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PocoNotes Newsletter 2011-4: December 31, 2011

It was a VERY good year...

Wow!  It’s hard to believe that we’re about to “close the books” on yet another year of good music and good people.  As always, before the events of the past year are tucked away with other fond memories, we’d like to take just a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve traveled over the past 365 days…as these “two children of the 60’s” continue a quest to make the world a kinder place…through music!

We started our season this year by taking a step back in time with a “Winter Dance Party” that replicated Buddy Holly’s last night of touring before his fated plane crash.  We had so much fun doing it, that we created a little “Million Dollar Quartet” of our own…with the help of RockABilly & the 45’s, who did – indeed – “conjure up” the spirits of Elvis, Jerry Lee, Carl and Johnny…as in Presley, Lewis, Perkins and Cash, that is…and truly rocked The Lodge at The Hideout with a little rock ‘n’ roll, some boogie woogie…and a whole lot of rhythm and blues!

In-between our “retro” shows, we were offered the opportunity to help our friend, Joe Crookston, celebrate the completion of his latest collection of stories and songs called “Darkling & The BlueBird Jubilee.”  This was a follow-up to his 2009 release, "Able Baker Charlie and Dog,” which was named "Album of the Year" by the International Folk Alliance and, as his newest lyrics attest, Joe spends his days “doing anything to make the world a kinder place,” and, like him, we fully believe that his music can, indeed “save everyone.” 

Now…we have a “laundry list” of things that have gone awry on show day…from musicians checking into the wrong hotel…a water main break leaving our artists without showers…a venue’s air conditioning system that died for our audience of 600 people with temperatures in the 90’s…the only road leading to the venue being closed…to…well, we’ll leave the rest for another day.  However, when Joe played for us in 2010, everything was “clicking on all cylinders.”  It was a gloriously beautiful Spring-like March day, the Tripp House sparkled in the sun, and we were packed to the rafters with “listeners.”  So, of course, we had great hopes that he would fare as well for his 2011 date with us.  Sadly, though, Mother Nature wasn’t havin’ it…and she sent us a storm that left most of NEPA in the dark…except, ironically, our venue in Scranton, St. Mary’s Center, which was warm and cozy and well-lit.  Without a doubt, the glow and ambiance radiated from the hearts of the people who braved the elements to help us welcome Joe…with his good friend and ours, Peter Glanville, to our stage.  It was one of those nights when we looked out among the crowd and counted our blessings in the faces of the friends, local business owners and music lovers that came to show their support.  

In spite of the weather, though, we had a full house for this event which, in addition to being a CD Release Celebration for Joe was also one of the three “Home is Where the Heart is” events that our hometown opener, Billy Rogan, created to do his part to raise awareness about homelessness.  So, in spite of the rain and wind, there were no damp spirits among us and St. Joseph’s Center received a generous donation from PocoNotes to align with Billy’s vision.

Well, that was our 2011…and it was awesome.  Hopefully, Joe will ask to come and see us again in 2012 because, as Sing Out! Magazine has said, he is “beyond good” and, for us, he’s now a cherished friend, too!  Rumor even has it that our other friends, RockABilly & the 45’s, will be playing for Dolores’ 60th birthday celebration…so that will really be one to consider.

Speaking of 2012…Oh Boy!  Do we have some really good news to share?!  

Two more friends – and personal heroes – of ours…Jim Gavenus and Toby Walker…are coming to Lackawanna County’s historic Tripp House…and, through a photographic exhibit by Jim and both an educational workshop and live musical performance by Toby, will present “The FACES and VOICES of The Blues.”  It will be held on June 8-10, 2012, and will be our first three-day event…complete with a private kick-off reception…and VIP Meet-and-Greet.

For those of you who either already know Jim or Toby…or were at our prior event at the Tripp House, you know that seats will be extremely limited so you’ll want to get your tickets early…and often!  For everyone else, Jim is world-renowned documentary photographer from Luzerne County who has built a heralded career by traveling throughout the United States to a variety of concerts and festivals to put a "face" to the music.  Toby is an exceptionally gifted fingerstyle guitarist, singer, songwriter and storyteller, who has dedicated his life to ensuring that the "voices" of The Blues are brought forward from their humble origins for future generations to enjoy.  In addition to performing for sold-out audiences in the United States and Europe, he is equally well known for his work with school-age children and, as such, has worked with Carnegie Hall to bring an educational and musical program about The Blues into the New York City school system.

So, come for the photo exhibit…stay for history lesson…and bask in “The Blues” in a setting of intrinsic beauty that is the perfect back drop for something special enough to have warranted our receiving funding from The Pocono Arts Council and Lackawanna County Council on the Arts, both of whom have given their blessing and their very generous support!  So, the best way to thank them for their confidence in us is to pull out the stops and give this area an event to remember! 

In winding down, we want to thank Jeannine BarnettJoe BomradChad Casterline (our loyal “Staff Photographer”)Andzia Chmil, Linda Dimitrakakis, Maureen DuffyErika FunkeLennis Giansante (our Talent Scout)Katie, Nada & Michael GilmartinMcShane GloverRalph, GrafLisa GreenJack GretzGerard HetmanMatt HillerJess HineChris HughesSue KalinowskiStephanie Longo (AKA Ava Gardner and, most recently, Editor of The Abington Suburban…hello!!), Sarah Lubrano (the “hostess with the mostest”)Josh McAuliffeDon McGlynnChris MenichettiTamara MurrayChefJimi Patricola, Tony PatteSara PokornyBob Putignano (WFDU’s expert on “Sounds of Blue”…and ours, too), Bobby Quill (our “Chairman”)Sulema Soto-CorreaGina Usalis Tutko (PA Music Scene’s Diva)Melanie Thiel (The Heart and Soul of WNTI 91.9FM Public Radio from Centenary College)Carl Van Orden (of Lake Ariel’s very own WCRV)Annie & Tony Vece and Nate Zaur for the kindness and respect you’ve always show us!  Your hard work, encouragement and support mean more to us that we can ever say.

Best of all, we want to thank our audiences.  For the past 13 shows and 58 musicians, we made the arrangements and “wrote the checks,” but it’s you who have done so much to make a difference in our lives…and the life of one – or more – of our beloved troubadours.  They all come to share the best of themselves and trust that we have prepared a “safe place for them to land.”  So, thank you for making us so proud to call this beautiful little corner of the world our home – and you our neighbors.  

That’s it!  The clock is ticking…and 2011 will soon step aside and let 2012 do its thing.  In the meantime, be good to each other and keep supporting all live music!  The touring musicians are working harder than ever in an industry that’s getting tougher to navigate every day…and the local musicians – well, they deserve to be heroes in their hometowns!

Peace…really!

Dolores & Pat

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