Thursday, July 26, 2012

Chicago Music Exchange Video

Alabama Music Office.com goes to Chicago Music Exchange at 3316 North Lincoln Ave. This is a huge place with a huge inventory. Chicago Music Exchange gives new meaning to the term 'selection.' Killer place for vintage gear. A young man made the comment while I was there; "This must be what heaven is like for a guitarists."

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Highlights of Cuban Music at the Moody Building


Alabama Music Office.com goes to enjoy Cuban Music at the Moody Building on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I am releasing this video because of a request by an alumni that graduated in 2009. This performance was in 2009 and I will supply more information as  I get it. I lost my notes. I had to dig to find this video for her.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Chicago and thoughts percussive. by Jerry W. Henry


While in Chicago, I had the opportunity to enjoy a live performance by Paris la Nuit, a French/American Jazz band at Katerina’s on West Irving Park. This French gypsy music was performed to perfection that put smiles on the faces of the sold-out crowd. Katerina’s is not a big place and our table was almost in the drummer’s lap.

As I watched that wonderful performance I thought of how percussion is achieved in most jazz bands. Percussion can be as simple as two pieces of flat metal being struck to form a bell like sound in India to our more popular percussion instruments that include the drum, piano and xylophone.

In my opinion percussion adds variety and a rural charm to music.  Percussionists may also be called upon to play other instruments that may not be percussive in nature. They play such an assortment of instruments generating so many different types of melodies. It could be argued that they are usually the most skilled in the music industry.

To my way of thinking, percussive instruments are the heart of a musical performance. Instruments such as the xylophones are a pleasure to listen to.  Xylophones sound like tinkling fountains in beautiful gardens. Which brings out the romantic side in us.

With jazz, the high hats and the ride cymbals are easily associated in our minds. No rock band today is complete without a drum kit and several other percussive instruments. Pink Floyd is a perfect example of the use of percussive instruments in rock music. Even armies march to the sound of drum.

The piano is a percussive instrument as well, with its long history of varied artists. Through their diversity, percussion instruments are the backbone of every musical ensemble. I am always amazed at the players that are brilliant and multi faceted people who can take up and play different instruments at will.  As with Paris la Nuit, an ensemble with full percussion is a pleasure to watch and a pleasure to hear. They are the finishing touch on a great sound.

I would bet that you have never heard music without some sort of percussion accompaniment.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Elaine Petty's Florabama song at Yellowhammer Inn


Alabama Music Office.com goes to see singers/songwriters Rhonda Hart and Elaine Petty entertain on the back deck of the Yellowhammer Inn in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This video features Elaine's "Wild Life" a song about the Florabama, a very popular beach bar and live music venue on the Alabama/Florida state line near Orange Beach, Alabama.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Cheap soundstage for music videos.

This is the stage Tom's Sound set up in the back of their building which is perfect for music video shoots. Tom's Sound 205-595-4530  sales@tomssound.com

Steff Mahan and Cheley Tackett at Beanstalk Music's Singer Songwriter Series


Alabama Music Office.com goes to see Steff Mahan and Cheley Tackett at Beanstalk Music's Singer Songwriter Series on a very hot day in June. So hot that a brown out occurred, but Steff and Cheley continued in the dark. The brown out lasted about 45 minutes. This event happened at Inner Change Church in the Bucksville/McCalla area of Alabama which has great facilities for such events. Thank you Beanstalk Music for bringing such learned songwriters to further Alabama music.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012


Alabama Music Office.com goes to Yellowhammer Inn in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to see singer/songwriters Rhonda Hart and Loraine Petty perform on the back deck. Rhonda has been nominated for 2 Grammys and wrote "Did I Shave My Legs For This" which was performed by Deanna Carter. Both gig at the Florabama and Elaine wrote a song about Florabama titled "Wild Life" which anyone that has ever been to Florabama will love this song. We will release Elaine singing "Wild Life" later this week.