Firecracker Jazz Band creates old Dixieland with new style

This year’s Summer Tracks series at Rogers Park has hosted a wide variety of music. Coming up this weekend is an Asheville band that has really be “going places” the past couple of years. While I had visited with some of the band members recently “off the record,” Earl Sachais their trombone player was gracious enough to give some “official” answers some of my questions about where they are headed next. He's not the type to "toot his own horn" unless it's his trombone, so it took a bit of coaxing to lure some details from him.

Would you explain for the readers how you became a member of this band?

In February 2003, the original drummer Bill Smith, was asked by the owner of Tressa's night club in Asheville, to put together a Dixieland band for a Mardi Gras party at the club. Bill called me to play trombone. We played twice more at Tressa's when they stopped having Dixieland at the club. The band started up again in October when we had a steady Thursday night at a Cajun Restaurant in Asheville and the band developed from there.

How does this band compare to others that you've played with over the years?

I played many genres of music in my career including a show band at a big hotel in the Catskill Mountains in New York State where we backed up the biggest names in show business. This is by far the best small group I've ever played with.

Do you feel like name dropping some of the "biggest names in show business" or are you going to leave me hanging?

Some of the big names, which are numerous, are Barbara Streisand, Sammy Davis Jr., Cab Calloway, Steve Lawrence & Edie Gorme, Mel Torme, Connie Francis, Wayne Newton and list goes on and on. In all humbleness, you understand.

Firecracker Jazz Band has played different types of festivals from Bonnaroo to the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee over the last few years, which are you're favorites and why?

My two favorites are the Seaside Jazz Festival in Seaside, Oregon and the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee in Sacramento, CA. At these two festivals we were playing alongside some of the best Dixieland Bands in the country and we saw that the quality of our band is right up there with the best of them. It did wonders for our confidence and has inspired us to continue striving to improve.

I understand you've been invited back to both West Coast Jazz Jubilees, how does that fit into the growth of you band?

We have been invited back to both festivals. Due to our performances in Sacramento, we've been invited to the Redwood Coast Jazz Festival in Eureka, CA in March, 2009 and the Suncoast Jazz Festival in Largo, FL in November, 2009. We're striving to build up our participation on the jazz festival circuit.

Does your fan base fit a certain age range or is there a type of audience that you feel the band is better suited for?

Our fan base appears to be very diverse and seems to appeal to all age groups. It has to be the energy of our music. Our style is not the old traditional Dixieland style.

What is your favorite kind of audience to perform for?

Our favorite kind of audience is one that is receptive to our performance. I know this might seem a simplistic answer, but a receptive audience really charges us up and we tend to respond with much energy.

What are your plans for the next album?

We are going into the recording studio at the beginning of October to record our third album. We will have some original tunes as well as traditional Dixieland tunes. We're adding a guest Saxophone player whom we're flying in from Tucson, Arizona. We met him at the Sacramento Jazz Festival where he performed with his band from Arizona. He sat in with us at a few of our shows and we all seemed to be a perfect match. So he accepted our invitation.

May I mention Kelland Thomas’ name?

You can mention his name.

Kelland Thomas holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance from University of Michigan and is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Arizona. He played at the jubilee with the Original Wildcat Jass Band, but has a diverse list of performance credits from chamber music to lead tenor in the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.

On your last album there were a few original tunes written by you, yet they seem to blend with the traditional jazz songs, what is the process for creating these tunes?

You get a melody in your head that matches the style of music we play. In the process, you develop the melody and add the appropriate chord changes, and when I'm satisfied with the result, I have a tune.

I heard that the next CD may contain a couple of original tunes by your pianist Reese Gray? Do you also have some new tunes lined up for the band?

I have about twenty-two more tunes that I've written for the band. I'm hoping we can pick another one or two to include on our next album.
What is the process your band uses to rehearse and put together new tunes or resurrect old favorites?

When we decide on a tune, we play through it a few times, using the Dixieland form and then ideas begin to form regarding the arrangement we want. We start with the basic tune and build from there. Everyone in the band has input.

You mention that your style isn't "old traditional Dixieland" yet you are writing tunes in that style. Do you feel there rules you have to follow and rules you choose to break, or is it more of a musician's instinct or jazzman's whim kind of thing?

