Spokane Songwriters

OK, just came from another evening of good solid and entertaining music.  Tonight Brad Sondahl, accompanied by Jonathan Hawkings did 3  sets of original music that was so well connected to his old timey style and voice that One could with eyes closed imagine another time, just a bit more innocent, yet still rowdy and undisciplined.  And then there was Stan Hall, a piece of good earth like the land he farms, bearing the weight of his OKIE family tradition and giving it with utmost grace and deep sensitivity in a thoroughly entertaining collection of songs that went from deeply poignant (the song of his childhood friend) to bitterly funny, (Leroy and Carl).  And Stan also talked a lot about the songs and stories... a great night.  So here's the rub.  Where are our songwriters who were so earnest about keeping the songwriters circle going when the Empyrean closed down?  Well they weren't at the Circle.  Hell, there weren't enough songwriters present to make even a half circle!  I have been to every one of these things so I guess I have a right to say something.  If you show up only when you play, and you think that's cool, then you deeply misunderstand the sense of solidarity and mutual support that the Songwriters' Association has sought to engender.   We advertise in the local media, the Folkore Society promotes the circle, KPBX promotes the Circle, KYRS, The Inlander, and every time you play you get this free publicity and your name out there as a SONGWRITER, which by my account is an honorable thing to be...   and we charge you no dues.  We don't draw your blood.  So why do you think it's OK to let your fellow songwriters, fellow workers in the strange and noble profession, get up there to an empty house, to pour out their deepest and most precious gifts...with hardly anyone to listen?    Last time it was Ray Melvin and Wes Walker to an empty house.  Ray, one of our best, a craftsman and an honorable man, and Wes, young, energetic, thoughtful, with his finger on the beat of the twenty somethings...and just three of us to listen for most of the evening.  You tell me why this is the case and why we should continue.

 

 

I agree completely with Bill K.

Both of us as co-founders of the Songwriters Circle have put a lot of time and energy into creating and maintaining it and I agree completely with his above comments.

Frank Delaney

HI, I was there and saw this last show, with Sondahl &  Hawkins, and Stan Hall. It takes courage to get out in front of others and sing your own songs. Something I am working on ...gathering courage.

I just found out about this Ionic place, ( I absloutly hate the word venue,,,,,gag,,,choke,,,gag,,,,,,,,as well as the word eclectic.......yikes......)

After clearing the bile from my mind and throat, I can continue... I enjoyed that evening very much. I will be back, this next weeks show date, March 8th, puts me in another county, alas, but I will be back as soon as possible. As I said I just found out about this, via a email sent to me through the INBA.

Perhaps a short blip in the INBA Blabber could be a good place to publically announce this happening. But if we get too many people, and some have to be turned away, the thing will fold.

Keep the circle going, I will be there someday singing too.

Happyflea.

 

I just found out about this. I am very excited to learn that there is a community of songwriters here. I moved up from Santa Cruz, CA about 4 years ago. I spend a lot of time touring but I plan to make it this Wednesday. Looking forward to meeting you all.