This list appears in today's USA Today and in the latest issue of Esquire magazine:
1. Pittsburgh
2. Denver
3. Minneapolis
4. Raleigh
5. Gainesville, Fla.
6. Fresno, Calif.
7. Cincinnati
8. New Orleans
9. Phoenix/Tempe
10. San Francisco
Top Ten Music Cities
Moderator: SMLCHNG
-
tdparrothead
- Behind Door #3
- Posts: 3576
- Joined: December 11, 2002 1:33 pm
- Number of Concerts: 0
- Location: 400 miles from where I really wanna be...
-
12 lb. nestle crunch
- Overkill
- Posts: 1022
- Joined: March 30, 2003 10:36 pm
- Number of Concerts: 11
- Favorite Boat Drink: cran.+vodka
- Location: houma, la
I'm not sure, I've only seen the list itself but from what I've learned from another board where this info was originally posted, a group of editors visited each town in order to compile the list. This is what they came up with for my state:Ilph wrote:Yeah, Austin and Nashville should definately be considered if the list is based off of live performances. What was the criteria for this list?
Raleigh, NC
The Cherry Valance
Ben Folds Five
Ryan Adams
The Cherry Valence was the talk of the town a few years ago but not really anymore. Ben Folds Five folded (sorry) in 2000. Ryan is from NC but hasn't lived here in close to 5 years. In all fairness, they apparently did mention Chatham County Line, a bluegrass outfit (who share a member with Tift Merritt's back up band, the Carbines) who released their debut album this past year.
I'm interested to know what criteria they used as well (including what year they visited
). If I find out I'll be sure to post the info.For whatever it's worth, I think these are some artists from NC worth listening out for. Anyone else have some local favorites?
Thad Cockrell
Thad's motto is "puttin' the hurt back in country". He's an incredibly gifted songwriter and singer who may remind you a little of Dwight Yoakam and a little of the Rolling Stones, occasionally at the same time.
http://www.thadcockrell.com
Patty Hurst Shifter
Roots-rock weened on the Stones and Faces with just a bit of twang thrown in for good measure. Though they released their debut record in late 2002, their reputation has been built on their legendary live shows that leave both band and audience exhilarated and exhausted.
http://www.pattyhurstshifter.com
Caitlin Cary
Former member, along with Ryan Adams of local alt.country darlings Whiskeytown. Caitlin touches more on the Fleetwood Mac influence that Whiskeytown only hinted at but she's by no means forsaken her country roots. In a just world, "Thick Walls Down", a duet with Thad Cockrell from her debut record, should of been blaring out of radios everywhere. Be on the lookout for her next project, Tres Chicas, featuring two of the area's other finest female voices: Tonya Lamm (Hazeldine) and Lynn Blakey (Glory Fountain).
http://www.caitlincary.com
Tift Merritt
Imagine 70s-era Linda Ronstadt mixed in with the pure country of Emmylou Harris, Patsy Cline, Maria McKee (ex-Lone Justice) and perhaps a hint of Loretta Lynn and you'll have an idea of where Tift Merritt is coming from. Her debut, Bramble Rose, released last year on Lost Highway Records made some small ripples in the Nashville community (meaning some exposure on CMT) so it'll be interesting to see what her follow up record does when it's released this summer.
http://www.tiftmerritt.com
-
tommcat327
- On a Salty Piece of Land
- Posts: 12351
- Joined: May 8, 2003 11:17 am
- Number of Concerts: 0
- Location: where i probably shouldn't be
I'm with you Tom and Boise has like two of Playboys favorite live bands
and a couple of well written articles for new starters not to mention one of these bands not listed opened for Motly Crew for awhile on tour they won a
battle of the bands for the chance to open for one night and MC liked them
so much they loaded them on the bus right there.
I guess Playboys Influnce on pop music isn't as great as it once was huh???
and a couple of well written articles for new starters not to mention one of these bands not listed opened for Motly Crew for awhile on tour they won a
battle of the bands for the chance to open for one night and MC liked them
so much they loaded them on the bus right there.
I guess Playboys Influnce on pop music isn't as great as it once was huh???
-
PalmettoSon
- Half-baked cookies in the oven
- Posts: 796
- Joined: September 30, 2003 12:50 am
- Number of Concerts: 0
- Location: They call it the First Coast
- Contact:
Here's more on the story, albeit Raleigh-centric. If you click on the link there's also photos and sound samples from local NC bands.
