Buzz Cutz

“There’s a grave on a hillside way down in Tennessee.”

So begins another tall-tale sung to the toe-tapping acoustic Mountain Music that’s a cultural heritage here in East Tennessee.

The song’s title, “The Briars, Brambles and Me” is sung by Tennessee Skyline and is the featured song on the new Clinch Mountain Music Festival website we just launched at GoTriCities. It tells the story of a jealous lover who shot his wife and best friend and the only ones who know where they lay are…”the briars, brambles and me.”

I’d like for you to visit our new site. It’s been fun working on this as we’ve been covered up for the past few weeks on several interesting projects, but more important, you might win a custom-made treasure - An A.P. Carter Acoustic Guitar. [Read more →]

Tags: Annoucements, This and that by Dave
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Our friend at Bristol Rhythm and Roots announced their 2008 lineup and the folks from GoTriCities were on the scene.

Lots of great talent should flood the streets of Bristol TN and Bristol, VA this year as the town welcomes;

• Doc Watson
• Ralph Stanley
• Kelly Willis
• Sam Bush
• Carolina Chocolate Drops
• And More…

Tags: Annoucements, Video by admin
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I think everyone deserves a theme song. All the coolest cats have their own songs; songs that follow them walking down the street, or songs that play when they drive down the road, or when they jump out of airplanes and whoop the crap out of some rough and tumble S.O.G. I know this only happens in the movies, but I like to think we all deserve a little fiction now and again.

If I had a theme song, I’d like to think it was cool or funky, but it would probably be more like bad FM album rock from the low-fi, far-too-sensitive ’70’s. Instead of Isaac Hayes, I’d be more like Joey Scarborough or Bread.  So sad.

If I could choose a theme song, though, what would be the most pertinent aspect of that song that I would feel captured me best? Would I want a cool instrumental, or lyrics that explained me? Would I want it to be hard as nails, or smooth as hell? Deep questions, I’m sure, but ones that I feel I could answer if given the opportunity…and now the opportunity is here. I have keyboard, time, and the ability to choose - what more could I ask for. (I suggest everyone with the appropriate time and inclination do the same - pick a song and pretend it plays every morning as you leave the house.) [Read more →]

Tags: Annoucements, Podcasts, Show Notes, This and that, Uncategorized by jared
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Happy Holidays to All from The Buzz and GoTriCities!

This week on Buzzcutz, Jared mentioned that we should prepare a best of list for 2007 and I think it’s important to look back and remember all the great things that happened in the year.

We’re preparing our next podcast and a best of list for 2007 that features the best musical moments and artists from the Tri-Cities region. We’ll use this list at GoTriCiites and the podcast and we’re interested in your thoughts.

Cut and paste this list and let us know whom you think deserves a mention on the “Best of List for 2007″

HERE’S THE LIST – Vote For Your Favorites and let us know if you have any other suggestions.

Best New Band of 2007
-

Best Recording of 2007
-

Best Metal Band of 2007
-

Best Country Band of 2007
-

Best Instrumentalist of 2007
-

Best Outdoor Music Festival of 2007
-

Best Local Recording of 2007
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Best Live Performance of 2007
-

Best Male Vocalist of 2007
-

Best Female Vocalist of 2007
-

Best Stage or Venue of 2007
-

Tags: Annoucements, This and that by admin
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On the last episode of BuzzCutz, I made an inquiry about today’s local music scene, and where young people figure into it.  My question, or rather my observation, was that kids here seem to want to play metal and not much else.  What happened to everything else (That’s the question.)?

Is the youth of America, or at least the Tri-Cities, so angry that they only play loud, aggressive music that makes you want to pull on your eyeballs and choke on your own tongue?  And when I say that, know that is meant in as complimentary a fashion as possible…but, really, what has happened to playing rock and roll?  When I was a kid, there were all kinds of rock and roll bands, be it Southern rock, country rock, garage rock, Brit rock, schlock rock, or what have you, and it seems that those bands have disappeared forever.  That may be alarmist.  That may be ridiculous and crude.  But, damn it, I want to hear at least a few young guys trying to do something other than strangle the family pet and record it in drop D.

I know they’re out there.  If you are one of those young people trying to do something other than metal, let me know.  I want to know.

That’s about it.  Hope to hear from you soon.

Tags: Annoucements, Podcasts, Recaps, This and that, Uncategorized by jared
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The GoTriCities Network and State Line Mixed Martial Arts are preparing a special DVD product that highlights the Extreme Fighting Competition for Friday Night Fights held November 15, 2007 at the Holiday Inn in Bristol, VA.

