Trent Wagler, Josh Vana and Ryan Brooke @ The Artful Dodger
Wednesday, 08 April 2009 10:23
Opening artist, Ryan Brooke is only a sophomore student at James Madison University, but his charming stage presence and inviting voice made him easy to love. He was unassuming, open and comfortable on stage with two backing members playing keys and guitar. While he strummed his pure tunes of changing the world and burning bridges, his backing guitarist casually swung and tapped his bare feet as he relaxingly sat upon an amplifier.
Josh Vana kept the same laid-back, yet more engaging vibe alive as he went through his traditional whirlwind of guitar, banjo and harmonica-featured pieces with ease. As he switched harmonicas, stomped his feet and moaned like you would expect a seasoned professional, his old-soul likeability captivated the audience. It's one thing to see a 21-year -old guitarist rip solos because they want to be Jimmy Page, but it's all together different to see 
someone of the same age command three instruments and sing such a mature musical genre and deliver it well. Yet, his swept-back hair, black-button down tucked into brown corduroys and traditional boots match his sound so perfectly, sometimes it's easy to forget the year, time and place you're actually in.
Vana closed with a solo harmonica piece that had him wiping the sweat from his brow by the end. The crescendoing stomps, yelps, volume and tempo had the entire place clapping and shouting as if we had suddenly left the trendy, avant-garde downtown bar and relocated to a rural old-time country saloon. As he modestly packed his instruments and attempted to dismount the stage, the crowd learned it was his 21stbirthday and was sure to make him blush by singing "Happy Birthday" before allowing him to surrender the stage to the next act.
The final musician of the night was Trent Wagler, who often tours and performs with backing band, The Steel Wheels. As a Harrisonburg resident, but Indiana native, Wagler has a definite southern charm to his character and style, easily appealing to anyone who can appreciate true musicianship and raw technique. His passionate delivery, adroit guitar playing and audience interaction made the concert more than enjoyable for the crowd, but obviously enjoyable for Wagler as well. He shared stories of Alaska in July, his home in Bean Blossom, IN and his feelings on the local music scene.
"You have no idea how much that 3, 4 or 5 dollar cover does for the entire network," he explained. "I'm not telling you to buy this or that for the economy, this is for the local scene and we've got a great thing going on here."
His message was
encouraging, though songs like, "There's Nothing You Have That You Can't Lose," didn't sound so uplifting at first. However, as he invited Vana to the stage to accompany him on harmonica, the sadness of the lyrics was replaced with a celebration of talent between the two. Though years apart, they mirrored one another, both casual southern boys, dressed in traditional button-downs with big belts and boots. Vana had never played,
nor even heard the song before, but melted into the melody perfectly, adding an even more organic, fulfilling aspect to the already captivating tune.
Perhaps I'm using "charm" too much in one review, but it's the most basic and accurate way to describe the event. Not only did the music all exemplify a charming, true, real, sincere display of talent, but the artists themselves all displayed a matching personal charm as well, each taking every opportunity to shake every hand, match every smile and take genuine interest in every supporter and fan they met. So often artists become consumed with the superficial facade of the industry and fail to regain hold of the roots that not only secured them there, but grasp the ground beneath their feet. They fail to realize how easily they can be severed from the reality they depend on. Maybe that's why I felt so inspired to write this. It wasn't just the music tonight; it was the ambiance surrounding it and the people who brought it to life.
I'm still a Yank, but I've got to admit, there's absolutely something to that southern charm.
-Jessica Novak
http://www.trentwagler.com/index.asp
http://www.myspace.com/ahighheeledsneaker
http://www.myspace.com/ryanbrookemusic
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