We play "old traditional Dixieland Music" but we have our own style and interpretation, so I try and write tunes in the old traditional style but play the tunes in our own style of Dixieland. An example of what I mean would be if one band plays Sweet Georgia Brown at a moderate tempo and it's in a more laid back fashion compared to when we play it fast, bright and energetic. We're both playing traditional Dixieland but in a different way. We're still utilizing the instruments in the Dixieland fashion. Like trumpet plays melody, trombone improvises a counter-melody and so on.

Where are you in the process of recording?

There's a possibility we may be recording in a studio in Como, Mississippi. It's owned by Jimbo Mathus from the Squirrel Nut Zippers.

I heard a rumor there were a couple of songs from the first album that are getting reworked. Is there anything you can share about those?

We are planning to redo a tune from our first recording because we have a different arrangement of it and it includes two of our tunes as a medley. We feel it's a real super arrangement and deserves another shot.

Can you disclose anything about any of the tunes that are coming up in your repertoire, or is it a secret?

We're going to keep the new recording tunes a secret for now.

What is needed to complete that process?

To complete the process, we need to all be satisfied with at least one take of each tune and then we have a master copy made and send it out to be duplicated. We also will need to work on the case and all of the artwork and information to be included.

Did you know that Tryon is working toward putting together a Nina Simone Jazz Festival?
I think it's a wonderful idea to hold a music festival in Tryon. It would be a tremendous tribute to Nina Simone and it would give a big boost to Tryon's economy as well as providing a cultural experience for the citizens and “out of towners” who might attend. It also showcases local musicians and bands as well as the possibility of bringing in out of town bands. Just look at what Bele Chere does for Asheville's economy at the end of July.

Get ready to dance the night away when Firecracker Jazz Band plays in Tryon this Friday August 22 at Rogers Park. A nifty duo of gifted musicians The Stereofidelics will be opening. Admission is free, but your donation at the gate helps to fund quality live music performances for our community.

Sample the world of music and art this weekend in Polk County

I haven’t made it to the beach yet this summer, but I caught a glimpse of it at the lovely reception for Linda Cheek at Red Clover Gallery last Friday evening. Her current show at the gallery is a lovely respite from a busy day taking you from beautiful mountain sunsets and lowland beach adventures to the streets of downtown Charleston. Afterwards on a whim I took a sunset drive up Saluda grade to the Purple Onion where I enjoyed a fine dinner and conversation at the bar while listening to the elegant piano work of Fred Whiskin. On my way home I stopped in for dancing with friends at Elmo’s to the rocking blues of Johnny Rawls.

After such a festive Friday, Saturday I felt like I’d stepped into a fairy tale. Donning a “new to me” dress, from Isadora’s Closet that I found on sale last week, I made my way out to White Oak Golf & Equestrian Center for the Tryon Little Theatre’s 60th birthday party. Not only was I awed with the beauty and elegance of the event, but also with the amazing community of artists and patrons all sharing this special evening together. The folks at White Oak were gracious hosts and I left with the impression that this is not just another exclusive development, but rather a gorgeous addition to the Tryon community.

This weekend’s local events continue the same high quality of entertainment that makes this area so special.

Today Yi-Wen Fei is performing Western Classical and Traditional Chinese piano music at Isothermal’s Polk Campus at 2 p.m. This talented Chinese teenager moved to Tryon last summer and played to a full house at the college last fall. Yi-Wen was trained at the Shenzhen Music Conservatory and shares joy for life through music.
Later in the afternoon when the concert is over, why not visit Tryon’s Tailgate Market in the Shops of Tryon parking lot? Enjoy a social afternoon in our lovely downtown visit the local growers and crafts people and remember why we’re called the friendliest town in the South.

After reminding yourself where you are, transport yourself to India with the Porch Pickin’ buffet at the Melrose Inn from 6:30-9 p.m. A vegetarian menu spiced with curry and jasmine will feed the muse before the jam session. Then sit back and listen or bring something to share for the evening which may include anything from love poetry to country ballads to jazz improvisation to fire spinning with a little Odissi dance to keep with the theme.

If that sounds a bit too spicy for you, at 8 p.m. find Moses Atwood at The Purple Onion. If you have a chance, ask him tell you about his adventures studying with folk musicians in India between sets as he shares music inspired by roots and folks songs of America.

