Dave Wiley is in a rock ‘n’ roll band…Austin’s own Alpha Rev. However, the images that typically come to mind when you think of a member of a rock band don’t really apply in this case. First off, Dave is a classically trained cellist. He’s an all around musician, a recording engineer and producer. When he’s not on the road, Dave works in a local coffee shop…Thunderbird Coffee. He’s also somewhat shy, extremely kind, generous, and rather unassuming.
Who better, I thought, to introduce our Boys & Girls Club kids to some classical melodies than Dave Wiley? I presented the opportunity, and Dave enthusiastically agreed. While setting up at the clubhouse, Dave looked at me and said, “I’m so nervous.” He’s accustomed to playing on a big stage in front of hundreds, even thousands of people, but these 25-30 kids had his hands shaking. Once we got going, Dave’s nerves disappeared and his heart took over. He talked about his musical journey…about all the hard work he puts into his craft. He encouraged the kids to pursue their passion—their dreams—but he made it clear that achieving anything takes a lot of work, time and dedication.
It was time to play. The room was soon filled with the beautiful melodies of Johann Sebastian Bach emanating from Wiley’s cello. One student voiced his opinion as Dave began…”borrrrring…” The room giggled, but Dave pressed on. By the end, everyone was engaged. You see, music penetrates the deepest part of us, and when performed well, everyone recognizes its beauty. In the words of hip-hop artist Immanuel Jal, “music is the only thing that can enter your heart and your mind without your permission.”
Toward the end of our time at the club, Dave let the kids come up to ask questions, see his cello, and even attempt to play it. And who was the last kid there asking questions? Who could not seem to pull himself away from that “boring” instrument? Well, I think you know the answer.
Dave Wiley is in a rock ‘n’ roll band…but he’s no rockstar. He’s an artist who cares and I consider it an honor to be his friend.
until next time…
Lamar Stockton
MUSIC FOR THE CITY
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that most of you have never heard of Bryson Duhon. Bryson is and Austinite. He’s a UT grad student who will soon have a PhD in Pharmacology. Bryson wears a lab coat. But he also plays the drums!
That’s right, like many Austin artists, Bryson has a “real” job, but music is his passion. He grew up in New Orleans, the son of a bassist—his dad had him learn the drums so he would have someone to practice with. As a result, this budding pharmacist is steeped in musical knowledge and tradition, not to mention he has some pretty mean chops.
I asked Bryson to come out to the Chalmers Courts Boys & Girls Club to help me teach the kids about RHYTHM. He blew me away! I recapped the previous week and gave a brief intro into the concept of rhythm…the idea that rhythm is two completely opposite things working together in harmony—SOUND and SILENCE. Then I introduced Bryson and stepped back to watch the magic happen. He began to teach about rhythm and the drums, different beats, different styles, different instruments…the kids were captivated. He related to them so well, and they were soaking it up. I guess everyone’s more interesting when they’re sitting behind a drum kit.
After teaching for a little while, we started a drum circle…we had drums and sticks for all the kids. Each kid got to solo on different drums, and THEN they all got a turn behind the drum kit. It was like Christmas in September! I think a few of them were actually better than me (which may not be saying much).
When all was said and done, the kids couldn’t get enough…we ended up staying for an extra 30 minutes; and I’m sure they were droppin’ beats on anything they could find that night. So now you know Bryson Duhon—drummer, pharmacist, Austinite, an artist who cares.
until next time…
Lamar Stockton
MUSIC FOR THE CITY
1 Music For The City Volume 1 is hitting I Tunes! 14 Austin artists benefitting SafePlace and Austin Childrens Shelter!
2 The Dogwood is a fun place to hang out with other Austinites who love Music.Charity.Austin.
3 Live music from Volume 1 artists Danny Malone, Jordan Whitmore, and Miranda Dodson.
4 Free pasta from the Macaroni Grill for the first 80 people.
5 A % of sales between 6-9 will help Music For The City continue to bring together artists and Austinites to aid the poor, sick, and helpless right here in our community.
See you tonight {at The Dogwood}!
Last Thursday, MUSIC FOR THE CITY kicked off our fall partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Austin and the Chalmers Courts Housing Authority.
Our first artist to give her time and talent this fall…local songstress Jordan Whitmore.
Our topic for the day…what is music, and why is it important?
After a few enthusiastic rounds of Freeze Dance with 30+ elementary and middle school kids, we sat them down and asked a simple question, What is music? Eventually, we settled on 5 basic tenets: melody, harmony, rhythm, tempo and dynamics/feel. Then came the more pressing question, Why is it important? I was quickly taken back and encouraged by their honest and brilliant responses. “It’s a way to tell people how we feel.” “If I’m sad, music can make me happy.” “Music can say what you don’t know how to say.”
We at MUSIC FOR THE CITY absolutely agree with these kids. Music is full of HOPE and JOY and TRUTH. It has the power to communicate, to inspire, to change. It’s a gift that makes us all better. That said, we don’t want anyone in our city to be denied the opportunity to experience the best of what music has to offer. That’s why we do what we do. That’s why we have artists like Jordan Whitmore spending time with these kids.
So, on the heels of this enlightening dialogue, Jordan shared a little about what music means to her. And then, armed with her keyboard and soulful voice, she sang these words,
I’m holdin’ out for love, yeah, I’ll wait until it comes,
I’ve been waiting all my life.
I’ve seen some close calls and I gave it all,
but it wasn’t worth the fight.
Then you came along and you gave me a new song
and I knew I could go on.
And you whispered joy like I had never known
and I knew that there was hope.
until next time…
Lamar Stockton // MUSIC FOR THE CITY
1 Where else can you network with other Austinites who enjoy {music.charity.austin} on a Tuesday?
2 Free Pizza Rolls courtesy of AUSTINS PIZZA! Door prizes from THESE GUYS and THIS GUY!
3 A chance to meet and mingle with some of the artists on OUR FAVORITE RECORD.
4 Rumor has it that The Dogwood is the only place in the world Deep Eddy Sweet Tea on draft?
5 A % of sales (from 6-9) will be donated to MFTC to help us continue to DO WHAT WE DO!
*PS*
If you are 21+ and choose to drink, please do so responsibly.
If you cannot make it out but would like to help you can do so HERE.
See you Tuesday!
Nate, Kristin, and Lamar