Christmas Concerts

This has been quite the week for catching local musician's Christmas performances. A week ago Tuesday I went with Scott and Mary Ann to see her cousin April Meservy perform at a benefit concert sponsored by Susan Easton Black for her giving tree charity. She was very good as expected, with a decidedly jazzy vibe. I'm not sure if Jazz is big among LDS musicians. Might be some room for her there. It was the first time I'd heard her sing and play live unless you count her performance at Scott and Mary Ann's reception. I'm impressed with her. Debra Fotheringham also performed. She was also very good. Her music is more folky, "girl with guitar" sort of stuff. Her guitar playing was especially compelling. There was another group playing, but we walked out on them. Weren't too impressed. Shame on us!

















Last Saturday Karen and Darren took me to see Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band's Christmas concert at UVU. Karen had distributed flyers for them and got free tickets as a result. We also got to go to a pre show meet and greet, thus the picture. Unfortunately no one thought to bring a camera so the picture was shot with a cell phone. That explains its poor quality. Anyway, it was fun to meet the guys. First time for me. The show itself was amazing. Those guys are just plain world class musicians. I really enjoyed when Santa Claus presented Roger Archibald with his Christmas wished for electric guitar. Man he really tore it up! Those guys could be a great rock band if that was their choice. Lucky for me Newgrass is their preferred mode!

































Tuesday I took Lynda and Jason to see "Nancy Hanson and the Rubber Band". It was the annual FM100 free concert at South Town Mall. In the past Nancy has done her own show and Ryan has done his own on seperate days. This year they split an hour between them with Nancy going first and RS&RB going second. She had her own bass player and did her own guitar work. Other than that, the other players were all Ryan's band. Of course Ryan Shupe and Craig Miner were responsible for much of her lovely Christmas cd "All Wrapped Up" so she's always had their support for the FM100 concerts. It was a very enjoyable hour. It interested me to hear the improving sound as Nancy's segment progressed. They only play together this once every year, so it's literally a jam session. Boy, if they ever decided to come together as a band it would be awesome. Come to think of it, just listen to the cd and you'll know what I mean. I'd love to have Nancy sing lead for a great band like that. If I were any good I'd love to be her Dan Tyminski (see previous post). Maybe in the next life! I'll have to post my take on the state of LDS music another time. We have a plethora of remarkable talent. I'll say some more on it later.