If all this still sounds too exotic you might prefer to try your vocal prowess at Elmo’s in Tryon with Karaoke after 8 p.m.

Friday is the Summer Tracks show I’ve been waiting for this year. I have heard wonderful things about the Stereofidelics and enjoyed their samples of songs on the internet, so I plan to be at Rogers Park at 7 p.m. sharp to catch their opening set. Then I’m hoping to find some folks to get up and dance with me to the Firecracker Jazz Band. Their high energy show fills me with joy that brings a smile to my face and keeps my toes tapping all night. If rock and roll blues are more your style or you need more music for your evening stop in and catch the Sound Factory at Elmo’s Too in Columbus after 9 p.m.

Saturday you’ll have to make some decisions because there is too much to catch it all. Up the hill in Saluda you’ll find Common Ground playing top 40 and other dance favorites from 8-11 p.m. at Saluda Mountain Jamboree. Over in Columbus at Veteran’s Park catch the sweet sultry vocals of Peggy Ratusz with her blues trio Big Road at Veteran’s Park in Columbus. Columbus finger style guitarist Rich Bauer will kick off this magical evening at 6:30 p.m. Or heat up the night with Dog Fight Blues Band at Elmo’s in Tryon at 9 p.m. Red Dog, Tom and Mikey will keep you dancing long into the night.

Sunday the Purple Onion hosts another special Sunday Night Concert with Stacy Earl and Mark Stuart at 7 p.m. This Tennessee duo blends the best of their years of experience into a powerful acoustic blend of original songs that reflect their love of music and each other. Or, if money is tight, try singing out your blues with Karaoke at Elmo’s Too in Columbus after 8 p.m.

As a final note, if you haven’t made it by the Upstairs Artspace this month, take a moment to pop in and view the wonderful variety of work at the “Artists of Lake Lure” exhibit before it ends this Saturday at 5 p.m. Then be sure to mark your calendar now for the opening of “Shape Shifters: Mountain Sculptors 2008” next weekend on August 29.

Chris Farrell further reaching the community through the arts

This is the continuation of the interview with Chris Farrell about the upcoming events produced by the Tryon Fine Arts Center bringing arts to the community.

You mentioned Tom Chapin is also doing school shows?

Yes, he’s doing two. It’s a program called Clean Machine about the environment and how to treat the planet better. That’s one of his big things as well as world hunger. Every time I’ve done a Harry Chapin musical I’ve partnered with local food banks to have people bring canned food to be donated. We’ll be doing something like that as well for this performance.

Almost everything I do will tie in with something else. It’s never just “my event.” I will allow affiliates to sell tickets for a slightly higher price and be a co-producer for the event so that the difference becomes a donation to that affiliate group. One of the biggest problems I see is that people donate to TFAC and then don’t see the need to donate to TLT or one of the other affiliates. I want people to see TFAC working with the affiliates, but know they are separate entities.

The money doesn’t trickle through.

But, now that I can do in house printing, I can give the affiliates discounts on printing for posters and such. I still get all the paper from Steve, and take him anything that needs to be cut or bound. We are trying to give the affiliate groups more benefits and eventually set it up so that more groups can become affiliated.

For the Arts in Education series you feature daytime performances for students of some of the talent from the Main Stage Series like Barefoot, Tom Chapin, and el gleno grande. You also have three plays coming in?

Junie B. Jones is TheatreWorks USA from the series of children’s books. Rainbow Fish and Amber Brown is not a Crayon are ArtsPower productions and those are both based on children’s stories as well. We’ll be working with Polk County Library for those productions.

ArtsPower comes out of?

New Jersey.

And TheatreWorks USA?

New York.

Are these groups that have been here before?

Yes, both have been here, in fact Rainbow Fish was done here about three and a half years ago, but it’s specific to a certain age group and those kids will have rotated out. Rainbow Fish is such a classic I can’t imagine not bringing it back every 3-5 years.

The group Barefoot is from Alaska and the schools will be focusing on the different states, so we’ll tie into that as well.

Will all of these performances be in the building or will some be in the schools?

That’s still up for discussion. It’s a matter of space and how many students will be able to see the show to cover the cost. Although there are certain shows that we expect to lose money on. That’s part of the outreach.

It’s hard to move a lot of students safely.

