There’s a lot more to being a great music town than just having plenty of live music options on the weekends. There needs to be a deep-seated culture of music, a sort of pervasive and receptive fertile ground where musicians can thrive and grow. And, just as important, a way for new musicians to be cultivated and nurtured. Today’s story is about that nurturing environment, and how a handful of dedicated players and promoters are helping Madison grow our next crop of seasoned songwriters and musicians.
At the heart of the effort, as are most of the grass-roots music projects and programs in Madison, you’ll find the Kindred Folk Society, the keepers of the flame for folk and “homemade” music at the local level. This latest effort is a 3-pronged collection of programs intended to identify and support local songwriting talent, and then guide them through the process of becoming established, experienced original musicians.
“It all started with our Jam Shop songwriting workshops,” explains Jane Vonderheide, Kindred Folk Society member and a legend in the songwriting community thanks to her House of Jane Songwriter Series. “We started bringing in groups of songwriters who wanted to improve their skills with these intensive 8-week programs led by Robert Reynolds, a songwriting professional with decades of experience.
“The Jam Shops were so popular we had to do more sessions to meet demand. But the question soon arose, OK, now that we’ve trained these groups of folks to write songs, what’s next? Where do we take it from here?”
Fellow Kindred Folk member Mark Rogers takes up the story at this point, “Becoming a good songwriter is really a 3-step process. Learning. Support. And finally, performance, and maybe recording. We had the learning part covered with the Jam Shops, but we wanted to provide an outlet for the other two steps.
“We came up with two new programs to add to the Jam Shops that will complete the continuum and hopefully turn out a crop of experienced, confident, and polished songwriters. Program number two we are calling the Songwriter Meet-Up, and phase three goes by the title New Noise.
“The Songwriter Meet-Ups are not led by an instructor, like the Jam Shops. It’s more of an open forum where folks with completed songs can come and share them with other artists to get feedback and support. Sometimes the best guidance is from other folks who are facing the same challenges and discovery process as you are. Dan Mahoney, who is a well-established songwriter and performer, under the name Jimmy Mundane, will be at the sessions to sort of moderate and keep things on track, along with myself.
“We had 6 musicians at the first Meet-Up, plus 4 people who just came to listen and offer suggestions. It feels like a very natural progression from the Jam Shops, which were more raw songwriting skills.
“The third spoke of the wheel is the New Noise performance sessions, and these will be led by Robert Reynolds. These sessions are a sort of graduation, if you will, from the other learning and support programs. Robert will identify 3 to 5 players whose songs are well polished and ready to be shared in a more public setting. Sort of a mini concert if you will, a chance for family and friends to hear these new songs in a positive, welcoming atmosphere.
“In theory an aspiring songwriter, young or old, could progress through all three programs, first learning to write a great song at the Jam Shop, refining their songs at the Meet-Ups, and then performing their song in public with the New Noise shows.
“It’s pretty exciting, and it’s something you won’t find in most small towns. We’re very lucky to have the music culture we do here in Madison, and the talented people willing to share their time and experience to teach others.”
The next Jam Shop 8-week program is scheduled for March 3rd, and will be run by Dan Mahoney this time. The Songwriter Meet-Ups convene the second Monday of the month at Eggleston Elementary School at 6:30, enter off 3rd Street and go downstairs. And the New Noise songwriter shows will be at The Drake at 6:30, on the last Thursday of the month, starting this week.
HOT TIP OF THE WEEK:
Who’s ready to get all sweaty at a rollickin’ January Beach Party? That’s what you’ll find at Mad Paddle this Saturday when Rusty Bladen brings his unique brand of good-time warm weather music to the stage. Rusty is a veteran performer who knows how to warm things up and help us all forget the winter blues for a few hours. It will be a good one! The other show of note is what is billed as their “Last Show” at Timeless LIVE in the old Masonic Building. This very cool upper floor concert hall has been a bright light on our music scene for the past year, and we will miss them … but you have one more chance to catch a show up there this Friday, so check it out. And finally, I want to remind everyone that this Saturday is Obscure Neil Young Night at Thomas Family Winery. This has to be about the 20th year for this quirky event, and it will be a memorable night for anyone who loves Neil and the music of the 70’s. I know I’ll be there!
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