music

It's always easier, and more fun, to make music with friends.

Bill Blind (top photo, left), Paul Runfola and Deborah Sorensen have been friends for 25 years, played in each other's bands, helped with each other's music projects and worked and taught together at Roxy's Music in Batavia.

Two years ago, they decided it was time to form a band and record an album.

The result is Anadrome, both the band and the CD, a poppy, sometimes adventurous collection of original tunes written by the trio.

"I think we were going for something that was interesting but still could appeal to a general audience," Sorensen said.

Runfola agreed. He said that while solos and improvisation were part of the process, the album isn't just a collection of 15-minute jams. The music remains accessible.

"I never forget what it was that got me excited about music as a kid in the first place," Runfola said. "It really didn't have anything to do with advanced musical concepts. A good song is a good song."

Originally from Western New York, Runfolo began pursuing a career in music while on the West Coast in the 1990s. When he returned home, he joined the Celtic rock bank Kilbrannan and after winning some East Coast guitar competitions, Guitar Player Magazine added him to their "Hot Guitarist List."

Sorensen, who operates Wild West Studio in Le Roy, where the CD was recorded, has been a soloist, band member and band leader, playing piano and keyboards. Her recording projects, both as a musician and engineer and producer include film scores, jingles and songs. She's currently music director at City Church in Downtown Batavia.

Drummer Bill Blind has performed in Carnegie Hall, the Eastman Theater and at the Rochester International Jazz Festival, appearing with such acts as Mark Manetta, Chuck Mangione and the Rochester Philharmonic. Besides his work on the CD "Anadrome," Blind performs with Steve Green, Kinloch Nelson, The White Hots and Tina and the Two-Timers.

Blind is on staff at Roxy's and along with Sorensen, and Runfola teaches at the legendary local music store.

The group is just starting to promote its music -- available at Roxy's and Vintage and Vogue in Le Roy -- with a website, Facebook page and tapping into their network of musician friends.

The Digital Age makes it both easier and harder for new music to find an audience, Runfolo and Sorensen said.

"Via the Internet, you have more of a chance to get your material heard without living in a major metropolitan area," Runfolo said. "Before, if you weren't living in New York City, L.A. or Nashville, and you weren't able to attract a major record label, it was like, well, what are you going to do?"

But with new technology comes new competition, Sorensen said, to which Runfolo added, "Now, everybody’s got a recording studio in their basement and everybody wants to be a rock star, or whatever. Just about everybody can put out something that sounds professional because there’s a lot of technology out now that masks the fact that you really can’t do something."

Technology can also be frustrating, Sorensen said.

"We all know computers are great when they work perfectly, but that doesn’t happen all the time," Sorensen said.  "We were very, very lucky that we didn’t lose any takes (even when Sorensen's computer was destroyed by a lightning strike)."

Technology aside, coming together regularly during the 12-month songwriting and recording process was as much about a sense of family, Blind said, as it was the music.

"I've learned, it's more important who you're working with as opposed to what you're doing," Blind said. "There's lots of opportunities to work with this or that person, but you have to have that bond. We're friends, but we're like family. When we're recording, it's a social event. We get together and have fun. We eat and make some music. That's the big thing. It's just an enjoyable thing to do."

That friendship makes the creative process so much easier and more fulfilling, Sorensen said.

"There has to be trust, because music for us is very emotional and very personal," Sorensen said. "When you’re trying to be creative with it, you’re kind of putting your heart on your sleeve a little bit. It helps to really trust the people you’re working with. So you don’t feel stifled or like you can't contribute an idea."

Press release:

The Genesee Center for the Arts is delighted to be welcoming the First Family of Western New York's country music scene, the Ramblin' Lou Family Band. Special guest will be Canadian "Polka King" -- Walter Ostanek.

They will perform at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19 in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee Community College in Batavia. Those who love country-Western music should get their tickets soon since this one-show-only event will likely sell out!

Ramblin' Lou Family Band has delivered a lifetime of good country music, family fun and entertainment across Western New York and the nation to audiences of all ages. They have, in fact, become a mainstay at Erie County Fair playing for more the 45 consecutive years! They also draw loyal audiences to many other local events including Canal Fest, West Seneca Town Park, Cheektowaga Seniors, and countless festivals.

