It's a funny thing about Red Tree Coffee. It seems lately whenever I go there, before long I'm pulling out my notebook and writing. Most times it's about the music, or sometimes it's ideas for some of my encouragement pieces or would-be song lyrics that pop into my head (which I haven't yet shared with a potential co-writer). You writers of all types know that you have to grab it as you get it or you lose it. One night there God and the muse wouldn't let up. I wrote through a whole music set with an ear on the music and an eye on the paper. But be that as it may...this evening I wrote about the music I heard.
On this night the place was packed with young people and proud parents along with us upper demographic regulars. The drawing crowd was a teenage band that I'd actually already heard a good buzz on, The Kingston Springs (named after the home of the group and which is also Red Tree's location). I heard their tracks on MySpace and was impressed. These fellows (Bass: Alexander Geddes, Drums: Matthew DeMaio, Vocals/Guitar: Ian Ferguson, Vocals/Guitar: James Guidry) are around 16-17 years old and have only been together for almost a year. But already they've got a loyal and sizable following, strong musicianship and melodic songwriting that shows promise. If they've got this much going on already, then they've got a lot to look forward to. (And thanks to the kind gentleman whose name I didn't get that bought me a cup of coffee!)
After that, the Folkahoma Applachia Groove Train pulled in, a little late but better than never with Kim McLean, Mark Elliott, Devon O'Day, bassist Chris Herin and Will McJ on drums. They'd been up since 4 a.m. having come in from Arkansas. Kim and Devon have been on the "Ain't No Glory" radio tour in support of the first single from Kim's new CD "Rapunzel's Escape" and said they'd driven 47 hours in three days. But no matter...Kim and company rocked the place with the same spirit and joy as they normally do. Mark Elliot, just back from a European tour in which he was plagued with a lung infection, soldiered through its lingering effects and pulled it off in his solo spots. One notable moment: Kim performed a new song devoted to the White Church on the Hill in Kingston Springs and a train whistle came in at an opportune moment in perfect key. A "God-incidence", as Kim put it.
By the way, Red Tree Coffee celebrates its first birthday on May 8.
1 comment:
Thank you so much for being our "encouraging angel". What would the music community do without you? We would be nowhere without your beautiful light! d
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