A traveling artist comes home for the weekend

by George Nostrand

While big things did not seem far from Sarah Wallis’ reach when she was playing the open mics I hosted at Sidelines just a few years back, I hardly expect to get a phone call out of the blue from her agent this past Monday.

Larry, the agent, informed me that she had just gotten back from a tour out in Arizona and was back in the area, playing up in Burlington and then Saturday back at Sidelines.

Sadly, I was not able to immediately drop everything and meet them for coffee, (I was at work and it was about 3 p.m.), but he said he would e-mail me some information. From what I can gather from the information he sent me Sarah is part of a group called, “The Traveling Artist Project.” This group consists of two crews who have jumped in vans and hit the road with instruments and cameras in hand to shoot a documentary on the experience.

As those who read my column know, I tend to write from my angle and what I know.

The Sarah Wallis I knew could be described in a number of ways. Striking in her appearance, appearing quite young, she could startle you with her piercing eyes. Often clothed in gothic or similar garb, she seemed awkwardly shy at times offstage.

On stage was another story. Here she seemed at ease and as she became more confident in singing out, (That and I kept pushing the microphone closer to her). Heads would turn when she sang and she continued to grow both in her singing and guitar playing over the short time I knew her through the open mic.

I also remember how much she loved to sing and play. Before her time in the “limelight” and often times after, you could find her outside sitting on the benches, working on a song or playing with other people.

Making it in the music field is much, much harder than most people realize and I applauded anyone who gives it his or her all. Sarah appears to be doing this, throwing her fears to the wind and literally going where the road and her music takes her. We as a community should come out and support and encourage her in following her dreams.

Sarah will play Saturday at Sidelines Tavern, which is on Center Street Alley. If you want to find out more about her and hear some of her music, you can visit her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/sarahwallis.

Thanks for supporting your local musicians!