Eye of the Storm

Just wanted to give a quick “On My Mind” update while I’m amidst the eye of the storm.

Yes less than 48 hours the 2007 Central PA Music Awards Ceremony will begin. At this point, I can’t wait for this to be started and over. Very few of you reading this have ever put on a show, yet alone a show with 7 full bands playing and 13 awards to be handed out all in a 5 hour period and a door list of over 100 people. This show is so tight everything is broken down to the minute. Hopefully like last year, we’ll have very few problems and finish on time.

I guess the biggest pressure is putting on a flawless event. For the last few years people have been waiting for me to fuck up so they can boast, to those that will listen, about my fuck up. Perhaps it’s just their way of thinking the end is near for me. Well I got news for you. I’m sure there will be a few problems. With so much happening at one time, something will pop up. However, unlike others, I will have it corrected. Since this year will be a bigger event, I’ve brought in the help of people I’ve known for years and can trust to do a great job helping with the show. Brian Keys, Gretchen Brummel, Photo Guy, Ralph Kohr, Mariano (doorman from Hell) and my adopted little sister Summer. Together we will put on an event not ever seen in Central PA.

I’ve boasted for weeks this will be Central PA’s largest gathering of musicians, fans and industry peeps under one roof. To date over 30 bands have emailed they will be coming to the show. Metal bands, jam bands, rock bands, punk bands and every other genre will once again be mixed together as one. Close to 200 advance tickets have been sold. The Patriot News, Origivation, The Fly, Shinbone and PA Musician will also be at the event. Add in all the promoters and booking agents plus 105.7 and 97.3 from radio and yes you will see this will be a huge event!!!

I started the awards last year as a formal recognition of the local talent we are blessed with here in Central PA. However after last years Awards Ceremony at ABC, I sorta stumbled onto something else. Never in my 8+ years of being involved in the local music scene have I ever seen such a positive force between all that attended, as I witnessed observing the crowd between my duties of putting on that show. Despite all the bitching, back stabbing and whining that occurs on our Message Board, seemingly every week, the Awards Ceremony of 2006 had an unusual vibe of utopia. From what I’m seeing so far the 2007 Music Awards Ceremony on Nov. 15th will be no different.

Perhaps what’s strange this year is all the emails I’ve received stating the $5.00 advance ticket fee is way to low for this type of event. Even the $10.00 day of show is a bargain. Perhaps I should explain, I’m not doing this for the money. My first goal is to make sure Dragonfly makes money, second goal is to make sure the bands playing, sponsors and fans get their benefit from the show. Finally at the end of the night, I just cross my fingers that all the bills can be paid. Yes call me a balding freak, but that’s how I roll and perhaps that’s what does separate me from the pack. My reward/payout is seeing everyone else having a great time at something I’ve worked day and night to put together.

So I ask you to join us Thursday Night at Dragonfly as we celebrate the 2007 Central PA Music Awards. I promise you, you’ll have a great time! In fact if you don’t, hit me up at the show, why you didn’t, and I’ll refund your ticket cost.

Advance tickets can still be purchased online for ONLY $5.00 or go to Dragonfly or Smalls on 2nd Street before Thursday to purchase. Day of show ticket price will be $10.00.

Here are some of the 2007 Central PA Awards Ceremony highlights:

8:00pm doors open
8:30pm Show starts, 1st awards handed out
8-9pm Happy Hour featuring Bud Light
8-10pm Castle of Dracula wine debuts in Central PA with FREE samples and other goodies.
10:45 Big Bob Music Achievement Award

Ray from Holis will be the event MC

Awards to be handed out by local celebrities.

Bands scheduled to play: Serving the Industry, Herbie, Deja Vudoo, Until We Rise, The Lookies, Martini Bros. and the debut show of Mega Machine to round out the night.

Special thanks to our show sponsors Bud Light, Castle of Dracula, Seventh Wave Studio, Origivation Magazine, 717 Tattoo, Axis Custom Apparel, Atomic Warehouse, Boulevard Pizza, Electric Records, Help You Sell Stuff.com, Wraven Design, Affordable Sound Co. and MMC12.

So join me and a few 100 peeps, as we celebrate the achievements of Central PA’s music scene, Nov. 15th at Dragonfly Nightclub!

I’m trying my best to have time available to chat with each and every one of you at the show. If it doesn’t work out, I apologize in advance!!! But I do have a show/event to run!!!

See ya’ll Thursday Night at Dragonfly!!! We will rock the burg one last time in 2007!!!

Lator Gators - BigJim