This production will result in a DVD and include a soundtrack from local Metal bands in East Tennessee. This local music and a regional network of popular web sites, newspapers along with one of the fastest growing competitive sports of our time will create a unique opportunity for all partners.

The GoTriCities Network is producing a music soundtrack and invite interested musicians and bands to submit their original music for review to thebuzz@gotricities.com. GoTriCities will review the audio submission and contact the interested party should we decide to include your music in the soundtrack which will be released late December of 2007.

Artists realize this is a promotional offer and although artists retain rights to their music, the participation in this production is a promotional opportunity which will grant your work free promotion, but no payment otherwise for use of the material. GoTriCities and Mixed Martial Arts will produce a DVD production of this extreme fighting concert and will use this local music content as a background for the contests. Artists grant usage of material for DVD soundtrack under the terms of this agreement.

Tags: Annoucements by admin
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Everyone deserves music. While that may be one of the more corny or trite song titles or statements to make its way across my musical palate for some time, I have to say that it is an offering that I believe in and hold dear.

While watching television this past weekend, I flipped across a live show from one of the artists I will always make time for, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and caught it just in time for their anthem, “Everyone Deserves Music”. The song is as you would expect, extolling the virtues of the power of sound and song, and making the statement that “even our worst enemies” deserve music. A fine sentiment, indeed, and left to lesser artists, one that could possibly border on childishness. Franti, though, makes it believable and sincere, and it turns into one hell of a good song. At least in my opinion. And it sounds even better live, with his new band that more than holds their own.
While I don’t subscribe to the ideology that music can solve all the world’s problems, I do believe that the healing power of music can help keep dreams alive, motivate an individual or movement, and serve as a reminder of past hopes, struggles, and guideposts to help us along the way. I remember the songs that played during important moments of my life, sometimes moreso than the moment itself, and certain songs illicit emotions that other stimuli are unable to touch or release.

I know I’m not exactly telling anyone anything new here, but lately I have been rebuilding, or rather rekindling, my interest in music again, after a short period of withdrawal and depression over the loss of playing with friends (It can be cathartic at times…) or finding anything of interest for a moment or so. It is the prospect of playing that got me energized to seek out old and new sounds, and that’s a great feeling. Especially when you find something new that makes you sit up and listen…and I’ve found a few of them lately as well.

Finding lost or forgotten nuggets of greatness may be the finest feeling, though. I’m sure you’ve all had those cd’s that stayed in your car’s player for months, only to be eschewed to the back seat once the new albums you waited for hit the proverbial streets. Well, get them back out and sit down with them for a while. Remember and re-live the moments and memories that go along with them, and rediscover the reasons they stayed in your rotation for so long the first time. I found a long list this past weekend, and narrowed it down as I trudged along, and it was much more fun than it sounds.

Well, enough about this stuff…You know, no great summit or meeting has ever occurred without food being involved. Food is basic. And no great historic moment that I remember has passed without a song to go with it (mostly in my mind…), either. That’s because music is as basic and essential as food. At least in my house. And I deserve it. Everyone does.

Take care.

Tags: Annoucements, Podcasts, This and that, Uncategorized by jared
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I can’t hardly help myself and I’m not about to deliver a spoiler, but I’ve been working on a project for the November 15th podcast that has me all tingly with excitement.

I know we like to listen to new music, but a few days ago, I received a collection of recordings from 1969 as The Carousel performed at The Kingsport Fine Arts Center. These recordings although a bit crude by today’s standards captures one of the coolest beach/R&B bands that I’ve heard. These recordings feature the following people - musical legends here in the Tri-Cities.

Jim Shields - Organ, Keyboards
Bill Robinson - Voice
David Sproles - Drums
Steve Sproles - Guitar and Voice
Ray Berry - Sax and Voice
Mike Galyon - Bass Guitar
Fred Goodwin- Trumpet
Gary Taylor - Guitar

These guys had one of the most popular bands in the region in 1969 and are preparing a reunion concert soon. I’ve been digitizing their recordings and should have a complete archive online very soon. Wait’ll you hear this one.

Tune in to the November 15th Podcast for the Legendary Carousel.

Dave

Tags: Annoucements by admin
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I never saw myself as a 21st Century kind of guy. I’m not the most technically savvy individual, if you know what I mean. I like my books in print, and my music in an analog state. I have become fond of my DVD player, but I still keep the VHS in working order. My computer isn’t on much at home, and when it is, it generally stays on Word documents so I can write about how much I miss the last millennium.

