The term “acoustic stage” means a lot of different things to a lot different people, both musicians and
non-musicians. For some it conjures up images of a quaint coffee shop performance, perhaps a single
microphone for vocals and an evening of stories and songs.
For others it evokes images of a stage off the beaten path for bands to play with less volume and
acoustic guitars instead of electric.
Sort of an “MTV Unplugged” moment for those craving the quieter side of live music.
As a Black Swamp Arts Festival volunteer and Acoustic Stage Coordinator the term “acoustic stage” has
served as a denotation for a level of spontaneity that is evoked when talented musicians step out of
their comfort zone and perform without any amplification whatsoever.
It is moments like the ever-humble Eilen Jewell exclaiming “we’ve never done this before” at the start of
her first un-amplified performance, or jazz guitarist Frank Vignola and his quintet parading around the
audience on Main Street, stopping to crouch down in mid-song next to a baby stroller without missing a
beat, or Hamell on Trial writing “Hi” in forehead sweat on the concrete wall behind the stage halfway
through his set.
It is bands who have never played acoustically, or who typically rely on vocal or instrumental
amplification, pushing their limits, finding their sound, connecting with the audience, and, as I have
been told time and time, again having a great time doing it.
It is festivalgoers wandering past the stage, stopping, turning their heads, walking closer to a style of
music they have never heard or didn’t know they liked and sharing an intimate connection with a
musician.
That is what the Acoustic Stage is all about, and why I relish the opportunity to be intimately involved
in its creation each year.
The 2009 Acoustic Stage features an interesting mix of local, national and international bands. As in
past years, we are pulling bands from the Main Stage for second sets, while mixing in a number of
talented area performers.
Long time Bowling Green performers Tom Gorman (folk), Chris Buzzelli (jazz), Tony Papa (rock), JoeBobDuda
(R&B), Toraigh (Irish) and the Root Cellar String Band (oldtime) return this year to continue a
tradition that goes back to the earliest years of the festival.
Fan favorites from the 2008 festival, including the Hungarian band Little Cow and the Open Window Dance
Company also return for a second year of performances.
Joining them this year are some new, sure to be remembered acts including, two-time Grammy Award winner
John Jorgenson and his jazz
quintet, bluegrass-oldtime gurus the Goldmine Pickers, tenor banjo master Phil Cartwright and the New
Orleans Jazz Quartet, traditional Hungarian musicians Parno Graszt, folk icons The Yellow Room Gang and
jazz-funk players Doko Benjo.