Music on Maxwell Returns in October
August 7, 2011
By JOE SITARZ
Index-Journal
Greenwood, SC - Even with the summer heat still registering in the upper 90s or hitting triple digits, Music on Maxwell concert series organizers believe they have a lineup that's a real scorcher.
Hyduke, who finds the talent for the series, and Holloway, who provides the space for the series, are encouraged by the spring series and the slae of tickets for the fall shows. Tickets already purchased have been done so without knowing who performers would be.
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Hyduke said those who have already purchased their tickets didn't even have the dates of the shows.
"I don't know if there is any precedent for something like that," Hyduke said.
Holloway added, "The community is supporting this. It would not have been possible without the corporate sponsors to plant the seed and get this off the ground."
"But, the community coming out and buying, sight unseen and in good faith, was a testament to itself," Holloway said, noting there is a new stage for the performances.
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Amy Speace
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When looking for performers, Hyduke didn't have to think too hard for who to ask. Because of the number of season tickets sold, Hyduke said he had to deliver quality shows.
"That put pressure on me to get the people in here who I know are going to be good, solid performers, and who are not going to disappoint," Hyduke said.
"It was very hard not to have The Trishas," Hyduke said.
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Holloway is working with The Trishas on their upcoming music video. He was in New Mexico and Colorado with the group doing some recording.
Plans are to preview the video when the group performs in December. Holloway had been involved in video for about two years.
The Trishas - Savannah Welch, Liz Foster, Kelley Mickwee and Jamie Wilson - last performed in Greenwood 18 months ago. They are one of only a handful of groups to have multiple shows for Music on Maxwell. In fact, this will be Wilson's third show fo rthe series. She was a member of the Gougers when the band performed.
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Greg Trooper
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"They're independent artists who have stayed true to what they want to do," Holloway said of The Trishas.
"They haven't been put in a box by Nashville. They haven't conformed to different standards the music industry sometimes wants."
"They've been trus to themseleves," Holloway said.
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The Trishas should have a new album out by the time the group plays Greenwood.
Whitworth came onto Hyduke's radar when Holloway told him about a four day, live music cruise. She was recognized for being one of the best performers on the cruise. Among other performers on the cruise were Emmy Lou Harris and Steve Earle.
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The Trishas
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"She was kind of the best of the best," Hyduke siad of Whitworth, who is from North Carolina. "If she could shine with all those people around her, she has to be good."
Hyduke said there's a definite bluegrass influence to her songs.
Speace, who is from Nashville, plays folk.
Whitworth and Speace play genres of music that have been successful during past series concerts.
Trooper returns to the area for the first time since the mid-1990s. He last performed when there was a concert series at the Ninety Six Depot.
"I think that was one of the favorite shows that we did in Ninety Six," Hyduke said.
The Ninety Six show featured Trooper and his band. This time around, Trooper will play acoustic.
"When it's stripped down and it's him and a guitar, it's a lot like Springsteen," Hyduke said, referring to Bruce Springsteen.
Trooper, like Springsteen, hails from New Jersey.
McLean is another folksy act.
"Fayssoux will be a big hit with the music on Maxwell audience," Hyduke said. "Her music is called country-folk."
Hyduke and Holloway said they believe they put together a strong season and what the audience is looking for.
"We really needed a good solid season, one more good solid season," Hyduke said, adding for 2012, things could open up a little.
"One more solid season and we'll see where that takes us," Hyduke said. "We'll maybe bring in some different types of music. Hopefully, we'll bring in new people."
The bigger stage has taken the limitations off what size bands could play Music on Maxwell.
Six or seven member bands can now be booked. The biggest number of performers on stage has been five.
"It restricted the movement," Hyduke said.
One thing that surprised Hyduke was the audiences wanted energetic and lively performances.
"The more these bands rock, the more they like it. They want to rock," Hyduke said.
There is a kickoff appreciation ticket pickup in September.
There has always been food and drinks available for purchase, but Holloway said he's going to try something new for this series.
Food and drinks will be provided by different restaurants for each show.
Season tickets are available now. Holloway said he hopes season tickets will sell out, and that there should be individual tickets for each show available at the door.
For information, call (864) 227-1188.
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