Friends of the Fine Arts Center have helped with that. They will now be here for all of the children’s productions ushering and taking pictures. Last year when we did Charlotte’s Web we had a picture contest. Since the students weren’t allowed to take photos, I asked them to draw pictures from their experience and the Friends of the Fine Arts Center helped pick the winners. The teacher of the winning class will have passes for her students to all of the arts in education shows this season.

Before you came to Tryon to take this job, did you know anything about Tryon?

No. I’d been to Asheville and been out this way for leaf watching. The day I drove out here to interview was toward fall and in the evening as the light was hitting the mountains. As I came out US 74 it was golden and beautiful. It was just stunning. You know when you’re home. The town itself has its own character and I felt immediately at home. I had been here maybe a week and a half and had gone down to the Tryon Little Theatre to donate some make-up and then came back here to talk to Marianne Carruth, but she had already started her improvisation class, so I laid down on stage and did the warm-ups with them. Then I did improv with them for about a half an hour before I came back down to the office to continue working on rebuilding the computer system that had crashed. In the span of about four hours I got to do everything I enjoy doing. This is perfect. This is where I’m supposed to be. I love it here. It is definitely the best choice I’ve ever made.

The few hiccups we’ve had, people have just come to me and said “Hey, not for Tryon.” “Okay.” There are little quirks and things that I hadn’t thought about because it’s not a bigger city. There are some that are good ideas that need to just be tailored differently to the pattern of how things are done here. I don’t need to reinvent the wheel. This is an amazing organization. Jimm and Sylvia are great staff. We have a strong following and it’s a non-profit with no debt that owns it own building. Our mission statement says that we are going to foster the growth of arts in the foothills area. That’s why I picked programs are different that what other people are doing and provide support to the other arts organizations so that we can help grow the arts in the area while being as inclusive as possible.

Do you see yourself being here a while?

Twenty years at least, my daughter needs to get through school and by then I’ll probably too old to want to move again. I don’t have relatives here, but I have found family here.

You said yesterday you were helping hang lights for CATs?

Yeah for TLT.

So you are basically a jack-of-all-trades doing a little bit of everything involved with the theatre?

Yeah, whatever needs to be done. I think people realized I was different than my predecessor when we were working on Ailey II. It was the biggest show since I’d been here and had the most volunteers since I’d been here and I threw on my work clothes after finishing the board meeting. I told Jimm to give me the idiot jobs because he didn’t have time to teach me. So I swept the stage and filed light gels until I had time to learn the lighting system. This place wouldn’t be what it is without the staff. Sylvia has the whole history of the theatre in her head and Jimm is a talented artist and loyal worker. This is what they do.

Getting ready for CATS Jimm had volunteers here, but I won’t let volunteers put on the harness and climb the side rails. They fall, they own the building, I fall there’s worker’s comp. So I was up there gelling lights.

Chris Tinkler stopped through…

Tinkler: Thank you for everything.

What’s he talking about?

Farrell: I got the Foothills Gymnastic Academy to come and dress up as cats and run around with balls of yarn from Tryon Arts & Crafts out front before the show.

Tinkler: Just thank you. It’s a totally different thing having you here. It’s going to be a fun season. Will we see you here tonight?

Farrell: Yes, I’ll be here tonight getting the make up on the little cats and getting them positioned around the front of the theatre.

After he leaves…

That’s my favorite thing. When I first got here there people were so mad. They felt like the Fine Arts Center was trying to take over or tell the organizations what to do. There were so many fractured relationships and I’m starting to see that change. The board was very clear about wanting to fix those fractures.

Chris and I continued to discuss how the Tryon “family” has taken her in and offered support for both her professional and personal life here in Tryon. She also spoke highly of the difficult task Eric Kerchner had undertaken to help define and create the job she now holds. The role of an executive director for the Tryon Fine Arts Center, just an idea a few years ago, seems to have now grown into a position filled by just the right person living her passion for the arts.

From Country to Blues, Highlands to the Lowlands music & art thrive

Last weekend I burned far too much gas trying to catch bits of all the arts and entertainment in the area that caught my attention and still missed several events I know I would have enjoyed. It seems like there are always choices to be made, and often it comes down to personal preference. So, here’s another batch of high quality events sprinkled with some details to help you find the inspiration you’re looking for this weekend.

