by Kirby Lindsay
This column originally appeared in The Seattle Press, published October 20, 1999.
This is the one-year anniversary of my column, and, once again, my subject taught me that, as much as I think I know Fremont, I don’t know anything. Doug Bright is publisher of the Heritage Music Review, a small newsletter that covers the American roots music scene in Seattle.
Doug has been publishing this monthly guide from Fremont since 1981. The Review contains an extensive calendar of live music performances. These are not shows that require a call to Ticketmaster, but intimate venues with lesser-known bands that perform a wide variety of music including blues, folk, and jazz. The Review also contains criticisms and well-researched articles about local bands and those coming to town to perform.
Doug writes most of the critiques himself. He is proud of his ability to “take a scholarly attitude. Not dry but well-informed.” He admits that he doesn’t give many bad reviews, preferring to focus on those bands that earn favorable notice. Although, “I will blast any hypocrites,” he warns.
Doug takes great care with his writing. “A real good critic gives the reader a good idea of what the album sounds like,” he explained. “The way I’d always known I’d made it as a music writer was to be asked to write liner notes” for a band. His dream came true when local band 78-RPM used his writing on their new CD. Heritage Music Review is about bringing these bands to people who want to know about them.
It may be hard to imagine, while listening to the radio, the endless variety of music that isn’t getting played. After talking to Doug, and seeing his crowded apartment brimming with CDs, cassettes, vinyl records and reel-to-reel recordings, it becomes much easier. He talks about a large collection of bands dedicated to a short period in America’s music history. We spoke of hundreds of bands that MTV will never see.
Doug’s generous embrace of, and enthusiasm for, music might come from his ability to focus on the sounds without the interference many of us experience. Doug is blind, since birth. And he it doesn’t appear to slow him down any.
He may never read a copy of his own newsletter, or this column, in a manner most of us take for granted, but he still has access. He uses a Xerox/Kurzweil Personal Reader. This machine is a scanner that “reads” documents, turning the symbols and letters on the page into electronic sounds that resemble a voice. He uses a Braille & Speak that looks like a large pocket calculator with only seven black buttons. For Doug, this operates as his computer keyboard and monitor in one. It takes Braille input and gives electronic voice output. This technology makes it possible for him to download research information off CompuServe, to read research manuals about music and to keep up on bands he profiles. Doug works hard to afford equipment, often prohibitively expensive, that brings him information the rest of us can take for granted.
Remarkable advances in technology have made it possible for Doug, and many of the bands he reviews, to make a living. Doug explained that it is no longer necessary for these bands to court and wait on the major music label executives. Instead they now can afford to record their own CDs and cassettes and sell them in independent, local stores. This freedom makes it easier for the bands, and extends the selection available for music lovers.
Doug is glad not to have to enter the “music industry”. After all, his credibility as a music critic comes from his profession as a working musician. He plays the accordion, mandolin, fiddle and vocals in three local bands. The Filé Gumbo Zydeco Band has a mission to bring listeners “the whole Louisiana music thing”. The Fossils play bluegrass and The Taylor Jay Trio specializes in acoustic swing music. Most of these bands aren’t due to hit the Pop Charts anytime soon. Doug accepts this because by staying small, “you get to define your own success.” I asked what definition he would give his life, and he admitted he would like to “keep doing what I’m doing now, only more profitably.”
Sounds like success to me.
Doug looks forward to sharing his love of music through the Heritage Music Review. Pick up a copy at area music retailers, including Fremont’s own Dusty Strings. It is also available by subscription, and e-mail.
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©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.