Steel Notes Magazine February 2017 | Page 74

Steel Notes Magazine
February 2017
I don ’ t remember the exact day … but it was in November and all the stars must have been aligned for me that day . A simple call to an old friend turned into the best news I had all year ( yeah , it was a tough year ) Out of the blue , I thought to call my friend of more than 20 years , Alexxis Steel , to ask her to go see a show with me . She told me that she had a better idea , and she was right ! When we met the next day Alexxis shared with me part of the 2017 business plan for Steele Notes Magazine . Of course I was interested ; but when she started to explain her vision for the role that I would play in this plan ; I jumped right in . I haven ’ t stopped jumping since !
The decision was made to incorporate a larger local flavor to the magazine . The Lehigh Valley has such a large , diverse and skilled music scene that it was only a matter of time until a dedicated show reviewer would be incorporated . It appears that those forementioned “ aligned stars ” chose “ yours truly !” Now I ’ m not a musician , I never closed a show with a killer drum solo , or learned how to perfect a C chord on the fretboard of an heirloom Martin guitar . I do , however , spontaneously begin to move my hips when the bass line of a blues riff is in the air , feel my heart racing when a middle eight has perfectly executed stops and surprising contrast , and can ’ t help but be instantly impressed when I ’ m treated to a steel drum , jazz violin , or rocking horn section .
As much as I love the instruments … I love the poetry . The words always engage my left brain , as much as the music does the right .
The lyrics that are laid down by one , and repeated by many , and occasionally stored in history . The quotes used over and over again by a populous that feels a connection to the writer , if only for the words he shares . The whole package is a seductive ball of talents mixed with a scoop of courage , a fistful of dedication and a pinch of insanity . This passion for music didn ’ t happen overnight … it ’ s been building and growing in me for as long as I can remember .
Josie ' s Hit List
5 Ton Jack 3 D Alias Sunsets North Breeze Stereotype Jimmy Supra & Sarah Ayers Anticitizen Sick 86 ' d Parasitix
I was one of those kids who spent their days in the record stores and their nights recording Rock Line artists onto their cassette players . My first boyfriend started a band that practiced in my basement , and my next beau caught my ear while being a DJ on the local college radio station . It seemed that people who didn ’ t understand how important it was to know the name of the bass

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