Live Music Makes the World Go Around

Jack Johnson at CMAC was amazing, find out where live music is happening in Allegany and Steuben County this summer!!

Pictured is Johnson with Rochester musician Jake Sartini

A COLUMN by Bill Collmer, Sun Senior Staff Writer

When i was growing up in Avoca, NY in the 1980’s my mother listened to country music on a regular basis. Back then it was records, eight tracks or cassettes. I was raised on Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Alabama, the Oakridge boys and the Statler Brothers.

Naturally as I got older I branched out and started listening to other types of music but always stayed true to my roots and listened to country too.

When i was eighteen I attended my first concert at Darien Lake seeing Perry Cantrell, Days of the New and Metallica. Since then I’ve seen everyone from The Jam Band Phish to Benson Boone.

In my early twenties while vacationing with my Uncle he introduced me to Bluegrass music. The band Driftwood from Binghamton is my favorite local folk band, while Old Crow Medicine Show is my favorite national Bluegrass band. I have watched them in concert seven times and will see them at Point of the Bluff in Hammondsport again in September.

Although there is “angry” music out there, most types of music make you happy, make you dance and bring a smile to your face.

Music brings out emotions, it can make you happy, it can make you sad, it makes you think.

There’s music out ther for everyone. For me there’s nothing better than Live Music. It makes me happy, and it makes me smile from ear-to-ear.

On Wednesday July 1st I went to CMAC in Canandaigua to see my favorite artist of all-time Jack Johnson in concert for the second time. The first time I saw him was in Boston, Massachusetts in 2008. The time I made the mistake of wearing a New York Yankees T-shirts in Boston.

Johnsons music is the epitome of happy music, easy listening “Surfer” music. The concert at CMAC was sold out, so there were 15,000 people there dancing and singing along for over two hours in 90 degree heat.

While in town Johnson and his wife Kim Kayaked in Canandaigua lake. The Johnson Ohana foundation donated $500.00 to the Canandaigua Lake watershed. The funds support the association conservation and water education initiative.The foundations backing also established a matching campaign where donations made to the association at the concert or directly will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500.

Countless big name artists come to Canandaigua every summer, collect a check and move on to the next city. Nobody has done what Johnson just did.

Towards the end of the concert, the band left the stage. Johnson stayed on stage with his guitar and took requests from the crowd. He spotted a sign in the crowd from a college student from Rochester asking to join him on stage. Jake Sartini then joined him and they played a duet together.

There are thousands and thousands of talented musicians in the world. Some make it big and some don’t, but they’re all making beautiful music.

In Steuben and Allegany County people are always complaining on social media that there’s nothing to do. If you’re bored this summer many towns in our area offer free Music in the Park series. Where you can go sit on a blanket or in a lawn chair and listen to local talented Musicians from all over New York and Pennsylvania. There truly is something for everyone, whether its classic or Modern country, Classic Rock or Bluegrass.

Music is an art form that combines sounds and silences. In an aesthetically pleasing or expressive way. Through essential elements like Melody, rhythm and harmony, it is used to evoke emotions, tell stories and communicate across nearly all human cultures. Music serves many functions in human society ranging from entertainment to ceremonial practices, Communication and emotional release. Music is the universal language of emotions. Whether it is to bring comfort, spark energy or facilitate a collective experience its Psychological impact is profound.

Music can heal your soul, it helps me tremendously. So far this summer i’ve seen Teddy Swims, Hanson, The Los Lonely boys, Los Lobos and Johnson. Later this month I will attend shows at the Forx in Wayland, and go back to CMAC. Next month I will attend shows at Point of the Bluff and CMAC.

I will also try to see as many local musicians as possible. Many local Brewerys and Distilleries have Live Music every weekend all summer long.

For me, and many others music truly makes the world go around.

The following towns offer free Live Music every week.