Mood:  sad

So I just got an e-mail from The Stone Church about upcoming concerts there. For those who don't know, The Stone Church is in Newmarket, N.H., and is simply the best place to hear live music in New Hampshire.

The venue is historic - yes, it was a church at one time, along with other ventures before music hotspot - and worth a far better fate than what could happen. Apparently the owners have large debt, mainly stemming from the grand renovations afew years ago, and a slower economic stream (I wonder why?), which is making it less viable.

The owners are considering the option of going nonprofit, but that's not an easy process. It is much easier for a business to start as a nonprofit than to become one. Either way, the owners are hoping to generate some interest and bucks with some fundraising.

I wish I could be of more help than writing a blog entry in a blog that no one reads. I have been to the Stone Church countless times in the past 14 years, though apologetically only once in the past four years.

I produced/promoted a couple shows there in conjunction with Jam Music Magazine, a now-defunct monthly music newsprint magazine of which I once was editor/publisher. I have seen many, many music acts perform there, such as Truffle, The Samples, Percy Hill, thanks to gravity, Lemon Fresh Kids, Pondering Judd, Famous, Eric Colville, Seeking Homer, Dreadnaught, Ron Noyes Band, and on and on.

It would be extremely sad to see this landmark become some other type of business, or worse, neglected.

Below is a link to a story that ran in the Portsmouth Herald:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/NEWS/806060423

And please visit The Stone Church Web site http://www.thestonechurch.com - maybe you'll notice a band, artist, or musical style that intrigues you and will get you back to this great place (or visiting for the first time).

With Jam, there was a time (2002?) when we reported on the imminent demise of The Stone Church, when the previous owners could no longer tackle this labor of love. The Church was stagnant and quiet for awhile before the current ownership group took it over. I hope if this team ceases operation that maybe, just maybe, another optimistic group will come in and have better success.

Ironically, I received an e-mail yesterday from The Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry about their upcoming shows. They too were announcing business-related news within their regular mailing. However, they were confirming rumors of growth.

The Tupelo, formerly known as the Muse at the Gray Goose, has been having a much better time than the Church. Catering mostly to a different demographic, the Tupelo is another great N.H venue, having hosted (or will hot) such acts as The Fixx, Paula Cole, Livingston Taylor, Glen Phillips, Melissa Ferrick, Cowboy Junkies, Arlo Guthrie, Bill Morrissey, Pendragon, Tim Janis, Bruce Cockburn, Tim Reynolds, and on and on.

The owners of The Tupelo are planning a move to neighboring Derry, which will include a state-of-the-art facility, more seating, more parking, 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space, and 20,000 sq. ft. of office space on nine acres of land.

Hopefully, The Stone Church can buck this current economic downswing (recession) and thrive upon the other side; probably never as surprisingly successful as the Tupelo, but no less vital and important to the state's music and arts communities.