PocoNotes Newsletter 2015-1: September, 2015
"My pappy said 'Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop drivin'
that Hot Rod Lincoln.' "
For those of you who actually remember the 1970's with any clarity, you may recall that these lyrics opened "Hot Rod Lincoln," a song by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen that, over the years, has made it to a number of heralded "top" lists...Billboard's Hot 100 singles, Favorite Summer Playlist, Top 25 Car Songs of All Time...and Top 500 One-Hit Wonders. Even if you don't remember the words, though, we're pretty sure that the big-rig guitar riff that powered this song into those lists will come back to you as soon as you hear the Grammy-nominated Master of the Telecaster, Bill Kirchen, launch into it at our upcoming Faces and Voices 4!
Yep...at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, September 19th, the glorious "red doors" to Scranton’s historic Tripp House will open "one more time" and our two-day...artist-in-residence…immersion into music called "Faces and Voices 4" will begin.
This year, we have the honor of hosting a total of six incredible artists, each of whom will share the best part of themselves with those who stop by 1011 North Main Avenue in Scranton throughout the two days to view the museum-quality photo exhibits, participate in a Photography Roundtable, pick up and play a hand-crafted Snikle Cigar Box Guitar, join us with an instrument of their choosing for our "Porch Time" Jam Session, learn some cool new licks at a Guitar Workshop…or grab a ticket and stay for our "up close and personal" concert.
We have some of the area’s "best and brightest" photographers presenting the "Faces" through images they have captured of some of their own favorite artists. This four-photographer panel...from four different Pennsylvania counties is A. Elizabeth Baumeister (Wyoming), Chad Casterline (Luzerne), Brian Hineline (Monroe) and Alex Seeley (our very own Wayne County). We crossed paths with Liz, Chad, Brian and Alex at different points in the course of our PocoNotes journey and, without exception, the size of their talent is outdone ONLY by the size of their hearts. So, we invite all of you to come out to see their work and, in doing so, become a part of their artistic journey, as well!
Of course, Bill's "Voices" will be heard – loud and clear – when he takes the musical helm of this event with the iconic guitar riffs that earned him the "Guitar Player Magazine" title of "A Titan of the Telecaster" Bill's "blue plate special" of rock ‘n’ roll, honky-tonk, soul, rockabilly, western swing, country, blues, boogie-woogie…and a bit of Bob Dylan is EXACTLY why he has been an integral part of America’s music scene for decades. His trademark licks and exhilarating live performances at events such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, South by Southwest, Mountain Stage and The Philadelphia Folk Festival are said to have single-handedly brought down the house. Best of all, though, he’s been on OUR "wish list" since we first met him at Jorma Kaukonen's guitar camp, Fur Peace Ranch…and now we get to add him to the PocoNotes "family of artists."
To add one more element to our mission of bringing the music to life, we have the privilege of working again this year with a fifth artist...from a fifth Pennsylvania county. It's our good friend, Dave Whetsell (Lackawanna). As the Master Luthier of Snikle Cigar Box Guitars, his interactive display will serve as a way of having people FEEL the music that they are "seeing" and "hearing."
So, here’s the "nitty gritty" about these two days!
Dates:
Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th
Venue:
The Tripp House at 1011 North Main Avenue in Scranton, PA!
Photo Exhibits and Interactive Snikle Cigar Box Guitar Display:
· Saturday: 12:00 Noon - 6:00 PM
· Sunday: 12:00 Noon - 4:00 PM
Workshops: These will be suitable for all levels of expertise!
· Photography: Saturday: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Bring your camera!)
· Guitar: Sunday: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (Bring your guitar!)
"Porch Time" Jam Session:
Saturday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Bring your guitar, your tambourine, your voice…or just yourself!)
Concert:
Saturday: 8:00 PM (Doors will open at 7:30 PM)
Tickets:
As always, the photo exhibits, interactive cigar box display and "Porch Time" jam session are all FREE and Open to the Public. Due to the generosity of our artists, the workshops are also being offered at no charge but with advance reservationsrespectfully requested...and strongly suggested.
A ticket purchase is required for the concert and seating is extremely limited...by design! So, we can only suggest that you get yours now either from PocoNotes at www.PocoNotes.com or (888) 800-POCO or in Scranton at Duffy Accessories at 218 Linden Street. Pricing is as follows:
· Adults: $25 Advance/$30 Door
· Seniors/Students: 2 for $25
· Children (12 & Under) with Adult: Free...to keep ALL GENRES of music alive
and kickin’ for future generations
· Military Members: Free...with our Gratitude
So...those are the details; however, before closing and sending this newsletter on its way, here's a quick "shout out" to those who have been a huge part of putting this event together.
· First and foremost, Liz, Chad, Brian, Bill, Alex and Dave for adding their creativity to our two-day "idea" and CREATING this event for us...and for all of their guests!
· Matthew Hiller of Revival Letterpress and Coal Town Rounders for designing our stellar poster…and brilliantly "branding" our "Faces and Voices" series…even beyond The Blues.
· Our media sponsors, Highway 81 Revisited, NEPA Scene, WNTI-Public Radio at Centenary College and WVIA-FM, for their endless efforts on behalf of the artists who are graciously sharing this weekend of their "journey" with us.
· Maureen McGuigan, Chris Calvey, Laura Goss, Tassy Gilbert and their respective organizations for their generous support of this event…and our artists: Lackawanna County Community Arts and Culture Grant, a program of Lackawanna County Commissioners Jim Wansacz, Patrick M. O’Malley and Edward G. Staback, as well as by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which is administered by The Pocono Arts Council.
· Jack Gretz of Northeast Music Center and Endeavor Audio and Lighting for his long-time support and for providing a trombone for Bill who, without a doubt, will have us on our feet and – dare we say it – maybe even out the door to end this evening of "good music and good people" on a once-in-a-lifetime note!
· Nada and Michael Gilmartin of The Tripp House for entrusting us, once again, with "the keys" to prettiest red doors at the classiest address in town! It’s truly humbling to have you in our corner.
· Lennis Giansante and Sarah Lubrano, who we hope will be able to join us again this year as our "hostesses." We cannot think of anyone with more gentle spirits to greet our guests and make them feel truly welcomed. However, depending on the timing, Lennis may be spending that weekend welcoming her first grandchild into the world instead. So, we will have to play this detail by ear but, regardless, we know that this mother-daughter team will be there with us...if only in spirit.
· Jim Gavenus for joining us WITH his camera to help us "document" the event...for bringing his years of expertise to ensure that Liz, Chad, Brian and Alex have the best experience possible...and for being a pretty tough act to follow!
There are a few surprises "up our sleeve" for this event that we look forward to sharing them with you. However, we want to thank you – in advance - for the support you’ve shown over the years – both to us and to each of the 71 artists we have had the honor of hosting. Some of them are the legends who have given us the soundtrack to our lives…others are hard-working, like-minded troubadours who play to live and live to play…and still others are local artists who deserve to be heroes in their hometowns. So, whether they travel by tour bus, church bus or Greyhound bus, they deserve - and have - all of our respect.
That's it for now! We look forward to sharing the last weekend of the Summer of 2015 with you...but, in the meantime, be good to each other! We can STILL change the world…together, you know!
Peace…really!
Dolores & Pat
It's About the Music!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
~ Margaret Mead
Back to top of page
