The Local Spin: Lay your big spike down

By GEORGE V. NOSTRAND – Published: November 12, 2009

The fellows from Bluegrass band Big Spike are not shameless in their plug that they play and sing this style of music “the right way.”

One listen to the sound clips on their Web site (www.BigSpikeBluegrass.com) will make a believer out of any Bluegrass aficionado. If you like sawing fiddles, trilling mandolins and that deep plunkin’ bass, this band has just what the doctor ordered this time of year. Not to mention some down-home four-part green mountain vocal harmonies.

Big Spike will kick off another year of the ever-popular “Saturday Night Coffee House Concert Series” at Unitarian Universalist Church on West Street in Rutland.

I want to put in a special plug for the Coffee House Series at the U.U. First of all, this is one of the best rooms I have ever heard music in. Churches like this were built to carry acoustically, and this particular church seems to have a nice warm sound.

Second, they always do a nice job in booking a wide range of acts. These musicians range from local to a little way down the road, and stylistically cross plenty of genres. Hats off to Boaz Cohen for consistently bringing high-class talent to Rutland, and to whoever makes the great snacks they always have there.

Getting back to the band, I had one of those “Wow, cool!” moments when I saw that Michael Santosusso, one of the founders of the band Smokin’ Grass was this band’s bass player.

When I moved back to Vermont after some of my earlier ramblings, Smokin’ Grass quickly became one of my favorite bands. I was glad to see and hear he was hooked up with another great band.

Find out more about the rest of this band on the Web site, which has a lot of great stuff including a “Vermont Huma’” (humor) page with some corny Vermont jokes.

The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 advance at Tattersall’s on Merchant’s Row, Downtown Rutland, $12 at the door, $7 seniors, $4 children. Call 492-2252 for more information.

I want to give three big cheers (hip-hip-hooray!) to the Paramount for bringing in and putting on a phenomenal show Friday night. Yes, I am still talking about Derek Trucks and he, and the fact that his band came to our town, are worth talking about.

A real rock show at the Paramount – how about that. I talked to several people who had traveled quite a distance to come for the show. Not only were they impressed with the band, but also talked about how beautiful the theater is.

We have to remember how lucky we are to have the Paramount here, and show our support. And with the economy always on the tip of people’s tongues, this is also proof of how the arts, and a creative economy can make a difference — even in tough times. Keep up the good work ladies and gentlemen of the Paramount.

While last week Carnival Hill had to compete with Derek & his boys, this weekend they actually paid him to stay away … Rutland’s own “Bad Boys of Rock-n-Roll” will be at Chaser’s on Friday.

Go on down for your dose of classic and slightly newer but not overly used rock. If you’ve eaten all your kids’ leftover candy, don’t worry — these guys are always a treat.

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

George Nostrand is basking in the warm November weather, thinking about doing one more show in Main Street Park before it snows…

Turn Up the Volume – I Can’t Hear You! Do you have a band, play in a band, know somebody who does or have any interest in live, local music? If so, let me know by e-mailing me at localspin@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting for the coming week’s column is Tuesday at noon.