PocoNotes Newsletter 2015-2: December, 2015
As we put the proverbial pen to paper to START this newsletter to END another year, the lyrics of a Cole Porter song came to mind about "another op'nin', another show" in another city. So, with PocoNotes' 10th year of "good music and good people" about to step aside to make way for our 11th, we are announcing that we will be taking a few steps of our own...into our own hometown of New York City, where we will be hosting more artists people need to know in more places people need to see!
However, before we get ahead of ourselves, please join us in our "Thank You" to all who made 2015 another incredibly special year for us.
As always, our first – and humblest – thanks are sent out to EACH of the 15 artists who allowed us to be a part of THEIR creative journey over the past 12 months. At some point, we were a completely unknown entity to them. Yet, they had enough faith in us to entrust us with their time, their talent and their most vulnerable selves. As a result, they have all, in their own way, entered our lives and changed them forever…and for better. We can only hope that wherever their respective roads may take them that they each carry with them a part of their PocoNotes experience...until our paths cross again.
In 2015, we had the honor of working with some cherished old friends like The Storyville Stompers Brass Band, who brought a few of their old friends, Anthony Bennett and Jimi Burtchaell, along with them. Then, there was Dave Whetsell and his stunningSnikle Cigar Box Guitars, several of which – including an especially cool Telecaster replica named "Pappy" - found some loving new homes. Of course, we had the privilege of adding some other new friends to our elite "Family of Artists." They are - alphabetically, of course - A. Elizabeth Baumeister, Brian Hineline, Bill and Louise Kirchen...and Alex Seeley. Then, in the rare category of "old friend/new artist" is Chad Casterline, who did some steppin' of his own this year...out of the shadows and into some much-deserved limelight.
We also want to thank those of you who came out to a show and, as a member of our audience, shared a part of your lives with us...and allowed our artists to share their creativity with you. With every passing year, there is a growing number of familiar, smiling faces at our shows…and just enough new ones each time to confirm that we ARE making a difference…one amazing event at a time. You know who you are – and so do we!
We want to tell Nada and Michael Gilmartin - again, how much their generous spirit has meant to us. As the loving tenders of The Tripp House, they ALWAYS made us feel welcome and - on six occasions - entrusted us with this precious gem. In return, we hope we have succeeded in honoring the history and beauty of this 1778 landmark - and the group of like-minded people who, a mere three decades ago, chose to rescue it. We believe that the folks of bygone eras would be pleased to know that this majestic space has been enjoyed in this special way and that those stunning "red doors" will welcome more art and music for generations to come.
With the countless hours of planning that go into each PocoNotes event...and a mere two "children of the 60’s" at the helm, we could not have managed all of the details without more than a little help from our friends. So, we owe a great debt of gratitude to so many people for so many different reasons.
To begin, no note of thanks would be complete without our good friend, Maureen Duffy of Duffy Accessories, who has been one of our staunchest supporters since our earliest days. In fact, it’s her window at 218 Linden Street in Downtown Scranton where the ceremonial "first poster" for each of our events was placed. She "chatted us up" to her customers, volunteered to be our personal "box office" for local ticket sales and closed up shop in time to join us at the show where her reassuring smile was our focus as the introductions began. Since Maureen is no stranger to The Big Apple, we know that her smile will continue to open some shows...on our side of the Hudson River.
As many of you know, Matt Hiller of The Coal Town Rounders has been designing our artwork for the past several years. We are fully aware that his band’s popularity has ramped up with some exciting gigs and that his work at Revival Letterpress takes up what little time he has left. We just hope that he knows how much we appreciate everything he does for us and that we will have him in our "camp" for a long time to come. We fully suspect that the "works of art" he creates for us will be bona fide collectibles one day...so, hang onto those posters and ticket stubs.
Now...it simply wouldn't be "show day" without a few glitches, and we want to thank Jack Gretz and Chris Menichetti of Northeast Music Center and Endeavor Audio & Lighting for coming to our aid - each and every time - and helping us sort out some last-minute "curve balls" with their special brand of generosity! This year, they "donated" the use of the uber-cool, shrink-wrapped, hermetically-sealed trombone with which Bill Kirchen closed our show...to cheers and smiles!
Of course, the humblest part of our story has always been those who have helped us share it. So, we thank the incredibly talented, knowledgeable and devoted members of the press and send our most gracious thanks to Tom Graham and Electric City,Michael Lello and Highway 81 Revisited, and Rich Howells and NEPA Scene. The support EACH of you – and your respective organizations – showed our 2015 artists – and us – is appreciated more than we can ever fully express.
A very special part of our "village" happens to be some amazing women who, year after year, have gone "above and beyond" for us.
Of course, there is René Cullen of Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau, who - over the past decade - has driven countless miles spreading the word that we had something special in the works. This year, not only did our "Faces and Voices 4" event make their weekly "Top 5 in Lackawanna County" thanks, we are sure, to her support, but we also had the honor of having their Executive Director, Susan Estler, and her husband, Alan, come out to a show. Without a doubt, we hope we will see this transplanted "Jersey Girl" in our New York audience from time to time, as well.
Two more of our favorite women are also two of our very favorite radio "personalities." They are Erika Funke, WVIA’s "ArtScene" producer and host...and Melanie Thiel, WNTI.org’s "heart and soul" and Dawnbird DJ. While each of them is small in stature, their hearts are huge…and the difference they have made in our lives - and for the artists we hosted - has, frankly, helped to make the past 10 years possible.
Then, there are our two earthly angels, Lennis and Sarah. They were there to provide the warm welcome that greeted our guests at the door. We hope they know how much they mean to us...and how much we appreciate their boundless love and support.
To those who have sent us notes of encouragement and kindness over the years, please know that we have read - and cherish - each and every one. In fact, we often use YOUR words when asked to “assess” OUR success…without needing to add any of our own. So, we thank you for helping us tell OUR story from YOUR perspective.
Finally, we also thank 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, for their generous financial support that made our 2015 season a reality.
With the clock ticking away the final hours of THIS year, we look forward to seeing you at a show NEXT year...either in our audience or, even better, on our stage. Until then, be good to each other...and keep supporting live music - of all flavors! It doesn’t matter if they travel by tour bus, church bus or Greyhound bus…or whether the stage they’re stepping onto is in an arena or a coffee shop, these artists are giving you the soundtrack to your life and deserve the attention. Remember, It's Not Perfect, It's Live!!
So, we thank you for your continued support...of us, the artists we have already hosted - and the ones that are on our "wish list." For now, though...and as the song says, "it's curtain time and away we go...for another op'nin'..." of LOTS of other shows!
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
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