BLUES N'AT

Summer may be over but this is the time of year when the local music scene heats up. Mrs. Black-N-Gold and the Big Bossman are wrestling over where to enjoy some local sounds this evening. It's a good problem to have. Anymore it seems that bars and clubs in the area are turning to karaoke, disc jockeys, and open jukeboxes to entertain their clientele. It's a cost-cutting measure, to be sure. But somehow, it doesn't quite measure up to the feeling that you get when you shake your hips to live music. Remember the first concert you attended? Think back to how the hairs on your arms stood up and the music kept you on your feet from the first chords all the way through to the last encore. You can still get that feeling when you go see bands in your area. Even when we travel, the Big Bossman and I like to hit the local clubs to see and hear the scene in that area. Often times, there will be musicians performing that put to shame some of the drivel that radio stations cram down our throats. Especially when you see a band for the first time. It's like opening a new album (yes, Mrs. Black-N-Gold is dating herself by saying "album" but I don't care) and listening to it on your stereo, fresh out of the package. Many local bands perform not only some amazing interpretations of songs that you may have heard thousands of times before, they also feature original material that you may be hearing for the first time ever. Some of these bands are too good to be ignored and hope to make it to the next level. Others just enjoy the music and making our feet move. Whatever the genre and wherever the place, be it a smokey club, a dive bar or a house party, get out this weekend and shake your hips to some live local music. You'll be glad you did. Until next time, boys and girls. Support local music!