When Good Turnips Go Bad

The Main Street Jukebox in Stroudsburg, PA hosted The Billy Mack Collector’s debut of their first CD titled, “Bad Turnip” on Saturday July 21st. Plenty of friends and fans came out to help celebrate Billy Mack’s accomplishment including some musicians who came to support the CD through their musical performance. Many of them later joined Billy Mack to performed songs from the CD.

The first musician to perform was Nate Rylan of the band Early Ape who traveled all the way from Philadelphia, PA to Stroudsburg, PA so he could be a part of the celebration. His performance proved to be an enjoyable one and those who heard his voice and were touched by the lyrics appreciated his endeavors to be there. You’ll be able to learn more about Nate Rylan and his band Early Ape by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Early-Ape/186974739631.

As Nate Rylan left the performance area, Al Shivers took up his guitar to perform. His renditions of folk songs which includes a few interpretations of established artists such as Bob Dylan has become a favorite among those who attend the weekly Open Mic Nites held at The Living Room in Stroudsburg, PA which Billy Mack hosts. His voice and musical abilities not only matches the mood and insights of the works he presents but moves the listener to a new understanding of the piece. You’ll be able to learn more about Al Shivers by exploring his Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/al.shivers.1.

Mr. Shivers was followed by Zekibird whose echoic performance pieces embraces the techniques of those associated with Laurie Anderson and those created during the Peter Gabriel “Genesis” era. Utilizing numerous instruments and computerized effects, Zekibird’s musically disconnected pieces allows his audience to take flight from the mundane thoughts so they may soar into their innermost imaginations in order to discover a realm of unknowable possibilities. These possibilities are unknowable because, although some may prefer to gain more knowledge of the what they encounter in this realm, its denizens choose to remain a mystery enhancing their unseen effects upon the qualities of our lives. You’ll be able to learn more about Zekebird by exploring his Website at www.zekibird.bandcamp.com.

After an intermission, Billy Mack took the microphone to thank all who attended the Party for being there. Soon afterwards, the “toybox folk” style of The Billy Mack Collector began to delight the audience. The magic of the group came alive as songs from the “Bad Turnip” CD began fill the room with their unique sound so eclectic it was like imagining the notes of a song meeting one another for the very first time greeting each new friend with an exuberant “Howdy do!” before dancingly joining in creating a song they never heard of before. The joyous nature of the notes and their friends proved to be a contagion among the listeners of which none sought a cure.

For this performance, The Billy Mack Collector consisted of Billy Mack mostly on Ukulele and vocals, Chris Cicala on Guitar, Kathleen Freeman on percussions and backup vocals, Crystal Rose on vocals, Al Shivers on guitar, Zekebird on a few things, and a woman whose name I don’t recall on vocals. The uniqueness of The Billy Mack Collector is that it is just that. There is no band per se but a collection of musicians and singers whose composition depends upon who happen to be when Billy Mack is performing. This allows the “band” to remain fresh and a delight to experience every time they perform as one never really knows who is going to be in it and what will take shape during it’s performance. However, one thing can be counted on and that is the certainly it will be fun. You’ll be able to learn more about The Billy Mack Collector by exploring his their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Billy-Mack-Collector/117807174232.

However, even before one entered The Main Street Jukebox to hear the first notes of the CD Release party played, some artisans added to the celebratory atmosphere by greeting those who walked the streets of Stroudsburg with some collections of their own. There were creations of Renée De Moonunit from her “Upsy Baby/Upsy Lady” Collection consisting of one of a kind items handmade with love from existing materials for bubbly babies and lovely ladies. Artist and Jewelry Designer Dena D. also shared her collection of work from her Slink Skull Studios of gothic and (sometimes) cute things outside the Jukebox with many of her creations are inspired by things she sees in dreams. You can learn more about Renée De Moonunit’s Collection by exploring her Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/UpsyBabyUpsyLady and about Dena D’s Slink Skull Studios by exploring her Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/SlinkSkullStudios.

I haven’t had a chance to listen to the CD outside the Release Party. But, from what I’ve experienced through the performance, I’m sure it proves the old adage “When Good Turnips Go Bad, They Become Great.” Well, maybe the adage isn’t all that old since I just made it up. But, hey, it works for me. You’ll find more photographs taken during the Bad Turnip CD Release Party in The Main Street Jukebox 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150780363105421.465801.636000420&type=3.

The Billy Mack Collector CD titled, “Bad Turnip!” was produced at Nobody's Favorite Records which is based in Dudley, MA.  You can learn more about them from their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Nobodys-Favorite-Records/130331667000677. You can learn more about the Bad Turnip CD  including information how to order and an opportunity to listen to some of it’s tracks at www.billymackcollector.bandcamp.com/album/bad-turnip.

In addition to the Bad Turnip CD Release Party, the Main Street Jukebox presents numerous events relating to art and music throughout the year along with offering a variety of musical forms recorded on Vinyl Records. They are currently showing an exhibition featuring the work of Rodrigo Fritz until the end of July. Please Explore The Main St. Jukebox Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/mainstjukebox or call 570-424-2246 for more information about these events and all they have to offer.