The acoustic music circle at the gazebo in Gilchrist Park, at Punta Gorda, is a Thursday night music tradition dating all the way back to the late Steve Blackwell. From a small gathering of musicians, getting out of the house to make a little music, the circle grew to be a community event. In season it is hard to find a parking spot in the park. There is the original acoustic circle in the gazebo, an electrified country get together at the pavilion, and musicians of all types, in little clumps, all over the grass. It is unfortunate the original acoustic circle, which started the whole deal, is being squeezed out by the louder venue--people bringing amplifiers to the gazebo, itself, and by listeners who talk over the top of even the amplifiers. I guess the music disturbs their conversation. It had been a while since Debbie and I had gone there to play. It is just too much trouble and too little enjoyment to play acoustic music and fight that much noise. We tried it again last night. A guy who had dragged an amplifier along was tuning up--through the amp-- while other people were trying to perform acoustically. It was bad enough the couple next to us could not focus or be heard. When it became our turn, I couldnt even clearly hear the guitar in my own lap. Aggravated at the situation, we simply packed and left. I have heard other musicians voice similar complaints and it appears the circle is shrinking. Acoustic is the spirit and the origin of this community musical tradition. Acoustic, however, requires a moderate bit of courtesy from the other musicians who gather and from the listeners. Maybe those of us who enjoy the original spirit of that event should look at getting together--same time, same station, on another evening and strictly allow no amplifiers or loudmouths.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 01:04:45 +0000
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