8 = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
COVERSTORY
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2003
Brandon Baker/Kansan Massachusetts Street is warmed by the spring weather and local artists, like Sheri Martin who can fill the streets with their own music.
By George Schulz gschulz@kansan.com Special to the Kansan
Welcome to Lawrence. It's no music mecca. But it does all right. Yet sometimes the locals can't help but ask why Lawrence never became a major hub for the music industry. The tone of the question is often negative as if there were nothing else Lawrence could possibly aspire to.
For some, it's the blessing of Lawrence to keep the artist in the musician. For others, it's an affliction that keeps the paycheck from the rock star. Generally, however, the locals tend to resent anyone perceived as a sellout, and that means big-time label contracts have to be sought elsewhere.
"Lawrence is so welcoming to musicians, but it seems like you can only get to a certain point, and you can't go on past there," said John Momberg of the local band Kelpie.
Other cities have beaten different paths. Seattle will be remembered for its fermentation of '90s grunge and its drug-addled, suicidal rock stars. Austin, Texas, will forever be haunted by the ghost of Stevie Ray Vaughn who stills wanders the halls of Antones, Austin's premier blues bar. On music row in Nashville, Tenn., Johnny Cash's sultry, baritone voice will forever ring out from the stained-glass windows he had installed in the Ryman Auditorium to give it the look of a chapel.
"Lawrence is so welcoming to musicians, but it seems like you can only get to a certain point,and you can't go on past there."
John Momberg
Member of local band Kelpie
Even Omaha, Neb., will forever be remembered as the emo metropolis of the Midwest as the high tide of its popularity pounds the shores of MTV and Spin magazine and prepares to fade away as quickly as it appeared.
But Lawrence? Well, Lawrence will be remembered for many things but never for any one thing in particular. While some would like to see Lawrence achieve the status of an Austin or a Seattle, others say Lawrence is just fine where it is, and the limitations in place that keep the city's musicians humble should stay just where they are.
Arthur Dodge, of the local band Arthur Dodge and the Horsefeathers, has tried before to leave Lawrence behind.
Something to write home about
He's lived in Austin and Nashville for short periods in attempts to better establish a solo career. Four albums later, he's back in Lawrence, driving a cab and playing The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., and the Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St.
"Austin was too god damn hot for me," Dodge said. "But there were more venues. I like playing shows there. But I think our punk bands are a little better than theirs."
Of course there's more to it than the sti-
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