Looking Back on 2011 - December 23, 2011
We look back on a very productive 2011: three radio interviews, a TV interview, the reuniting of my old band Childhood’s End, an average of 4-5 gigs a month, and, most recently, an interview in the Erie Times-News:
http://www.goerie.com/article/20111215/ENTERTAINMENT0301/312159961/5-questions-with-singer-songwriter-Frank-Marzano
That’s not to say there haven’t been any drawbacks. Last month, for example, I played a grueling 3-hour stint at a local restaurant. At the end of the night, I announced I had time for one last song - eliciting the only applause all night that I was directly the cause of.
Still, the restaurant gave me a free meal when I was finished. Some venues are very good to the musicians. Others – not so much.
Case in point: Every Monday night the Vermont Tavern in Erie has a singer-songwriter showcase. After playing one such showcase I headed to the bar for a beer. They had the nerve to charge me!
The next time I was there I spoke with the owner herself. Turns out musicians do drink for free – Bud and Bud Light!
Bad beer… small, disinterested audiences… It’s tempting to ask, “Why bother?” The answer is easy:
Music is the only thing that makes me feel special.
On a more positive note: the Meadville Council on the Arts is bringing back the Blue Planet Café! This is a bimonthly music series which takes place in the Gardner Theater upstairs in the historic Meadville Market House. Unlike bars (where customers are distracted by TV’s and pool tables) or coffeehouses (where performers are drowned out by cappuccino machines), the Blue Planet is set up specifically for music. They have shows scheduled for January, March, and May. (I myself will be playing May 12.)
Check out their website at
https://www.facebook.com/lists/178819682193227#!/meadvilleblueplanet
On tap for 2012: another tour of senior centers, another YouTube video, and a lot more restaurant and bar gigs, including
Fri. 12/30 – Casablanca Grill (Erie), 7 – 10 pm
Fri. 1/6 – Casablanca Grill (Erie), 7 – 10 pm
Fri. 1/20 – Creative Crust (Meadville), 6 – 8 pm
Wed. 1/25 – Barking Spider Tavern (Cleveland), 8:30 – 9:30
Wed. 4/18 – Barking Spider Tavern (Cleveland), 8:30 – 9:30
Wed. 8/1 – Barking Spider Tavern (Cleveland), 8:30 – 9:30
Finally, I want to wish a Merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous 2012 to everyone reading this. I suppose I should say something politically correct like “Season’s Greetings”, but old habits are difficult to break. With this one, I’m not gonna try too hard.
http://www.goerie.com/article/20111215/ENTERTAINMENT0301/312159961/5-questions-with-singer-songwriter-Frank-Marzano
That’s not to say there haven’t been any drawbacks. Last month, for example, I played a grueling 3-hour stint at a local restaurant. At the end of the night, I announced I had time for one last song - eliciting the only applause all night that I was directly the cause of.
Still, the restaurant gave me a free meal when I was finished. Some venues are very good to the musicians. Others – not so much.
Case in point: Every Monday night the Vermont Tavern in Erie has a singer-songwriter showcase. After playing one such showcase I headed to the bar for a beer. They had the nerve to charge me!
The next time I was there I spoke with the owner herself. Turns out musicians do drink for free – Bud and Bud Light!
Bad beer… small, disinterested audiences… It’s tempting to ask, “Why bother?” The answer is easy:
Music is the only thing that makes me feel special.
On a more positive note: the Meadville Council on the Arts is bringing back the Blue Planet Café! This is a bimonthly music series which takes place in the Gardner Theater upstairs in the historic Meadville Market House. Unlike bars (where customers are distracted by TV’s and pool tables) or coffeehouses (where performers are drowned out by cappuccino machines), the Blue Planet is set up specifically for music. They have shows scheduled for January, March, and May. (I myself will be playing May 12.)
Check out their website at
https://www.facebook.com/lists/178819682193227#!/meadvilleblueplanet
On tap for 2012: another tour of senior centers, another YouTube video, and a lot more restaurant and bar gigs, including
Fri. 12/30 – Casablanca Grill (Erie), 7 – 10 pm
Fri. 1/6 – Casablanca Grill (Erie), 7 – 10 pm
Fri. 1/20 – Creative Crust (Meadville), 6 – 8 pm
Wed. 1/25 – Barking Spider Tavern (Cleveland), 8:30 – 9:30
Wed. 4/18 – Barking Spider Tavern (Cleveland), 8:30 – 9:30
Wed. 8/1 – Barking Spider Tavern (Cleveland), 8:30 – 9:30
Finally, I want to wish a Merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous 2012 to everyone reading this. I suppose I should say something politically correct like “Season’s Greetings”, but old habits are difficult to break. With this one, I’m not gonna try too hard.