Fueling The Local Scene Like No Other
Being part of the Triangle Area North Carolina music scene is a pretty awesome experience. I’ve been in the Triangle for over 5 years now and have played as a solo performer, as a bassist, as a guitarist and currently as the lead singer/guitarist of Mystery Road. I’ve been playing music in bands since 1989 and since then I’ve learned that without a doubt, it’s the fans of local music that make the scene happen. It’s them that make it such an enjoyable experience to be out there performing. Sometimes, you might be playing on a Tuesday night to 5 people but they just may be the greatest 5 person audience you’ve ever seen.
Anyways, my point is, the audience is what makes us. The audience is what gets us from venue to venue and what encourages us and energizes us to keep doing what we’re doing. There is always a choice few that go beyond the call of duty and actually go out on a limb and really support their local scene. This is the case with Betsy! Betsy is a supporter of local music unlike any I have ever seen. One look at her calendar on her MySpace page and you will see that nearly every night of the week (and sometimes it IS every night of the week), she has anywhere from 4 or more bands a night that she goes to see. Not only does she see the shows but you will always see her with a huge smile and her trusty cameras just shooting pictures like crazy.
Betsy & I after a Mystery Road gig – July 08, 2008
In my opinion, if Betsy’s at your show, you’re doing well. She doesn’t blow smoke up anyone’s ass and she always makes it a point to let you know just how she feels about your music. When Mystery Road debuted and I saw her at our show, I knew that it was a special night. She is a fantastic soul and a joy to converse with. At my band’s last show, she had so many great words of encouragement and positive feedback that I just felt honored to have her as a “fan”. She is truly the fuel of this scene around here and I can only hope that all the others realize just how lucky we are to have Betsy. I wish there were 1000 Betsy’s but I can say this, I love the ONE that we have! Betsy, you’re the greatest!
You can check out Betsy’s work by going here: Temples Of Grey on Fotki
[sputter, sputter] Why, Don, many thanks for such fantastic words!!! I’m so fortunate to live in an area with such a VIBRANT music and arts culture; and brilliant live music, 98% original, performed by some of the nicest, most dedicated, talented people around. Life is great here in the southern part of heaven!!!