Salem Sounds in the News!

"Music for Squares" Salem Gazzette, June 2, 2006; Dinah Cardin
On a weekday morning about a month ago, Chamber of Commerce Director Rinus Oosthoek and Ron Miano, of the J.M. Trading Company on Front Street, stood at the foot of Old Town Hall in Derby Square, shaking their heads. There has to be a use for this huge, bricked, outdoor space, they agreed. Why aren't there street musicians entertaining tourists and shoppers, they wondered. Miano said he would be interested, if other business owners would chip in to pay for local talent to play. (open Word formatted article) 

"Listen up: Salem Sounds Concerts are a welcome addition " Salem Gazzette, June 2, 2006; Will Pirone
I recently attended the last concert in Matt Caruso’s current Salem Sounds series. The event, which featured the "2120 South Michigan Avenue" blues band was held in the large downstairs room at the Newmark Gallery on the Essex Street mall. (open Word formatted article)

"New concert series offers intimate listening in unique spots"  Salem Evenings News, March 23, 2006;  Rebecca Schoonmaker
Matt Caruso wanted a job in music. He's not a musician, just a music lover. "I just love listening to live music. It's kind of a passion I've always had," he says. With a short-lived stint in music — "I did try to play the piano until my piano teacher in the eighth grade suggested I quit,"...   (open Word formatted article)


"Concerts designed to pump up interest in live music"  Salem Gazette, March 10, 2006 ; Will Pirone
For more than a year, Salem music aficionados have been involved in an ongoing discussion of how to increase the number of venues in Salem where music can be heard.

Most of the music scene occurs in bars and clubs. The combination of no-smoking laws and a reduced tolerance of alcohol use have cut into their income and made it more difficult for them to pay for live music.

Frank Zappa once said that for most people music is furniture. It is there, but no one pays attention .....       (open HTML formatted article)