From the Raleigh News and Observer:
http://www.news-observer.com/front/stor ... 6083c.html
Raleigh scores fourth on rock list
By DAVID MENCONI, Staff Writer
Even if all our local college teams fall short in this year's NCAA basketball tournament, the Triangle has made another "Final Four." Raleigh comes in at No. 4 on Esquire magazine's "Cities That Rock," in the April issue, which goes on sale March 16.
It's an unusual list, most notable for the cities that aren't on it: New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Austin, Detroit. Instead, Pittsburgh comes in at No. 1, followed by Denver and Minneapolis. After Raleigh come Gainesville, Fla.; Fresno, Calif.; Cincinnati; New Orleans; Phoenix/Tempe; and San Francisco.
"The whole idea behind this was that we didn't want to pick the usual suspects," says Esquire associate editor Chris Berend. "If somebody opened this up and saw New York, they'd go, 'Oh, of course,' and not even look at the rest of it. These are places we think have been overlooked. Any one of these cities could be the next spot where something grows, the next great band to spring up."
In choosing Raleigh, Esquire included the rest of the Triangle and went back into history. The story cites Ben Folds Five (who were actually from Chapel Hill and who broke up four years ago) and long-gone expatriate Ryan Adams as rockers Raleigh is "known for."
"That's absurd," says Steve Popson, co-owner of Raleigh nightspot Kings Barcade. "Ryan, by now I would not be surprised if he wouldn't even admit he ever lived in Raleigh."
As for current acts, Esquire singles out rock band the Cherry Valence and country-bluegrass outfit Chatham County Line for praise. Kings and the Berkeley Cafe get favorable mentions, as does Schoolkids Records -- "tapped into every band playing in the Research Triangle."
"That's pretty awesome," says Rick Culross, sales manager at the Raleigh Schoolkids store. "Although I've lived in a few of the places on their list and I don't think I'd equate them with 'rock.' Pittsburgh is No. 1? I find that kind of hard to believe."
Berend was also surprised at some of the results, compiled by Esquire writer Bryan Mealer with input from about 70 people nationwide.
"I'm not surprised Raleigh is on there because it has a lot of solid things going for it, but Gainesville was a surprise," Berend says. "Also Pittsburgh being up so high. Part of the formula is a little mathematical. Each place on the list has a unique nature to it, and local pride. What made Pittsburgh No. 1 is that it has such local pride going for it. In the same way Boston is always [teed] off about the Red Sox, Pittsburgh is [angry] about a lot of things. They're the underdog by nature, and they deserved it."
From the Raleigh News and Observer:
http://www.news-observer.com/front/stor ... 6083c.html
Raleigh scores fourth on rock list
By DAVID MENCONI, Staff Writer
Even if all our local college teams fall short in this year's NCAA basketball tournament, the Triangle has made another "Final Four." Raleigh comes in at No. 4 on Esquire magazine's "Cities That Rock," in the April issue, which goes on sale March 16.
It's an unusual list, most notable for the cities that aren't on it: New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Austin, Detroit. Instead, Pittsburgh comes in at No. 1, followed by Denver and Minneapolis. After Raleigh come Gainesville, Fla.; Fresno, Calif.; Cincinnati; New Orleans; Phoenix/Tempe; and San Francisco.
"The whole idea behind this was that we didn't want to pick the usual suspects," says Esquire associate editor Chris Berend. "If somebody opened this up and saw New York, they'd go, 'Oh, of course,' and not even look at the rest of it. These are places we think have been overlooked. Any one of these cities could be the next spot where something grows, the next great band to spring up."
In choosing Raleigh, Esquire included the rest of the Triangle and went back into history. The story cites Ben Folds Five (who were actually from Chapel Hill and who broke up four years ago) and long-gone expatriate Ryan Adams as rockers Raleigh is "known for."
"That's absurd," says Steve Popson, co-owner of Raleigh nightspot Kings Barcade. "Ryan, by now I would not be surprised if he wouldn't even admit he ever lived in Raleigh."
As for current acts, Esquire singles out rock band the Cherry Valence and country-bluegrass outfit Chatham County Line for praise. Kings and the Berkeley Cafe get favorable mentions, as does Schoolkids Records -- "tapped into every band playing in the Research Triangle."
