By Valerie Kimble
From NMTech Public Information Office
SOCORRO – Two bands with roots in rural American music will share the stage at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center as part of the 81st annual 49ers Celebration.
The Vigilante Band, comprised of several New Mexico Tech alumni and other longtime musicians, will open for Ollabelle beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 as part of Tech’s Performing Arts Series (PAS).
Sponsors are Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union, and Holiday Inn Express.
Ollabelle molds its sound from the deep well of rural American roots music – including gospel, blues, bluegrass, and country – and fires it with a contemporary patina for a fresh appeal that stays true to the spirit of those early days.
The Vigilantes, meanwhile, are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year as a quasi-folk band spawned of humble roots and still true to their early slogan of “loose to the last minute.”
“The Vigilante Band just keeps getting better with age” says Ronna Kalish, director of the Performing Arts Series (PAS). “This will be the third time they have been
part of a PAS double-bill concert. Once they opened for Leo Kottke and another time for the Austin Lounge Lizards. Now the Lizards are on Vigilante rhythm guitarist Denby Auble’s record label, Blue Corn Music.”
Ronna continued “I’m honored to have them celebrate their 30-year anniversary as part of our season. I’m also very excited that another Blue Corn Music folk/blues artist, Ruthie Foster, will be playing a double concert with Eric Bibb on Friday February 3.”
The band Ollabelle takes its name from country bluegrass legend Ola Belle Reed, a North Carolina native honored with the National Endowment of the Arts National Heritage Award in 1986.
Reed once said: “You cannot separate your music from your lifestyle. You cannot separate your lifestyle, your religion, your politics from your music. It’s a part of life and that was what our music was in the mountains. It was a part of our lives.”
Members of Ollabelle agree with the basis of Reed’s statement, but also recognize that lifestyle, religion and politics comprise only part of the equation; what the listener gets out of a song is just as important as its intended meaning.
The six New York City-based musicians came together when one of their favorite clubs launched a gospel-music night. The club eventually shut down, but the group stayed together.
Their musical and religious backgrounds vary, but not their commitment to music
that stirs the soul, so to speak. “We’re trying to spread a feeling more than anything,” said drummer Tony Leone.
Ollabelle performs gospel classics such as “Jesus on the Mountain” as well as several original songs, among them “Get Back Temptation” penned by keyboardist Glenn Patscha.
By contrast, The Vigilante Band sticks to a song list that is almost as old as the band itself, from Roger McGuinn’s “Spaceman” to “Jambalaya” and “Jolene.”
“We’ve got quite a show coming up,” noted Kalish, adding that Club Macey will be open before the performances, during intermission and after the show, where patrons age 21 and older can meet and visit with members of both bands.
Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for youth and may be bought at the door or in advance at the New Mexico Tech Bookstore, New Mexico Tech Cashier's Window (Brown Hall), Brownbilt Western Wear, Leo’s Smokeshop Drive Thru, Video Shack and Gallaher Realty in Magdalena. .
Tickets also may be purchased from Performing Arts Series Office at pas@admin.nmt.edu or 505-835-5688.
From NMTech Public Information Office
SOCORRO – Two bands with roots in rural American music will share the stage at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center as part of the 81st annual 49ers Celebration.
The Vigilante Band, comprised of several New Mexico Tech alumni and other longtime musicians, will open for Ollabelle beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21 as part of Tech’s Performing Arts Series (PAS).
Sponsors are Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union, and Holiday Inn Express.
Ollabelle molds its sound from the deep well of rural American roots music – including gospel, blues, bluegrass, and country – and fires it with a contemporary patina for a fresh appeal that stays true to the spirit of those early days.
The Vigilantes, meanwhile, are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year as a quasi-folk band spawned of humble roots and still true to their early slogan of “loose to the last minute.”
“The Vigilante Band just keeps getting better with age” says Ronna Kalish, director of the Performing Arts Series (PAS). “This will be the third time they have been
part of a PAS double-bill concert. Once they opened for Leo Kottke and another time for the Austin Lounge Lizards. Now the Lizards are on Vigilante rhythm guitarist Denby Auble’s record label, Blue Corn Music.”
Ronna continued “I’m honored to have them celebrate their 30-year anniversary as part of our season. I’m also very excited that another Blue Corn Music folk/blues artist, Ruthie Foster, will be playing a double concert with Eric Bibb on Friday February 3.”
The band Ollabelle takes its name from country bluegrass legend Ola Belle Reed, a North Carolina native honored with the National Endowment of the Arts National Heritage Award in 1986.
Reed once said: “You cannot separate your music from your lifestyle. You cannot separate your lifestyle, your religion, your politics from your music. It’s a part of life and that was what our music was in the mountains. It was a part of our lives.”
Members of Ollabelle agree with the basis of Reed’s statement, but also recognize that lifestyle, religion and politics comprise only part of the equation; what the listener gets out of a song is just as important as its intended meaning.
The six New York City-based musicians came together when one of their favorite clubs launched a gospel-music night. The club eventually shut down, but the group stayed together.
Their musical and religious backgrounds vary, but not their commitment to music
that stirs the soul, so to speak. “We’re trying to spread a feeling more than anything,” said drummer Tony Leone.
Ollabelle performs gospel classics such as “Jesus on the Mountain” as well as several original songs, among them “Get Back Temptation” penned by keyboardist Glenn Patscha.
By contrast, The Vigilante Band sticks to a song list that is almost as old as the band itself, from Roger McGuinn’s “Spaceman” to “Jambalaya” and “Jolene.”
“We’ve got quite a show coming up,” noted Kalish, adding that Club Macey will be open before the performances, during intermission and after the show, where patrons age 21 and older can meet and visit with members of both bands.
Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for youth and may be bought at the door or in advance at the New Mexico Tech Bookstore, New Mexico Tech Cashier's Window (Brown Hall), Brownbilt Western Wear, Leo’s Smokeshop Drive Thru, Video Shack and Gallaher Realty in Magdalena. .
Tickets also may be purchased from Performing Arts Series Office at pas@admin.nmt.edu or 505-835-5688.