Summer Schappell
I watched from backstage as 15-year-old Summer Schappell of Lakehead walked out and sang for a sold-out crowd of more than 2,000 people at the Redding Convention Center. It was a big moment for the sophomore from Enterprise High, as she was the opening act Sunday night for country star Josh Turner.
Schappell has a strong voice and brand new album full of songs that sound as if they could be modern country hits.
To hear her music, visit her MySpace music site.
Schappell recorded her album in Nashville over the past year with producer Ron Cornelius and a bunch of Music City ace session players. On Sunday, she sang live to pre-recorded tracks and was well-received by an audience enjoying the local-girl-does-good moment.
Cornelius, who owns the record label Gateway Entertainment on Music Row, has a huge resume in the music biz. He played guitar on Bob Dylan’s “New Morning” and “Self Portrait,” and Leonard Cohen’s “Songs From a Room” and “Songs of Love and Hate.” He’s worked with Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Flatt and Scruggs and many other major dudes.
So it’s pretty impressive that he sees and hears something special in Schappell. It’s probably also important to remember that Summer is still young and that the industry is amazingly competitive.
But in chatting with Schappell, I was impressed.
“I’m just a homegrown girl,” she said. “I grew up in a small town and I’m never gonna change.”
Performing is her main love. She was clearing off the coffee table for a stage and singing into a plastic microphone at age 3.
After Schappell finished, she went to the lobby and was mobbed by a huge group of fans who bought her CDs and wanted her autograph.
Josh Turner
I checked out a few tunes by Josh Turner before I left the building. I’ve been a broken record about my disdain for mainstream commercial country music, but in some ways I’m tired of my own rant.
It’s true that the music is pretty much pop with steel guitars. It’s big and glitz and formulaic. But on the other hand, Josh Turner’s got a huge baritone voice that cuts through the night and his band can flat-out play.
Sometimes you have to acknowledge pure professionalism when it’s right in front of you. If 2,000 north state residents had a great time Sunday night with Josh Turner (and, of course, Summer Schappell), God bless them.
Cornelius was at the show (and I had my coolest Dylan T-shirt on), but I missed him. Damn. Man I’d like to chew on his ear about music for a day or two.
Next time.
Notes:
• The sold-out show was good news for promoters Rick and Angie Gurrola of Mesa Productions. It’s one of the few big country shows that has completely sold out for them. What a nice couple, by the way.
• Summer Schappell also performs in Enterprise’s acclaimed performance group Starship, though in more of a supporting role this year. Starship’s annual Variety Hour is coming up Feb. 19-21 at the David Marr Auditorium (Shasta Learning Center) off Eureka Way. Tickets are $6. Call 222-6601.
