Alltech Brings Inventor of Slam Poetry to Host Lexington Competition!

“The very word 'poetry' repels people. Why is that? Because of what schools have done to it. The slam gives it back to the people.... We need people to talk poetry to each other. That's how we communicate our values, our hearts, the things that we've learned that make us who we are.” -Marc Smith-

Marc Smith has spent years in an effort to bring poetry back to the people. Slam Poetry has revolutionized poetry, turning it from a snobby, highly-refined form of fine art into what, most people will argue, it was meant to be: a raw expression of one’s emotions and humanity. Smith invented the poetry slam and, thus, Slam Poetry. Smith’s efforts and ideals have allowed the rise of, now, stars like Saul Williams, Michael Cirelli and many others.

Marc Smith’s quote embodies my experience with poetry. The constant emphasis that schools place on form, length and the refined nature of poetry completely turned me off to the idea of poetry. My junior year of high school I discovered, through a friend, Saul Williams’ album “Penny for a Thought/ Purple Pigeons”. Finding this album caused me to delve deeper into the works of Saul Williams and discover a new brand of poetry that had been hidden deep under a pile of Haikus by English teachers everywhere.

Slam poetry is raw, a slam poet is an individual expressing how they truly feel deep down in a place that they only allow people to see in their poetry. I got one taste of this style of poetry and have been hooked ever since. This style of poetry has been called very macho, masculine and like a sporting event, this is what causes some people to dislike it but the raw bravado is what hooked me, as well as many other people. Marc Smith has not only created a genre, he has empowered people. Saul Williams said of slam poetry,
“It filled a tremendous void for me and my friends growing up... The only thing that prevented all the young boys in the black community from turning into Michael Jackson, from all of us bleaching our skin, from all of us losing it, just losing it, was slamming (slam poetry). That was the only counter-existence in the mainstream media. That was essential, and in that same way I think poetry fills a very huge void today [among] youth. And I guess I count myself among the youth”

Slam poetry is coming to Lexington! This genre of entertainment has not yet made a real jump to the southern states, other than Atlanta, and I am excited to get to see the inventor of the genre, and a group from his weekly show, bring Lexington into the future of poetry by allowing Lexington poets to enter this slam poetry contest!

The Intern

Aldean Rides “Big Green Tractor” to No. 1 on the Charts

A mere 14 weeks after being released “Big Green Tractor” lands Jason Aldean another No. 1 song. Aldean has been making waves in country music ever since he debuted his self titled album in 2005. This album gained him 3 Billboard top 50 hits as well as the award for top new male vocalist at the 2006 Academy of Country Music awards.

To be honest, I have had a serious bone to pick with country music, of late. I grew up on country music. It was, in fact, the only thing that was allowed to be played in my mother’s car. In those days it seemed like the industry was driven by the artists; you had talented musicians who expressed their emotion through music. The artists were not driven by what the industry wanted to hear, and that’s what made them great. Because of this there was a group of talented, independent artists who came out with several albums, each album an evolution in the individual’s musical style. Growing up with these country greats, I have been very disappointed in the way that the country music industry has conformed to the style of the music industry as a whole. The industry has begun to praise the artists that are here today and gone tomorrow. Always searching for new talent and not cultivating the old has become the MO of the music industry and, therefore, of country music.

This said; I have been more than impressed with Jason Aldean’s staying power in the scene. 4 years after his debut, Aldean is still around and bigger than ever. In a musical environment that prizes new musicians and new styles, Aldean has been able to stay ahead of the reaper (unlike many of the other musicians that have come along in the last 5 years). “Big Green Tractor’s” rapid rise to the top shows that he still has what country music fans are looking for and embodies my hope that the industry is going back to its roots, where the truly talented few, not the “one hit wonder” drove the industry.

Aldean is joining one of his peers, Miranda Lambert, in concert at Applebees Park in Lexington as part of the Festival. Miranda Lambert is another relatively new artist that has shown her resilience in the industry. Having been around since 2003 Lambert has proven herself ready to stand in country music for a long time as well. More to come about her later…

The Intern

Decemberists visit Lexington for first time!

