Post by jptheprofessor on Feb 6, 2006 0:54:47 GMT -5
In Local Music News…
It was a sad week for this area’s music scene, following the sudden passing of a popular longtime area musician. John Baker passed away this past Tuesday, from an apparent heart attack. He was 44. John sang, played bass and guitar in numerous bands and other projects dating back to the 1980’s, including such names as Axis, Poverty Boy, Tugger, Super Fat Tuesday, Smokin’ J’s and others. He also was a solo performer and partnered in a duet with his girlfriend, Sherry Lender. John and Sherry were guests on Q94’s “Backyard Rocker” several times; and John even worked for Q94 Radio during the station’s early years in the early 1980’s. A special benefit concert in memory of John is presently being organized; the show will take place at Electric Avenue in Houtzdale, and more details of the show will be announced soon. Next Sunday evening on the “Backyard Rocker,” we will devote the last half hour of the program in memory of John Baker, and feature some of John’s music over the years, audio clips from his “Backyard Rocker” appearances and more.
Bloomsburg singer, songwriter, guitarist and humorist Dave Blackledge is helping out in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina. Last month, Dave traveled to New Orleans as part of Bill Hudson's "Feel Good Tour", sponsored by MusicLink.com and GetDragonFly.com. Dave and other musicians are performing free concerts in rescue shelters, medical facilites and on the streets. Also as part of this effort, musical instruments are being collected for kids who lost theirs in the hurricane. Dave Blackledge recently finished his new CD, Spread it on Thick, which will be available soon.
And a grassroots effort is under way to try to change a provision of the state’s Liquor Code that greatly impacts live music. Under the present Liquor Code, if a loudspeaker of any volume level can be heard outside a liquor-licensed establishment, that establishment can be cited or fined by state law enforcement. A concerned group of citizens, bar owners, musicians and music fans are meeting in hopes of raising awareness of this issue with area state legislators, with the goal of changing the Liquor Code provision to one that is more reasonable for the live entertainment industry to work within. The next meeting to discuss this issue will be held next Sunday evening at 6 PM at Magoo’s in Cresson. Any concerned musicians or bar owners are urged to attend.
It was a sad week for this area’s music scene, following the sudden passing of a popular longtime area musician. John Baker passed away this past Tuesday, from an apparent heart attack. He was 44. John sang, played bass and guitar in numerous bands and other projects dating back to the 1980’s, including such names as Axis, Poverty Boy, Tugger, Super Fat Tuesday, Smokin’ J’s and others. He also was a solo performer and partnered in a duet with his girlfriend, Sherry Lender. John and Sherry were guests on Q94’s “Backyard Rocker” several times; and John even worked for Q94 Radio during the station’s early years in the early 1980’s. A special benefit concert in memory of John is presently being organized; the show will take place at Electric Avenue in Houtzdale, and more details of the show will be announced soon. Next Sunday evening on the “Backyard Rocker,” we will devote the last half hour of the program in memory of John Baker, and feature some of John’s music over the years, audio clips from his “Backyard Rocker” appearances and more.
Bloomsburg singer, songwriter, guitarist and humorist Dave Blackledge is helping out in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina. Last month, Dave traveled to New Orleans as part of Bill Hudson's "Feel Good Tour", sponsored by MusicLink.com and GetDragonFly.com. Dave and other musicians are performing free concerts in rescue shelters, medical facilites and on the streets. Also as part of this effort, musical instruments are being collected for kids who lost theirs in the hurricane. Dave Blackledge recently finished his new CD, Spread it on Thick, which will be available soon.
And a grassroots effort is under way to try to change a provision of the state’s Liquor Code that greatly impacts live music. Under the present Liquor Code, if a loudspeaker of any volume level can be heard outside a liquor-licensed establishment, that establishment can be cited or fined by state law enforcement. A concerned group of citizens, bar owners, musicians and music fans are meeting in hopes of raising awareness of this issue with area state legislators, with the goal of changing the Liquor Code provision to one that is more reasonable for the live entertainment industry to work within. The next meeting to discuss this issue will be held next Sunday evening at 6 PM at Magoo’s in Cresson. Any concerned musicians or bar owners are urged to attend.