Buffalo Live! Music Podcast - 2 Songs From Buffalo

I don’t read the Buffalo News very often, now that I’ve retired. I regret that. Sitting at work reading it on breaks was a welcome part of my day. It’s a good paper. Some would say the only paper in town and infer it’s less than it should be because of that, but I don’t feel that way at all. It’s a quality paper, just read one of the suburban rags for comparison…

One of the things I miss the most is the music articles. Gusto was my favorite part of the paper and Jeff Miers reviews and articles were the best. Jeff writes about what he knows, and knows well, as an accomplished musician himself. Additionally, since he’s an insider to the music scene, he’s in touch with the people and events that make for good articles.

But enough background. I caught an article by Jeff that was quoted in Nelson Starr’s blog. It’s a fascinating look at the current state of the professional musician’s field. The article is full of people I have met and admire in the local music scene and really tells it like it is about being a musician. I’m just an outsider, looking in, but what I’ve seen and learned, is confirmed here by musicians themselves.

Some familiar names from the podcast are there: Geno McManus, Joelle LaBert, Rob Lynch and more. It’s a great article about today’s music scene and if you’re interested in the least in local music, well worth reading.

The path to becoming a professional musician used to go like this: A young person with a dream nurtures his instrumental skill over long hours of practice that turn into months and then years. The talented dreamer meets others with the same dream, forms allegiances, swears blood brothers or sisters until the end, and a band is born.

First, these young talents learn the songs of their heroes. Over time, they grow to believe they have something unique to offer audiences. Happy-ending versions of this story find the dreamers quitting their day jobs and suddenly they’re in an office with a guy with a cigar hanging from his mouth, signing on the bottom line. Those days are long gone. [click for full article]

The article is also at Nelson Starr’s blog.