Description:
The rousing, illustrated story of the Birchmere music hall by founder and operator Gary Oelze with music writer Stephen Moore. Performers, staff, journalists, and patrons share their stories of bluegrass, folk, blues, jazz, r&b, and more.
Brief description: Gary Oelze is founder and operator of the Birchmere music hall. A Washington Area Music Association award winner for producing the Seldom Scene's Kennedy Center Anniversary concert in 1986, Gary estimates that three million people have enjoyed the diverse entertainment at his hall. He is proud to present this history.
Review Quotes:
"When you're a gypsy like me, you look forward to being around people who are like-minded. The Birchmere has the feel of a family. I smile when I see this booking appear on my tour calendar. I love their open mind and willingness to present all genres of great music." - Vince Gill -- 22-time Grammy Award Winner.
"I'm so glad this book was done to summarize the Birchmere's remarkable run and to honor the performers who "arrived" by playing the legendary hall. Again, I never did, and I regret it. If not on stage, my thanks for including me in the story.' - Bob Schieffer -- Face the Nation moderator for 24 years during nearly five decades as a CBS News Correspondent.
"A comprehensive history of one of America's most storied concert venues by its owner and founder, Oelze, and music writer Moore... A wide-ranging but remarkably intimate account of a legendary music hall." - Kirkus Reviews
"I highly recommend this book to anyone who has attended a show at the Birchmere. But this is also a book that anyone who is a fan of music of any genre can thoroughly enjoy because in the telling of the Birchmere's story through the words of those who performed there, the authors allow you to learn things about your musical heroes that you probably did not know and will not learn from any other source." - Dan Miller, Bluegrass Unlimited