Metro Pulse Online: Eye on the Scene

Hole in the Scene

The structural damage to Tomato Head Monday afternoon means more than a temporary loss of Cheddar Head sandwiches and great coffee. It puts one of the most adventurous music and performing arts venues in limbo.

Brian Sherry, who books entertainment for the Market Square institution, says he isn't sure what will happen: "I guess I can't take on any more [shows] right now."

Sherry is hopeful that all of the shows he currently has booked can be moved to other venues. The next show is scheduled for Thursday, March 2, with the Oxes, Joshua Falken Trio, and Dark Logik. Two ideal places to move the shows would be the soon-to-be Three-Nineteen, at 319 Gay St., and The Pilot Light, at 106 E. Jackson Ave, in the Old City. Unfortunately, neither venue has opened yet, but both hope to soon.

Getting It On With Gavin

All those who bitch about the state of Knoxville radio (that means you Rev. Jack!) take notice: Two Knoxville radio stations were nominated for Gavin Awards, the magazine that follows the radio industry. And one of them won.

WDVX, the little station in the trailer in Clinton, and WNCW, the Spindale, N.C. station that simulcasts at 96.7 in Knoxville, were both nominated for non-commercial station of the year, in the Americana category.

WNCW won the award (hey, not everyone can win).

WNCW also won "Programmer of the Year," for programming director Mark Keefe and "Music Director of the Year," to assistant program director Armando Bellmas.

WDVX's Tony Lawson was also nominated as program director of the year, but once again lost out to WNCW. Maybe next year, Tony. But the station and Lawson both deserve much praise for the nominations, proving that despite staff squabbles and legal battles, good programming wins out in the end.

Tidbits

Here are a couple of things worth noting, but we couldn't find a way to make them funny and/or snide and/or devious enough to support their own blurb:

* The Old City will be holding six free, fun-filled events in the courtyard between Barley's and Banana Joe's, starting with a St. Patrick's Day Festival, which will feature Irish (natch) food and music as well as a Running of the Green road race on March 18. April 15 is the Spring Swing, May 20—the Mountain Music Festival, June 17—hard Knox Blues Festival and Rib Cook-off, Sept. 23—Cradle of Country Music Festival and Chili Cook-off, finishing on Oct. 7 with a jazz festival. It's good to see some new life springing up in the Old City...

* The Knoxville Music Directory 2000 has hit the streets. In it, you can find all sorts of goodies, like venues, local bands, recording studios, and retail sources. You can pick one up at local record shops like Disc Exchange or Cat's.

* Just when the thrill of Black History Month fades, the National government wheels out Women's History Month. In honor of this, WUOT will broadcast three special programs: Mary Lou's Mass (a plea for peace with bossa nova, samba, soul, jazz, and blues rhythms) on March 3 at 8 p.m.; WHER: 1000 Beautiful Watts (about the world's first all-girl radio station) on March 17 at 3 p.m.; and The Women of Tin Pan Alley (women songwriters during the 1920s-40s) on March 25 at 8 p.m. Support your sisters and tune it in.

* Jim Beam, every musician's favorite name, is holding a nation-wide search for the best unsigned band. If you and your garage buddies haven't been discovered yet, visit www.jimbeam.com for complete contest information. The winner will receive a five-market tour, $1,500 for equipment, a Gibson guitar, and customized band T-shirts. And no purchase of distilled spirits is required to enter (but hey, it can't hurt).

* Finally, The North American Country Music Associations International (NACMAI) will bring its third annual Country Music Week 2000 to the Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge on March 10-11. Seminars, based around the theme "Only Knowledge Can Build Your Future," will be held and artists can also receive free music career evaluations in a "special" area. Call Wanda at 865-457-5909 for more information. Tell her Zippy sent ya.

Quit Yer Whining

Thursday: Peter Mayer at The Bijou Theatre. Mayer's hopeful, humorous songs are vaguely theological in nature. But even if you don't do the God thing, you'll still enjoy his breezy, eclectic tune-age.

Friday: Sean McCullough at Java. Chill with his nice-guy songs and load up on caffeine for Pegasi 51 with The Lovejoys and 54s at Prince's Deli.

Saturday: Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. This, my friends, is where grass began.

Sunday: Evil Twin at Lava Lounge. Freaks! I tell you! Freaks! And that's just the folks who show up for Lava's Goth night.

Monday: Celebrate National Chocolate Soufflé Day.

Tuesday: The Pirates of Penzance at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalists Church. While it's not a full-scale production (it's just a sing-through), the POP is a grand way to mark the leap year. It's Frederic's birthday, after all.

Wednesday: Ann Rabson at Fairbanks. Rabson is part of Saffire, the Uppity Blues Women. Together, they are magical. Alone, she is still magical.

—Zippy "Lost my magic" McDuff