Tonight The Purple Onion in Saluda is serving up a healthy Americana and Country mix with Stephen Simmons at 8 p.m. This Tennessee troubadour has three solid CDs and thousands of miles of road dust under his belt. His latest recording is packed with an all star line up of country’s finest studio musicians. If you’ve been craving the sound of a gritty country singer wailing out the woes of the world, Simmons will soothe that hunger. Listen to some samples for yourself at www.stephensimmonsmusic.com.

However, if your sweet soul needs some rhythm and blues to get right, be sure to catch Johnny Rawls at Elmo’s this weekend. This master bluesman has about ten solo albums under his belt as well as a long list of producing, songwriting and guitar credits with other artists. He has also garnered such awards as the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame for RB Male Vocalist of the Year in 2006. Raised between the Delta famous for blues and the thriving jazz of New Orleans on the coast of Mississippi, the music seems to flow effortlessly through him as he plays and croons. With no knowledge of what he’d done, I was pleasantly surprised the first time I wandered into Elmo’s to hear him play. This weekend Polk County happened to snatch him for three days between gigs in Nashville, Tennessee and The Foothills Blues Festival in Ohio. Thursday and Saturday night he’ll be at Elmo’s in Tryon and Friday night he’ll be at Elmo’s Too in Columbus. For more information about Johnny Rawls or to hear samples of his music please visit www.johnnyrawlsblues.com.

As you finish your work day Friday before heading out for dinner and music, stop by the Red Clover Gallery in Landrum from 5-7 p.m. to socialize and view the work of Linda Cheek at the opening of “From the Highlands to the Lowlands.” This Brevard Plein-Aire artist captures the magic of the southern highlands and Carolina coast in colorful oils that blend realism and impressionism. A graduate of the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida, her work can be found hanging in the permanent collection at New York’s Salgamundi Club as well as many fine corporate and private collections. For more information on the reception or show please visit www.redclovergallery.com or call 864-457-3311.

Continue your evening of artistic conversation with music at the Listening to Coffee Open Mic from 8-11 p.m. at the Gallery Coffeehouse. If you have songs, stories, poetry, or jokes to share please come prepared to take a moment in front of the mic. Mike Locke does a fine job of keeping the music flowing and this family friendly atmosphere welcomes performers of all ages. Visit coffeehouse.xenei.net or call 828-859-0207 for more details.

Saturday Saluda turns up the festivity starting at 8 p.m. For over 20 years The Drovers Old Time Medicine Show has been mixing up some fine bluegrass and old time tunes with a bit of good natured comedy for the whole family. Visit their website www.thedroversotms.com and read the latest edition of the Prater’s Creek Gazette to get a taste of their hillbilly humor or sample some of their “bare knuckles” bluegrass.

If you feel like shagging the night away, Saluda Mountain Jamboree with Sound Factory is the place to be from 8-11 p.m. This band does a wonderful mix of Motown, Beach Music, R&B, Country and other dance favorites to keep you moving and grooving all night long. I have personally enjoyed listening to them while playing some pool at Elmo’s, but the Jamboree offers them a chance to really work the stage while dancers have plenty of room to show their stuff on the floor. Visit www.saludamountainjamboree.com or call 828-749-3626 for more information.

This coming week the Tryon Fine Arts Center will be buzzing with activity as the hand delivered entries arrive for the 11th Biennial Western North Carolina Juried Art Exhibit. Painters and sculptors from around the region have been invited to submit work Tuesday August 19, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Wednesday August 20 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Jane Allen Nodine is Juror for this exhibit presented by Tryon Painters & Sculptors. The exhibit will run September 5 – October 2 at Tryon Fine Arts Center. For more information about eligibility, application, and fee requirements visit www.tryonarts.org, or call Dick Neff 864-895-7945.

Don’t forget, both Twigs and Persimmons are serving up some fine jazz on Wednesdays down in Landrum. Check the music calendar listings for more information.

Chris Farrell reaching all ages of the community through the arts

I stopped in the Tryon Fine Arts Center before opening night of CATS to find Chris Farrell in her office surrounded by piles of new flyers for the upcoming year as well as bound proposals in process for the various affiliate groups working with TFAC. There were obviously many pieces of projects in motion and Chris seemed to be thriving on the excitement of a fresh new start to the TFAC season.