Self-taught Ramblin' Lou sings and plays guitar; his wife, Joanie, a trained and accomplished musician, sings and plays lead guitar, their son, Lou Jr., plays the drums, while daughter, Linda Lou, sings and plays the bass. Lynn Carol plays keyboards.

Together, their cheerful disposition and down-home friendliness can't be beat. Through their many years of performing, audiences have consistently remarked how joy and happiness radiate from this fun-lovin' family and their talented friends.

Ramblin' Lou (whose seldom-heard last name is Schriver), grew up in Tonawanda and fell in love with the beat and melody of country music when he was a boy. He and his granddad would travel around Pennsylvania on Saturday nights entertaining the locals at fire halls with square dances. At the age of 9, he got his first guitar. As a teenager he approached a local radio station about a live music show and his original 15-minute program eventually grew to three hours.

He now owns and operates WXRL-AM (1300) radio and tours national country music events. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. In addition, he and his wife are members of the "Walkway of Stars" in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Lou is also in Nashville's D.J. Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 seniors (55+), $5 for GCC staff and high school students and $3 for GCC students. Don't wait long, tickets are going fast!

For ticket information or reservations, contact the Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office at 345-6814, or by email at boxoffice@genesee.edu. The Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office accepts cash, checks and credit cards. For door-to-door directions, sent via email, visit www.genesee.edu.

Five-time Grammy winner Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives were in Le Roy on Friday night, playing before a capacity ground at Frost Ridge Campground. 

Prior to the show in the open-air theater, Stuart met with fans who had purchased priority VIP passes and signed autographs.

The Superlatives are Paul Martin on bass, Kenny Vaughn on guitar and Harry Stinson on drums.

Previously: Frost Ridge gaining ground as popular venue for country music stars

If you've never thought of Frost Ridge Campground in Le Roy as a great place to see live music, it might be time to change your perception.

Last summer, one of several live shows in the open-air music venue was Confederate Railroad.

On Sept. 23, country music superstar Marty Stuart -- a multi-talented, five-time Grammy Award winner -- and his Fabulous Superlatives will stop at Frost Ridge for a show that already has people from all over the Northeast requesting tickets.

"Each year we do this it just seems to get bigger and now we're really trying to grow it," said David Luetticke, who bought the campground in 2008 with his brother Greg.

Live music shows started with local bands a few years ago, which helped the brothers meet Brian Chase, who was able to bring in several regionally popular bands and he was also able to help them book W.C. Edgar, a former sideman for Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson.

The Edgar connection led to the hit-making country band Confederate Railroad getting booked at Frost Ridge last June.

The booking agent for Confederate Railroad also represents Marty Stuart, so when it turned out that Stuart would be passing through Western New York, the agent called David and Greg to check on the availability of a tour date.

After the show was booked, word spread fast among Stuart's fans. VIP seating was sold out before the tickets were even printed and there's only six premium seats left. The first ticket sold went to a fan from Germany.

The brothers -- fellow refugees from Southern California -- have been slowly making improvements to Frost Ridge, adding more recreation programs and reconfiguring the park. They're pretty proud of this music venue -- they call it "Jam at Frost Ridge" -- that's coming to fruition on their secluded and rustic property.

"It has amazing acoustics," Greg said. "Every sound engineer that comes through here says the acoustics are amazing. Anywhere you go on the hill, it doesn't lose the sound at all."

Aaron Tippin has already been booked for next June and the brothers' hope to add more big name acts to the lineup.

Opening for Stuart will be Bush Hogs and Closing Times. Gates will open at 3 p.m. and the music starts at 4:30. Frost Ridge is located at 8101 Conlon Road.

Ruby Shooz will play Frost Ridge on Sept. 17.

Tickets can be purchased online with no service charge at frostridge.com.

Following the Mud Races, I stopped by the Alabama Jam at the Alabama Tee Off on Route 77.

What I found was some good music from a Medina-based band, a great reception from lots of friendly people and great weather. Unfortunately, I couldn't hang out until the headliners. the Trolls, took the stage, but I had a good time while I was there.

