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Showing posts with label Local Talent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Local Talent. Show all posts

Local Talent: Jernakin

4/06/2009 12:12:00 AM • , , , • 0 comments

It’s the middle of the afternoon and I’m in line at Starbucks about to order my drink as I wait for my “interviewee” to show up. 

If you’re a regular to this blog then I’m sure you’ve seen some of my previous entries where I go out and meet young people in Amarillo who are doing really cool and amazing things. Jonathan Hart is no exception.

Music has been part of Hart’s since he was in preschool. Not just listening, but actively participating, creating, and experimenting with music. Now it consumes him completely. Back in high school he won a battle of the bands competition one year.

Jernakin is a nickname of Hart’s from way back when. “I have 50 million nicknames”

“I just like to make music, I’m no different than the next guy” says Hart “I’m not trying to be the next big thing, I just want people to hear my music.”

Sax, guitar, vocals, dabbling in drums and producing music are the tools in Hart’s toolbox. His apartment looks more like a recording studio than a home.

“Everything you hear is pretty much done by me.”

Hart’s hopes to release a 6 song EP in about 6 months to a year - his musical style is indie and electronica tastefully blended together. If his cover of Damien Rice’s “9 Crimes,” a collaboration he did with Jen Williams, is any indication of future songs to come his EP will be one you can just put on and let play without skipping any songs. 

“I just want to make music people like and respect,” says Hart. “I’m trying to do something unique to what is out there already,”

Aside from being an extremely driven artist, Hart is an active member of Trinity Fellowship Church as well as manager at The Buckle.

Hart’s sound would a combination of Temposhark, Muse, and Radiohead and the production style of Imogen Heap.

Seeing Hart’s dedication to his craft has been a very inspirational experience, it makes me want as hard on my writing and graphic design skills as he does with his music. Hart has a passion for music that burns brighter than sun – I am supremely confident that we will see great things from Jernakin in the future.

So what’s next for Jernakin?

“Possibly working a track for a local fashion show here in Amarillo.”

Keep checking his MySpace page for new music!

Local Talent: Jen Williams Singer, Songwriter, Producer

2/03/2009 07:42:00 PM • , , , , • 1 comments

To many being a music lover is having a favorite band or favorite genre of music. To Jen Williams loving music means loving everything about the music industry; from playing music to writing, to even producing and promoting local shows.

In a world where so many people would rather sing covers, Jen is one the few who actually write music. She doesn't just sit around waiting for an opportunity to get her music out there, she creates those opportunities. Occasionally she will broadcast impromptu performances over the internet via stickam. She says she uses these performances almost as practices to help her get ready for upcoming shows.

When asked about getting nervous, Jen replied "I'm always nervous before a show, but once I get on stage its okay," her response came so calmly and naturally you get the idea that she truly loves it, even the nervousness.

As if writing and performing songs weren't enough, Jen takes things one step further by producing and promoting local shows. She communicates with bands and band booking agents in order to keep new music constantly flowing through Amarillo. "I probably spend more time putting shows together than I do actually playing shows," she said with a cringe that leads you to believe she wishes she had enough to devote to both.

Throughout the month of March Jen will be producing 5 shows. When asked about producing shows, Jen replies "It's a lot of hard work, but I think it will be worth in the end."

Jen graduated from Amarillo College with a degree in Music.

Jen is playing a show tomorrow, February 4 @ The Nat Ballroom. $8.00 at the door. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

 Follow Jen on Twitter

Friend Jen on MySpace

Local Talent: Lacey Brown the Next American Idol

1/31/2009 10:55:00 PM • , , , , , • 5 comments

Have you been watching American Idol? Well if you have you may or may not have heard that a local from Amarillo got a ticket to Hollywood!

That local is, former AC student, Lacey Brown she auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. The episode aired on January 21, 2009. Her audition was not shown on the air, but the first half of the episode is littered with clips her. If you watch carefully it shows her holding a "golden ticket" after the end of day one.

As per A.I. contracts she is not allowed to speak with the press until the show is over, but what we do know is, based on the episode that has already aired, that she is going to Hollywood!

According to tvgrapevine.com there were 10,000 people who auditioned and only 19 "golden tickets" were given out. Round 2 in Hollywood begins February 3 according to TV Guide.com.

Lacey's Official Music Myspace Page

UPDATE #1 - 02/03/09: Lacey made it through day 1 eliminations in Hollywood.
UPDATE #2 - 02/04/09: Lacey made it through day 2 eliminations in Hollywood.
UPDATE #3 - 02/10/09: Lacey made it through day 3 eliminations in Hollywood.
UPDATE #4 - 02/11/09: Lacey is out.

Note: All information for this blog entry came from news sources, websites, and what I have seen on aired episode of American Idol. Neither Lacey Brown nor her family or friends were interviewed or asked to comment in any way shape or form as per AI contracts.