What do you have coming up?

All kinds of fun stuff! We have a Beach Party happening on the August 9, [this Saturday]. It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’ve got the Grand Strand Band performing. We’ve got Tommy the “icey guy” from Landrum. He’s twelve years old and he’s got his own little business selling Italian Ices. Melrose is doing the burgers and hot dogs. Basically we’re bringing the beach to Tryon. It’s too expensive to drive to the beach. We’ll have a sand sculpture art contest and Doug Arbourgast from the Tryon Auction House will auction them off after they’re done. They will be in kid’s pools so that parents will then have a sand box to take home for their kids. It’s a very kid-friendly event. The majority of the affiliates are coming and setting up tables with sign-ups for volunteers and some of them will be doing face painting or making little anklets, beach jewelry. Merle Norman’s going to be here doing make-up and braids. Blaze Realty will have sunscreen.

So it’s a whole community effort?

I have local businesses with their summer stuff. Like, the Bookshelf will come and have their summer beach books. Just little summer things. And then later toward evening we’ll have dancing under fairy lights in the Farewell Garden and have the band play. We’ll start at 3 p.m. in the afternoon with the kids’ activities and sand sculpture and then it will roll into more of an adult evening where people can dance and have fun.

Is this the first time you’ve put together an event like this, or had you done this for organizations before?

Oh, I’ve done this for organizations before.

How has it worked adapting what you’ve done before to Tryon?

The support in this community is amazing. I’ve had so many people just say, “What do you need?” Everybody loves the arts, they want to see the arts center be a focus of life in the community. A place you can just come “hang out.” That’s my goal, to see this be more of a community service organization rather than just a performing arts center. That’s what it used to be, and I think it is part of what the community needs. But we also need to be involving all of the affiliates and local businesses. We need to be creating foot traffic and a tourism attitude of trying to bring in other people and other demographics, more parents with their kids for instance.

So this beach party is the kick off for the season?

It is really more of a summer social event for fun and to thank the volunteers and the community who can make this happen.

You also have a more formal evening event coming up?

September 13 will be an amazing evening involving all the affiliates sharing little snippets of Tryon Fine Arts Center history. Tryon Little Theatre will share scenes from past shows. Tryon Arts & Crafts will have projects that they’re doing. They will all have a place here. Tryon Concert Association has a well know local pianist and composer writing a special piece for the event and performing that evening. I can’t give all the details because that’s what’s special about buying the ticket to come see the show. It will be an amazing evening of celebrating the past. Persimmons will be doing the food. Foothills Savoy Arts will be giving a Gilbert & Sullivan performance. Ronnie Mosseller will even make an appearance.

That’s actually the same weekend as the first show in your series.

Our first real big event is Barefoot [September 11, 2008]. They are this amazing bluegrass band. They actually met as music camp counselors, and will also be doing a program for the schools during the day. They are incredibly talented. They won the same award that the Dixie Chicks [and Nickle Creek] won at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. So these are up and coming artists who’ve won several awards.
With our market, with our price range, and what we can do with the number of seats here, rather than looking for groups that had a lot of name recognition twenty years ago, I’d rather find groups that five years from now you’ll see on TV in a Grammy type situation. We’re going that direction; catch them before they get their big award. There are so many talented people in the area. I’d rather Tryon get to be known as the type of place where talent is found.

Okay, so following the bluegrass you have this fellow Frank Vignola playing jazz?

He is phenomenal. His last CD was a tribute to Gershwin and NPR listed it as one of their top ten jazz CDs. Les Paul ranks him as one of the top five guitar players in the world. With the Rhythm Machine they take some 80’s rock and turn it to jazz. Red Clover Gallery is going to sponsor this show. It will be really different and fun.

I had to go find out more about this fellow and discovered some amazing samples on www.myspace.com/frankvignolaquintet as well as the “short list” of people he has recorded with including Bucky Pizzarelli, Les Paul, Lionel Hampton, Donald Fagen, Queen Latifah, Elton John, Ringo Starr, Madonna, David Grisman, and Mark O'Connor. My calendar is marked for October 18.

