PocoNotes Newsletter 2010-5: December 31, 2010
It's A Wrap...
In a few hours, 2010 will begin its journey toward becoming a memory. However, before we let it 'fade away and radiate' entirely, we'd like to share a little about where we've been over the past 12 months...and where we're headed in the next 12.
While it's always a bit sad to 'close the books' on a year, especially an incredibly good one, any bit of melancholy is far outweighed by the excitement of starting anew and having another 365 days to create something spectacular.
Sad or exciting...it's often a time when many of us do a personal 'inventory' of where we are in our lives and where we'd like to be. For us at PocoNotes, we've glanced at our 2010 resolutions and will readily admit that Dolores did not lose the weight...and Pat did not grow back the hair! However, with a new year, comes new hope...so we'll aim high...or, in Dolores' case - uh, low.
So, we'll start our list of immeasurable thanks with our 2010 musicians - Joe Crookston, Pat Flynn, Peter Glanville, John Smith and Jack Woodbridge, who poured their hearts out for our audiences and make us so incredibly proud to be even a small part of their musical history. These are some of the finest musicians to take any stage...anywhere!
We also owe a debt of gratitude to Michael Gilmartin, Bonita Ferguson and Reverend Peter D'Angio - first for taking our calls and, then, for affording us the honor of filling two of Scranton's finest venues with music...all the way to the rafters at St. Luke's Episcopal Church - and almost through the floor boards at The Tripp House.
Along with our thanks, we send our love and respect to Maureen Duffy, who believes in us and showed it by being our 'partner in rhyme' for 2010. Without a doubt, she 'kept her head when all around her were losing theirs' and, yet, never forgot to smile through it all. This 'Queen of Bling' is fancy and classy!
Then there's Jess Hine of JH Dezines, who takes our random thoughts and ramblings and, somehow, always succeeds in designing something fabulous for us. This 'behind-the-scenes hero' works late into the night - many nights - moving the world an eighth of an inch to the left just to make a perfectionist - with a vision - happy. It's a thankless task...really, but she knows just how much we admire her talent, appreciate her incredible patience and cherish her friendship.
We're humbled by the respect shown us - time and again - by these members of the press, and they certainly have all of ours (in alphabetical order, of course): Gerard Hetman, Chris Hughes, Karah Jennings, Mike Lello, Stephanie Longo (aka Ava Gardner), Josh McAuliffe. Don McGlynn and Gina Usalis Tutko. Their support has gone far beyond mere 'content' on many occasions, and their efforts on our behalf serve to remind us that what we are doing does matter.
Of course, there are our 'roadies' to thank: Annie and Tony Vece (who have 'served' with us on several occasions), Bobby Quill (whose friendship was launched with 100 chairs - setting them up and taking them down, to be specific), Tony Patte (whose offer of help was so sincere that no task was too big or too small), Andzia Chmil (who not only supported us from half-a-world away but also pitched in, where needed, to make sure we always 'looked our best').
Chad Casterline...! He is the gentle giant that walked among you and captured every aspect of our events in photographs. In fact, there are some that are so good that when you look at them you can almost hear the music. However, his 'eye' isn't even as amazing as his 'heart' and he's now working toward becoming a school teacher...the kind of teacher that every child needs, he says...and we know he will be exactly that.
Up next is Jack Gretz of Endeavor Audio & Lighting because, without him, every bit of the rest of the effort would have been pointless. He's the one who's in the trenches with us on show day to ensure that the sound is done to perfection...even though one of us, who shall remain nameless (Dolores), occasionally forgets to feed him. :-(
Then, there are so many who, in the truest sense of 'community', stepped up and did something to help us along the way...
...like The Fanciful Fox who, without being asked, graciously offered to sell tickets and CD's in preparation for our shows. The only good way to truly thank them is to keep sending people to 342 Adams Avenue in Scranton to see for themselves that Kathie and Amanda, the two fabulous foxes behind the name, actually live their beliefs.
...or Joe Bomrad and Kerry Kearney, who 'took it to the streets' for us...literally.
...while countless others hung a flyer, reposted an event or simply told a friend - or 12 - about one of our shows.
...and still more, who took a moment to tell us something that lifted our spirits for...well, forever. We simply do not take phrases like 'king and queen of hospitality' or 'amberhearted' or 'rings true' lightly.
In the same vein, how do we even begin to thank all of the folks who spent an evening of their lives in our audience? They are the ones who are 'walking the walk' with us in our quest to make the world a better place through music. It's why we've committed to always - and only - put on a great show.
Okay...so that was 2010 - and, ironically, our next future event is actually a step back in time...when we host Oh Boy! A Tribute to Buddy Holly in a beautiful lakeside lodge within The Hideout, a Gold Star community in Lake Ariel. This show has been playing to sold-out audiences and has been described as 'no mere cover band, but a glimpse into the life of Buddy Holly himself'. So, 'Dress Right to Feel Right' and join us on February 19th for a Winter Dance Party of our own. This event is open to the public, with tickets available through Jeannine Barnett at (570) 698-4100 Ext. 109 or PocoNotes at either www.PocoNotes.com or (888) 800-POCO...but only until they run out - and they will!
Then, there's Joe Crookston, who is putting the finishing touches on a follow-up to his CD of the Year, 'Able Baker Charlie & Dog', with a brand new collection of songs that he calls 'Darkling & The Bluebird Jubilee'...and will be introducing them when he returns to Scranton to 'sing and play' for us on April 16th. However, in light of the total feat of geometry that it took to fit everyone into The Tripp House for Joe's last visit, the venue for this show is still in the 'To Be Determined' category. However, wherever we are, it'll be awesome. For those of you who haven't already been introduced to Joe, we hope you'll join us on faith...because the very best description we can give of Joe is that he's 'special' - and only seeing - and hearing - him will confirm for you just how well that one word describes him. Rumor has it that Joe will be bringing Peter Glanville of Common Railers along with him again. Peter's truly an incredible musician on his own...and a perfect complement to Joe's foot-stomping good time.
There are lots of other amazing musicians on PocoNotes' 'wish list' and, if the stars align properly, many of them will be taking the stage for us in 2011. We'll keep you posted as more is revealed. In the meantime, though, please keep being part of the solution by continuing to support live music. The alternative is to be part of the problem and, well, that'll never do. The local musicians deserve to be heroes in their hometowns - and the legends wrote the soundtrack to our lives and have already earned our respect.
Be good to each other - and 'come up and see us sometime' when we present (more) musicians who need to be heard in (more) places that need to be seen...in the beautiful little corner of the world we choose to call home.
Peace...really!
Dolores & Pat
It’s About the Music!
