Live Music
My wife and I have in the past been very active in the production of live, acoustic music in the Lawrence area. We were on the board for Westside Folk for several years and helped found the Folk on Mass house concert series. Bob McWilliams (Radio Bob in music circles) is able to book some of the top artists on the acoustic music scene for both music series. The House Concerts tend to feature up and coming artists, although we do host bigger artists from time to time. The Westside Folk concert series sponsors concerts by better known artists in various venues throughout Lawrence. (Although we do have concerts in local churches, all of our shows are secular.) This isn't kumbya, Peter, Paul and Mary music. Our concerts range from bluegrass and oldtime music to contemporary singer/songwriter performances.

The Folk on Mass series is typically fully subscribed by the first concert. Concerts are held in a victorian home on Mass Street and are limited to about 40 people. We do have some tickets available for individual concers when subscribers cannot attend. Check the Folk on Mass webpage for details. There are usually tickets available for Westside Folk Shows up until showtime. However, they are selling out more frequently. You can buy advanced tickets to any show at Mass Street Music or by mail order. See the Westside Folk website for more information. I am always willing to help get tickets. If you're willing to volunteer (sell t-shirts, sell CDs, or work the ticket desk), you can frequently get free admission to a show.

One reason I like both Folk on Mass and Westside Folk is that both try to reward artists. 100% of contributions to Folk on Mass go to the artist. Westside Folk is a registered non-profit organization. After we cover our costs, over 80% typically goes directly to the artist with the remainder used to update our sound equipment and make guarantees to new, emerging artists that might not be well known in Lawrence. No one associated with either organization makes a dime - we all just like the music.

Artists, Music and Gear
I keep a blog where I describe some of the artists and music I listen to and the stereo gear that I use for playback.I find it exceedingly difficult to find new music that I enjoy. My interests are pretty eclectic ranging from jazz through indie pop and folk to ska with about everything in between, except what you hear on the radio. Although the web has changed things for the better, it's still difficult to find new artists that I like. I also tend to be a bit of a gear-head - I like listening and learning about home audio gear. I have also put together some advice for first time high-end stereo buyers. To make a long story short, I'm a big fan of Bryston and Classe amplification, Benchmark DACs, HeadRoom headphone amps and Entymotic and Senheiser headphones. I also have Snell type C/V speakers and CAL digital sources that I love, but both of those companies have since been purchased and I'm not sure if and how they have changed. Visit the blog and select the music keyword for artists and music or the gear keyword for info on playback systems. Taste is personal -- your mileage my vary.