Mike Hall wears so many hats these days that he's going to have to grow a bigger head. With Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse, over the course of 13 years of volunteering there, he's literally gone from washing dishes to co-managing the place, moving progressively down the ladder. He oversees the booking process and is there essentially every Friday hosting the shows, signing the checks, and keeping the other volunteers in line (an impossible task, which is the reason for the grey, thinning hair). He's grateful for the able assistance of since-the-beginning-of-time co-Manager Ed Gunsalus, who's primary job is to keep him in line (and have you seen Ed's hair lately?). If that's not enough, he's also the Calvin's webmaster and website designer (with the quality that you'd expect when an engineer designs a website).
Mike, needing to cut back on the hours that he sleeps, also for the past six months has assumed the role of booking agent for a friend and young Dallas-native, Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Allie Farris. He now gets to experience the throngs of rejection that an artist undoubtedly feels when they try to contact Uncle Calvin's for a gig and get a reply back - well, possibly never. Luckly Allie is extremely talented (shameless plug), so he still manages to get gigs for her despite the laws of Karma.
Then there's the "real" job, working 8-5 as a software developer for a big huge massively-polluting electric utility company (no shame whatsoever, cough-cough, wheeze-wheeze). He's very proud that he still gets paid despite spending much of his time from 8-5 working those other jobs (shh, don't tell).
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About Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse
Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse is a non-profit, volunteer-run music venue, featuring weekly concerts by some of the most talented singer/songwriters and groups in the country. Located in the fellowship hall of Northpark Presbyterian Church, Uncle Calvin’s donates its net revenues from concert performances to a variety of local charities. Known as one of the best possible environment for listening to music in the Dallas/Ft Worth area, Calvin’s prides itself on clear, pristine sound, in a room free of smoke, alcohol and conversation. Over the past thirty years, Calvin’s has featured artists such as David Wilcox, John Gorka, Janis Ian, Tom Paxton, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, Patty Larkin, Slaid Cleaves, and the original Dixie Chicks, just to name a few. For more information, please visit www.unclecalvins.org.
2ND TUESDAY PROGRAM
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice way to get back to our 2nd Tuesday Programs. Tomorrow you'll meet Mike Hall, a very important cog in the Dallas music scene. The thing we know best about Mike is his contribution to an iconic Texas venue, Uncle Calvin's. Almost every week the North Dallas Presbyterian church along Hwy 75 turns into a folk coffee shop, and Mike selects most of the acts that perform there.
"Folk" is not as specific a genre as some of you might think. It's not just The Weavers or The Four Freshmen. I remember a night with Joe Ely on guitar and a friend of his sitting on a cajon making great drum sounds.
Mike is also managing up-and-coming singer/songwriter Allie Farris, who is touring the southeast. Mike has contacts and insights that any ambitious songwriter or performer would love to tap into. Bring a song for critique and hear about it from someone who listens to a lot of music and decides among very talented players who will come to church to play. Don't miss this opportunity.
DSA DOINGS
A young hotshot once told the DSA Board that the way to attract young, new members is through performance opportunities. Well, we just got a new performance opportunity, the 1st Thursday Open Mic at Half-Price Books. Not only do you have another opportunity to play out, but you might also get a chance to host. Haven't you wanted to host? You know you can. Our plans are to have rotational hosts for 1st Thursday because we think it expands your opportunity to step up to your real potential. Every host brings her own personality to the night. It's a great time. Please let me know if you're interested.
Another playing out opportunity comes once a month in Royse City at The Well Coffee Shop. Put together an hour-long set, or team up with a friend. It's a fun showcase. If you would like to be part of it, contact Lisa Byrn, our Director of Showcases. Honestly, if you want to playout, get to know Lisa. She can lead you to a lot of gigs.
Don't forget we start networking at 6:30 on Tuesdays, and the program gets going around 7. Hope I see you there.
Buck Morgan