Mary McCaslin's Roundup

July 25, 2002

MUSIC IN OUR COMMUNITY

Even in these dismal times there are signs of hope. A couple of weeks ago Celtic music lovers were treated to the debut concert of Jesse Autumn & Friends at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz. This concert was part of the Community Music School's Living History Concert Series, and was also a celebrarion of their CD release. The CD is aptly named California Celt.

Other than their tremendous musical talent the most noticable thing about these musicians is their age, which ranges from late teens to very early twenties. Listening to their performance with my eyes closed it was easy to believe that I was hearing seasoned masters. They're masters, that's for sure. Every one of these young people sounded as though they began playing music right around the time they learned to walk.

On stage were Jesse Autumn on harp, George Grasso on guitar and flute, David Brewer on whistle and smallpipes, Daniel Roberts, Linnea Wilson and Emily Swanson on fiddles. Fiddler Theo Paige is a member of the band, but was absent that night. He was in Mexico for a movie shoot.

Barry and Shelley Phillips played cello and harp on a couple of songs. They are the founders of the Community Music School and the mentors of Jesse Autumn & Friends, as well as many other young people who are seeking their musical way. Shelley was beaming with pride that night as we all watched the next generation blossoming before our eyes.

COMING UP

Saturday is Redwood Dulcimer Day, a full day of workshops on the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer. In the evening there will be a showcase and jam.

This event takes place up in Bonny Doon at Boomeria, which is a private Renaissance estate complete with castle and catacombs. The mountain, or lap dulcimer has been around in various forms for centuries and I can't think of a better setting to learn this haunting and beautiful sounding instrument.

Workshops will be in Celtic, American and European music, offering basic to advanced techniques and arranging. Teaching will be Neal Hellman, founder of Gourd Records and a nationally acclaimed dulcimer player, Michael Rugg, a master dulcimer builder (CapriTaurus Dulcimers) and performers Peter Tommerup, Connie Allen and Janet Herman.

If you don't have a dulcimer, or can't find the one stashed away in the attic, loaner instruments are available. Call Janet Herman at 429-1691.

David Brewer, who plays the smallpipes and whistle with Jesse Autumn is also a member of another local Celtic group, Isle of Light. This group is quickly gaining a national reputation. Their CD was produced by guitarist William Coulter and features stunning arrangements of original and traditional songs and tunes.

Isle of Light will be opening a very special evening of music Saturday night at Felton Community Hall on Highway 9 in Felton at 7 pm. The evening's "headliner" is internationally renowned flautist and vocalist, Theresa Griffith. Her music has received praise for its uses in healing and the concert is billed as a "musical laying on of hands". There is no admission charge. Call 335-2792.

Saturday, August 3rd brings Jack Elliott to the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur. Ramblin' Jack will sing the title song of his Grammy Award winning recording, "South Coast". This ballad was written by Big Sur resident Lillian Bos Ross and captures the rugged character of the Big Sur area. This will be two days after Jack's birthday, so you know there'll be some celebrating. The music starts at 3 pm with the Best of San Francisco Acoustic opening. Call (831) 667-2574.

Also on August 3rd the Otter Opry presents another evening of fine bluegrass music with Highway One and Bean Creek. The series is moving from Wednesdays to Saturdays and will be held at the Santa Cruz 1st United Methodist Church at 250 California St., between Bay and Laurel. Doors open at 7 pm and kids under 12 are free. Call 338-0618.

RADIO OUTRAGE

In the piece I wrote last month about the KAZU situation, I failed to comment on a statement made in the Good Times article about the replacement of local shows with almost all NPR programming. The columnist said that at one point KAZU lost its NPR funding. I'm sure that she meant to say that they lost their CPB funding. CPB stands for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and this government agency funds public radio and television stations that meet certain criteria.

NPR (National Public Broadcasting) does not fund radio stations. To get NPR programming a public radio station has to come up with a lot of money to pay for the privilege of carrying NPR shows. Prairie Home Companion and Car Talk are very expensive to air. This is what puzzles me about John McNally's actions.

He and his cohorts cut more than 100 hours of locally produced programming in mid-June. What incentive did they have for doing such a thing?

If you care about what has happened to KAZU and would like to do something to get the local programming returned to its airwaves, you can write a personal letter to Charles Reed c/o Jorge Haynes, Office of the Chancellor, 401 Golden Shore, Suite 633, Long Beach, CA 90802-4822.

A vindictive letter will do way more harm than good. Just state your case in a clear manner and explain why you think that replacing KAZU's local programming with NPR programming that is already heard in this local area is a bad, bad idea. It probably wouldn't hurt to mention the local shows that you had intended your subscription money to support. Shows that are now gone.

If you'd like to send a pre-written letter, e-mail bluespud@pacbell.net. You can receive a copy of a letter (word doc.) that addresses all the pertinent issues. All you have to do is sign it, address it, stamp it and mail it. It's very important that listeners make their feelings known. Letters from public radio djs do not have the clout that letters from regular listeners carry.

Well, the latest calamity that has befallen KPIG is in the form of forced removal of their internet broadcasts. In their wisdom, lawmakers have sided with the record companies who have demanded payment from radio stations who play their recordings over the web. What's next? Will they start charging for airplay copies of their recordings? Talk about shooting yourself in the foot...

This is a fight that has just begun. You don't mess with Piggies and Old Fatties and you do not take their anger lightly. Stay tuned for updates.

DAVE CARTER

This has been a year of incredible loss. So many musicians and friends have passed away in the last few months that it makes me shudder. Last week folk singer-songwriter Dave Carter died of a heart attack. He was 49 years old. With his partner, Tracy Grammer, he had made significant headway on a very promising musical career.

In May they played at the Strawberry Music Festival and were the hit of the weekend. We received an e-mail forwarded to folk djs and fans from Tracy Grammer. It was heartbreaking and beautiful. At times like this there not much any of us can do but send out feelings of love and healing.

That's about all for now. Stay in touch. Happy trails.

Mary McCaslin

E-mail Mary McCaslin at roundup@marymccaslin.com