Lineup Features Musical Diversity

August 10, 2008

By JOSEPH SITARZ
Index-Journal Features/Accent Editor

Greenwood, SC - The second group of concerts in the Music on Maxwell series is bringing new acts to Greenwood and exposing the community to a rather enjoyable way to listen to music that showcases a songwriter's words and lyrics.

The formula, which resulted in a listening room atmosphere, worked well for the first Music on Maxwell concerts so series organizers Nick Hyduke and Jon Holloway didn't see any reason to change the second time around.

The second series of concerts for Music on Maxwell has three shows, an opener in September, one in October, and a closer in February. 

All shows are in the second floor gallery of Holloway's Sundance Gallery and Studio on Maxwell Avenue in Uptown Greenwood. 

The first show is Ari Hest and k.s. Rhoads on Sept. 20.  The second show is Oct. 11 with Little County Giants headlining and Stephen Simmons opening.  After a break in November, December, and January, the series closes Feb. 7 with The Gougers and opening act Mack Starks, who is Mack Linebaugh.    "We've got up-and-comers as opposed to established artists," Hyduke said.  "We tried to have a balanced lineup.  We don't want to do all the same stuff.  I don't want to hear the same stuff."   The first series featured Haley Shaw with The Everybody Fields, The Bittersweets with Romantica, and William F. Gibbes with Jessie Harris.    Added concerts included Sarah Lee Guthrie with Johnny Irion with Hannah Miller and Mac Arnold.  Arnold's performance was part of the South Carolina Festival of Discovery's Blues Cruise.   "We're trying to mix it up and get different acts," Hyduke said. "We want people to come out. We want to win some new customers and build support for the series."   Hest's latest release is "The Break In" and builds on his 2004 major label CD, "Something to Tell."  Brooklyn-based performer ambitiously launched "52," a project that has him releasing 52 songs in 52 weeks in 2008.  He's releasing a new audio and video every Monday.  Fan votes will be compiled and the top 12 will be released on a CD in 2009.   "He's got a ton of stuff out there right now," Hyduke said.  "If you like Jesse Harris, you'll like Ari Hest."   Rhoads hails from Nashville and is among the artists from Music City not classified as country.  The urban rocker is known for his freestyle rap, too.  His latest CD is "Dead Language."   "There's other music coming out of Nashville," Hyduke said.  "There's a pop community."   Rhoads also performs as a member of Ten from Tenn, a group of 10 artists who perform more mainstream music.   Little Country Giants, Hyduke said, compare to The Everybody Fields.   "They're much closer to traditional country music," Hyduke said.  "This is the most country show we've done."   Little Country Giants is Russell Dallas Cook on guitar, mandolin and vocals, and Cameron Federal Cook on upright bass and vocals.  The group, which started in Athens, Ga. in 1998, has settled in Rome, Ga., following stops in Atlanta and California.  Their latest CD is "Sing Pretty for the People."   Simmons opens for Little Country Giants, and he too is country.

Sept 20 - Ari Hest Sept 20 - k.s. Rhoads Oct 11 - Little Country Giants Oct 11 - Stephen Simmons Feb 7 - The Gougers Feb 7 - Mack Starks

"He falls more on the side of new country than traditional country," Hyduke said, adding Simmons has a song on the new Emmylou Harris CD.

Simmons' latest release is "Something in Between," which was produced by former Farmer Not So John member Richard McLaurin.

The Gougers, unlike the other performers, are a full band.

"The Gougers are a little more rocking than any of the other things we've had," Hyduke said.

The Gougers were selected in an unusual manner.  Hyduke had been working with a talent agency representing a Christian performer.  With things not looking good for the Christian act, Lori Holloway, Jon's wife, told her husband about hearing the band.  Holloway told Hyduke and requested The Gougers.

The agency Hyduke was working with to book the Christian act represented The Gougers, too.  It's didn't take long to book The Gougers.   "Everything came together pretty nicely," Hyduke said.   The Gougers are Shane Walker on guitar, harmonica and vocals; Jamie Wilson on acoustic guitar and vocals; Cody Foote on electric guitar and upright bass; and John Ross Silva on drums and percussion.

Greenwood music fans are familiar with Matt Starks, but might not know it.  During the years of the 96 Concert Series at the Depot in Ninety Six in the 1990s, Stark was a member of Farmer not so John with McLaurin.

"I'm anxious to see Mack Starks again," said Hyduke, who helped direct the concerts iin Ninety Six.  "Mack went solo after they split.  I'm sure many people remember that group.  They're remembered as the Pink Floyd of alternative country."

As expected, the concert series was a learning experience for everyone, but the end result was very positive.

"I'm very pleased where we are," Hyduke said.  "It's a great chance to see everybody who will make an impact on the music industry.  We're where we want to be in terms of attracting talent.  We're comfortable with our audience, but we can't get too comfortable."

The audiences are a good mix of music lovers.  The concert series has attracted a local following and is drawing from out of the area.

"Our core audience, they're up-to-date enough to know the names," Hyduke said.  "They're familiar with the artist.  They're familiar enough to know it's going to be good.  I think everybody's gotten their money's worth in all the shows," Hyduke said.

Because of the technological explosion in recent years, people are exposed to more diverse musical styles.

"Satellite radio has helped the artists," Hyduke said, adding music download and artist Web sites are filled with information and music.  "Lots of artists have found a home on eMusic.  People are listening to samples.  It's a good way to do homework.  I think you enjoy the show more when you're familiar with half a dozen songs or more."

Music on Maxwell's listening room concept is catching on, but again, for some, it's a learning experience.  Listening rooms offer a chance to hear the words and music of the artists and watch the musicians play their instruments in an up close, intimate setting.  There's no chatter among members of the audience either.

"I think this is what most people want.  It's something we have to keep working on.  The listening room is what it needs to be," Hyduke said, adding the area at the back of the gallery and the patio area downstairs.  "The space outside is for conversation.  It's the best of both worlds."

All shows start at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $20 per show.  Tickets are available at Fretworks.  Call 227-3738 for information.  Table packages and series passes are available.  Call Holloway at 227-1188 for information.  Visit www.myspace.com/musiconmaxwell for more information.

Music on Maxwell Sundance Studio - Photo Courtesy of jon o. holloway