But, all that has changed, and I’m catching up in a hurry. Hell, I’m blogging now. And I understand the concept of blogs and blogging. I’m using the correct lingo…and that never happens…so, now that I have this media catapult with which to throw my ideas at the unsuspecting public, I find that I am vexed with that question that has eluded and troubled man for all eternity: What to do?

I could wax poetic about the political landscape of our great nation, and throw in my four cents (I talk too much and far too loudly to keep it at the dos.) about how things could get better. I could tell you about all things musical, and how these things impact our daily lives, at least as far as my limited ability allows. I could skewer the recording industry, the televised nightly news, the IRS, Lenny, Squiggy, and the Pope.

I could do all those things.

But I choose not to. I choose to say hello.

This is my first in a short list of blogs (That might grow to a longer list if luck holds out.), and I want to use it to introduce myself. For those of you who don’t know me (We’ll refer to you as “the lucky ones”.), I am Jared Bentley. You will come to know my opinions regarding our local music scene if you tune in each week (Or, rather, download…) to the BuzzCutz podcast generated in the spirit of, and with a link from, our local web forum The Buzz (gotricities.com/thebuzz/), which allows musicians and the like an opportunity to discuss all things musical in our region.

I extend a laurel and a hearty handshake to all that wish to join us for both. Please come along. And bring a notebook, there will be tests later.

Things to keep in mind:

The Buzz and BuzzCutz are loose. The rules are relaxed, and the banter is generally free and easy. The prevailing attitude seems to skew towards the idea that honesty is good, and if you don’t cause too many waves, the backwash won’t splash up at you…or something like that. In that vein, we seek interaction, from anyone who wishes to do so. The forum and the podcast are designed to represent OUR opinions, and the more people join in, the larger OUR opinion becomes, and the more varied, informed, and informative it allows US to become. OUR and US begins to include YOU and YOURS. That is the miracle of the digital medium, and the reason I have begun to embrace the 21st Century.

And it feels pretty good.

Thanks for letting me ramble, I hope we get to know one another as time goes on. I’m Jared, by the way. Just in case I forgot to mention it earlier.

Tags: Annoucements, Podcasts, This and that by jared
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It was surprising for me to look up and realize that our first podcast broadcast on GoTriCities.com was way back in July of 2005. I remember connecting all the cords and turning all the knobs and keystrokes to bring about the first with Amaranth Signal at our offices in downtown Kingsport. Shortly after that, Cattleaxe allowed me to do a “mobile” version at the Woodstone Deli before their performance. That was two years ago!

Truth is. It was hard to produce a podcast by myself. With all of the other details about GoTriCities and our goals, I just didn’t have the time. It was easy to understand the word “podfading.”

Well things are looking up now at GoTriCities because podcasting is back. There’s more talent, there’s a renewed interest and the technology will only get easier and cooler from here forward. We recently hired Jared Bentley to our staff and he’s the new host of “Buzzcutz” a new subscription based podcast at GoTriCities featuring news, music, events and commentary about the local music community here in Northeast Tennesseee and Southwest Virginia.

GoTriCities has also focused our attention on the local music scene and when The Buzz began some seven years ago, we immediately began to see a rich and vibrant culture coming from this unique music forum. Today, that history and some of those characters take off into new territory again with the first episode of “Buzzcutz.”

Host Jared Bentley recently began a new career at GoTriCities and leads up our new media division that will be working with clients to produce podcasts and video productions. He’s a talented musician and songwriter and brings his experience in both radio and TV to this new show. He’s joined by East Tennessee native Tom Bettini. Tom’s career as bassist for Jackyl in the nineties carried him to stages around the world and he continues to produce a legacy of great rock and roll and tall tales. Together with myself, we now have a great opportunity to work together to bring a new lense to an incredible soundscape of music here in the mountains.

Buzzcutz is a weekly podcast that will share street level news from the local music scene along with regular interviews from artists, promotors and more. You’ll hear the latest sounds and gossip from local bands and nightlife along with contests and special promotions to come in the future.

We hope you enjoy this new weekly feature. We hope to produce a new show each Wednesday and have a new one ready to serve up fresh on Thursday. If you have suggestions and ideas about the program, we would love to hear from you and you can contact us at thebuzz@gotricities.com.

David Cate
New Media Director
The GoTriCities Network

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