Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/489430
46 by Jay Psaros Welcome back music lovers to the fourth edition of "The Beat!" It's been a long, snowy and cold winter this time around on the South Shore so let's heat things up with some great music. The music industry both local and national is a funny thing. It seems that the majority of artists we hear are "here today, gone tomorrow." I was driving home from a long weekend of shows recently and the song "Roll to Me," by Del Amitri came on the radio. I thought to myself, "What a great song!" If it weren't for the radio playing it I may have forgotten all about it. Now it is very possible that Del Amitri is still out there playing, gigging and writing on a regular basis (and after some research I found that they are), and that, by no fault of their own, the record industry simply got what they needed out of them and moved on. With the decline of the record industry and the rise of social media we are now fortunate enough to really be able to follow and access the music we love without any filters that were previously implemented by the main stream media. That, however is a topic for a different time. My point, however, is that trends may be trends for no other reason except that, well they are trends. And there is nothing wrong with that. But what about the other side of the coin. The legends, the journeymen and people that dedicate their life to a craft and keep themselves relevant regardless of how they compare to what happens to be trending at any given moment? In this edition of "The Beat," I'd like to write about some of the local legends we have living right here on Boston's best shore, the South Shore. These are the local players who have "been there and done that," and keep on keeping on. I'd like to start with Chuck McDermott. Chuck McDermott has an unassuming way, a humble presence and enough stories to make any musician envious. His career as an entertainer, entrepreneur, as well as his stint working on the campaign trail has certainly led Chuck down a path that would make any one ask…how did you do all that?! But lets focus on the music. For fourteen years Chuck was solely a professional musician. As the founder of the legendary Americana/Roots band Wheatstraw, Chuck helped to blaze a path that led to critical acclaim from regional outlets such as The Boston Globe to national outlets like Rolling Stone. Today, the whole Americana/Roots movement is a popular and dare I say, "trendy" movement in and around town, but McDermott and Wheatstraw were doing it way back when before it was the "cool" thing to do. Chuck stems from the days in music where talent wasn't just a "bonus," but in fact a necessity. Anyone who hears or watches McDermott play will instantly become aware of this. His finger picking and guitar playing are simply top notch. His singing is strong with a youthful energy and a tone that gracefully expresses a touch of wisdom found throughout the years. Chuck, however, knows when to "turn it on," or simply sit back and let the song do the talking. Now into his 60's, Chuck is still writing and playing frequently. Celebrating a soft, pseudo-retirement from his time in the business world, the music community should be happy that Chuck will be dedicating his time to creating great music. Chuck has had the great pleasure over the years to share the stage with many musical icons such as Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt, Lindsay Buckingham and countless more. However, Chuck speaks the most highly of his late friend John Stewart. John had a huge impact on Chuck both personally and professionally as a friend, colleague and mentor. John is best known for penning the #1 Monkey's hit "Daydream Believer" as well as his time in the Kingston Trio. As mentioned above, Chuck has drifted down many roads throughout the course of his life… but always with a song to share and a guitar by his side. Chuck plays several times a month at venues mainly on the east and west coasts. Now what would a local legends write up be without the great Dave Foley and the Dave Foley Band? Dave Foley has certainly "been there, done that," and the music community has nothing but respect for Dave. His career has led him to Nashville and back where he has shared the stage with everyone from Chris Issak to Willie Nelson. There isn't a venue (big or small) within a one hundred mile radius that hasn't had Dave on their stage. Dave plays the classics…and he plays them well. Real well. Almost too well in fact. Seeing the Dave Foley Band complete with Dave's vintage guitar and amp rig, a slapping upright bass and a drummer that knows how to swing instantly makes your imagination run to the 50's and 60's. Dave is a smooth guitar player and a master of authenticity. Hearing Dave and the band play Hank Williams tunes like