While it may not be the most popular shade for homes or automobiles, there is certainly no color in the spectrum with the symbolic power of green.
Be red with anger if you'd like. Or yellow with cowardice. But only green can elicit notions of finance to some, eco-friendliness to others and envy to others still. And in some circles, green is associated with immaturity and inexperience.
But when it came to booking bands and escalating the entertainment options at what started years ago as solely a hot-air balloon exhibit, the Green River Festival, the powers that be turned to a seasoned veteran in the form of Signature Sounds' Jim Olsen.
As the annual event enters its 23rd installment this weekend, its organizers can't help but marvel at the fruits that fateful decision has yielded.
"I cannot imagine what the festival would be like without [Olsen and Signature Sounds] seemingly outdoing themselves each year with the entertainment," notes Becky George, a member of the festival committee and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. "I'm certain that the festival overall would not have continued to grow like it has without them."
"This year's lineup is particularly exciting because of the quality and variety of the headliners," adds Olsen himself, citing Michael Franti and Spearhead, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, and CJ Chenier and The Red Hot Louisana Band as choice examples. "These are some of the most fun live bands on the planet, so I'm sure it will be quite the party."
A party which, at least on Friday night, also holds a special place in Olsen's heart in that it will double as Signature Sounds' 15-year anniversary bash, too.
"Green River has always incorporated Signature into the lineup, but, yes, we are pleased to have this special evening of 15 artists to celebrate our milestone," the studio co-founder/festival talent buyer says. "With all the changes in the music business the past few years, it's remarkable that a small, locally-based record label has been able to not only survive but thrive."
The 2009 Green River Festival touches down on the grounds of Greenfield Community College July 17-18. For full schedule, ticket options and more, kindly point your browser to greenriverfestival.com.
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In other news… more and more light has been shed on the specifics behind the Valley's own Shadows Fall and its impending release on its self-created label, Everblack Industries. The 10-track effort will be titled Retribution and has a street date of Sept. 15, for starters.
"With each album, we've gotten a little more confidence to really let all of our influences show," singer Brian Fair adds. "We're unapologetic about the old-school metal and the '80s influence as well as the thrash and melodic death metal."
While fans have always known that the Fall-guys can deliver beefy riffs, a recent piece published at metalsucks.net reveals that the local boys are now certified carnivore connoisseurs as well.
Grabbing a between-gig bite at an Alaskan eatery known as the Arctic Roadrunner, the band was asked to submit a short food review as part of an ongoing "best burgers in the world" series.
According to the article, guitarist Matt Bachand became an instant fan of the Kodiak Burger ("Bologna, ham and salami all stacked on some sweet beef," he says), while drummer Jason Bittner reportedly dug on his bacon burger and a shake.
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Last up, a speedy recovery to Brian Anastasi, who has proven himself an invaluable resource to the music community at large with his countless hours of research and subsequent local band-related email blasts and posts. Anastasi's wife Meg recently informed his online followers that Brian had a "fast attack of pneumonia" earlier this month, complete with a fever of 103.4, and was rushed to the hospital via ambulance.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email: Garycarra@aol.com.