More pictures after the jump:

Local band In Plain View opened for the Batavia Muckdogs at Dwyer Stadium tonight. 

The band played a set of songs starting a little more than 30 minutes before game time in the concourse of the stadium.  

For a video of the event produced by Geoff Redick for WBTA, click here.

The Batavia Music and Arts Advocacy Group (BMAA) held its premiere meeting Wednesday evening at the GoArt! building in Downtown Batavia. Cheri Kolb, seated, and Lauren Picarro-Hoerbelt formed this organization in response to the cuts that the Batavia City School District's arts and music programs have endured as a result of current economic woes. 

Kolb and Picarro-Hoerbelt both have children in the Batavia schools who are involved in music programs. They started this group out of: 1) concern for where they see the district going, and 2) a desire to maintain programs, teachers and the quality of arts/music activities for the kids.

Picarro-Hoerbelt said her hope is for this group to have a presence in both good times and bad.

"(We want) to help out in the bad times, and to remind everyone why these programs are important in the good times."

Kolb envisions BMAA as a "forum for parents (and others) to express their concerns and be a voice for their children."

Five parents were in attendance -- a scant turnout, but understandable, since it "fell in the middle of several vacations" (Kolb's words). A number of other people who were not able to attend the Wednesday meeting have expressed interest in joining.
 

The issue at hand

Over the past few years, art and music programs have taken some major hits, funding-wise. There has been particular concern about this at the elementary level, where art and music are not mandatory subjects.

For that reason, Kolb said, part of BMAA's mission is to "help create an understanding of how these subjects affect the ones that are mandated."

Part of the night's discussion centered around research showing that the more exposure kids get to these programs early on, the more they will contribute to brain development. Susan Dickenson, one of the parents at the meeting, noted that research has proven the beneficial effects of arts and music programs on reading, math and study skills.

Frank DeMare, another parent at the meeting, said part of the problem is that "it's all about test scores" in the education system right now.

"They want to get test scores up," he said, "and they think the way to solve the problem is to throw money at it. Well, if they're going to throw money at it, the place to throw it is music and the arts."

He noted that students from low income and minority populations are of special concern to the State Education Department in terms of test scores. Children from these populations could stand to gain a lot from the benefits of music programs, but don't have the money to purchase instruments. This is one area where additional funding resources could come in handy.

In spite of their zeal for the arts and music in the schools, Kolb and Picarro-Hoerbelt are not insensitive to taxpayers' concerns.

"People are worried about how their money is being spent," Kolb said. "But they need to know how (their decisions) affect the kids, who will be the next citizens of this community, and also to understand that trying to send a message by voting down budgets might not be the most productive message to this generation."

In the recent past, people have responded to this by arguing that it is the district employees who are "hurting the kids" by demanding unreasonable benefits, etc. Kolb addressed that concern.

"I think there was a time when New York State was in a period of prosperity," she said, "so they put into place a lot of benefits for teachers' unions. Now that the state is in greater economic need, they have had to accommodate the benefits that were in place before. But that's not the fault of the teachers."

She further noted that the teachers she knows "work an incredible amount of hours and contribute (a good amount of) their own money to purchase supplies they can't otherwise get because of budget cuts."

Teachers under pressure, students shortchanged

"The original spark (behind the idea of forming this group) stemmed from (the school board's discussions about) restructuring of the strings program," Kolb said. "That was our first public indicator that there was something going on, budget-wise, that could affect our kids."

Following this "original spark" was a major catalyst: A statement from one of the board members, quoted in The Daily News, about the need to look carefully at non-mandated programs in the wake of state budget cuts. At the elementary level, these include the arts and music.

"We knew they probably weren't going to be cut," Picarro-Hoerbelt said, "but they would be restructured to the point where the kids get less."

This "restructuring" has entailed staff cuts and increased workloads for remaining teachers. For example, the position of chorus instructor at Batavia High School has been eliminated, and the chorus teacher at Batavia Middle School must now pick up the slack by teaching grades six through 12.

