are great.” He is married to Lisa, and has two daughters, Kendall (5) and Holland (2).