Support Scott Kurt & Memphis 59 Kickstarter Project

Our favorite local rock band, Scott Kurt & Memphis 59, is ready to record a new CD. The issue. Like most musicians - funds. You can assist their effort by supporting their Kickstarter Project as they attempt to raise $2,500. Here's the scoop in Scott's own words. You can also see the band tomorrow, Saturday October 20th at Tarara Vineyard & Winery for a free concert.

Hello friends,

Singer/Songwriter Scott Kurt here and I'm in the process of putting out a new album.  I've been working with some award winning musicians, engineers and producers who have also collaborated with artists like Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, and Rodney Atkins.  I've spent hours, days, weeks and months working on the lyrics, melodies and arrangements.  Luckily when I emerge from the studio my wife remembers what I look like!

Most of the record has been recorded, but I need your support to finish the project and bring it to life. There is still a lot of work to be done such as mixing all of the recorded music into songs, having those songs mastered, choosing the artwork for the album, and finally the duplication of the CD's.

My goal is to raise $2500 to cover these expenses.  This is a fully independent project which means there is no big record company funding the album, which is why your help is so important.  I've come up with some great incentive packages for you to choose from and any support is appreciated.  From $5 to $500, every bit helps.

Please spread the word to any music lovers out there and I want to thank you for your time and support.

-Scott

To see me online visit:  www.scottkurt.com

Memphis 59 CD Release Party

Before last month we had heard of the local rock band Memphis 59, but never took the opportunity to see a live show. However, over the last 40 days we've witnessed the band 4 times, including their CD Release party at Jammin' Java. The band consists of Scott Kurt, Chris Zogby, and Richard Lewis, plus an additonal guest guitarist. For "Ragged But Right", that position was fulfilled by producer John Jennings and Jon Manitta. For the CD Release party - Nate Taylor occupied that role. And for this evening the band invited Laura Tsagarris and Fools & Horses to start and end the evening. Unfortunately I spent most of the time that Tsagarris perform talking with members of all the bands - including some that played in the early show. Also being local, we will make sure we attend one of her shows in the future.

I've mentioned several times, what attracts me to Memphis 59 and these attributes were on display again this evening; they are a traditional rock band - no power pop - no metal - just rock and roll and maybe a little alt-county to get that 50's flavor. Except for one Petty cover, they played the entire CD starting with "Gone" and "Me, Myself, and Eyes". I think my favorite were the slower tunes "Knock Me Out" or "Way With Words". And "Killing Time" and "Black and White TV" are other good ones. Playing with two extra guitarists, they produced a bigger sound than previous outings - and they were tight. Scott Kurt is a charismatic front man and I think being a southpaw adds a little more character to his performance. All in all - this is one band we recommend seeing and I've already listened to the CD a few times. Its good.

I was pretty beat by the time Fools & Horses so I only stuck around for a few songs. What was readily apparent is that this is one polished band. They easily transitioned between songs and exuded a great sense of professionalism and musical ability. Matt and Tim Hutchison must have a nice pedigree. And Steve Herrera can play the guitar. They had a slight power pop sound that was a disincentive to see the rest of their show - but don't take my biased preferences. This band was the Grand Prize Winner of Starbuck's National CD Contest and Music Monthly's Reader's Poll two years straight as "Best Modern Rock Band".

20 Days in November - Day14: PinkJams

Over the past few weeks both Justin Trawick and the members of Memphis 59 have been reminding us of their benefit concert, PinkJams, held at The Clarendon Ballroom. The benefit was designed to raise money to promote breast cancer awareness and was a timely event with regards to this week's new examination guidelines. Memphis 59 has a history of promoting charity goals since currently A portion of all proceeds from their CD sales are donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Since we had seen this band a couple times the last few weeks and plan to attend their CD release show at Jammin' Java on December 4th - I wasn't overly disappointing that I missed their set. I arrived in time for Trawick and his full band - which is always quite an experience. Not only is the music tight - but you never know what you're hear. Maybe some rock, or a 20 minute rap extravaganza, a sax solo from Ken Wenzel, or California surf guitar from Josh Himmelsbach, or a funky bass riff by Jean Finstad - or even a Viennese waltz. Who knows. Because of this versatility and hard work - playing virtually every other night - they have developed a nice fan base.

It was a nice turnout for the evening. The attendance was a bit misleading because the venue is so large - but we hear the organizers met their goals. A good cause and good music - a win win.

Sons of Bill & Memphis 59 - The State Theatre

A couple of weeks back at the Dewey Beach Music Conference, we became fans of the Levee Drivers, a rock band at our Bucks County, PA. At the time they informed us that they were opening for the Sons of Bill at The State Theatre on October 16th. We added the show to our MyJoog calendar, but when we arrived the Levee Drivers were absent - apparently the band couldn't get a confirmation from the venue. Instead, local rock band, Memphis 59, was warming up. Not a bad replacement, we had heard of this band and exchanged emails, but never saw them live. And they can rock. I am confounded how I missed their performances at the Mid-Atlantic Band Battle held in my own backyard at Jammin' Java. The nucleus of the band is frontman Scott Kurt, bassist Richard Lewis, and drummer Chris Zogby. These are real rock songs - listen to "Black and White TV" or "In Spite of Me" or "Knock Me Out" - and not the power-pop that is prevalent nowadays. I'm looking forward to their collaboration with Justin Trawick at The Clarendon Ballroom for the Pink Jams! fundraiser November 18th.

The Sons of Bill also turned out to be an incredible rock band. I had always heard them referred as a country band - but that is a mistake. This is a rock band, albeit one with roots influences. Yea, they cover Billy Joe Shaver and site Townes Van Zandt as an influence - but listening to the electric guitar, keyboards, bass, and percussion - these guys can rock. The three Wilson brothers; James, Sam and Abe grew up listening to their father playing old country and apparently blues tunes and eventually inherited his guitars and talent. They are based out of Charlottesville, but have a nice regional following along the east coast. Many of these fans were in attendance this night - singing every song and cheering their favorites. Mine was their version of Blind Willie Johnson's classic "Let Your Light Shine" - the best version since The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. Plus we are fans of any Shaver cover. And Sam Wilson can play the heck out of the electric guitar. What's also nice is that the three brothers alternate fronting the band - with James taking most of the leads, but Sam and Abe contributing their own songs as well. From mid-November through the rest of the year Sons of Bill is touring with Robert Earl Keen starting with a quasi hometown show at The National. How can you pass on that combo?