Local Spin: Music a la Arts Hop and weekend gigs

Last week I received an e-mail from a woman listing her name only as Mae, who stated that she was disappointed that I did not mention the passing of local musician, James H. Rohn. I’m sad to say that I never had the chance to really know Jim, but am told he will be greatly missed by all his fellow musicians, fans and friends.

Looks like there’s plenty spinning on the local “juke box” this coming weekend. Start your weekend tonight with Duane Carleton up at Jax in Killington. You should really check out Jax if you haven’t been up there and what better time than when Duane is in the house. It’s almost like sneaking out to a “city” bar and there are usually plenty of people watching, what with them flatlanders strutting about in their fancy après ski outfits. Duane also has a number of other shows on the mountain and Saturday night he’ll be at The Clear. Go to his Web site, which you must have already bookmarked by now, for more details on The Man, The Mane, The Legend.

I’m very excited to announce the comeback show of “Grandpa Charlie” and “Double Trouble” Jeremy Woods, this Friday at Saints ‘N Sinners. If you haven’t heard, Jeremy and his wife are proud parents of twins and rumor has it Grandpa is one of their favorite baby sitters. They’ll be pulling their instruments out from underneath the blankies and diaper bags to make some great music this Friday, so make sure to swing by and say, “Hello!”

Also this Friday, the Art Hop offers you more opportunities to hop around town and check out local musicians in local businesses. Catch “The Great Claudini” (Claudine Langille from Gypsy Reel), playing her own lively compositions on mandolin, banjo and guitar at Limoges Antiques shop on Merchants Row. Siuil A Ruin featuring the very talented Celeste Walker will be playing traditional music on fiddle, tin whistle, and guitar at Rutland Co-op on Wales Street. Don McFarren playing guitar at Art & Antiques on Center, MeadoWinds plays classical, ragtime and waltzes at Timco Gallery, and Jesse and Dominique will be entertaining the flow of “hoppers” with original acoustic at Cafe Terra. Support live local music and local businesses this Friday all around town, from approximately 5 to 8 p.m.

When it comes to local musicians they don’t get any bigger or more awe inspiring than the one and only Chris Kleeman. If you haven’t heard of Chris it’s time to crawl out of that cave you’ve been hiding in. To call Chris an accomplished blues musician would be vastly understating his talent. He tears the blues up and does it with style. And his facial expressions are almost as entertaining as Casey Grant’s … Chris has played all over and with all the “who’s whos,” but is another musician who has chosen Vermont for its lifestyle. We are privileged to have him here in Rutland and I highly recommend you make a point to go see him. This concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets will be $10 advance at Book King, downtown Rutland, $12 at the door, $7 seniors, $4 children. Call 492-2252 for more info.

Also this Saturday Kris and Peter Cady will perform as “Woodchucks Uncoupled,” at the Ball and Chain Cafe in Brandon. They will be playing a mixed bag of folk and Americana from 7 to 9 p.m. The Ball and Chain is a great venue and worth the trip up to Brandon. And even without Sandy Morse, the ‘chucks are sure to be entertaining, (he’ll be there next Friday).

Last but not least, I got an e-mail from some guy named George Nostrand, who was shamelessly promoting his “Two Nights, Two Cities” Tour. Although I would beg to differ as to whether Ludlow and Castleton Four Corners are considered “cities,” I’ll share with you that he’s playing this Friday at The Killarney in Ludlow at 8 p.m. and Saturday at The Iron Lantern in Castleton at 6 p.m. I also don’t know if two nights is really considered a “tour” but I’ll humor him for now … Go and support the man who supports live local music, this weekend.

… and by George, keep supporting live, local music!

George Nostrand is looking forward to a 2009 filled with entertaining stories about entertainers and lots of live, local music for you!

Give me some Spin! What’s going on with your band, your venue, or your cousin’s uncle’s brother’s band? If it’s musical and it’s happening in the Rutland area I want to hear about it. Send me an e-mail at localspin@gmail.com.