Double the Tunes
local musician starts outdoor music series in Altoona, Chippewa Falls
In the summer of 2008, Steve Szydel was fed up. He had run out of luck trying to book gigs for his act, the Altoona-based duo Kountry Klassics. As you’d guess by their band name, Steve and his wife Doris sing timeless ballads by Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Johnny Horton, and other classic country singers. Syzdel felt that his preferred repertoire did not suit the tastes of local music venues.
Szydel envisioned something bigger. He saw the City Park setting as a great venue for other bands looking to expand their base, and he reached out to the local music community.
“Because of the style of music we play, it’s hard to get gigs in this area”, Szydel laments. Although Steve and Doris found a receptive audience at local nursing homes, they still aspired to reach a younger crowd. Desperate to build a new following, Steve and Doris put their heads together. “I told my wife, ‘Why don’t we just find a place where we can play and do it for free,’ ” Szydel recalls. After getting permission from the City of Altoona to perform at City Park pavilion, Music in the Park was born.
For the first two years of its existence, Music in the Park was strictly a one-band act. Though Szydel appreciated the opportunity to work on his chops and build an audience for Kountry Klassics, he envisioned something bigger. He saw the City Park setting as a great venue for other bands looking to expand their base, and he reached out to the local music community. Unfortunately, because of its limited resources, Music in the Park could not pay its performers. But lucky for Steve, a few acts were willing to show up.
The music lovers of Altoona were treated to an eclectic lineup of free shows by String Connection (a classical music ensemble), The Broadway (a trio who performs popular tunes from the Second World War Era), and local rock outfit Bound 2 Break. Even DJ companies got in on the act, with Liquid Courage Entertainment and Singing Star Productions both putting on DJ/karaoke sets.
Although he hasn’t yet booked any karaoke sets, Szydel is looking forward to the 2011 edition of Music in the Park. With shows set for Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8pm, String Connection will perform on May 24. Logan Harryman, an Altoona high schooler and acoustic singer/songwriter, hits the stage on July 12. Zachary Johnson, another acoustic crooner, is slated to play on Aug. 9. Most other dates are still up for grabs.
Not content with just the Altoona venue, Szydel has expanded Music in the Park to Chippewa Falls. The bandshell at Irvine Park will feature some top local talent every Sunday afternoon, from 1 to 3pm, beginning June 5 and ending Sept. 11.
Szydel can hardly contain himself, proclaiming, “I’m just ecstatic about Chippewa Falls this year.” Steve is particularly excited about the musical acts, which include Howard “Guitar” Luedtke (Aug. 7), Jeff White (Sept. 4), Larry Past and Al Julson (June 26), Justin Arnold (Aug. 28), and Matt Wahl (June 12).
Szydel is also thrilled at the idea of networking with the Chippewa Falls community. Everyone seems to be pitching in to support live music at Irvine Park. The Parks & Rec Department donated funds to help with promotion and performers’ fees. Area musicians and club owners have suggested performers for the series, and they’ve even helped with his own act. Matt Wahl has given Szydel a hand booking shows for Kountry Klassics, and Steve and Matt have started attending each other’s shows. “There’s a lot of camraderie going on,” Szydel happily admits.
If you want to play, contact Steve at 210-3501.
