I heard some great news that reminded me of one of the hidden treasures of this area. This place is packed with people who love music. So, some visits to a few of our own.
Nathan Franklin is the Head librarian at our NMSU branch. His serious thoughtful manner conceals the excitement of the grand opening of a recording studio on April 15th . It is free to the public but reservations for 1– 2-hour time slots are required. Help is available for the recording of songs, instruments, family histories, speeches, voice overs, etc. Nathan himself is a musical asset to our community. Although his bachelor’s is in English, his master’s is in library science with experience in four public and two college libraries from Denver, New York, and now Grants. There is an internal joy when he says, 'the library is my life'. He has been a guitarist for 25 years with a special love for the classics and bossa nova. 'No big problems with setting up to play the guitar. You can be creative anytime based on your own skills.' He would love the community to use the music room by calling 505-2876638 or emailing N AT H A N F R@ NMSUEDU The Ole Timers was started by Ray Romero in 2015 who invited a few friends to just jam together for fun. There are nine regulars at present, singing Spanish Northern NM songs and country music with guitars, a base, accordion, and ukulele. The members are from San Mateo, Seboyeta, and San Rafael. All are welcome to come to dance and sing. They can be contacted @ 287-0178. Richard Quinonez, who plays the guitar, was one of the early members. 'Just having a good time, reminiscing and playing good old songs.' They helped families who lost a loved one by playing at funerals. But they have also played at weddings, fiestas, and coffee shops. He enjoys the spontaneous harmonization when songs are sung. Bob Brown comes from a musical family. His brother Freddy could play guitar, piano or whatever and his son Bo was also well known in this area. Bob's daughter Roberta sings pop and country. There is a son on the saxophone, another on drums and a grandson who drums out rock and roll. Bob has written sixty songs, with ten of them performed by other artists and on the internet [e.g., Ship of Fools by Eva Torrez, Alone, El Corredor, Rodeo Cowboy] with 500,000 hits. 'Music is life, it's universal, eternal and lifts your spirit.' 'Music relaxes, takes you out of your routine, provides your own entertainment.' The behind the scenes 'work' is practicing [ sometimes for 3-4 hours], keeping up with new music, loading and setting up equipment while having a family and a regular job.'
One of the five members of the 'Morbid Justice 'band that has toured Denver, Farmington, Gallup, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe, can be found in Elkins Brewery, next to the Senior Center. Daniel Candler is a vibrant young man with the bluest eyes in the world. He comes from a musical family, especially his dad and uncle. Daniel played in the High School marching band and enjoyed Jazz, Country, Rock+ Roll and Blues when he played @ Outlaws [ now Pizza 9]. And the Legion used to have door bands playing for the community. Now he plays 4-piece drums with a solid 10 yr. old like-minded group. He plays 'for the love of it.' It is fun and when they jam together, songs are more alive and breathe, even when disciplined on the beat, playing fast, tight, and precise. It becomes like meditation, 'in the zone.' Frequent touring is hard on families, other difficulties are the need to work a regular job, practice 45min. a day, setting up and tearing down the drums. Covid also had a bad effect on tour sites. The greatest challenges are the business aspects concerning marketing, social media [getting only 1/9 cents per play] and the reluctance of promoters to pay the band. Daniel's wish for the community: 'Support your local music.
Wouldn't it be fun to have summer music provided by our own musicians? Imagine a Sunday ice cream social with our high school band or Ole Timers playing our folk songs while we slowly danced in the park or getting in the zone with our metal band.
Today's Lesson: After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
Joan Klonowski