After a rather extended hiatus, it is my pleasure to return to 406 Woman with my musings regarding the world of music. I had the great pleasure to experience a pretty unique and extraordinary event this past summer at the Park City Song Summit---a relatively new event on the musical circuit. My wife, Kristen, had accepted a position for the event a few months earlier coordinating housing and transportation for the numerous artists performing and giving talks at the event. I was “convinced” to accompany her and work there as a volunteer, but the real incentive for me was a scheduled performance by Bobby Weir of Grateful Dead fame. As a longtime “Deadhead,” I was excited to see him perform in a smaller, more intimate setting. Beyond that, and after visiting their website, I was not really sure what to make of this event as the organizers’ approach was a bit different than that of other festivals I had attended and compounded by the fact that I simply did not know who many of the participating artists were. As we hit the road for Utah driving from the Flathead Valley, I openly wondered how I would spend all my time, over the better part of week, wandering around the Song Summit grounds. I was soon to be pleasantly surprised… So what exactly was it that made this event in Park City so refreshing in its’ general approach to putting on a musical event/concert? The event’s “mission statement” provides strong clues. “The Park City Song Summit is a multi-day MUSIC and WELLNESS event featuring intimate conversations and musical performances. It was started out of a passion for music and a mission to bring clarity and normalcy to the struggles that musicians, artists and music lovers alike face around mental health and dependency. It was built as an immersive hangout in the beautiful mountains of Park City, Utah and offers audiences a chance to explore and celbrate the myth, inspiration, passion, and history of song with a group of musicians, creatives, songwriters, and industry pioneers. We celebrate the healing power of music!” My experience at this event met this criteria and beyond. It was such a positive event and often, a moving and spiritual one. I spent my days as a volunteer working various event programs, directing and providing information to attendees and artists, troubleshooting a few things, and just helping out wherever necessary. Daytime events took place in large outdoor tents, hotel ballrooms, and on small outdoor stages. Evening performances were held at a large open-air amphitheater, accessible on foot or by a ski gondola, and in downtown Park City at a couple well known venues. The event’s organizers were going for a quality rather than quantity approach, and they succeeded. Rather than just “packing ‘em in,” it seemed to be about each attendee having a great experience. Sometimes less is more! Gatherings during the Summit ranged from a few dozen attendees at some event programs to a few thousand at evening performances. I was present for several “Summit Labs” hosted by such songwriting notables as JD Souther (who singlehandedly wrote a whole bunch of The Eagles “Greatest Hits”), the legendary folk artist Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, and rap icons Chuck D and Darryl “DMC” McDaniel, among others. Artists seemed to enjoy the laid-back nature of these labs. They dropped their guard a bit, shared background on their lives and music, performed tunes, and answered audience questions. As mentioned earlier, this event is also all about “wellness.” While alcohol was available at evening events, it was there, almost it seemed, as an afterthought. Unlike many music venues and concerts that I have attended over the years, alcohol consumption was neither encouraged or strongly marketed at the Park City Song Summit. Rather than a drunken party, it was a celebration of life and music. Daily wellness activities included yoga, stretching sessions, recovery hangs, biking and hiking, and these were available to all guests and artists. Additionally, many of the performers donated items, and an auction was held to benefit local music education. Most importantly of course, there were many great musical performances including many from artists that I just had not heard of before. Among the highlights were the following: Lukas Nelson (yes, Willie’s son!) just completely mesmerizing a room with only his songwriting talent and an acoustic guitar in hand; Celisse Henderson, whom I dubbed “the future of Rock n Roll,” wowing an audience with guitar work that reminds one of Hendrix and Clapton; and Eric Krasno and Anders Osborne, great guitarists and songwriters in their own right, leading an all star band which included Brad Walker & The Hornstars as well as members of the famed New Orleans Neville Brothers, in a last night finale that I will not soon forget. So sure, I got my eyes and ears opened to some new sounds. This “festival” made me hopeful. There is still some great music and talent out there. I am glad that I got reminded of that fact. And yes, that Bob Weir fellow that I mentioned earlier, I got to hear him too. Montana is offering some great music festivals too. A few that have been around for years and some that are newer. Personally, I think the Whitefish Songwriter Festival in September holds the most promise for an event that has the right idea of offering a quality, intimate experience for the visitor. I couldn’t make it this year but heard amazing feedback, and you can bet I’ll be there next year (September 12-14, 2024)! Visit whitefishsongwriterfestival.org. By the way, next year’s Park City Song Summit is scheduled to take place August 15-17, 2024. Info will be made available at parkcitysongsummit.com soon. Remembering Sirens of Song Jackie DeShannon By the 1960’s, the music industry, especially in the genres of rock, pop and jazz, had begun to mature and grow significantly enough to allow female singers and songwriters to be regarded for the great talents that they were, and to be, at least at times, considered on an equal footing with their male counterparts. No longer was it entirely necessary to be a “pretty face” although that probably didn’t hurt. Many of these female music pioneers have been forgotten-- or nearly so despite their accomplishments. “Jackie DeShannon” was born Sharon Lee Myers in Kentucky in 1944. As a child, she performed country music locally, and by her teens she knew that she would pursue a career in the music industry. She took her stage name and talents and began writing songs at a small record label, ultimately penning “Needles and Pins” in 1963 which became a huge hit for the UK group The Searchers. Jackie’s own recording career remained somewhat stalled until her breakthrough recording in 1965 of Burt Bacharach’s “What The World Needs Now (Is Love Sweet Love).” This song would become almost ubiquitous with the 60’s culture and can be heard in numerous film soundtracks since which depict the period. Her 1968 LP “Laurel Canyon” became one of the very first albums completely conceptualized, performed and produced by a woman on a major record label. Jackie scored again in 1969 when she penned and recorded “Put A Little Love in Your Heart”--- a song which again reflected the times and touched the hearts of many and with a message that continues to endure. Jackie would continue to write and record for many years to come. In 1982, she won a Song of the Year Grammy for “Bette Davis Eyes” which was an international hit for singer Kim Carnes. Today at 82, Jackie continues to thrive and occasionally perform. Originally published in 406 Woman magazine - Off Key Notes November/December 2023
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AuthorBob Hamilton is passionate about music, sports and living life to the fullest. ArchivesCategories |