Granny Pam

For many years, the Oakland Community College Bluegrass Series has been a highlight of our dark, Detroit area winters. Last spring Oakland Community College (OCC) announced it was ending support for all performing arts, effectively ending the concerts.

Tom Laing, who has assisted the College staff with talent selection, was very disappointed. Greg Cahill of Special Consensus has described Tom as, “A great supporter of Bluegrass”, and Tom proved himself as such, springing into action. Tom and wife Barb have collected signatures in support of the series, and started a mailing list of interest people. He also began investigation into other venues in which the series could be presented.

Tom Laing receives thanks and a memento of appreciation from OCC’s Velma Jones at the final OCC bluegrass concert on May 14, 2010.

In a recent communication from Tom, we learn the following concerning the status of the OCC Series and possible alternative locations:

I met July 27th with Chancellor Dr. Timothy Meyer. I was encouraged by the meeting as he is a bluegrass fan and attended one of our concerts last season. It was a completely pleasant visit.

He has invited me to meet with one of their chief accountants to review the past six years’ financial data I developed which shows a positive balance sheet.

Thanks to several members of our bluegrass audience, we are pursuing four other sites as alternates, if necessary. These are located in Royal Oak, Trenton, Taylor, and Waterford.

I will soon survey each of you by email as to which of these locations you would attend if a move from OCC is required.

Thank you for your loyalty and continued support. Stay tuned!!

Tom Laing

I suggest everyone support Tom in his efforts. If you want to be added to Tom’s list and keep up to date on his progress on this issue, use my contact link to send me your e-mail address, which I will forward to Tom.

Nothin’ Fancy (www.nothinfancybluegrass.com) hits the stage at Lila Jones Theater, Oakland Community College, Royal Oak Campus Friday, April 22, 2010. Although there is another concert remaining in the series, this will be the last bluegrass performance in Royal Oak this year. The May appearance by J.D. Crowe will be on the Waterford campus.

We first saw Nothin’ Fancy years ago at Jekyll Island, when they were a more regional band. Hard work and persistence has brought them to wider audiences. More recently, the group appeared at the City of Auburn Hills festival in September, 2009, where this photo was taken.

Nothin’ Fancy adds a little humor to some powerful playing and singing in their shows. I hope you will be able to come out a support this fine concert series on Friday.

Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out return to the Oakland Community College Bluegrass Series tomorrow night, January 22, 2010. The group enjoys tremendous popularity in the Detroit area; many fans are looking forward to their annual appearance. You can get tickets online through the College site, if you wish.

The concert will take place on the Waterford Campus, 7350 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, MI 48327-4187, in the student center arena. Although the facility is not as nice as the theater in Royal Oak, is is comfortable, and the students are very welcoming.

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To get to the facility, turn onto Campus Drive (for some reason, it is to the left of the flag on the Google Map), and drive up to the parking lot at High Oaks Drive. The student center is just a short walk, follow the crowd.

Hope to see you there.

Papa took some very nice photos of Bobby Osborne last weekend during Bobby’s two Detroit area appearances. My favorite is this one:

It happened to be taken at the Eagles, rather than OCC. The band has settled into a line-up which includes Bobby, Bobby Jr. on bass, Richard Bennett on guitar, Dana Cupp on banjo, and Tim Graves on Dobro. Bobby did the entire first set without any talking, playing the entire 45 of so minutes. BOJ is singing more these days, and the improvement is noticeable. Richard Bennett’s guitar playing adds a new dimension to the band. The good turn-out at the Eagles may have been partly attributable to Richard’s appearance, he had a lot of friends and fans there.

If you want to see all of Papa’s photos from last weekend, check here.