This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Live Music in the Digital Age: Is It Kent's Future?

Kent's rich musical heritage is an asset to build on

Folks of a certain age fondly remember Kent’s “good old days” because, by all accounts, they were pretty darn good.

Bands played several nights a week at a whole host of venues such as the Kove, JB’s, the Stone Jug and Mother’s Junction. There were legendary performances by Joe Walsh, the Numbers Band, Devo, Glass Harp and many others, and the city was a destination for live music lovers from Akron, Cleveland and the region.

With major developments on the horizon in Kent, can live music play a central role in the city’s revitalization?

Find out what's happening in Kentwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

recently marked its ninth anniversary of presenting local, regional and national acts. Owner Tom Simpson’s sales records show that these performances have attracted fans from all of Ohio’s 88 counties, as well as 37 other states and Canada, England and Japan.

A March 24 article in the Youngstown Vindicator praises the venue for “the fine array of folk and Americana artists it books, and its crystal-clear acoustics.” How many cities the size of Kent can lay claim to concerts by Stephen Stills, Kris Kristofferson, Ani DiFranco, Little Feat, The Wailers, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Leon Russell?

Find out what's happening in Kentwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Recently, a friend of mine from Fairview Park came to town for the David Lindley concert at the Kent Stage. He has lived in the Cleveland area all of his life, but his only previous trip was to visit with his daughter. Lindley put on an extremely entertaining show, and my pal was really happy he made the trek, even on a “school night.” His parting words were, “I’ll definitely be back.” It’s a small example to be sure, but impressions change one person at a time.

Nowadays, when someone mentions the Cleveland neighborhood of Tremont, most folks think of great restaurants and hot nightlife. But that is a fairly recent development. Just two decades ago, the perceptions and reality of that neighborhood were quite different. It shows how things can change relatively quickly if the right mix of vision, energy and entrepreneurship is brought to bear.

When owner Mike Beder expanded his establishment in 2008, one of the key reasons was to add a stage for live entertainment. Now the popular nightspot presents live blues performances every Wednesday, free community concerts on Fridays, and bands for the college audience on occasional Saturdays. It also hosts groups such as Ohio Choro Club, a Brazilian music ensemble, on a regular basis.

Let's not forget who Beder booked for his packed 10th anniversary show: . Live music is a key component to Beder’s business strategy, and it is working.

The Kent State Folk Festival will present its 44th incarnation this year, with some exciting artists and a move to September. (Look for more information soon on Kent Patch.) The Kent Blues Fest will mark its third year this summer, and it has generated some pretty decent buzz in its short span. Bar owners and music fans embraced the effort from the start, as did area sponsors. (Full disclosure: I help organize the event.)

Music also plays a key role in the success of the Masterpieces on Main Art & Wine Festival, the Kent Heritage Festival, the Haymaker Farmer's Market and the “Who’s Your Mama?” Earth Day Festival.

The Stone Tavern is the latest addition to Kent’s nightlife, and the venue features live music and performances several nights a week. When co-owner Louis DelBene was preparing to open the doors of the former Professor’s Pub, he told me that reclaiming the city’s great musical heritage was his driving mission. DelBene is passionate about making a contribution to the city’s musical landscape.

Live music is also presented regularly at the Zephyr Pub, Europe Gyro, Mug’s Brew Pub, the Ohio Music Store, the Outpost, JB’s and the new Checkers-N-Trophies.

The relationship between the arts and economic development is well established. Cuyahoga County residents passed a cigarette tax in 2006 to provide funding for the area’s arts organizations, in large part because of their effect on the region’s economic viability. When major musical acts perform or festivals take place, the cash registers ring at Kent’s restaurants, bars, coffee shops and retail outlets.

Of course, live music is no magic bullet. The strength of a city comes from a strong economy, great schools, safe streets, successful businesses, a healthy environment and so much more.

Kent’s fortunes are inextricably tied to Kent State, which is gaining in size and stature. The university presents a wealth of musical performances, along with a diverse array of other arts offerings. But a city needs a culture of its own to thrive and grow, and Kent has an exciting base to build on. We’re home to a wonderfully eclectic assortment of musicians, ethnomusicologists, artists, music lovers and creative people.

Major projects such as the , , and are finally coming to fruition, and the city is poised for rebirth.

Kent might not ever attain the national status of a place like Austin, TX, but I believe that by building on the city’s rich musical history we can make Kent a destination for live music once again. 

The “good old days” aren’t coming back, and that’s just fine. Moving forward, Kent can distinguish itself as a great college town with a vibrant downtown and a thriving music scene. One that attracts people from all over Northeast Ohio and beyond, and one that contributes to our economy and quality of life.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Kent