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Saturday, January 31, 2009
Amy Hutto and Local X no longer at 98X
Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Sat, Jan 31, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Rest in Peace, Local X
It’s also the end of an era, as Local X host and longtime jockey Amy Hutto (pictured) was laid off entirely. “Local X has been a great addition to the station over the last few years and Amy Hutto has become a staple in the local music scene famous for her championing of bands and their causes,” Mike Allen, operations manager and program director at 98X and sister station the Bridge at 105.5 (both of which are part of L.M. Communications), stated this week. “She spearheaded creating a brand for the radio station including spending hours and hours on a much heralded pair of Local Xmas CDs."
She added, “I am very thankful for all the opportunities and people I have met during the last decade. I really do count my blessings for all the love and support from out the many years.”
Hutto presented the Sun. Jan. 25 installment as the “Farewell Local X show.” Local X put the spotlight on mostly heavy-rockers from the Charleston and the Carolina scene, many of whom may have never received airplay or acknowledgement from commercial radio at all. It shall be sorely missed.
The show often scored as a City Paper critic favorite in the annual "Best of Charleston" issues.
Keep an eye on www.98xonline.com for more updates.
(photo by Nancy Santos)
Amy Hutto and Local X no longer at 98X
Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Sat, Jan 31, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Rest in Peace, Local X
We were a shocked to hear rumors about an abrupt demise of Local X, Charleston radio station 98X’s weekly three-hour local music show. Initially, we assumed it was a slight (or temporary) programming adjustment or something. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a sudden end to a popular and vital program that consistently covered tons of local music.
It’s also the end of an era, as Local X host and longtime jockey Amy Hutto (pictured) was laid off entirely. “Local X has been a great addition to the station over the last few years and Amy Hutto has become a staple in the local music scene famous for her championing of bands and their causes,” Mike Allen, operations manager and program director at 98X and sister station the Bridge at 105.5 (both of which are part of L.M. Communications), stated this week. “She spearheaded creating a brand for the radio station including spending hours and hours on a much heralded pair of Local Xmas CDs."
On her Myspace page last week, Hutto posted a blog announcement on the matter, stating, “I no longer work for 98X. I have nothing bad to say. I got laid off due to budget cuts in this troubling economy. I have many mixed emotions running through my head. I’m mad. I’m hurt. I’m disappointed. I’m confused. I’m lost. I’m angry. I’m sad. For the last 10 1/2 years, I have poured my heart and soul into my work. Blood, sweat, and tears. It’s the end of an era for me. And, it’s really scary.”
She added, “I am very thankful for all the opportunities and people I have met during the last decade. I really do count my blessings for all the love and support from out the many years.”
Hutto presented the Sun. Jan. 25 installment as the “Farewell Local X show.” Local X put the spotlight on mostly heavy-rockers from the Charleston and the Carolina scene, many of whom may have never received airplay or acknowledgement from commercial radio at all. It shall be sorely missed.
The show often scored as a City Paper critic favorite in the annual "Best of Charleston" issues.
Keep an eye on www.98xonline.com for more updates.
(photo by Nancy Santos)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Vic Chesnutt and Elf Power join forces
Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 5:52 PM
It's been years and years since Georgia songsmith Vic Chesnutt has performed in Charleston (if ever??? Does anyone remember the last gig???).
The veteran singer/songwriter/hollerer and fuzzed-out indie-rock band Elf Power — two well-acclaimed acts from Athens, Ga. — recently collaborated with The Amorphous Strums (guitarists Curtiss Pernice and Sam Mixon, veteran Chesnutt sidemen) on an album titled Dark Developments.
Athens indie label Orange Twin released the nine-song collection in October. Chesnutt enlisted Derek Almstead last year to engineer and produce the sessions for Dark Developments. The band congregated in Chesnutt’s spacious attic studio (the entire top floor of his home in a historic neighborhood just blocks from downtown Athens).
Vic and the Elves hit the road together this month and will continue to until the end March. Between these dates they’ll travel the East Coast, Midwest and the South before heading overseas for multiple shows.
