After recovering from my Black Friday shopping experience (you can check out the story I wrote yesterday), I am ready to get back to a more normal routine. I survived with minimal cart-ramming bruises, and even got out of SuperTarget without buying so much stuff that I would have to declare bankruptcy – a Black Friday victory in my book.
I had an article about Big Reeno in Friday’s Herald. Reeno was born in Nigeria, lived in New Jersey for a while and came to North Dakota a few years back to attend Valley City State University (he’s a business student). But he made some connections with local hip-hop producers and is now starting off on what could be a promising music career – and he said living in N.D. even helps him get his foot in the door with national acts! Reeno seemed like a really cool guy and I plan to check back with him next spring to see what he’s up to, and what his next move might be.
In today’s Herald, I had an article about reggae/hip-hop/funk band The Reef from Minneapolis. They’re playing tonight at Crosstown Lounge – the show starts at 10 p.m., with a $5 cover charge that includes a free drink. I spoke with Drew Musik, the band’s guitarist/singer, about how he got into music, how he changed from hip-hop artist to reggae musician and why his band chose the name The Reef (the band name has changed twice so far, so I was curious). You can check out the band’s MySpace or Web site to find more information, and here’s a video of a live performance:
Today, I looked over the calendar of upcoming concerts and figured out a pretty diverse music article lineup for December. Here’s what I’m planning:
- Next Friday, I will have some more information on the three opening acts for tobyMac’s Winter Wonder Slam Tour 2009 (coming to the Alerus Center Saturday, Dec. 5). Here’s how the Alerus Web site describes the show: Forefront recording artist TobyMac will be bring the 2009 Winter Wonder Slam Tour to the Alerus Center. TobyMac has hosted the Winter Wonder Slam tour since 2005 and is known for an explosive live show featuring his 8-member touring band, DiverseCity.
Winter Wonder Slam 2009 will also feature rock quintet Kutless; Stephanie Smith, whose debut album Not Afraid was released in 2008; and singer-rapper-songwriter-producer B. Reith. Information about the artists can be found at www.winterwonderslam.com.
I’ve never interviewed Christian recording artists before, so this should be interesting. - Dec. 11, I will try to get a preview of Absolute Gruv, a Minneapolis jam band performing at the Crosstown Lounge Dec. 12. Here’s how the band’s MySpace page describes their sound: "A Jam Band with a hint of: Blues/funk/Bluegrass/R&B/Soul/psychedelic/rock & roll/Jazz and Fusion." Sounds like pretty much everything except electronica and hip-hop.
- I will (hopefully) get an interview with Lamont Cranston from the Rockford, Minn.-based Lamont Cranston Band. They’re playing Dec. 18 as the next installment of the Empire Arts Center’s Budweiser Blues Series. You can learn more about Cranston on his Web site or his MySpace page.
- For the Christmas paper, I have a couple ideas, but think I will try to speak with Seven Dollar Shift, a local band performing Sunday, Dec. 27 at the Crosstown Lounge.
- And New Year’s Eve will be a fun night in GF – I’m working on some kind of a package story with Paulette Tobin to cover all the bases for entertainment that night. What I’m thinking is I’ll have info on the Johnson Family Band concert at the Crosstown Lounge that night (they’re a Moorhead-based bluegrass band), plus I’ll try to get a few interviews with the bands on tap for First Night (I’m still waiting to hear who they line up, and what they will even call First Night this year now that it’s been moved to the Alerus Center).
That should take my music stories into the New Year, and then I’ll get cracking on stuff to check out during the cold winter months. But, as always, I’m asking you to point out other things worth covering, or things I should add to my calendar.
I guess that to receive the mortgage loans from creditors you ought to present a firm reason. However, one time I have received a auto loan, just because I wanted to buy a car.
I’m always a fan of more diversity, but like ianmore pointed out, it’s really the decision of whoever pays to bring in the acts. I guess I’m just glad that he brings in bands from the Cities – the Crosstown is really the only venue that draws non-GF and Fargo acts on a regular basis. Plus, it usually is packed when a band is playing so there must be a decent following in town.
Disappointed I agree. But thats what the owner (Brad) seems to enjoy… Which is kind of odd because Many of my friends that hang out there to play pool would like there to be a decent rock act play there…
But in the end it comes down to whoever has the checkbook can decide what he wants to bring in. If he’s making money and a client?le off of just bringing in jam/reggae acts more power to him.
God, I wish Crosstown would get some bands that aren’t lame jam/reggae acts.