"That's pretty awesome," says Rick Culross, sales manager at the Raleigh Schoolkids store. "Although I've lived in a few of the places on their list and I don't think I'd equate them with 'rock.' Pittsburgh is No. 1? I find that kind of hard to believe."
Berend was also surprised at some of the results, compiled by Esquire writer Bryan Mealer with input from about 70 people nationwide.
"I'm not surprised Raleigh is on there because it has a lot of solid things going for it, but Gainesville was a surprise," Berend says. "Also Pittsburgh being up so high. Part of the formula is a little mathematical. Each place on the list has a unique nature to it, and local pride. What made Pittsburgh No. 1 is that it has such local pride going for it. In the same way Boston is always [teed] off about the Red Sox, Pittsburgh is [angry] about a lot of things. They're the underdog by nature, and they deserved it."
Last edited by Jahfin on March 10, 2004 10:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
tommcat327
- On a Salty Piece of Land
- Posts: 12351
- Joined: May 8, 2003 11:17 am
- Number of Concerts: 0
- Location: where i probably shouldn't be
http://www.cincypost.com/2004/03/10/rocks031004.html
Esquire mag: Cincinnati rocks
----------------------------------------------------------------------
By Rick Bird
Post staff reporter
Which city rocks more: New Orleans, San Francisco or Cincinnati?
According to editors at Esquire magazine, the Queen City is slightly
ahead of those historic music bastions.
Esquire's April issue lists 10 "Cities That Rock" in a feature
described as "a guide to the 10 best cities for seeing and hearing
music." The issue, which will be on newsstands Tuesday, puts
Cincinnati at No. 7. The survey is part of a special pullout
booklet: "Things a Man Should Know About Music: A Guide to 2004."
2004 event
• This year's Midpoint Festival is scheduled for Sept 22-25.
• Rock star Peter Frampton, an Indian Hill resident, has cut a
promotional video for the festival, said Bill Donabedian, fest co-
founder.
Leading the Esquire list is Pittsburgh, followed by, Denver,
Minneapolis, Raleigh, N.C., and Gainesville, Fla. The next five:
Fresno, Calif., Cincinnati, New Orleans, Phoenix/Tempe, Ariz., and
San Francisco.
An Esquire spokeswoman said the rankings were based on "the quality
of the music scenes, stores and concert venues."
"Everyone knows you can go to New York or L.A., but the editors
wanted to look at some non-traditional cities not always associated
with great music scenes," said Jill Cohen.
Longtime local music boosters were not surprised that Cincinnati made
the list, but were impressed that Esquire had discovered Cincinnati's
little secret.
"I think the quality of the bands is definitely there. We have quite
a few venues, different genres. It's easier to come into Cincinnati
as an out of town band and play," said Bill Donabedian, co-founder of
the Midpoint Music Festival and front man for the rock band
Crosley. "There is obviously something here that's been brewing for a
while. I think it's about to blow. I think it's in the air, people
are getting a sense this music scene is really coming to the
surface."
In just two years, the Midpoint Festival has become the largest
Midwest event showcasing unsigned, independent artists, drawing some
25,000 club goers to the Main Street Entertainment District last
September. It's thought the buzz created by Midpoint has heightened
the area's national profile on the indie-music scene.
The Esquire list singles out Cincinnati's bluesy country rockers the
Stapletons, pop rockers Spindle and Cari Clara as defining "the
scene." Under the category "where to shop" it mentions Everybody's
Records in Pleasant Ridge, citing its vintage vinyl record
collection. The magazine lists the Southgate House in Newport
under "where to rock."
Esquire singled out Covington's Anchor Grill, 438 Pike St., as the
place "to soak up the beer" quoting the bar's motto, "We may doze,
but we never close."
Newky Stapleton said an Esquire reporter apparently had his interest
in Cincinnati tweaked when word got out on the Internet that the
Stapletons were undertaking an ambitious effort to cover The Band's
legendary "Last Waltz" concert in November. It was a show that used
several local artists to recreate the roles of rock icons, with the
Stapletons playing the Band. It proved to be a great showcase for the
local music scene, and the Esquire reporter attended the show at the
Southgate.