So the first two shows are music and then on November 15 you have…

The Cashore Marionettes. Tryon Little Theatre is doing four major productions here this year and we don’t want to step on the toes of the affiliates. This is their venue so I didn’t want to put theatre in, but I wanted a different kind of visual art. The Cashore Marionettes is not a children’s production. In fact they will not do children’s shows. There is an age limit for the show, 13 and up. This man travels all over Russia and Europe. His work with the marionettes is set to classical music and will appeal to groups like Tryon Estates and our older patrons. It’s more of a visual art performance or dance with real people and it will make you cry. He puts real emotion into it.

Then Rave On…

Rave On. That is at the 50th Anniversary of Buddy Holly’s death. This man does a Buddy Holly show like nobody else you’ve ever seen in character the entire time. It’s old 50’s rock and roll fun music and he is amazing. He closes with one song that is not Buddy Holly’s, The Day the Music Died.

Will there be receptions for these artists?

Yes, certain donor levels will be invited. I love picking artists that want to come here and meet people and be social and friendly. I’m also working with Pine Crest so you can actually buy dinner and a ticket with the balance of your purchase being a donation to Tryon Fine Arts Center.

Next up is Tom Chapin?

A personal favorite. I’m a big Harry Chapin fan and Tom is his brother. He’s won several Grammy awards and his children’s items are very well known. His song This Pretty Planet was played on the space shuttle to wake up the astronauts. He will do a children’s performance, but also an evening performance of his music and Harry’s music. I’m excited about that because he doesn’t travel with a cellist anymore and while we were negotiating, I actually got to speak with him directly. He said, “Well, why do you want my music?” And I said, “Well, mainly I’m a big fan of your brother.” He said, “Oh.” I know. I told him, “I’ve played his musicals several times. I’ve played Legends (I’m a cellist), five times now.” The music for the cellist is amazing. So he said, “Well I’ll make a deal with you. Quit arguing with me about my price and you can play two or three of Harry’s songs with us on stage.” I stopped and said, “I have to get back to you,” I told him. At that point it became a personal choice. I asked Jimm Brink as well as members of the board, “What do you think of that?” They said, “Yeah, you should do that it would be great.” So I’m personally excited about the show, but he is amazing.

I think it’s very cool that the board supported you. I’m also impressed that you stopped the negotiations to discuss it with the board and get their feedback.

At that point I knew it was a personal choice and had to step back and say is Tom Chapin really going to fit the program. He has name recognition and he’s on NPR. He’s the kind of person that people know who he is and it’s the direction the board wanted me to go, but I also really wanted to do that. He travels with a drummer named Mike and the concert will be the day before and the day after their two birthdays and it’s also Jimm Brink’s birthday. So we’ll tie all the birthdays into the performance as well.

el gleno grande?

A kind of comedy, I went with him because it’s a horse community. He has travelled to a lot of different type of venues like Disney, but he’s not just for children, though he does a children’s show as well. He uses a lot of British humor. Man 1 Bank 0 last season was really smart humor. This is more of the British slapstick silliness.

I see he’s listed as performing at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Universal Studios, Pebble Beach Golf Resort, International comedy festivals, cruise ships…

It’s a little bit different. We’ve talked about moving his date from April 1 to the actual day of the Tryon April Fool’s Parade with the outhouse races. He would march in the parade and then do the show that evening.

You haven’t been here long, but you’ve already planned for events to happen that connect with other things happening in the community. That’s wonderful!

Everything should tie in, and we’re working to make sure with all of our events there is something going on with the shops downtown. Tryon House is going to carry our CDs. The Bookshelf is going to carry books and do story times based on the shows that are coming up for the children. The library will do the same thing. When the new website is up and running you’ll be able to download audio files and listen to samples of the music. You can listen to part of the stories online. There’s video of the different plays so you can really see what it is. We’re doing that for the affiliates as well.

Last, but not least, Susan Werner…

She is awesome. She’s like Bonnie Raitt. I mean she has this wonderful storytelling, cabaret style and her voice is just has this beautiful husky sound. She interacts well with her audience and it’s just like she’s sitting there singing for you. Her songs are very smart. She’s a mix of an incredibly talented musician with intelligent storytelling ability.

It seems that you’ve really found some performances that are very different from what is already happening at other venues around town.

I don’t want to compete with anybody here; I want to fill in the gaps.

Look for part two of the interview with Chris Farrell to find out about the Arts in Education series and more about how she is connecting the Tryon Fine Arts Center to the local community.