Picarro-Hoerbelt's husband, Mark, who was also present at the meeting, has the exact same position (chorus teacher for grades six through 12) in Alexander, which is a smaller district with fewer students.

"I'm busy," he said. "I can't imagine what it's going to be like for him (the BMS chorus teacher)."

Meanwhile, recent retiree Cindy Baldwin's position as a districtwide strings instructor has also been eliminated. Students will now receive string lessons from staff at each of their respective elementary schools.

So at John Kennedy Elementary, for example, the music teacher is going to have to take on 55 string lessons per week. Keep in mind that this is in addition to his role as director of the school's vocal music programs and his regular classroom responsibilities.

Baldwin was also the music department chair for the district; that role will now be assumed by Jane Haggett. Haggett was hired as the high school band director several years ago and, since the band director position at Batavia Middle School was cut, has had to add grades seven and eight to her list as well.

DeMare expressed worry about the prospect of Haggett becoming department chair -- not because he doubts her capabilities, but because she is already overburdened with current responsibilities.

Fewer teachers available and more work for the teachers who remain in the district mean less time and energy to dedicate to the students.

"We're worried about our kids falling through the cracks," Picarro-Hoerbelt said.

Additionally, DeMare noted that the restructuring of programs leads to larger groups of students.

"Some kids get lost in big groups," he said. "They lose interest."

What about the cost?

Right now, the immediate goal of BMAA is to make sure nothing else gets cut. It's about maintaining programs rather than adding to them.

Kolb and Picarro-Hoerbelt stressed that parents and community members are going to have to assume responsibility and find creative ways to keep these programs going.

"There's a tendency to blame the state when things are so dire," Kolb said. "I think we're at a point where the state can't do any more. The districts have to take the initiative."

Dickenson presented the Royalton-Hartland School District in Niagara County (where she used to live) as proof that this can be done.

Royalton-Hartland has received media recognition for its sports programs in addition to having thriving arts/music programs.

"There's something for every student," Dickenson said. "(Royalton-Hartland) is a small district, just like we are. But they really make use of the resources they have available."

When she moved to Batavia, she found that there was "such a different mentality."

"There's almost an attitude in the community that, 'Oh, they're doing the best they can, so we'll leave it in their hands,'" Picarro-Hoerbelt said, "until things get really dire like this. Everyone has to step up."

Game plan

BMAA welcomes all community members with a passion for arts and a desire to see keep them kept alive and well in the schools. The only people who would not be accepted into the group are those who are currently teaching art and music in the Batavia schools, as this would create a conflict of interest.

People with various talents and skills are invited to join and to help out in whatever way they would like.

One way to help BMAA is to do research on various topics, such as:

• what music/arts programs are in school districts comparable in size to Batavia and how they are maintained;
• data and charts demonstrating the importance of music and the arts in relation to core subject areas and brain development;
• rules of conduct at school board meetings;
• and even something as simple as finding out which locations the school board will use for upcoming meetings and letting everybody else in the group know.

If you have a gift for public speaking, there is also room for people who would like to speak at board meetings or other events.

And that's another thing: BMAA is designed to foster a positive relationship with the school board, as opposed to the community vs. board mentality a lot of people seem to have.

"We are being reassured that they are looking at everything," Kolb said.

In other words, the board is examining options for making necessary cuts more equitable, keeping in mind that the arts and music have suffered disproportionately for a few years.

Other ideas

Another one of the key ideas presented at Wednesday's meeting was that of giving school arts and music programs more visibility in the wider community. Someone raised the question of how, for example, student art shows could be opened up so that it's not just the students and their parents who come, but also school board members, legislators, etc.

DeMare said that in many of the wealthier school districts, local businesses support arts and music programs. Batavia businesses already sponsor sports programs, and everyone agreed that this could be extended to the arts and music as well.

One of the most fundamental questions raised was this: "How can we get people out there to vote?"

A very small percentage of those eligible to vote in school board elections and budget votes actually vote. Picarro-Hoerbelt and Kolb feel it is important to encourage everyone to recognize their role in the lives of our community's children.

"Even if you no longer have a child in the district," Picarro-Hoerbelt said, "please come out and support the programs that meant a lot to your kids 20 years ago."

