What's with all the talking?

Attending this year's Wammies with the intent of actually hearing the performers was an effort in futility. The din from people talking often overwhelmed the sound system. Presenters seemed to struggle to be heard. Some singers appeared to be annoyed. Host Richard Harrington asked, on three occasions, for some quiet.

I had a seat in the front row yet it was difficult to hear the start of the Suspicous Cheese Lords set. The tribute sung by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer for WAMA Hall of Fame inductee Ola Belle Reed (her beautiful song 'High on a Mountain') and Wayna's soulful rememberance of her mother were nearly lost amidst the chatter

My initial reaction to the noise problem was ‘why isn't there a show of respect for the musicians onstage’. Then I came to the conclusion – the Wammies were being held in the wrong venue.

The State Theater, in Falls Church, VA, is a cozy environment with two bars in the back of the room, dining tables in the middle section, seats up front and in the balcony and a small bar in the modest sized lobby. A fantastic place to see a show, but not the Wammies.

A reception was held at 7:00 pm for the presenters, WAMA board members and sponsors. Everyone else were out in the cold. The doors did not open to nominees, members, musicians and public until almost 7:40 pm. Show-time was 8:00 pm.

The night is about celebration, awards, performance, and camaraderie. Contacts are made, deals are done, and fans get to rub elbows with the best musical artists of the DC area. It’s a social occasion and tête-à-tête is in order. But if you wanted to talk, you had to do it in the same room as the show. And that’s a regrettable position to put people in.

-30-

Copyright 2006 12Bar
Images may not be used without permission.