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This is where it all starts - noel wentworth

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Performing singer/songwriters gather at a showcase full of family and friends hoping to catch the attention of anyone in the audience who might like their song or better yet , their music. I'm talking about the Okanagan Songwriters Showcase held Saturday nights from 9-1 at Angie's pub in Kelowna.Here half a
dozen or so Original artists gather to show off their material - eager to hear some applause for the hard work they've done on their craft.

This isn't like going out to see cover bands where everyone is familiar with their songs.This is a unique musical experience . Not only something that requires a bit more nerve from a performers stand point but patience and curiosity from a listeners point of view as well. For most , It's difficult to listen to something
that hasn't been pounded on the radio for months or even years. But , this my friends is art - something a community should nurture.

I's a interesting thing people from the Okanagan are a conservative bunch.Ive found that the vast majority are not likely to go out and attend original music acts let alone pay much attention to the detail put into live music in general. I've found this out the hard way, playing in many cover bands over the years.Most peoplein the audience could care less if i pulled off the guitar solo to Sweet home alabama. To them it doesn't matter that I spent hour upon hour learning - straining my back over a CD player and a guitar just to show them the how much attention to detail I paid , how true I could be to the authors version. ( and to avoid the scorn from the one person in the club who comes up and says " that wasn't it that wasn't the solo"). You know in the 10 years i've been playing songs like that one. I've found only one person ever showed the appreciation I expected for the work. - and all i got was a very slow clap form a kind gentleman at the back of the bar.

More often than not this is the story for most of us who do cover songs is just this: song ends ...dead silence ...pause...clap clap clap usually from one customer apparently who's been there all day.So i ask , When did it become un cool to clap? I say this kiddingly but with a note of seriousness . Happily there are many enthusiastic crowds and like every other musician I know, I live for them. This is why many of us still do it, Weekend after weekend . It's in our blood. Applause is what we need to encourage us to push on ( Ok a little money would be nice too ).In a nutshell, these people who are showcasing their songs , have practiced for years. They have learned how to craft melody and lyrics and marry them to music. And finally , they've worked up the courage to jump on stage - proverbially naked - hoping people like what they see and hear. These singers are bearing their souls with stories they have crafted for the world through song. So when the song ends get off your hands and clap. Please clap!

We are so blessed to live in the Valley where we can see anything from country and jazz , to blues and rock , to pop and heavy metal. I understand that going out to see someone you aren't familiar with can sort for be second on the list of things to do when planning and evening out. But keep in mind these entertainers could be the next big actyou see at Skyreach Place. So what if their song isn't on the radio right now.

Well hopefully all that will change too. The start of a new radio program called Outside the Box , hosted by Darryl Taylor from RMG studios , is helping to promote our local talent. For an hour every saturday night from 6 to 7 on 100.7
Giant FM and Wednesday nights from 9 to 10 on 107.5 KISS FM in Vernon, you can hear many of the Okanagans budding artists who have CD's available.
Hearing it on the radio is a great start and following it up with a live performance is the next step .Venues like the Laughing Moon , Bunches Bistro , The Minstrel Cafe , and The Okanagan Songwriters Showcase at Angie's Pub are places where these artists can hit the stage and show off their material.

Hey! - You've got to start somewhere to build the familiarity we all look forward to. Go see a show , buy a CD , become
a fan. This is where it all starts.

Noel Wentworth