"The guy from Esquire was all hush-hush about what he was doing when
he talked to us that night," Stapleton said. "If it takes some
hooligans like us to get the area on the map, then that's great."
Officials at the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce said they had
no idea the Esquire accolade was coming. But the chamber has taken a
more active role in using the local rock scene to promote the city,
and became a major sponsor of the Midpoint Festival last year. It's a
recognition that rock 'n' roll is good for business, according to
Chamber President Michael Fisher, who said the Esquire rock ranking
is one of those quality-of-life issues to tout to young
professionals.
"This is just another one of those ingredients that makes this a
great place to work and live and move to," Fisher said. "These issues
are important to a lot of our member companies as well. They want to
make sure they can keep their best talent and attract the best
talent. -- It shows we like to have a little fun, too."
Donabedian's Midpoint partner, Sean Rhiney, speculates the Esquire
rankings obviously had a bias toward mid-size cities that usually
don't get recognition but have active, if little-known, music scenes.
"My guess is they are not looking at tradition, but looking at what's
hot now," Rhiney said. "Ten years ago, you wouldn't have put Seattle
ahead of New Orleans until the Seattle scene exploded. New Orleans
has a deep tradition of course, but people forget we do, too. It's
just a very different tradition."
Meanwhile, the chamber's YPCincy group for young professionals is
working on a promotion to bring a different kind of recognition to
the city. It has been sponsoring a "Bug Bill Geist" letter writing
campaign aimed at getting the "60 Minutes II" and "CBS Sunday
Morning" reporter, who specializes in offbeat stories, to come to
town to cover the cicada outbreak in late May and June. The CBS
correspondent is expected to touch on the campaign in his weekly "60
Minutes II" commentary tonight or next Wednesday.
Esquire mag: Cincinnati rocks
----------------------------------------------------------------------
By Rick Bird
Post staff reporter
Which city rocks more: New Orleans, San Francisco or Cincinnati?
According to editors at Esquire magazine, the Queen City is slightly
ahead of those historic music bastions.
Esquire's April issue lists 10 "Cities That Rock" in a feature
described as "a guide to the 10 best cities for seeing and hearing
music." The issue, which will be on newsstands Tuesday, puts
Cincinnati at No. 7. The survey is part of a special pullout
booklet: "Things a Man Should Know About Music: A Guide to 2004."
2004 event
• This year's Midpoint Festival is scheduled for Sept 22-25.
• Rock star Peter Frampton, an Indian Hill resident, has cut a
promotional video for the festival, said Bill Donabedian, fest co-
founder.
Leading the Esquire list is Pittsburgh, followed by, Denver,
Minneapolis, Raleigh, N.C., and Gainesville, Fla. The next five:
Fresno, Calif., Cincinnati, New Orleans, Phoenix/Tempe, Ariz., and
San Francisco.
An Esquire spokeswoman said the rankings were based on "the quality
of the music scenes, stores and concert venues."
"Everyone knows you can go to New York or L.A., but the editors
wanted to look at some non-traditional cities not always associated
with great music scenes," said Jill Cohen.
Longtime local music boosters were not surprised that Cincinnati made
the list, but were impressed that Esquire had discovered Cincinnati's
little secret.
"I think the quality of the bands is definitely there. We have quite
a few venues, different genres. It's easier to come into Cincinnati
as an out of town band and play," said Bill Donabedian, co-founder of
the Midpoint Music Festival and front man for the rock band
Crosley. "There is obviously something here that's been brewing for a
while. I think it's about to blow. I think it's in the air, people
are getting a sense this music scene is really coming to the
surface."
In just two years, the Midpoint Festival has become the largest
Midwest event showcasing unsigned, independent artists, drawing some
25,000 club goers to the Main Street Entertainment District last
September. It's thought the buzz created by Midpoint has heightened
the area's national profile on the indie-music scene.
The Esquire list singles out Cincinnati's bluesy country rockers the
Stapletons, pop rockers Spindle and Cari Clara as defining "the
scene." Under the category "where to shop" it mentions Everybody's
Records in Pleasant Ridge, citing its vintage vinyl record
collection. The magazine lists the Southgate House in Newport
under "where to rock."
Esquire singled out Covington's Anchor Grill, 438 Pike St., as the
place "to soak up the beer" quoting the bar's motto, "We may doze,
but we never close."
