East Tennessee Dirt: What's happening in the local music scene
By Steve Wildsmithstevew@thedailytimes.com
Originally published: November 05. 2009 12:25PM
Last modified: November 14. 2009 11:58PM
Welcome to Blount County, Mr. Clark
Singer-songwriter Jay Clark, a long-time collaborator of Cruz Contreras and Robinella (they all used to play in a band together called The String Beans), has relocated from Alabama back to Tennessee -- specifically, to Blount County's Rockford community.
About a year ago, we wrote about Jay and his most recent album, "I'm Confused." He talked about wanting to move back to the East Tennessee area, and now it seems fate has given him and his wife, Stacy, that opportunity.
They've settled into a place on Self Hollow Road, and in addition to pursuing his own music career, he's turning his new home into an intimate venue for house concerts. (They're all the rage these days, for those of you scratching your heads; basically, an artist -- usually a singer-songwriter type -- is booked to play in a private home. Attendance is by reservation only, so there aren't 300 people spilling out into the front yard, so it's basically a gathering of friends in a very relaxed setting. And sometimes they bring food.)
"Our house concert schedule is pretty opportunistic," Jay wrote us earlier this week. "We actually had one (Tuesday night) with Jimmy Davis and Doug & Telisha Williams. We all toured together last week and they didn't want to go home and come back this direction again next weekend, so we had a Tuesday night house concert and about 40 folks showed up."
Keep checking back for further house concert announcements at Clark Manor, as well as any "Progress" of Clark's own musical career.
So long, Plan A
Back in August, a local band called it quits -- quietly and, for the most part, below the radar -- Matt Woods' Plan A. Here's an excerpt of Matt's blog post from August, announcing the end of the group that had been a part of the local scene for six years:
"We hope you will continue to enjoy the music we had so much fun making and will keep up with any projects we may find ourselves working on in the future. Here is a quick update on what we are doing now -- Brian (Jolley) is playing guitar in Soundtrack Black with other former members of Immortal Chorus and occasionally joins me on stage for some acoustic performances. Devan (Brewer) is now living in Chattanooga and can be found behind his kit in the clubs down there supporting several different acts. Tommy (Eakins) is working hard with the Homer Hart band and sometimes sitting in with Homemade Wine (Editor's note: These days, it's the other way around for Blount County's Eakins). Eric Keeble can be found around the area in several projects such as The Drunk Uncles, The Moonshine Cherrys and FishSticks. Grant (Houser) and I are now working on some new music and I am, as always, still performing solo shows both here and on the road. We can't wait to see all of you again real soon."
Everything seems to have ended amicably, everyone has their hands full with other projects and the ever-industrious Woods is keeping busy. Check out his Myspace page at www.myspace.com/therealmattwoods for everything else he's up to. (You can hit up his blog there for a review I did about a year ago of his acoustic album, "Broken Strings and Beer Specials.")
Kata's star is on the rise
One of our favorite local rock/country/musical chicks, Kata Hay (of Kata and The Blaze and The Grassabillies), has paired with Daisy Rock Guitars, Elixir Strings and Lakota Leathers for a special YouTube contest. Those who enter must cover one of Kata's original songs, and the winner (chosen by Kata herself) will receive a Daisy Rock acoustic guitar and accessory pack, including some Elixir strings and a Lakota Leathers hand-made bison guitar strap. It's just one of many good things happening with the fiery-haired goddess of Sevier County -- she and the band recently played to a packed house at Nashville's fabled Bluebird Cafe, and this week, they headlined "Billy Block's Western Beats," live from 12th and Porter in Nashville. Those interested in entering the YouTube contest should check out details on Kata's website at www.kataandtheblaze.com.
Free music for your downloading pleasure
Who doesn't like free stuff? My blog -- http://wildsmith.blountblogs.com -- has links to an ever-growing library of free mp3s that local artists have been kind enough to allow us to give away. Scroll through the recent entries, and you'll find links to download songs by a lot of local musical acts, and a few regional ones as well.
It's FREE, people! And if you happen to find something you like, by all means -- buy the full CD. Go check it out, and support local music.
Attention, local bands and musicians! We want YOUR information. Send it to us via e-mail to: steve.wildsmith@thedailytimes.com, or call us at 981-1144.
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