Guitars Along The Mohawk
On Sunday, November 10th, Rome Capitol Theatre saw a live collective of local musicians called Guitars Along The Mohawk. Produced by Rick Lewis as a creative fundraiser for the iconic Rome Capitol Theatre, this unique original music showcase was recorded live; complete with audience ques and applause; to be presented as a TV broadcast in early 2025.
The show was hosted by Katie Keating, who also did a set of her original music, and featured Sydney Irving, Cassandra Harris Lockwood with me, Chris Woods, Gridley Paige Naked and Scared, Rocky Feola, Mark Macri with Ed Gorham, Rose N Thorne, Justin Smithson, and Bill Carman.
I am writing from the unique perspective of the event as one Black Hippy urban professionals member of an acoustic duo:
Cassandra Harris Lockwood and I arrived at 11am to a beautiful breakfast, reception, and sound check. Being greeted by a guild of seasoned local musicians was truly a wonderful feeling of being included in the central New York music scene. To be invited and included in such an elevated collective, after years of being absent from public performances, was and is truly fascinating and inspiring for both of us!
The Rome Capitol Theatre has and will continue to be a historical landmark for live rock and roll performances and this event was no exception!
First, we were led backstage and downstairs to the catacomb like dressing rooms for preparation and practice. The acoustics in the dressing room area were better than even the main stage! Glorious sounds filled the air as many of the acts busted out their guitars and began jamming and practicing. I couldn’t help myself and snuck in some licks on my guitar, jamming along with the sounds I was hearing. This was a lot of fun!
After getting dressed and warmed up with a little practice, we went upstairs to the main stage for sound check. The warmth of all these beautiful souls felt really good and inviting, and there was no pre-show anxiety or self-consciousness. I could feel that somehow Cassandra and I were bringing something very special to the table. It wasn’t so much our seasoned musicianship and song, it wasn’t so much the dressing up of our bodies in cool and self-expressive ways, it was through all these things combined, and nothing in particular, that we brought a warmly commanding personal presence that shined through everything we did. Every thought, every word, every hug and handshake, every sound rippled with creative meaning.
With over 250 people in attendance and ready to rock, Cassandra and I stepped out onto the stage and delivered 3 original and inspirational acoustic songs. No covers allowed!
The first song delivered to the audience was entitled “Forest Getdown.” This song is a bluesy folk medley about all the wonderful sounds of life in the forest and how the beasts of the forest are always jamming with each other, especially when there’s no one around!
The second folk-ish offering was entitled “Saint Marianne’s Schoolyard Song’. This is an inspired piece created around the legend of our areas very own Saint Marianne. Saint Marianne grew up in Utica and served The LORD Jesus, and therefore the world’s “least of these” with “Wisdom, Skill, and Light”; and was especially well received.
Lastly we performed the campfire waltz tune “Firefly”. Musically produced by my father “Doctuh” Mike Woods, and inspired by Cassandra’s forays into the heart of nature and spirit, this fun, three beat, musical dance was, is, and will continue to be, especially meaningful to perform.
All things considered and rightly divided, it was a wonderful time of inclusion and common unity, honoring the creative process in some of the area’s best and brightest musicians!
Be sure to check the Guitars Along The Mohawk Facebook page for more information about when the show will be aired on live television.
“It’s Real” is a column written by Phoenix Radio 95.5 THE HEAT’s very own Chris Woods.
