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Avett Brothers in the middle of their set
Last night I went to the last Summerfest — the free concert series outside of the Blue Note. It was easily one of the best concerts that I’ve seen in a long while. Ha Ha Tonka and Backyard Tire Fire opened for the Avett Brothers.

The Avett Brothers were a ton of fun. They were energetic and provided a new and unique sound. When I saw these vested-men with stringed instruments in hand, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It was a bit of bluegrass, a bit of rock and a lot of fun. The best thing about the entire show was that it was free. I cannot believe I did not take more advantage of these free Wednesday night shows. Alas, it was the last one, but it was wonderful.

Each band seemed to have a good Midwestern sound. The songs had stories. Not only did I enjoy dancing and feeling the music, but I found myself paying attention to the lyrics, which I rarely do. And the messages of a lot of the songs, I understood and felt.

I rushed from an SPJ event to get there in time. I caught the end of Ha Ha Tonka’s set. Freshman year, I knew them as Amsterband and actually was able to interview them for a story. I put the story in this post so you can get a better idea of their southern-rock sound.

Ha Ha Tonka’s Brian Roberts

The band has performed nearly 250 shows in more than 60 cities.

By Laura Parkinson, Staff Writer
April 6, 2007

The Ozarks are home to country shows, outlet shopping and lakes. Amsterband, a foot-stomping indie band, will perform at the Blue Note Saturday, proving that there are several talented acts coming out of Southern Missouri.

Since haphazardly choosing the name before entering a talent competition three years ago, Amsterband has come a long way. It has performed nearly 250 shows in more than 60 cities and has just signed with Chicago-based Bloodshot Records.

“We didn’t plan on making it a career,” lead singer Brian Roberts said. “We wanted to have a good time, play around Springfield, play at parties and the bar scene. Those were the initial goals and aspirations. Otherwise we would have come up with a better band name.”

Although Roberts laughs about his inability to come up with a good name, the name is probably pretty apt. Amsterband was inspired by Roberts’ trip to Germany mixed with his Ozarkian heritage and desire to create a “liberal enclave in the conservative Ozarks.” He grew up with Luke Long (bass, vocals) and Lennon Bone (drums, vocals) in West Plains, Mo., and met Brett Anderson (lead guitar, piano, vocals) at Missouri State University.

“The more we did it, the more serious we got about it,” Roberts said. “We felt like mixing indie rock and Ozarkian foot-stomp style of music that we all enjoyed playing. We did some touring two years ago, and we’ve been touring it ever since.”

Roberts’ influences include Mark Bilyeu of Big Smith and more recent groups such as R.E.M., The Shins, The Magic Numbers and The Flaming Lips. The band is now moving away from other bands’ sounds to create a sound that is uniquely them.

“Any band when you start out, if it’s your first band, you are probably going to stink,” Roberts said. “We definitely stunk up the place for a long time. (But) the more time you play with each other and dig into your own background, you can carve out your own sound. We are just now doing that.”

The band’s second record, Buckle in the Bible Belt, gained the attention of Bloodshot (home of Neko Case and Split Lip Rayfield), which will release the record nationally and also add tour dates to Amsterband’s already busy schedule. Roberts said he hopes the record captures something from the band’s past, as well as places it hopes to go with its music.

“It grabs a lot of attention,” Roberts said. “I think that it accurately represents our sound on stage.”

Even though the record stands on its own, the band really enjoys touring new cities and encountering different audiences. And, even though it has traveled to many large cities, Roberts prefers playing in smaller ones such as Warrensburg or Emporia, Kan.

“I love playing in those markets,” Roberts said. “Emporia doesn’t get big bands. When you play there, it’s bonkers.”

Amsterband has toured with Ben Kweller, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Steel Train, Say Anything and Soul Asylum.

With so much traveling, the band is collecting many road stories. While in Indianapolis, Amsterband was looking for a place to stay at night. Long said he woke up in the back seat in nothing but his overalls. When a possum jumped out across the road, Long got out of the car to chase it, ran into a fence and ripped himself up pretty badly.

“There have been lots of great shows and happy moments along the way,” Roberts said. “You get to travel with three best friends and make music. We are very fortunate that we’ve made it to this point.”

With their new label, the members of Amsterband hope to continue developing and improving “both with audience and music.”

“Hopefully we continue to mature and make better music,” Roberts said. “We all four love playing together, and hopefully we continue to make interesting music.”

Past Pulitzer Prize winners
Last week was one of the biggest events in the history of the Journalism school. All of the journalism students could go for free so there was no reason not to go. Journalism classes were canceled for the centennial so we were able to go to the events. There were many events to kick off the celebration including Freedom Sings, a multimedia presentation on the First Amendment by using banned music from across the decades.

