HIP TO THE SCENE: 45 MINUTES TO ROCK
It’s a typical Monday night in your average, mid- to large-sized city, in your average-sized dive bar with local music every night. There are four bands on...
HIP TO THE SCENE: GETTING OFF THE ROCK
This is the time of year that many musicians tend to get off the rock for a bit and play music as far away as they dare...
HIP TO THE SCENE: REPETITION, REPEATED
On the occasions I have given lessons to young guitarists, I’ve repeated the lesson that in their favorite guitar player’s life there was a moment when they...
HIP TO THE SCENE: STRANGERS ‘TIL TONIGHT
By Ray West
One of the musical questions I most frequently encounter is, “How do people who have never played together, play together?” It is a difficult question...
HIP TO THE SCENE: THE SONG OF THE SIDEMAN
From the studio engineer who smiles as he applies auto-tune to a struggling artist's soprano vocals, to the tech who switches the guitarist’s foot pedals from behind...
HIP TO THE SCENE: NOMINATE YOUR FAVES FOR THE KEY WEST MUSIC AWARDS
And the Iggy goes to…
While the Academy Awards bestow Oscars, the Key West Music Awards are known as the Iggies, created to honor local musical talent.
Key West...
HIP TO THE SCENE: FOR THE LOVE OF AN OLD GUITAR
By Ray West
The world of musical equipment is vast and overwhelming. Every day there is a “new and better,” a “magic tone,” a gadget with every guitar...
HIP TO THE SCENE: UNDER THE INFLUENCE (OF MUSIC)
By Ray West
“Who is your greatest musical influence?” It’s one of the most common questions asked of a famous artist. We’ve all heard the myriad responses, but...
HIP TO THE SCENE: SIDEWALK SINGERS SEE IT ALL
When many of us think of street musicians, we think of the more unfortunate side of homelessness. The reasons people end up where they do is beyond...
HIP TO THE SCENE: THE ART OF THE OPEN MIC
The open microphone: Perhaps the most inviting and intimidating piece of communication technology ever assembled. To some, the open mic at your local bar conjures mental images...