Newky Stapleton said an Esquire reporter apparently had his interest
in Cincinnati tweaked when word got out on the Internet that the
Stapletons were undertaking an ambitious effort to cover The Band's
legendary "Last Waltz" concert in November. It was a show that used
several local artists to recreate the roles of rock icons, with the
Stapletons playing the Band. It proved to be a great showcase for the
local music scene, and the Esquire reporter attended the show at the
Southgate.
"The guy from Esquire was all hush-hush about what he was doing when
he talked to us that night," Stapleton said. "If it takes some
hooligans like us to get the area on the map, then that's great."
Officials at the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce said they had
no idea the Esquire accolade was coming. But the chamber has taken a
more active role in using the local rock scene to promote the city,
and became a major sponsor of the Midpoint Festival last year. It's a
recognition that rock 'n' roll is good for business, according to
Chamber President Michael Fisher, who said the Esquire rock ranking
is one of those quality-of-life issues to tout to young
professionals.
"This is just another one of those ingredients that makes this a
great place to work and live and move to," Fisher said. "These issues
are important to a lot of our member companies as well. They want to
make sure they can keep their best talent and attract the best
talent. -- It shows we like to have a little fun, too."
Donabedian's Midpoint partner, Sean Rhiney, speculates the Esquire
rankings obviously had a bias toward mid-size cities that usually
don't get recognition but have active, if little-known, music scenes.
"My guess is they are not looking at tradition, but looking at what's
hot now," Rhiney said. "Ten years ago, you wouldn't have put Seattle
ahead of New Orleans until the Seattle scene exploded. New Orleans
has a deep tradition of course, but people forget we do, too. It's
just a very different tradition."
Meanwhile, the chamber's YPCincy group for young professionals is
working on a promotion to bring a different kind of recognition to
the city. It has been sponsoring a "Bug Bill Geist" letter writing
campaign aimed at getting the "60 Minutes II" and "CBS Sunday
Morning" reporter, who specializes in offbeat stories, to come to
town to cover the cicada outbreak in late May and June. The CBS
correspondent is expected to touch on the campaign in his weekly "60
Minutes II" commentary tonight or next Wednesday.
-
iuparrothead
- God's Own Drunk
- Posts: 21170
- Joined: May 30, 2001 8:00 pm
- Number of Concerts: 0
- Location: Go Cubs Go!!!
`How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice.-
12vmanRick
- Here We Are
- Posts: 9708
- Joined: July 16, 2003 11:46 am
- Favorite Buffett Song: Pacing the Cage
- Number of Concerts: 50
- Favorite Boat Drink: Rum
- Location: Crazy is becoming my new norm
- Contact:
-
iuparrothead
- God's Own Drunk
- Posts: 21170
- Joined: May 30, 2001 8:00 pm
- Number of Concerts: 0
- Location: Go Cubs Go!!!
Maybe it's the usual case around here where people post without reading the articles but the point of this list was to pick towns that aren't normally recognized. In that regard I think they did a mighty fine job.12vmanRick wrote:That was about a LAME list since they left off SO many places. Memphis, Nashville, Chicago, Austin.. on and on and Atlanta has been a mecca for Hip hop.
Maybe you missed my post above but Raleigh (and the surrounding areas of Chapel Hill and Durham) has always been a hot bed for new bands of ALL genres. I was conservative in my list but I could certainly list some more:iuparrothead wrote:Wait a minute... Raleigh!?!?! Are they serious!?!?
James Taylor
Squirrel Nut Zippers
The Connells
Charlie Daniels
Regina Hexaphone
The Backsliders
Greg Hawks and the Tremblers
Whiskeytown
Six String Drag
Glory Fountain
Hazeldine
Mike Cross
Claire Holley
Don Dixon
Mitch Easter
Arrogance
the db's
Let's Active
Trailer Bride
Earl Scruggs
Superchunk
...and that's still being conservative as to the amount of talent here. A quick look at our local concert calendar also indicates a nightly music scene that at times can rival that of Austin and other more recognized music-oriented cities. It doesn't surprise me though that some are taken aback by Raleigh's appearance on the list. I have friends in that area that have no idea of the very vibrant music scene that's going on all around them. Apparently they don't read the local paper or simply don't get out much. This area has so much more to offer than the American Idle Clay Aiken who sucks so bad words can't even begin to describe him.