Look for Vic Chesnutt and Elf Power at the Pour House on Fri. Feb. 6 ($12, $10/adv.). Elf Power will perform an opening set before joing Vic on stage as his backing band. Hippie beware: if you holler out for any Panic or Brute tunes, Vic might just holler back in disagreement (but he might not…).
(photos by Ben McCormick and Jason Thrasher)
Crowfield rides into Sunset (Sessions)
Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Local rock band Crowfield is gearing up for some big-time do'ins this month. Band manager Johnny Diamond (of Ten Star Talent) recently alerted the local media to fact that singer/pianist Joe Giant, lead singer/guitarist Tyler Mechem, drummer Parker Gins and company were heading out to Carlsbad, California (near San Diego) next week to play a Valentine's Day set at the “industry-only” Sunset Sessions Triple A Radio Conference. “It’s a AAA format radio conference thingy,” says Mechem. “We’ll be the only band not on a major or mid-major label out there." Bassist Johnny Gray (formerly of Jump) and guitarist Micah Nichols join the band for the trip.
The City Paper an a brief preview in this week's Music Board, and local writer Devin Grant gave the band some love in the Post and Courier's Preview this week as well.
Crowfield performs at the Pour House on Saturday, Jan. 31 with Nick Pagliari opening the show. "The guys have a really special night planned, so it's not going to just be another 'Crowfield' show," says Diamond. "The band has some surprises in store for the audience."
“We have some great stuff going,” says Mecham. “We’re so flattered and gracious for the radio stations’ support."
Monday, January 26, 2009
A note from Dante's Camaro
Posted by T. Ballard Lesemann on Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 2:00 PM
City Paper received a note from local band Dante's Camaro today:
Gentlemen,
After Push-ups and Coffee this morning, I decided to meander through the latest write-ups, reviews, and fan mail piling up in our in-box. where I came upon the astonishing revelation that we, Dante's Camaro the greatest Rock & Roll Band in the History of Charleston S.C. were NOT listed in the "Charleston" City Paper's Band Directory online. I nearly fell off of my throne. While the shock of this massive oversight was bad enough, I was able to compose my self long enough to read on. And I found that chumps like Dangermuffin, As/If, and worst of all Plane Jane were listed in your publication.
I don't know who you are or what your role in this mishap is, but if you haven't heard by now let me inform you that WE OWN THIS TOWN ! We are the World Heavy Weight Champion of Rock and Roll, the show stopper and chart topper do you dig it? If there is any journalistic integrity in the bloated advertisement you call a paper. do yourself a favor and correct this unbelievable mistake. A prompt response is requested.
Yours very truly,
Ben Dante.
Dante's Camaro.
We responded today:
Dear Ben
After drinking three cups of black coffee and anguishing over pages of really cool music section copy this morning, I decided to meander through the latest e-mail messages in my crowded “in” box … where I came upon the astonishing revelation that Dante’s Camaro is even more hostile, douch-y, and childish than anyone in Charleston, S.C. had previously assumed. The band’s exclusion from the “Charleston” City Paper’s Band Directory is precisely due to the fact that we DO know who the fuck you are. There was no oversight. It was a massively intentional move. If Dante’s Camaro played proper cover songs — like Dangermuffin, AS/IF, and Plain Jane always do — we might be interested in listing the band.
I know who you are and what your role in shitty rock music is, so let me inform you that CITY PAPER OWNS THIS TOWN! We are the Iron Sheik and Bret Hart to your pitiful Ric Flair. Since there is almost too much journalistic integrity in this bloated advertisement we call a paper, we will not correct this “mistake,” as no mistake was ever made. Please send two cases of fancy hippie beer to our offices immediately — and send A&E editor John Stoehr a poster of Mozart, too (the poor guy’s still hiding under his desk, shuddering from the emphatic shock of your note).
Yours very truly,
T. Ballard Lesemann
(photos by Badjon Photography)
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