State of the union

Almost everyone has an opinion on the current status of Sacramento’s live-music scene. But what started out as a simple conversation between Tony King, Dennis Yudt and Midtown Monthly publisher Tim Foster eventually developed into the concept of creating a forum for connecting those who promote, play and support local music.

The goal was to explore the city’s music scene and where it is headed. And, this Sunday, January 15, at Time Tested Books’ Sacramento Living Library series, a panel of local promoters—including KDVS’ Rick Ele, Mindy Giles, Abstract Entertainment’s Brian McKenna and Jerry Perry—may offer up answers.

If anything, the event, titled “The State of Life Music In Sacramento,” will reveal the often misunderstood world of promoting shows, in addition to offering solutions to improving the scene over the next year. The evening will end with a Q-and-A session between the panel and attendees.

“Jerry and Brian have more history booking a broad spectrum of live music in Sacto than anyone else,” explained Foster as to why he chose these panelists. He added Giles to the mix because she “has an amazing background in the national music biz and works with some of the most respected artists in the world.” And Rick Ele, Fosters says, is “at the other end of the spectrum.”

“He works with offbeat acts, many of whom probably would not play Sacto if Rick wasn’t here. He specializes in pop-up venues and probably does more to involve young people in live music than anyone else in town.”

Debate over the state of the local music scene isn’t a new topic (see “All-ages all over?” by Nick Miller; SN&R Feature; March 6, 2008). But with recent closures of prominent local venues such as The Hub, Fire Escape Bar & Grill, Digitalis, and The Distillery, promoters and musicians alike wonder why the city continues to stunt the growth of musical expression.

Others, however, say it’s not the city: If the scene could support its own, then venue owners wouldn’t have to shut down or get rid of live music in favor of, say, karaoke.

Foster says it’s difficulties such as these that end up earning Sacramento a reputation on the touring circuit as a city that doesn’t support local music.

“The city bureaucracy seems designed to thwart live music,” Foster says. “How is it that cities like Austin do everything they can to help live music thrive, and then Sac puts roadblock after roadblock in the way?

“We want to raise the profile of this issue so we can start a discussion to do something to change this.”

Also involved in the evening’s discussion as the event’s mediator, Yudt was involved with the Cattle Club back in the day, and is a self-proclaimed “old man” of the group who spins a different perspective on the issue.

“What I would like to see is Midtown becoming like a giant version of the Cattle Club, another renaissance,” he said. “A music scene livens the art scene, the art scene livens the business scene. It’s a win-win all around.”

Things, of course, aren’t awful. Promoter and panel guest McKenna holds down Harlow’s and brings numerous touring acts to town each year. Same for Giles, who works with national acts. Ele brings the more obscure to town. And Perry’s flexibility to promote events in any venue available—plus a newfound residency at all-ages venue Luigi’s Fun Garden—has been good for the central city.

The panel says they’re prepared to offer insight on the inner workings of the local music scene as long as people are willing to participate.

“Anybody can sit down and have an opinion in the music scene,” Perry said, “but the four of us have been involved for a long time.

“I think people will be gaining insight that they haven’t heard before, and if they have questions, we can shed light on why we do things the way we do.”