About ten years ago, a friend of mine by the name of Frankie "Fingerz" Stradley gave me the following advice,
"Dawg, go to as many shows as you can, especially while you are young. Don't worry about the cost or the distance, just go! Next thing you know you've got houses, kids, pets, and obligations and you won't be able to make it out as much. Go to as many as you possibly can!"
Fingerz was right. Granted, when he was growing up, and even up until the end of the 80's, music didn't have to compete with Dominos Pizza, video rentals, cheap satellite and cable (yes kiddos, it was once considered a big deal if you had more than four channels), and cuddling up with the internet or Nintendo Wii at night. Local music was the thing to do. How do you think a town like Hagerstown produced a band like Kixx or Harrisburg a band like Poison? Well, I can't give the towns the credit, the bands were obviously somethng special, but to come out of those rust belt towns there would of had to have been a strong local music crowd that helped get them on the map.
All to often I hear people brush off the opportunity to go out, opting intstead to sit home. To each their own, but if you love music, take Mr. Fingerz's advice and get out there! You never know what you might find. The best bands I've heard were the ones I never intended to go see, but I showed up where they were playing and had my socks knocked off. While there is nothing wrong with sitting at home, how often do I have to hear people complain that there is "nothing to do" when I know for a fact there are four good shows within 25 miles (less than an average commute) of their house?
"but I have no one to go with Hank?"
Well who cares? Go by yourself! Its easier that way because you can stay as long as you want or leave earlier than planned if the band you took a chance on is Stinkasaurus Sucks.
A late great friend of mine, Larry Dean Stout, was the epitome of what I am talking about. The guy loved music. He traveled all over to check out bands, some he knew, others he just went to see on a whim. Him and I once went to three shows in one night in Baltimore. We caught Angry Johnny at The Pie Shop, we went to see JB Beverley at The Full Moon, and then we darted off to Fraziers for something I can't remember because....ummm....it was late, yeah, the point is, we did it.
When we tragically lost Larry, JB Beverley penned, "Going to The Show" in his honor. Go listen to that song, it sums up what I am saying,
No pressure, but don't miss the chance to explore your big backyard and beyond when it comes to music. You will thank me someday like I am thanking Mr. Fingerz today.
From the Honky Tonk Shadows,
Hankdawg