As an avid fan of live music (and an Alltech Fortnight Festival Blogger) I have, of course, been following the signings and concert announcements for the Festival. While there are several that I am excited about, I have to say, the concert that intrigues me most is that of the Decemberists. This band has exploded onto the scene over the past couple of years and I couldn’t help but ask myself why. I have come up with 3 reasons that I think led to their meteoric rise through the indie rock scene and their rapid appearance in the spotlight of mainstream music.

1. Talent: It is rare these days to find a band that is talented at every position. From a drummer, who brings a driving rock beat, to a guitarist, who makes one reminisce the days of talented folk musicians who dominated the mainstream of the 1960’s and 70’s, to a songwriting style that is unique, ballad-like and equally impressive. It is not often that a songwriter that has intriguing lyrics that evoke legitimate emotion can pull together the instrumentalists necessary to bring his lyrics, skillfully, to the public eye.
2. Timing: The music scene was poised for a band that hits America in its folk music roots. Set up by other successful indie bands turned mainstream phenomena, the Decemberists bring their unique style into the mix at the perfect moment for their music. The music industry was ready for a band, similar to the pioneers of indie-folk rock but unique in what it brings to the table with songwriting and overall musical ability.
3. Presence: The news is filled with musicians who get in brushes with the law to the point where it is hard for the public to care or be surprised. Often these stories are shocking to people because of the pure selfishness that is shown by the perpetrator; rarely are these brushes with the law because of a band trying to give back to its fans. The Decemberists break the mold again with the recent news coming from Portland, Oregon that featured a spontaneous, free concert put on by the band in the streets of their hometown. This concert was broken up by the police, cited as a public disturbance, but I have to respect a band for scraping with the law in order to give back to their fans. The news of this concert confirms something that I have been suspicious of for a long time… The Decemberists love to play music. I have been following the Decemberists and have noticed that they play every show with energy like it is the first show of their tour. Also they have been featured at many different well known music festivals, always drawing a large crowd and never disappointing. I am hopeful that their performance will bring the Alltech Fortnight Festival to a new level and we will see many great performances in the months and years to follow.
It is these three things that, in my opinion, bring the Decemberists to the forefront of a music industry filled with pretenders. That is why I am excited to have them as part of the Fortnight Festival, bringing good music to a town that has, historically, lacked a live music scene worth talking about.

The Intern

2009 Lineup Announcement

2009 Alltech Fortnight Festival Line-up!!!

9/25 Jason Aldean & Miranda Lambert @ Applebee’s Park – Lexington, Kentucky (Opener: Love & Theft)

9/26 Bettye LaVette @ Singletary Center for the Arts – Lexington, Kentucky

“Beguiled Again” @ Black Box Theatre – Lexington, Kentucky

9/27 “Beguiled Again” @ Black Box Theatre – Lexington, Kentucky

9/28 Fairplay Collective @ Black Box Theatre
Lexington, Kentucky

9/29 Singer-Songwriter Night @ Black Box Theatre
Lexington, Kentucky

9/30 Marc Smith Poetry Slam @ Black Box Theatre
Lexington, Kentucky

10/1 Makem & Spain Brothers @ Lexington Opera House
Lexington, Kentucky

10/2 Mary Chapin Carpenter @ Equus Run – Midway, Kentucky

10/3 .38 Special & Kansas @ Murray State University Regional
Special Events Center - Murray Kentucky

10/4 TBA

10/5 TBA

10/6 The Decemberists @ Singletary Center for the Arts
Lexington, Kentucky

Battle of the Bluegrass @ Tin Roof – Lexington, Kentucky

10/7 Battle of the Bluegrass @ Tin Roof – Lexington, Kentucky

10/8 Ricky Skaggs @ Paramount Center for the Arts
Ashland, Kentucky

10/9 John Sebastian @ The Grand Theatre – Frankfort, Kentucky

10/10 Ronan Tynan & The Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra @
Singletary Center for the Arts - Lexington, Kentucky

Ricky Skaggs @ RiverPark Center – Owensboro, Kentucky

String Band Day @ Appalshop – Whitesburg, Kentucky

Alltech Fortnight Festival 2009 Fall Line-up to be Announced--- THIS FRIDAY!!

Who: Alltech Fortnight Festival
What: 2009 Fall Line-up Announcement
When: Friday, August 7th @ 6:00 p.m.
Where: Joseph Beth Booksellers --- Lexington, KY

Drinks and food will be served.

This event is open to everyone. We hope you can make it!!