Fully Alive - The Maddie Shuler CD release at the Evening Muse - March 21, 2010

On the backside of the "Fully Alive" CD case is a quote from the internationally recognized percussionist Jim Brock, who is also the producer of the CD, which reads: "Maddie has this raw spirit in her music that hasn't had time to be jaded or molded. The spirit of this 14 year old is what all music should possess, no matter the genre".

This raw spirit was on full display Sunday evening at Maddie Shuler’s "Fully Alive" CD release party - truly a celebration of her music and the accomplishment of putting her writing to a medium which can be shared with all whom choose to listen. A standing room only audience gathered at the Evening Muse to witness Maddie perform a set consisting of the entire CD, supported by a full band consisting of Robert Austell (keyboards), Dustin Hofsess (lead guitar), Stacey Leazer (bass), and Jim Brock (percussions).

Read on here for the rest of the story, set list and photos..

Cheers,

Monty

Charlotte Parrot and Not A Sparrow performed the early show at the Evening Muse March 20th, 2010

17 Year old local high school student Charlotte Parrot opened for the group Not A Sparrow at the Evening Muse Saturday night, performing a hour long set covering 10 of her original songs as well as one cover. The Evening Muse was almost at capacity as fully half the audience comprised of peers and family of Charlotte's as they came to support and hear her in one of her largest and best performances of the year. Charlotte Parrot is becoming a recognized acoustic singer-songwriter who's songs resonate with a pop sound and writing telling the stories from the innocent paradigm of a well loved and nutured teenager.

The featured artists for the early show Saturday night were the three piece group named "Not A Sparrow". They are made up of Philip Hamrick (Vocals, guitar, humor, & keyboards), Rachel Hamrick (vocals), and Christina Swinger (violin). This trio produces beautiful musical melodies and vocal harmony in songs of love and life which are very pleasing to the ear.

Not A Sparrow has recently released a self-titled CD featuring 8 new songs of faith, forgiveness and even narcolepsy. Choosing to record the entire project in the Hamrick's home in the countryside 30 miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina, the band has produced an organic new sound that mixes pop with folk and bluegrass with classical. You can hear many of the songs on their MySpace page here.

Read on here for the rest of the story, photo's and set lists..

Cheers,

Monty

A festive celebration of music at the Evening Muse - Tosco House Party - March 3rd, 2010

One doesn't generally think of a packed house that's standing room only when considering the expected audience of an open mic night, but that's exactly what was on hand for the Tosco House Party held at the Evening Muse Tuesday night. The sign-up sheet which holds space for 17 performers spilled over onto the back of the page - such was the demand to perform!

With such a full house, the singalong was held to approx 30 minutes so all of the performers would get a chance to perform before the 10:30 show started. Bye Bye Love started the singalong tonight as everyone gathered in the circle. The goal is to keep the song simple and to approx 3 chords so everyone can play along. Second song tonight was the Three Dog Night tune - "Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog". Folks tend to have a bit of fun with these as not everyone knows the words so the folks who do tend to belt it out so the rest can catch up! Bob Dylan's "Knocking On Heavens Door" was next, with a few of the younger folks adding an Axle Rose "Hey, Hey, Hey" in there at appropriate moments - let the rockers loose!! "Friend of the Devil" was next and several folks knew the words - several didn't too, so it was a modified version tonight! "Here Comes the Sun" - a favorite Beatles tune was enjoyed by the entire circle with an added bonus of a "flute-like" instrument played by someone that added great character to the song. Tom Petty's "Free Falling" or at least the first verse & chorus was next. The guitar players were getting warmed up now along with several vocalists as the crowd belted out "and I'm free, free fallin..." A darned good job on "Honky Tonk Woman" followed that as the rock theme continued. John Prine's "Paradise" was followed by John Denver's "Country Road" and the "Stand By Me" as the singalong was brought to a close. Time to get the Open Mic underway!

Photos of tonights performances...

Read on Here for the rest of the story

Cheers,

Monty