Planetary Gig Talk

Willie Leebel is the current president of "Archie's Barbershop," where there are acoustic blues jams every Saturday afternoon, as well as workshops and performances throughout the year. The Barbershop is open to all levels of players and listeners and is the hub of a wonderful music community. Learning how to jam is crucial, and Willie says, "You have to leave room for other musicians; that's jam...

Marianna Previti knew at a very early age that she wanted to be a singer. There was a lot of music in her family and she has played countless gigs throughout her career. Her master's thesis was on what it means to listen; she says listening is a big part of music, and that "a real listener becomes the best musician." As a teacher, she says children need to have less structure and more silence; "wi...

James Boberg started playing horns in 5th grade, but since junior year of high school has mainly played bass and guitar. He says he always needed to play music, "it's like food for the soul." It's such a part of his life, he doesn't understand why everyone doesn't play. "Music is a language that conveys emotion like nothing else. All of our existence is some form of wave energy that is manifested...

Patty Raine has seen colors in people since she was a child. She learned that she has synesthesia, and sees the energetic fields of people in tonal values, i.e., colors and music. She says music is "implicitly transformative;" it is a vibrational quality that creates form. Similar to principles of quantum physics, she says that listening, singing, playing, and appreciating music are all involved i...

The first song that Adalia Tara remembers hearing was John Lennon's Imagine when she was four. She has always been drawn to meaningful music since dancing with her family as a young child. Songwriting is the reason she does music, because of the powerful message music can bring. "Music has a magical quality to bring people together," she says, and that performing music is "total exchange, where we...

Jeffree Heaton was adopted, grew up in a commune, and busked the streets of Baltimore, Washington, Seattle, and Portland before moving to Alaska and starting his band, Loose Gravel. He says music is an "infinite thing," and he learns from it every day. "Music saved my life," he says. "Writing music is a way to channel the spirit, speak my mind, and pray. Music can help soothe the hatred that's bei...

Jane Callen has worked in relief situations around the world, as an EMT, and in hospice; she found out about a wooden stringed instrument used in India called the Body Tambura, which is played directly on the body to relieve pain and stress. She uses it to help bring peace and healing at the end of life.

Mike Lessin taught himself guitar at about age 12. He says music is a place to escape stress and worries of the day, and he always tries to find that place where the music just flows through you. A common thread of music is "happiness and healing."  "Music is not valued as much as it should be; somebody has to provide music."  Of his daughter Charlotte he says, "It would be a great loss to herself...

Nina Casey had music in her house growing up and always loved singing; then she found the blues and it changed her life.  Transformative moments included hearing Joe Filisko perform a train song on the harmonica, and Phil Wiggins sing "Roberta." Her purpose in singing is connecting with people. "I have to sing because I feel so much."  She believes we can change the world even through small things...

Andra Faye performed with Saffire, the Uppity Blues Women, for 18 years; they were modern trailblazers of women playing the blues.  Andra played music her whole life, and has made great friends through music; she says that music is the universal language, a common bond for us all that reaches across walls. She wants to knock down borders with music.

Scott Ballantine talks about how music gave him a sense of who he was and represents the proudest achievement of his life.  Playing music is "the hardest thing I do" and is truly a matter of "time spent."  He says connecting through music is intoxicating and can change lives.

Sharon Kneebone has been singing all her life, and says music is always in her life; music reduces stress, alters mindset, helps one concentrate, allows one to be relaxed, and helps ground her as an association executive. She thinks that associations could benefit from incorporating more music.

Erasmus Caffery is the Fongmaster, who talks about fonging being an ancient art that brings the healing sounds of the universe to humans, sorta like music; it's a little crazy, but ultimately true.

Maurice "Moe" Jackson sees the powerful effects of music on people all the time when he is DJ'ing for weddings, parties, and social events. A DJ has to have lots of music and read the crowd to have the best effect.  It's not easy to learn to DJ, and Moe says there are many great and helpful communities of DJs. Moe says, "Everyone needs music in their life to be happy."

Rev. Kim Capps talks about being drawn to writing songs her whole life, as well as being drawn to ministry.  She "came out" as a blues musician during a sermon, and discusses the feelings and emotions behind her new CD, Together, We Rise.  She says, "making music is a community builder."

Tara Gorman talks about how she found Up With People, how her time with the cast singing and dancing for peace around the world was transformative, and how she maintains deep friendships from UWP. She also talks about Music Nights at her home, where everyone is invited and folks play music in every room, and how she believes the 22,000+ Up With People alumni still have that music spark and, even t...

Erik Schonher is a bass player, who spent years as a music therapist, helping many disabled or autistic patients with music. He talks with us about these things and describes how a recent music session at the ASAE meeting was so inspiring.

Mary Flower grew up in a musical family and was smitten by the guitar. She says music is essential for us, and "can take you away and that's the magic." Mary also says grassroots music and house concerts are the future.

Frank Fotusky from Maine is an exceptional guitar player, who grew up around his grandmother's piano.  Frank says, "Music is a great conduit to the heart," and that "Music breaks down barriers."  Frank believes people come together deeply when food and music are together.

Grant Dermody from Seattle is an amazing harmonica player, as well as Buddhist and Shaman, and he talks about how one note can change your life, how Shamanism is essentially about music and playing music is for all of us, and how music can cut through the forces that try to divide us.

Barry Warsaw talks about Victor Wooten's book, The Music Lesson , the elements of tai chi, principles of quantum physics, and how they interrelate.

Alison Chase Radcliffe is a fabulous singer, musician, and artist; she talks about the artistic process, why house concerts are her favorite venue, and says more art and music would be better for everyone in society and that musicians should be paid more.

Michael Roudebush of Up With People, traveling around the world with the cast bringing peace through music. Michael says "life without music is a mistake," and that "music is a key to building bridges" among people.

Allen Holmes, fabulous harmonica player and teacher, talks about how the lessons of music and life are intertwined.

With Steve Little, who plays guitar professionally at retirement communities, discusses playing music for older people and a bit about his show, "Dementia Melodies."