THE MUSIC SCENE
Tugging On Your Guitar’s Heart Strings Special fundraiser benefits a multitalented lady
Positive Vibes All Around A sweet, sweet sound that is reminiscent of all the peaceful things in life: a perfect cup of coffee, the summertime sun, maybe the crackling of a campfire. I’m describing Jason Lyles’ voice, and his guitar playing perfectly coordinates with his vocals to create the feeling of warmth and home, drawing you in with the first strum. If there’s a sound that represents security, it certainly can be found in his music. “Positivity is my thing,” Jason says, and you can tell he means it with original songs like “Lift Me Up” and “Stronger Than This”, which he says perfectly exemplifies what he is as a musician and songwriter. “The song is unapologetically upbeat and positive, and it lends an encouraging word to whoever needs to hear it.” Jason will be taking the Pax Breu Ruim stage this Thursday at 7 p.m. to show off music from his new album, and he won’t be alone. William Bowers will be opening the show to set the chill atmosphere, and Tyler Green will make an appearance alongside Jason to perform collaborated covers. Jason will show you how to wash your worries away with plenty of uplifting vibes to go around. If you like what you hear, you can pick up a copy of his CD and a t-shirt after the show to keep the optimism flowing — Lindsey Clute
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HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT MUSIC ON AND OFF for well over two decades now; I’ve written several hundred articles just for The Pulse alone. There are more than a few common elements that run through that body of work but I suspect the most readily apparent would be that I’m not stingy with praise. By Marc T. Michael Pulse Music Editor
“There is one thing I have learned about the scene here in Chattanooga over the last two decades; we look out for each other…” I’ve sat here contemplating those words for a bit now, and I have to say the fellow who said them really knew what he was talking about. I couldn’t say it better myself, in no
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small part because I’m the one who said them the first time around. I lifted the line from a write-up I did a few years back for a benefit show that was held on behalf of a local artist who was just beginning a battle with cancer. I’m happy to report that she beat the disease and the benefit raised enough money to sustain her through an unimaginably difficult time. Today I find myself in the bitter-
sweet position of writing a similar article. Bitter, because of the circumstances that have made a benefit necessary, and sweet because the outpouring of love and support in this instance reaffirms that longago quote as a “Great Truth”. The artistic community in our fair city is more family than community, and we do indeed look out for one another. I’d be hard pressed to name a better-known figure in the scene than Amy Nelson. If you don’t know her, you know someone who does (and ought to take the time to say hello yourself.) Her contributions to music, art, and culture here are voluminous. Hundreds of folks have their own, “How I met Amy” story. For myself, I first met Amy when we were instructors at the inaugural Chattanooga Girl’s Rock Camp, some of the most grueling fun I’ve ever had. Being a close and intense environment, you get to know your coworker quickly. Amy turned out to be one of the sweetest, toughest, kindest, smartest, no-nonsense individuals I have ever met. Being locked in a small room with five pre-teens and loud instruments is somewhat less serene than holding a metal garbage can over your head while someone strikes it vigorously with a ball-peen hammer, but she was a model of pa-
