Giving a hand up to new artists

Hi neighbors. I hope many of you got to see Jeremy Wiltse, You New Free, and Mood Ring Circus last Friday night right here in Nevada. The music was great and the crowd seemed to enjoy it a lot. My future daughter-in-law Amber, aka Fairy Sunflower, acted as MC and did a great job keeping the crowd eager for more music. All the band members and singers were pros and gave a really engaging performance.

My only disappointment was the lack of younger audience members for the rocking Mood Ring Circus band from Springfield. I'd encourage all to keep an eye to the newspaper and Dangerous Doug's blog online for the next big music fest right here in town.

I didn't get a chance to go to the Saturday afternoon jam fest, nor the Saturday night performances of Alamo Black, Grandma Strange, Down n' Out, Matthew Harper and Sarah Haney. I've heard since they were all top of the line performers and the audience was well satisfied.

To keep these types of activities coming to Nevada, we all need to let them know we enjoy hearing them, let Dangerous Doug know we appreciate his efforts to get these top bands interested in performing in Nevada, and let the venues that offer their buildings -- like Backroads Steakhouse -- know we want more!

One common theme Doug points out, is that these bands have at least one member who started their careers in Nevada or Vernon County. These are our neighbors who have chosen music as their careers and who are making it happen! Let's offer support for the home teams, gang.

Also Music on the Square will start again soon. This is good (and free) entertainment we can all enjoy. Keep an eye on the Nevada Daily Mail for times and dates.

The music world is a very difficult one in which any artist or band can rise to the top. Many talented and skilled singers and instrument players don't make it because their voices can't be heard over the chorus of competitors. It takes talent, dedication and unfortunately, money, to make it big. It also takes a lot of luck.

If you stop to think, most big bands or recording groups you can think of, had one big song; one catchy lyric or one dance rhythm that caught on and became a widespread best seller. Finding that one song to become a lynch pin for a career in music can take some time.

Most artists today write their own lyrics and that helps them to stand out: but takes a choice as to which genre of music they want to be associated with. It's hard to play different music at any one show. Most bands or performers become famous for one format of music.

Anyway, it is not an easy life -- it has to be considered art, with the performers being artists: a passion they will continue to pursue on their own time after getting home from their day jobs. They will continue to play and enjoy their music whether they make the big time or not. Thank goodness!

They deserve to make it big; but until they do, let's encourage and support them and their music by at least showing up for their shows.

On one of my social media sites I hear about a lot of new artists who finally get enough backing and/or cash together to cut a CD. Many start posting the songs from the CD on Itunes, YouTube or other such things I have little understanding of, to gain a larger audience. As soon as they contact me and I hear their songs, I always ask if they have a CD available. Most do, some are just in the making of one. I always jot down the names of the albums and try to purchase them from the group or from Amazon. I usually write a small note online to encourage them and to try to intrigue their audience into buying a CD. I honestly don't know how much money the bands make on Itunes or CDs. I have heard in the past that the big money comes from touring. That again is money up front for the band.

So my current mission is rallying people to listen to and offer some encouraging words to new performers. Before I hear from a lot of new talent let me clarify that I am NOT a professional promoter.

I just think people with a passion should get their fair chance to express it.

Next time I might be rooting for artists of a different sort. Like writers for instance?

Until the next time friends, remember that the most famous person you might think of used to be a young adult wondering if their dreams are achievable. Yes, they are -- with a little help from the neighborhood.