A venue under way, at last!
I knew that Moonlight’s rebirth concert would be one to remember, as indeed it was—- eighty excited listeners gathered to welcome Kevin Welch back to Birmingham, and to test the room’s capability to accommodate more fannies than we had seats. Things had certainly changed since the shakedown cruise five months earlier, what with actual house lights, a ticket counter and cash box (of sorts), and a brand new rear exit for escape in case things proved incendiary. We still regarded admission charged as a donation, in an effort to stave off the taxman— a futile maneuver, it would be, but more about that later.
Booking a quick schedule to take advantage of this starting momentum was next, though not the challenge it could have been— many Nashville and Texas players had been keeping a hopeful eye on our progress, and soon lined up to build their Alabama audiences, from a stage they knew would honor their talents. It would now be up to us to meet their expectations once again.
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April 14, 2010
Friends of The Moonlight---
YOW! OUR GRAND OPENING SHOW WITH KEVIN WELCH was a thundering success--- full house, perfect weather, friendly crowd, and an artist in fine form and voice. After a very busy last few hours getting the place ready for launch, we can report that everything met expectations, according to each person we asked. The sound system was outstanding, the climate was properly controlled, the parking was sufficient, and the toilets flushed without incident... what else ya need?
Kevin Welch at Moonlight on the Mountain, April 8 2010— $15 ticket, 80 attendees
MAY IS FILLING UP WITH MUSICIANS of remarkable renown, whether you've heard their names or not... check out their websites on our Calendar page for samples of audio and video, so you'll come to know the standards we've set for ourselves in the artists we present. And remember, because you supply your own refreshments, you can enjoy these talents at a price that falls far below that of your typical night out.
ONE THING IS CLEAR--- we have to find ways to keep the bills paid and the doors open--- since there are no food or beverage sales, we will need to offer other things of value to our patrons. The most obvious of these is the use of the room for private events, on the nights we aren't actually presenting music. Give The Moonlight a thought when you need to gather a group of people in a casual setting for a family, social, or business event--- we'll negotiate a rate that is sure to make you happy, and that will help us keep the public shows front and center.
SO WE ARE OFF AND ROLLING... and as we said to the audience on opening night, what happens now is up to you. The Moonlight will be here as long as---- and only IF--- you claim a sense of ownership here, and show us your face often enough to maintain the momentum. It's cool to say you live in a town where you can hear the best original music face-to-face, brought to your own neighborhood, home-cooked and comfortable... but like all special gifts, you must either use it, or lose it. Getcha butt up here when you can, so we can keep doing it for you.... please start NOW, and make this place YOURS. Everybody will thank you!
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Reservations are NOT necessary for every show, just come on a half-hour before music starts, we'll make sure you have a seat if we possibly can. Always bring a folding festival chair in the car, so if ours are all taken, you won't be on your feet all night. And feel free to bring a small cooler with your own choice of beverage and snacks, like you would have at home. Where else can you do that?
OUR NEXT CONCERTS--
*Friday, April 16th, 7:30 pm, $15 donation--
GRETCHEN PETERS----- one of Nashville's busiest songwriters and players, penned "Independence Day" for Martina McBride, plus a hundred others you know---
www.gretchenpeters.com
*Friday, April 23rd, 7:30pm, $10 donation---
DAVID JACOBS-STRAIN--- riveting slide-blues from a wunder-kid barely old enough to SPELL Mississippi... an eye-opener from Song One!
www.davidjacobs-strain.com
Details on our Calendar page, at: www.moonlighonthemtn.com
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