RADIO HANNIBAL

Rock Hall's Library and Archives to host unique showcase for Ohio music

The guy sitting next to me at the Ian Hunter Q&A at the Rock Hall last night pulled out his library card.  I quickly matched him by producing mine.  It's not just any library card.  It unlocks the treasures of the Rock Hall Library and Archives located on the Tri-C campus in downtown Cleveland.  It got me to thinking that I don't visit that wonderland often enough. 

  What better time to visit than next Tuesday October 2 when they present The Peoples of Ohio: Musicians and Music from Polonaise to Polka and Punk.  The event celebrates American Archives month by hosting a night honoring the music scene in Ohio. 

Local musicians Chris Allen, Justin Gorski and Roger Hoover will perform songs from hand written lyrics housed in the archives along with their own original material they will be donating to the archive.  John Soeder, recently departed rock writer at The Plain Dealer, will read from the donated Jane Scott Papers.  After all, the pioneering Jane Scott was a mentor to Soeder at the newspaper. 

As A Music Lover It's Thrilling To Have Oberlin College So Close To Cleveland

Talk about under appreciated gems in Cleveland.  There are so many Clevelanders who have never visited the campus of Oberlin College let alone consider it one of the great assets of our region. 

Granted, Oberlin is about an hour drive from downtown Cleveland and, thus, easily forgotten.  Being a far westsider I can get there in a little under half an hour, about the same time it takes for me to get downtown. 

I go there to visit the Allen Memorial Art Museum or simply sit, read, and people watch in Tappan Square.  There's also free summer theater to be taken advantage of.  Not to mention the terrific concert schedule. 

A look at notable alumni of Oberlin reveals that many fairly famous people lived for four years in the Cleveland market.  There's Ed Helm of "The Office" and "The Hangover", novelist and playwright Eric Bogosian, the co-hosts of the terrific public radio program "Radiolab" Jad Ebumrad and Robert Krulwich.  There's also plenty of musicians like Josh Ritter, Liz Phair and Lucy Wainwright Roche to name a few.  Here's a list of alumni.

Mostly when I'm in Oberlin I think enviously of those involved or enrolled in the Oberlin Conservatory Of Music.  Just look at the amazing new music building, the Bertram and Judth Kohl Building.  And now, in that space they've created a state of the art recording studio, the Clonick Studio.

To be sure, like any top notch college,  one has to have very good grades to become accepted to Oberlin, but did you know your kid could go there for free?  It's a gamble, but if your child is gifted you may consider it. 

Here's how it works.  Your child would have to attend Oberlin High School all four years while you resided in the city of Oberlin those four years as well.  If your child is then accepted admittance to Oberlin College all tuition room and board would be free.  You'd still have to reside in Oberlin during your child's college years as well.  It's a commitment and no guarantee either, but look at it this way, would living in Oberlin really be a bad thing regardless of the outcome?

The Bertram and Judith Kohl Building

Cleveland State Needs Input From Local Musicians

Cleveland State University's College Of Urban Affairs is looking for information and opinion from local musicians.  It consists of a simple five minute poll, local musician, vocalist, composer survey.  You must be a musician in Cuyahoga County.

It's my pleasure to help Dave DeOreo, producer for WCPN's Around Noon and WVIZ's Applause, get this thing some traction.  He's trying to make it viral in other words.  Of course the more who participate the better the results.  So if you are a musician, vocalist or composer in Cuyahoga County please take the time to fill it out and then pass it on to others.

 

Taking Advantage Of The Rock Hall

Just as the recent changes in my world have allowed me to catch much more local music than I have in many years it's also given me a chance to take advantage of the wide range of events offered by The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum. 

I've been a member of the Rock Hall since before it opened having been given a membership as a Christmas gift.  I've renewed it every year. It's such a bargain.  You get a cool membership card (I've still got them all...see the photo below), a T shirt (I've amassed quite a collection), a window decal, a quarterly glossy newsletter, and occasionally some other trinkets. 

On top of all that you gain free admission to the Rock Hall anytime you like.  I love museum memberships because after a couple of hours I'm done with a visit.  Having a membership allows you to focus on one area of the museum on each excursion without the feeling that you must see it all while you're there. 

Then there's all of the programs offered free to members.  Take for example the Legends Series in which a question and answer session is held with...well...a legendary figure in rock and roll.  It takes place in the intimate theater that many don't even know exists. 

Last night I caught Peter Hook, the inventive bass player and founding member of Joy Division and New Order.  The relaxed atmosphere soon allowed him to let down his guard and tell us some great behind the scene stories. He even played his bass for a brief period as an added treat. 

The Legends Series has a long history in its own right with everyone from Jerry Wexler to Tommy James to Jon Anderson of Yes being asked to share their story with an appreciative audience.  And I love being part of that audience.  It's a true benefit to living here in Cleveland.  We should be proud of the Rock Hall and support it. 

On the way out of the event last night I said to my friend how excited I was to see how the remodel, that is taking place now, shapes up.  Upgraded technology is replacing old and dated.  And believe me, in the tech world 15 years is a lifetime.  They're also rethinking the main museum space and rearranging things more chronologically. 

Lastly, if you haven't caught the Bruce Springsteen exhibit, which is finally closing soon, you need to go see it. 

Kiski Headmaster Passes Away

On Monday evening, Jack Pidgeon, the retired headmaster of Kiski, my prep school alma mater, passed away.  His death has left me reminiscing and contemplating the things he taught me. 
To say that he was an amazing man is actually an understatement.  Ask any Kiski Boy (a term he used for any and all of us who attended) and they will back up my words. 
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran a superb story on the man today.  I encourage all to read it and to, perhaps, learn a bit of what I was taught.
Thanks Jack.