BMAA is drawing on information from the NAMM Foundation on how to effectively implement grassroots organizations in support of music in the schools. For more information, go to www.nammfoundation.org.

For more information on BMAA or to get involved, e-mail artsadvocacy14020@yahoo.com. The group's next meeting will be held at the GoArt! building, on the corner of Main and Bank streets, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Get ready to rock and roll at Dwyer Stadium Friday night with Batavia's own "In Plain View."

Pictured above in the band's poster are lead guitarist Joe Lambert (top left), drummer Mark Assenato (top right), bass player Mike Burns (bottom left) and singer Pete Cecere.

"In Plain View" has roots in the players' high school days, but officially got its name last year -- during 4th of July weekend, to be exact.

Burns, a graduate of Batavia High School, said his class celebrated its 26-year reunion -- that's right, 26-year reunion -- at that time, and the band got back together to play for the occasion. They were asked to play again the following night at a private party, which was held at Haul 4 Less.

"(And we thought,) 'Here's four guys who haven't played in 26 years,'" Cecere said, "'and what people see is what they get, in plain view.'"

Included in the group's repertoire are rock songs from almost every era, from the '60s to the present. They play songs that multiple generations will know and appreciate, as evidenced by the fact that Cecere has received positive comments from his daugthers and from some of his aunts and uncles.

"(We'll play) anything from The Kinks to Jimmy Eat World," he said. "We like to pick songs that are interesting and out of the ordinary, but still popular."

"Our goal is not to be the typical bar band," Burns said.

Dedication is a key ingredient in the work that "In Plain View" does. Lambert, who lives in New York City, flies into Batavia for every gig, which is followed by a good five, six or seven hours of rehearsal.

Cecere and Burns, for their parts, have been able to manage this while working full-time jobs. Cecere works in sales at Diamond Packaging. Burns is a manager of client services at the Rochester Institute of Technology -- and coaches a girls soccer team through a season of near total victory.

When asked how they found the time for rehearsals, Cecere replied: "Very carefully."

If you're going to be part of this band, he added, "You've got to do your homework."

"In Plain View's" pre-game concert will start at 5:30 p.m. and last about 45 minutes.

Anyone who purchases tickets to the Muckdogs game will get to see Friday's show at no extra cost.

The band's expenses are being covered by the Juliano Allstate Agency, but they themselves are not getting paid for the concert. As huge Muckdogs fans, all four members are more than happy to donate their time.

"We are extremely blessed to have the Muckdogs," Cecere said. "It's cheap (price-wise) family fun."

"We went by (Dwyer Stadium)," Burns said, "and Joe said, 'This is where we've got to play.'"

For more information on "In Plain View" and their upcoming concerts, visit www.inplainviewband.com.

Bottom two photos taken by Stephen Ognibene.

It wasn't the Beatles, but an area band known as Monkey in a Bottle, put on a good grove atop the roof of Glass Roots on Friday evening.

The band started playing shortly after the end of the Jackson Square concert, with Glass Roots providing some refreshments to guests and a parking lot cleared of cars, giving plenty of room to enjoy the music.

After an evening at the Genesee County Fair -- yes, I finally made it, in the last hours of the last day -- I stopped by Center Street Smokehouse for some ribs and a drink. A band called The Feast was rocking the house, so I had to take a picture.

It turns out there are two sets of Ghost Riders in town, and both will play at Jackson Square tomorrow night.

Batavia resident Dough Mellenthine, one of the directors of the "other" Ghost Riders, describes it as a miniature drum and bugle corps and a "brass choir." They play everything from patriotic tunes to chorales to "fun-filled, good time music" (as worded in a press release).

Formed in 1996 to compete in the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) "World Championship," which is held every year at various locations throughout the country, the Ghost Riders have distinguished themselves numerous times. They have appeared in championships for 15 consecutive years, won the New York State American Legion Crown, and, last year, won the Silver Medal and position of first runner-up at the DCA World Championship with a score of 98.0.

