By TIM PRESTON
ASHLAND — With warm weather and increased opportunities for live music on downtown streets just weeks away, members of Ashland Main Street are trying to assemble a proper sound system to let local bands be heard.
“We put on so many events downtown that we could use a good PA for,” said Ashland Main Street Executive Director Danny Craig. “We could go out and buy one, but we do have a limited budget and that’s money we could use for other purposes. What people need to know is that Main Street is a worthy cause, but we’re not rolling in cash. It will be extremely helpful to us if somebody out there can donate some equipment.”
Craig and others hope local musicians or their families will scan the existing PA (public address) equipment in their homes, basements, garages and music rooms and consider donating some of the gear and help local voices and instruments be heard.
While a portable system would be enough for some of the smaller musical gatherings, or even guest speakers, hosted by Ashland Main Street, Craig said he hopes to put together a sound system that will perform well in the simulated concrete canyon of downtown streets.
“We need enough to reach down the street. I wouldn’t mind having a significant system,” Craig said, adding the donated PA equipment would be made available for “all uses” that attract crowds into the expanding Main Street district. Such a system would also be useful during planned events including a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the Downtown Live portion of the city’s First Friday Art Walk outside the Pendleton Art Center along Winchester Avenue, and other events including an upgraded version of last year’s highly successful Oktoberfest. This year’s Oktoberfest will be two weeks earlier than last year’s, he said, and will follow closely on the success of the annual Poage Landing Days Festival.
Craig, himself an accomplished musician, said he hopes someone in the area has a PA system at home that is fully functional, although no longer in use.
“Who knows? Someone out there may have a basement full of stuff from when their kid had a band and it has been sitting there taking up space since,” Craig said. “They might love to have a chance to clear that stuff out and help other local musicians have a chance to entertain.”
Contributed equipment does not have to be in pristine condition, Craig said. Any such musical equipment contributed to Ashland Main Street can be refurbished, repaired and sold to help fund the PA project.
“We could even accept guitars and have them signed by some of the famous musicians who come through town and use that for a fundraiser,” Craig said, encouraging people to look for microphones, cords, speakers, stands and any other items that might help bring good quality performances to the downtown streets.
“I would just say to people, if you want to see downtown continue growing — this will be your contribution to that,” Craig said. “We will take instruments, microphones, anything. All of it will go to good use for Ashland Main Street.” All donors can receive a receipt confirming their contributions for tax purposes, Craig added.
The Ashland Main Street board has several exciting additions to the summer agenda, Craig said, listing events from “April through October” including a rooftop concert (inspired by a legendary “Let It Be” performance by the Beatles) with a live band performing from atop the Community Trust parking garage for a box-lunch fueled crowd at street level.
“We should credit Commissioner Spriggs with that idea,” Craig added, noting the date of the rooftop concert and the band playing will be announced in the near future.
Those with musical equipment to contribute are asked to e-mail Ashland Main Street at craigcre8@aol.com or call (606) 325-7692 and leave a message (all calls will be returned promptly).
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com.