One of my favorite events was the past Pulitzer Prize winners sharing the stories for which they won one of the most esteemed journalism awards. Jacqui Banaszynski, who teaches intermediate writing and advanced reporting, shared her story AIDS in the Heartland about the life of a gay couple dying of AIDS. I found it interesting how diverse the stories were. Banaszynski’s story, she said, was a love story. The other stories were investigations and watchdog stories.

On Friday there was a technology summit. I heard from people who are implementing different models of journalism including such as Propublica.org, which is investigative reporting that is supported a large donation (or endowment). It’s goal is to find abuses of power. In a world where there is less room and money to devote to investigative journalism, it is great to be able to have opportunities to support this vital watchdog role.

The restaurant was busy that weekend. As I was refilling waters, I could hear discussions about journalism at pretty much each table. It was really interesting to just hear snippets of conversations—a lot of the time it revolved around the future of the industry—the same theme of the entire conference.

The centennial brought in some big names such as Ken Paulson, editor of USA Today and editors from the New York Times, St. Petersbug Times and the Kansas City Star, just to name a few. This just goes to prove that the MU School of Journalism is top notch. The new Reynolds Journalism Institute provided a great backdrop for this event. The building is finished and it is great, just in time for the Centennial. So much work went into it, I think that it went really well and was a complete success.

Today I made the trek to Rock Bridge State Park. We made the turn for a sweet trail that led into a creek and a swimming hole. I went with a friend from work who brought her dog Figo. The three of us were the only ones on the trail. After an initial slip in the mud on my part, we walked through the creek and arrived at a deep, cool place to swim complete with a rope swing. The water was high so the rope swing was ineffective, but it was a great reward to hike for about twenty minutes and jump into some refreshing water. The amazing thing was that it was just us- there was no one else around, and I felt such a part of nature. Just like Thoreau in Walden Pond. We brought some snacks and ate while playing fetch with Figo. Basically, it was a great day, and I can’t wait to go again.

Our convergence class hooked us up with some freebies—including a free ticket to Ira Glass, host of This American Life. My friend from Lawrence was in town and we ventured to Jesse Hall together. It was great because he opened with his voice among the darkness. He said that he tried to persuade the producers of the show to have the entire show in darkness. They told him that maybe that would fly in Lawrence, Kans., but not here.

It was one of the most inspiring performances/ speakers that I have ever witnessed. We are just about halfway through the semester, which means that I am incredibly burned out with pretty much everything. Thus, to hear from someone who has the same perspective on journalism and his own formula for making it work, I was enthralled. Journalism can be about people and life, not just hard news.

Glass talked about how he got into radio. And what was really amusing about it was he played one of his radio stories eight years in that was self-admittedly really awful. It is okay to suck, at least initially. And it may take awhile to find that voice. He then shared his formula for a great story, which includes motion. There is always a bigger “thing” in his stories. Everything moves in that story to a greater thing—clues or information or something that is essential to the story. He also mentioned that there can be a little something in a story that is just there purely for the enjoyment of the journalist or highlighting the humor lightheadedness of life.

Among his advice to aspiring journalists, he played some interesting and FUNNY stories. One of his stories that I really enjoyed was when he went to the Oreo cookie factory, he was actually surprised that it smelled, well, like cookies since he was so used to Oreos being a processed food. Who knew that Oreos smelled like cookies. Only Ira Glass.

I had the pleasure of attending the University Concert Series production of Mel Brook’s musical The Producers at Jesse Hall. My brother makes me so jealous when he says that he attended a performance of The Producers with Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane in Chicago before it opened in New York. However, I got to see the winner of twelve 2001 Tony Awards on Sunday night. Even though it was a traveling company without the original cast, it was absolutely fabulous and so funny. Easily one of the best Broadway shows that I have seen.
Dancing old ladies, sexual innuendos and colorful characters made the performance simply fabulous. I haven’t been able to go to enough professional shows this year. I remember when I as in highschool, we were able to get tickets for $5 and I would review the shows for the local newspaper. I miss this option. However, I hear that if a show is not sold out, that you can get a ticket for $6 for the remaining seats. I have not tested this theory, but the program is great.

Some upcoming shows include Evita, Kenny G, Moving Out, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairpray and Ira glass. There is a diverse program and so many great show come into Columbia, it would be a crime to not take advantage of the great cultural offerings.

(this was an extra credit assignment for my newswriting class)

The sun sets over the Missouri River on Sunday, Sept. 23.

