Uncle Waldo’s concert series
gets listeners up close to new artists
By Jennifer Mitchell
happenings
Published May 10, 2006

While the energy one feels at stadium and arena concerts is an experience like no other, unless you’ve got great seats, you might as well lock yourself in a hot, crowded, smoky vehicle and turn on a CD.

A local listening-room environment is striving to bring music lovers face to face with nationally recognized up-and-coming performers in an intimate setting and the effort seems to be a singing success.

The acoustic Uncle Waldo’s Coffeehouse, located in Rocky River’s West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, presents everything from folk and country to pop and funk. The venue provides an added bonus for local artists, who often are asked to perform as show openers.

“Last summer we did some test runs — rounded up some volunteers,” said Kim Stanuch, one of the event organizers. “Now it happens at the church once a month and hopefully we’ll be moving to twice a month.”

The success of the coffeehouse is partially due to its environment, Stanuch said.

“We kind of like the more intimate atmosphere, where everybody can get a CD signed and talk to the artists.”

In addition, the coffeehouse is smoke free.

Jerry Knasel of Westlake has attended three shows to hear folk music artists.

“I think it’s big enough that they get some good names and some musicians from all over the country,” Knasel said. “It’s big enough to get the names, but it’s not so big you can’t meet the people afterwards. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, very comfortable.”

Also cited for the event’s popularity are the efforts of volunteers and organizer Brian Schmuck. After 20 years of following the music scene in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, Schmuck came home to Cleveland.

Schmuck writes on Uncle Waldo’s Web site that Texas is  “the place where I discovered the not-so-discovered singer/songwriters. And oh what a joy when you are in a small venue or a house concert and you are blown away by someone you had never seen before.”

Among those that stand out in his memory Lynn Miles, with Keith Glass, Annie Gallup, Carrie Newcomer, Elizia Gilykson, Jack Williams, Sahara Hickman and Groovelilly.

“I took notes and I spoke to the artist after the shows,” Schmuck said.

He made friends with a man who runs the Uncle Calvin’s coffeehouse and asked all the right questions.

“I knew that this is what I wanted to do — to present the undiscovered, the below the radar, the very approachable artist who regularly blew me away with their talent,” Schmuck said.

Bringing the idea to Cleveland, he started out with the Butternut Ridge House Concerts series.

Though now a minister, Tamara Lebak was an intern minister with West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church.

A collaboration between Lebak and Schmuck brought the series to the church.

“There is this great big musical world out there and I hope to show you what I’ve discovered ,as well as make a few new discoveries with you,” Schmuck wrote on the Web site.

He and others did just that on Saturday, when folk and R&B inspired artist Trisha Walker took listeners to “The Heart of Dixie, ” singing songs from her new CD.

Among those who’ve recorded Walker’s songs are Patty Loveless, Faith Hill and Alison Krauss.

Those who missed Walker still have a chance for an earful of soulful singing when Angelo Melasecca, aka Angelo M., takes the stage June 3.

Though they may not know it, many locals might share the artists’ story. In mid-2003 after decades in the steel industry, Angelo M. lost his seniority and pension benefits when the company he worked for, Bethlehem Steel, went bankrupt.

Making the proverbial lemonade out of a bad situation, he tossed down his hard hat and picked up his guitar and returned to the career he’d dreamed of as a child.

Drawing influences from Ry Cooder, Duane Allman, Chet Atkins and Leo Kottke, Angelo writes his own music and lyrics. Among the instruments he plays in a night are the acoustic guitar, Dobro, 12-string slide, mandolin, bass guitar and percussion.

The 7:30 p.m. June 3 concert is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. All proceeds from every coffeehouse show support the artists performing.

Those who show up early can hear Tom Ball of Akron radio station 91.3FM, The Summit, interview the artists. The interviews and concert replay a few weeks after the event.

The coffeehouse is at 20401 Hilliard Blvd. in Rocky River. Call 333-2255, ext. 111 or visit www.unclewaldos.com for more information or for advance tickets upcoming shows.