Zounds Sounds Presents the Mother of All Concerts

by Cindy Chaffin of Life Outside The Bubble

It was actually a couple of years after I started the old TexasGigs.com blog when my (then) 11-year old son picked up a guitar and began to play --- quite well actually --- which is odd since I've got about as much musical talent as William Hung. So it's been really cool watching my young 'un and his band expand their talent, book their own shows, develop a decent fanbase and grow as musicians, all with little to no help from yours truly (except as the equipment hauler that is).

I speak of this, because the world of young musicians interests me on several different levels. That's why I can't believe I sort of tossed Marc Solomon's Rock School (Zounds Sounds) on the back burner, even after reporting on Sarah Hepola's report on this wicked-awesome school last year in the Dallas Observer...

"The kids who take music lessons from Marc Solomon don't have recitals. They have concerts. Recitals require stiff suits and taffeta dresses, church manners and minor anxiety attacks. But these kids wear whatever they want--torn T-shirt, faded jeans, a tie if they're feelin' it. Backstage, in between their performances, the kids chat about the show, the vibe, give each other pats on the back. It's not exactly a paying gig. But for a group of pre-pubes who arrived in the back seat of their parents' minivans, it ain't bad...." Read it all.

Zounds Sounds has a pretty cool deal happnin', so if'n you've got some youngsters just itchin' to become rock stars, I suggest you drop 'em a line. Meantime, here's a little about their philosopy...

" At Zounds-Sounds we believe that music is fun. That's why we PLAY it."

"We created a place where students learn about music, but more importantly, at Zounds-Sounds our students experience music."

"We believe in teaching the fundamental mechanics of playing instruments through music that the students already enjoy."

"We based our school on the idea that music should be taught by a teacher who is exciting, and excited about teaching at Zounds-Sounds."

"We know that music is to be played with others. That's the reason we created our "School of Rock" student band program."

"We designed the program so the students could learn about the interactions between the different musical instruments and musicians, as well as the dynamics between audience and performer."

"Our goal at Zounds-Sounds is to provide experiences in real life musical situations for for our students,in an environment that is fun."

Marc and his mates have booked Club Dada this coming Sunday, May 14th and aptly named the event "The Mother of All Concerts"...cuz...well...ya know...it's Mother's Day. Since I happen to carry that title, I'll be there too to record the bands, interview the Zounds Sounds crew and see if I can get some of the performing kiddo's on the TexasGigs.com mic as well. Even though you can find the audio/video and pictures here next week, I still strongly urge you to come out and enjoy this event live. Support the kids. Support the venue. Support local music.

2-6 PM - Free

Stick around for Jenn Nabb's Open Mic night - 8PM until Midnight - Free!

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