As the sun set over the Missouri River, it brought the close to the Second Annual Eco Art Festival, a two- day event highlighting the necessity to clean up the river. The festival provided arts, music and educational events on Sept. 22-23 at Coopers Landing on the bank of the Missouri River.
Karen Crane of the Missouri River Relief worked a booth at the festival to help get young people interested in cleaning up the river.
“I’m a regular down here,” Crane said. “I would like to bring more people into it and push younger generations to realize the importance of the river and have more respect for it. Basically, keep it clean and don’t dump your trash there.”
Crane believes her efforts have been worth it after meeting a couple of young guys at a campfire and getting them interested in helping clean out the river.
“People love the environment,” Crane said. “It gives them idea of what is good, history and how much we actually get since we get a lot of trash.
To concentrate on the natural resources of the river, the festival also brought in artists that use natural materials and are inspired by the environment. This adequately fit the theme “Our Local Treasures.”
“I like the fact that it brings so many creative artist here,” Crane said. “It brings a lot of lovely talented people.”
Columbia resident Gale Johnson uses electrical wire and Missouri river rocks in her sculpted jewelry.
“Electricians can’t work with short pieces and it ends up somewhere,” Johnson said. “I keep as much as I can out of the recycle bins and trash cans.”
When Johnson helped to clean up after Hurricane Katrina, she picked up pieces of ceramic and glass from the shore to keep kids safe and decided to use it in her necklaces and hanging art to help preserve the earth as our “playground.”
“I make it all up myself and take art to a different place,” Johnson said. “I use the leftover wire and start making stuff. The shards from hurricane Katrina are absolutely beautiful and meaningful.”
The festival raised money for the Missouri River Cultural Conservatory as well as raised awareness for the Missouri River in a relaxing, scenic atmosphere.
“Being on the river is an absolutely beautiful place,” Johnson said. “It couldn’t get better than this.”

The Roots ’N’ Blues ’N’ BBQ festival attracted around 60,000 people to downtown Columbia. Boone County National Bank sponsored the event for their 150th anniversary. There are currently no plans to host another event, but I believe that it was great success. Around 50 vendors shared their crafts as the smoky smell of BBQ filled the air.

I was able to interview Chris Thomas King for The Maneater. He played Tommy Johnson in “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” as well as a bandleader in “Ray.” King also won a Grammy for Best Album for his work on “Oh Brother Where Art Thou.” Read the article here.

The sweet smell of kettle corn and smoke from the blacksmiths’ fires filled the air as over 40 crafters and 100 performers demonstrated their skills and knowledge of the 1800s and before during the 30th Annual Heritage Festival and Craft Show.
Thousands showed up to see authentic crafts, enjoy the weather and watch history come alive during the event on Sept. 15-16, 2007 in Nifong Park.
“Everything is traditional,” Public Information Specialist for Parks and Recreation Tammy Miller said. ”We strive to make it a truly historic festival.”
The festival, which takes place during the third weekend of each September, has grown significantly since its birth in 1977. According to the Parks and Recreation Department, many of the artisans return year after year.
Some of the crafts included handmade jewelry, weaving, candles and pottery. During the festival, the artisans showed how they created their works to make it an interactive experience.
“I am teaching my granddaughters a trade,” said Columbia resident Pat Kelley, who brings her eclectic jewelry to festivals around the area.
With the help of her granddaughters, Kelley picks up beads at the festivals that she visits to design necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Kelley saw an ad in the newspaper to be a vendor at this year’s event and decided to participate.
“I really like this festival,” Kelley said. “It’s my first year, but I definitely want to come back.”
Further recreating history, the department also brought in professional performers. Oral historian Jim Two Crow Wallen presented his knowledge of fur trapping as a mountain man. Wallen has prepared 19 different historical characters and presents an average of 300 performances a year.
“This is all I do for a living,” said Wallen who began performing in 1980.
Wallen, who is part Cherokee, grew up with an appreciation of oral history through his grandfather. He has been to 46 states sharing his love of history, educating both youth and adults.
“Festivals like this bring history alive,” Wallen said. “This is an interactive thing. When you can go inside a tepee and feel it, it brings it to life. People come expecting to see history.”
Even on a MU football weekend, many people showed up to experience history by attending performances, participating in interactive drumming or talking to local artisans.
“It is fun and educational,” Miller said. “The Heritage Festival is really well known in Columbia and is a true tradition.”

(left) Man weaving his loom. (right) Mr. Peddlesworth displaying his unique bicycle collection.

A performance by Wilco concluded Columbia’s outdoor concert series Summerfest last night. More than 2,000 people gathered Ninth Street outside the Blue Note to listen to some music and to enjoy the atmosphere. Dr. Dog from West Philadelphia opened with their three-part harmonies off of their new album We All Belong.

Wilco gave a great show and really appealed to the audience. They performed at Summerfest two years ago and seemed to be a crowd favorite. When “You Are My Face” was played, the crowd immediately gathered closer toward the stage. Creator Jeff Tweedy told us that that we were the best audience on the tour. After leaving the stage once, the crowd cheered them on for three encores, and Wilco did not disappoint. Since the band was formed in 1994, it is true that Wilco have been around for awhile. However, they still know how to please a crowd and provide an entertaining, enjoyable show for all ages.