Witnessing as Candy Bars returned from a long break and performed with cool and compelling force at the Homemade Music Showcase; chowing down on barbeque and being charmed by folk-pop ensemble Grecian Urns at Ella's Americana Folk Art Café; getting my face rocked off by Poetry n' Lotion during their staging of Black Sabbath's Paranoid at the Brokenmold Xmas Party … All of these experiences and more have added rich color to my live and local music memories in 2010.
But I'm only one of the many who support, sustain and reap the benefits of the Bay area music scene. So I sent out a missive to an assortment of locals, from musicians to promoters to CL's own group of music-loving writers, and asked: What was your favorite local show experience of 2010 and why? Here's a peek at some of the responses I received (I couldn't keep it to just 10); you can check out even more at cltampa.com/music.
The fiddle-off at New World Brewery between Whiskey Gentry and Have Gun Will Travel, where the winner was ultimately a harmonica. —T. Hampton Dorhman, Hampton Arts Management
Best "Holy shit! We really do have a local scene" moment: AntiWarpt Fest … Be it planet alignment, whiskey intake, amazing music coming from any direction, or some combination of the three, I've never walked away from a night feeling so proud of what's happening here in this area. —Bryan Childs aka Autopsy IV, ninebullets.net
The Peter Baldwin/November Foxtrot Whiskey show might be my favorite of the year — though it's nearly impossible to pick just one. Orlando's Peter Baldwin was a revelation. His soulful voice, charisma and ability to be both delicate and strong without a hint of cheesy showmanship convinced me he'd be the next Florida superstar. Plus, November Foxtrot Whiskey is a personal favorite. —CL A&E Editor Julie Garisto
Roger "Pretty Voices" Peterson put together an all-star band for the "Monsters of Rock" tribute at the Local 662, and asked a bunch of singers from local groups (including me) to belt out their favorite AC/DC tune. Car Bomb Dave, Evil Don and many more killed it for friends and strangers in a celebration of community and good old three-chord rock 'n' roll. It was quite possibly the most no-pressure fun I've had at a gig all year, and definitely a marvelous expression of scene solidarity. —CL Music Writer and Local Musician Scott Harrell
Sleepy Vikings at the Shuffleboard Courts in St. Petersburg — this place needs to have more shows! Great sound, experience, seating, vibe, BYOB … shuffleboards! —No Clubs Mistress Anna Serena
Grecian Urns performing Imagine at WMNF's tribute to John Lennon's 70th birthday. Their version wasn't that different from the original in feel and pacing, but they brought it to life with an array of acoustic guitars, mandolins, tambourines and incredible vocal harmonies. I've listened to Imagine many times and it never sounded so fresh and alive as it did that day. —WMNF host Lee "Flee" Courtney
The Candy Bars at Cappy's … Unusual venue setups don't always work out, but people came out of the woodwork to see the cult favorites on a Wednesday night. A brilliant break of the routine show grind at my favorite pizza place. —Freelance Photographer Nicole Kibert
Working with Joe Popp, Shawn Paonessa and Neil Gobioff along with the entire cast and crew of Pericles to present the 2.0 version in Tampa before making our off-Broadway debut a week later. Local musicians, writers, actors and designers created something we felt was pretty special in our hometown and then played it on "the big stage" in NY. —David Jenkins, Jobsite Theater
I'd be oh-so-lying if I didn't say my favorite local event of 2010 was Crash-E-Oke — the benefit for yours truly. Hearing some of my favorite acts cover my songs was a really big deal to me. Don't folks usually have to croak to have something like this happen?! —Local musician Sean "Crash" Michell of Crash Mitchell Five
Songwriter night at Tre Amici. On any given Thursday, you can hear some of area's most well known songwriters alongside yet-to-be discovered artists. It's a weekly reminder of how much songwriting talent there really is here. —Local singer-songwriter Steve Vaclavik
AntiWarpt Fest in downtown St. Pete. The whole block was jumpin'. Big crowds at all the spots and electric magic in the air. Even some dude from my Spanish class, who yelled "Hola Guillermo!" at me while I was playing. That was fucked up. —Local musician Billy Summer, The Semis
The BAAMO/ WMNF tributes have been fantastic. Every time I see the Chicken Chasers, they make me want to scream with laughter and burst out in tears all at once. The same with Rebekah Pulley, she just keeps getting better and better. Being part of The Dirty Spoons and Trash Revue with Judy Tampa and Bunko Squad … Then there was the Atomic Holiday Bazaar with The Equines, Blind Buddy Moody, The Kenneth Brian Band … There are too many good musicians around here! —Local songstress Natty Moss Bond
This article appears in Dec 30, 2010 – Jan 5, 2011.