Mellenthine co-directs Ghost Riders along with Rod Keppel. Music is arranged by "World Drum Corps Hall of Fame" and "Buglers Hall of Fame" member Donny Allen. Group members are professional musicians whose experiences range from education to judging music competitions.

"This is not beer tent stuff," Mellenthine said. "I believe we're Batavia's best-kept secret."

Ghost Riders will perform from 8 until 8:30 p.m. at Jackson Square tomorrow night. Mellenthine said they've been practicing all year for this performance, so it ought to be good!

To learn more about Ghost Riders, visit their Facebook page.

Photo submitted by Doug Mellenthine.

Here's some pictures from the 2011 Batavia Ramble Music and Arts Fest held in downtown Batavia yesterday.

More pictures after the jump:

When Robin Cotler and the Images Evolution Dance team performed in the town of Ladek Zdroj, Poland, last year, they probably never expected to be invited back so soon.

Cotler -- the founder and director of Images Evolution and its housing studio, "Images in Dance" -- travelled with her students to the small mountain town last year as part of a cultural exchange program. She said they were recommended by a previous participant.

"Soul Force" is the name of the work they performed for the people of Ladek Zdroj. It was so well received that the group was invited to come back this year for a repeat performance and commissioned to perform another piece as well.

"As far as I know, we're the only company they've invited two years in a row," Cotler said, adding that performing groups are normally asked to come back every other year or so.

Dancers' ages range from 16 to 23. They are pictured above, along with Cotler (left). They are, from left, Joseph Cotler (back), Krista Montrone, Emily Drilling, Robert Tyler, Kristen Drilling, Laura Neth (back), Charity Newton (front), Noelle Cotler, Stephanie Denzler and Stephanie Breining.

Last night, on the eve of their departure for Poland, Images Evolution treated locals to "Soul Force" -- and to a premiere performance of "I Am," the new piece they are bringing to Poland -- at its Liberty Street site.

Cotler got the idea for "Soul Force" from research she had done on the founding of the United States. "Soul Force," according to Cotler, was the name some of the first Americans gave to the idea behind founding our country.

"The whole purpose of the U.S. being formed," Cotler said, was so that people could live together in peace, freedom, and respect. That's kind of gotten lost."

Images Evolution's performance is about these ideals and how things like greed, vanity and political manipulation have gotten in the way.

"I Am," on the other hand, has more personal themes.

"It's almost a sequel (to "Soul Force")," Cotler said. "It's about finding yourself, and finding love for yourself. Once you love yourself, then you are able to love others."

Here is a selection from "Soul Force."

And here is a selection from "I Am."

Cotler sees dance as an art that helps to "open people up and break down defenses." She is very happy to bring that art to Ladek Zdroj, a community she called "the definition of underserved and underfunded."

In addition to bringing Image Evolution's performance to the people of Ladek Zdroj, Cotler will be helping to create a dance academy there.

"Last year we formed some real bonds," she said. "(The people of Ladek Zdroj) talked to me about having me help them pioneer a new program."

She hopes that by helping to get this new dance company off the ground, she will be providing the town with a resource for creative, artistic expression that would not otherwise be available.

"Images in Dance" offers dancing lessons to children, teens and adults, and has locations in Batavia, Akron, Perry and Brockport. For more information, visit their website (www.imagesindance.com), call 343-2818 or e-mail imagesindance@yahoo.com.

Kelly Kubala from Go Art! opened the 2011 Ramble Music and Arts Fest in Downtown Batavia shortly after 11 this morning.

The Ghost Riders followed and more musical acts will be performing throughout the day, plus there's food, crafts and arts.

Parking is available off School, Jackson and Center streets.

The event goes until 9 p.m.

UPDATE: Video shot by Steve Ognibene:

It's just about time once again for Batavia's premier music and arts festival -- Ramble.

This year's Ramble is from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. next Saturday, July 2.

More than 30 music acts will perform on two stages (Jackson Square and T.F. Brown's), plus there will be the arts, crafts and fun for the kids.

Admission is free to this family friendly event.

Pictured above are local musicians Bill Pitcher, Kay McMahon, Jim Catino, Brian Garz, Charlie DelPlato, Bill McDonald and Tim Pitcher.