Keeping the Music Alive

When was the last time you spent an afternoon and evening listening to live music in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere?

Earlier this year, the Las Cruces Bulletin reported on a group of enterprising young filmmakers and musicians who have been collaborating on a community project called the Valley Sessions. Now there is an opportunity to meet many of the people associated with this project, at a day-long concert called Valley Sessions Live, Sunday, November 30, at the Hood Gallery.

As the title suggests, Valley Sessions Live brings back several of the artists who have already collaborated with the group to produce inspired diegetic music videos. A house specialty, these videos have proved very popular with viewers, but have also helped promote the musicians who have taken part in the project. This is their way of giving back to the people who have given so much to them.

“This is not a novel concept at all,” said organizer and director for the project, Ryan Robson. “There are hundreds of these all over the country. I grew up on these. I remember, in high school, falling in love with live session performances. I wanted to have something that local filmmakers and creatives can devote their time and energy to that would reflect back on the community. We’ve had a lot of good relationships come from this philosophy.”

Americana artist and “America’s Got Talent” contestant, Bar Jay Bar will bring his high-energy roots music to Valley Sessions Live.

True to his word, those relationships have proven themselves to be generous. Included in the line-up of seven touring acts are Red McAdam from New Jersey, Taylor Glasheen from Arizona, Bar Jay Bar from Wyoming, Marley Hale from New York, Sean Lucy from New Mexico, the Pie Sisters from Texas and Dani Rae Clark from Tennessee.

“The goal of Valley Sessions has always been to incentivize touring musicians to donate their time to the Las Cruces and surrounding southwest community and to promote local talent already here,” said Robson. “We’ve asked them to come back and play for our community. We’re hoping the community will show up to show their appreciation.”

Because the people behind Valley Sessions are filmmakers, you can expect a lot of visuals to accompany the music, which will include acoustic and soft selections from country to folk to blues. Food is also part of the scene, with green chile cheeseburgers, baked goods and local kombucha” among the offerings. “H Tea O” will also be on hand to give away free drinks to the first 60 guests.

Neotraditional Country singer/songwriter Taylor Glasheen from Phoenix will perform at Valley Sessions Live.

“I think the goal here is to get more people to watch the videos and, hopefully, to share them,” said Robson. “The videos are to help promote the musicians, so you can see how they feed back into each other. It’s turning into a really special thing. This project and my love of filming here, is what keeps me here. If it works for me, maybe it will help keep other creative people here.”

Valley Sessions Live plays 3-10 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Hood Gallery, 3206 Harrelson St., in Mesilla Park. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. More information and ticketing are available via ValleySessions.com, or Ryan Robson at ValleySessions@gmail.com.