The Local Spin: Where have all the musicians gone?

By George V. Nostrand

How about it folks? Three cheers, hell, make it four, for Friday Night Live! Only it’s second year and what a great summer it was. It is so cool to go downtown on a Friday Night and see Center Street packed with people of all ages and types, checking out the music, the vendors, socializing, and just having a good time. Kudos to The Downtown Rutland Partnership and everyone who helped make this a success.

While we’re applauding, give it up for The Rutland Recreation and Parks Department for putting on the Summer Concert Series in Main Street Park, the Sunday night shows, and of course the Rutland Long Trail Festival.

I’m just getting warmed up — we had music at the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, Blues Night at Sidelines on Thursdays, Open Mics almost every day of the week, and shows at Jilly’s, Saints ‘N Sinners, Sidelines, Chaser’s, 3Ds, and many more. We had ZZ Top and The Vermont Rally at the Fairgrounds, and New Riders of the Purple Sage in West Rutland! Quite the summer.

My eyes might have deceived me, but there was no denying my ears when Mr. John Hiatt took the stage at the Paramount last Sunday Night.

Holy cow. John not only brought his extensive repertoire of great songs, but also a top-notch band. They didn’t just play ‘em off the record either. They jammed, rocked and improvised. The intro into the song “Cry Love” was stupefying.

John gave a great little talk on the appreciation musicians like himself have for playing beautiful theatres like the Paramount, which was really nice to hear. The Paramount has a great lineup this year, check it out and listen to Eric Mallette and become a member. We are so lucky to have this great theater in our town, and it is heartwarming when I go to a show and see a full house.

On Sunday in Burlington at Battery Park, there is a Neil Young festival called “Comes A Time” brought to you by www.WBKM.org. It’s free, it’s solar powered and it’s a celebration of the first time Neil crossed the U.S./Canada border for his first concert in the states. There are nine bands lined up including I believe Duane Carleton, Chad Hollister, and The Kind Buds. Check out the Web site for more info.

Gutterpup, also known as “The Bad Boys of Burlington,” will be at Chaser’s on Friday night. If you missed them at The Rutland Long Trail Festival, here’s another chance. Trey sat in with them at the RLTF, so you never know what might happen. Check them out on MySpace at www.myspace.com/gutterpup.

Well, if you are wandering around town this weekend and wondering to yourself, “Where have all the local musicians gone?” Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. They’re all out in Middletown Springs at Harvest Moon, my friends. So, why aren’t you? If you can find your way there, you’ll find me with a big smile on my face, and if you’re there at noon on Saturday, you might even see me and my band kick off that day’s musical lineup. It’s always a great weekend with great people and good times. Maybe I’ll see you there.

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

George Nostrand is a local musician who doubles as a “musical town crier” once a week for the Herald.

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.