Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/880055
Greetings, music lovers, and welcome back to The Beat, Volume 12! It's been a great summer filled with music all across the South Shore and beyond. Our local talent pool continues to offer some of the finest entertainment in the region. Here at South Shore Magazine, we are thrilled to have our finger on the pulse. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received about the music and entertainment industry is that "there is room for everyone." Persistence is key, and "no" now doesn't mean "no" forever. For those artists that keep at it, the rewards often lay right around the corner. This edition will focus on a few acts that have been hitting the pavement and creating a buzz. First, I'd like to write about newcomer Abby Vail. Hailing from Canton, Abby has been making a name for herself in local music circles with her sweet vocals, thoughtful lyrics and sincere delivery. Abby started off playing open mics, honing her craft and developing enough material to make it through gigs of her own. This summer, Abby has found herself working frequently as a singer/songwriter throughout the region at an accelerated pace. Abby comes across to the listener much like a young Lori McKenna. Her essence is similar to the likes of Rose Cousins and even Alison Krauss. Her song "Wandering Soul," for example, offers wise melodic and lyrical choices that go beyond her 23 years of age. Using romantic and picturesque imagery, listening to Abby can stir the imagination and touch the heart…a much-needed combination for any songwriter musing on the human condition. Abby comes from a musical family. Her father, Luke, a former music teacher and trained audio engineer, taught Abby how to play. Frequently the side man for Abby as her lead guitar player, the two have been playing together for the past four years. Abby says her influences cover a wide variety, from the above-mentioned Lori McKenna (perhaps her biggest) to The Beatles and Classic Rock. It's her goal to start recording in the next several months. "It's definitely such an investment, and I want to make sure we have ever thing nailed down before we jump in," Abby says. I predict that Abby has a great career ahead of her, with plenty of time to weather the ups and downs often found within the music industry. Check her out at www.AbbyVailMusic.com Next, I'd like to introduce you to The Joneses, if you haven't met them already. Keeping up with The Joneses is certainly a true saying when following the musical adventures of this husband and wife duo. Jeff and Heather Jones have been working steadily over the past few years and have become a staple of local music on the South Shore. Jeff and Heather largely consider themselves cover artists, although I've always wished they would try their hand at an original release. Jeff, a former tech industry professional and Heather (who comes from a musical background) are some of the most recognizable faces around the local music scene. Their song selection coupled with unique arrangements and well-executed performances have made them a much sought after musical pairing for local haunts offering live entertainment. An interesting element about the Joneses, which is often overlooked by musicians of any purpose, is how they run their business. The Joneses help to foster a healthy music community by offering prices that are fair to themselves as well as to venues. They have become a recourse to many rooms as a reputable source of other musicians. Frequent supporters of the music community, The Joneses have been celebrating their latest endeavor: AA Wednesday b y J a y P s a r o s 38 Abby Vail