Reg’s Musical Musings: Surviving The Tundra In The Middle Of Summer-The R&R Summit

By Beth in Entertainment, Music, film, Pop Music, acoustic, MTV, band reunions, pop culture, folk, gossip, Reg's Musical Musings on August 10 2007

by DJ Scott Register

Where to begin, I guess with a recap of last week’s R&R Triple A Summit in Boulder, CO. It was great spending time with all of my fellow music loving radio folks, label reps and promotions guys and girls. Nothing like being around a bunch of people who share the same passion, drive and enthusiasm for music and spreading its gospel to eager ears around the globe.

I am such a big fan of this conference that I would attend even if I wasn’t in the business. It makes me believe in the power or music and shows me that real radio is alive and well. BIG THANKS to R&R Triple A Editor John Schoenberger, President/Publisher Erica Farber and everyone involved in putting on this wonderful event.

I must admit, I was a bit irked by some of the grumblings I heard about this year’s lineup. Yes, there were no “headline” names so to speak but the quality of the acts that performed spoke for itself and what the convention lacked in “big names” it more than made up for with credible acts putting on memorable performances. And after all, aren’t we the people who make the stars of tomorrow? Aren’t we the ones who give the up and comer a chance and let our listeners hear their music in its infancy? Aren’t we the ones who don’t forget the artists after the rest of the industry has thrown them on the scrap heap even if they are still making incredible music? If you were one of the ones bitching about the lineup, I think you oughta check yourself!

Here’s my brief recap of the events at the R&R AAA Summit.

The whole thing kicked off with a key note address by Capitol Music Group Chairman/CEO Jason Flom and a performance by one of his artists, A Fine Frenzy (Virgin). While I enjoyed Jason’s presentation, especially his biting wit and self deprecating humor, you could feel the weight of running a major label bearing down on his shoulders. It’s particularly unnerving to see someone as smart and inventive as Flom trying to make sense of this seriously fucked up business.

But the funny thing is, none of that sense of confusion and fear was ever present when Flom and the rest of us were watching his artist Alison Sudol (aka A Fine Frenzy). The second she struck the keys, opened her mouth and released her sultry, achingly gorgeous voice, all the industry bullshit was swept away and the reason we all made the trek to the mountains was clear. Flom looked like a proud papa watching his daughter spread her wings and all was good with the world. Moments like these take me back to why I got into this biz in the first place. It is the heart and soul of it all. We all know that feeling and it is our lifeblood.

As usual, all the panels offered interesting and insightful discussions about everything going on in the format and what the future could hold for all. All I know is that I could watch WXPN’s Bruce Warren host panels all day long. The guy should be coaching a college football team or at least heading the pep band. He can fire up a group faster than shit through a goose. When I grow up, I want to be Bruce.

Now, let’s get down to business, the music. I already mentioned A Fine Frenzy and as someone who was skeptical of her release “One Cell In The Sea” (Virgin), her live performance once again put my soul at rest and made me glad that I am already six songs deep on the record. She’s a combination of Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan and Rachael Yamagata and I am enchanted by her sound.

Night number one’s highlights to me were sets by Matt Nathanson and Josh Ritter. Nathanson is poised to make a real run at stardom with his new release “Some Mad Hope” (Vanguard) and a bevy of sing-a-long tunes that already have a stronghold within his ever growing fan base and soon should be all over the radio. Watching him interact with his fans and how he makes them a part of his show is a fine art and a concept that many of today’s artists can’t grasp.

Josh Ritter once again showed me that he is a gamer. A guy that comes to play every time he steps on the field. Ritter was up to the test last Thursday night where he took a Bar Mitzvah setting and transformed it into a Bar Room/Roadhouse. Keep an eye out for the latest from this Moscow, Idaho singer-songwriter extraordinaire “The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter” (Victor).

My Thursday performance leaders included a lunchtime performance by Augie March and an evening full of engaging sets from Sara Bareilles, Sea Wolf, Ryan Adams and Jeremy Fisher.

Even the heat and altitude of Boulder couldn’t keep Augie March’s tunes down as the band played a short lunch time set that quickly reminded me of why there CD “Moo, You Bloody Choir” (Zomba) is one of my favorites of this year. There is something special about this band’s sound and songs that speaks to me. I hope the U.S. will get it this time around. Otherwise, I just might have to move to Australia.

Sara Bareilles’ intimate set at the Fox Theater showcased he magical voice and songs that are busy selling a lot of CDs these days. The girl can flat out sing and “Love Song”, “Bottle It Up” and my personal favorite “Many The Miles” are meaty hits if you ask me. Dangerbird Records does it again with Sea Wolf. What a killer live act. Can’t wait to hear the full length record coming in September. Ryan Adams is at the top of his game, period! He seemed at ease during his set at the Fox Theater and even joked with the crowd. Engaging, enduring, heartfelt and gorgeous, the set by Ryan Adams and The Cardinals was one of my top highlights of the entire conference. I sure hope the guy can keep it on the straight and narrow because the world is his if he does. Before last Thursday night, I had only heard one song by Vancouver, Canada’s Jeremy Fisher. That one track, “Cigarette” has been viewed on YouTube over 2 million times and is a mainstay on my show these days as it is catchy as hell and I love the song’s sing-a-long analogy of a chorus “I’ll be your cigarette, light me up and get on with it. I’ll be hard to forget, good or bad I’m just a habit.” But I quickly learned that Fisher’s arsenal of songs was deeper than just that one cut. Watch out Ben Kweller and Ben Lee, Jeremy Fisher just might be coming to steal your girlfriends. I ended that night chatting with guitarist Shane Fontayne (Lone Justice/Bruce Springsteen) which was a treat in itself.

Friday promised to be my favorite day of music and it didn’t let me down holding my two biggest highlights of the entire week. Glen Hansard And Marketa Irglova, Lori McKenna, Back Door Slam, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sarah Borges And The Broken Singles and Steve Earle all put on memorable sets that I will be talking about for weeks.

Hansard and Irglova brought the music of the movie “Once” to life at a lunchtime performance and the magic of those songs held even more true live and in color. There is something about chemistry that can’t be invented, can’t be bought, can’t be duplicated. Hansard and Irglova possess that chemistry. The only thing wrong with their set is it was over too fast. I could have listened all day.

After playing her music on my show for 10 years, I finally was able to see Lori McKenna perform and boy oh boy what a treat it was. Her new CD, “Unglamorous” (Warner Bros.) is currently playing constantly on my stereo and is the perfect mix of Americana, pop and country that fans of Reg’s Coffee House yearn for. I hope radio doesn’t make excuses and miss out on a slew of hit songs from one of the best songwriters and most unique voices in music today.

Back Door Slam were my biggest surprise of the week. This young three piece blues rock monster burned down the stage and left the crowd in front of it scorched. Guitarist/singer Davy Knowles is poised to be the next young guitar god. Keep and eye on this trio from the Isle Of Man.

Rod Y Gab wowed me yet again. Great to see an act like this capturing music lovers, bringing them to their layer and slaying them with nothing but a couple of acoustic guitars.

Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles once again had me dancing, singing, laughing, screaming and wanting to smash something up. What an infectious band.

And finally, all I can say is Steve Earle and the Dust Brothers. Who’d a thunk it? Earle is an American treasure and I can’t wait to hear his new record.

I returned home just in time to see John Mayer perform and it was a fitting ending to a great week. Say what you want about Mayer but I know this, years from now when all the dust settles and things sort themselves out, Mayer will still be standing and getting the last laugh. He’s just too good a performer not to.