Gravity on the rocks

Hasn't closed yet. Gravity has been a huge asset for the community and we can help them now -- they've done so much for us. I just contributed what I could online at their web-site. Hope you will too

If you don't run a disciplined business you go out of business. This is just the way the world turns. Let someone get in there and run the place right with both food and liquor and a rounded out schedule and life will be good for everyone.

As it is, Gravity is a great room that looks like a disaster area. New blood would be a good thing. Plus a non-profit is not an answer to a failed business.

When I first walked into Gravity three years ago it took me a long time to get comfortable in the shadows, to see past what my "newer, shinier, trendier" market driven mind expected to see. But I came to realize that Gravity was not about the place, but about the sound. Its tough to ask people to look past a lot of things but at the same time, the payoff for seeing something other than dust were artists that someone my age might never have had the opportunity to hear. But more importantly, you can touch the music in gravity. Having had the once in a lifetime experience of meeting musicians like Odetta, Holly Near, Janis Ian, Eric Himan, Dar Williams, Johnny Winter, Livingston Taylor . . . I could go on forever! There are a different set of values being put forth inside those walls, values that are foundation of that experience. In a world of bigger, better, and flashier, Bill Baldwin and the crew of Gravity have consciously chosen a different path, one that puts the music first, one that attempts to connect new voices with old. I am by no means saying the place is perfect, but I would choose its imperfectness coupled with the opportunity of a music experience over any venue in Charlottesville today.

I just want to say that Bill has run a venue that's very dedicated and aware of the needs of the artists. That is rare in the music world. I hope he can find the support he needs to keep things going.

Thanks, Bill, for all you do.

The best things you can do besides donate is to go and listen to a show.

We must remember the true good that Gravity has brought to Charlottesville. In the midst of all this blogging I think people get caught up in talk and forget what it is like to experience, though isn't that almost a definition of blogging?

Gravity is definitely an interesting space, whether you like it or not Bill Baldwin and his vision has only had best intentions for our community of what is supposed to be an amazing music town. I personally have had my share of disagreements with Bill, but after every single one of those disagreements I know that his ideas were to help my career and to look out for the greater good of the music here in Charlottesville. Over the last few years since we first started playing there he has helped us gain more fans, sell out one of the biggest nights there, and helped us share the stage with some of the most well respected national and international artists.

I don't know Bill as well as some and don't play there as much as others, but I know that he is truly kind and sometimes that is taken for granted. I can't tell you how many nights he's given bands a chance when no other clubs would book them, and when nobody would show up, but he believed in a lot of them and still gives and gives. He's allowed Gravity to be a concert hall, a place for weddings and receptions, rehearsal space, a place for recitals and kid's shows, showcases for belly dancing, and even tai chi classes. For this he should be deeply thanked, as I'm not sure many people could have hosted some of these kind of events for people of all ages. I know many other club owners and booking agents that would look the other way to a lot of these shows.

Some might not understand how a venue like Gravity is different from playing at a restaurant or bar, though it definitely is. Gravity like Trax, Starr Hill, Satellite Ballroom, and the Prism all had similar visions to have actual concerts, not just music in their establishments. All the venues I mentioned here wanted the most people in each show so usually it is not desired for artists to have any other shows in the area at least two weeks out on either end of a concert date. This happens ALL over the country. I know of many bands getting frustrated with Gravity because they couldn't get a gig there. Often times many of my friends in bands want to play all over town and as much as possible which is great, but to have a show at one of these music venues, charge a cover and then have a free show at a different place such as a restuarant or bar, which show will most likely be more attended? Touring acts do not face this problem as much because they are in one city every night or so leaving little overlapping of shows in the same town and no over saturation. I think this point is overlooked a lot as Charlottesville (with the exception of a few acts) do not have too many artists that play outside of the area.

Some ask, why help a business that has gone into the debt that Gravity has? Well, because if we have appreciated the venue in ANY way, big or small it deserves our help. Just because it is a for-profit now (with the hopes to become a non-profit) doesn't make it any less special. There are actually well known non-profits that are corrupt and not many question them because they have their non-profit status. Gravity has given and continues to give in too many ways to name, so for that they are more of a community center than anything else. I don't think anyone wanted this debt to ever come about, so why should people make even more negative energy about it? If someone's home burnt to the ground because they left a tea kettle on, would we say "you should've been more careful?" If someone's doggy got hit by a car and they ended up having outrageous vet bills, do we say "you should've kept your dog in the house?" No, at least not me, I say "how can I help?"

Everyone has ideas of improving when they are on the outside, but if we're not fully on the inside and in the shoes of everyone who is involved with Gravity, how do we really know? Yes, many have run successful restaurants, many haven't (especially if it was one of the many in Charlottesville, how many restaurants have gone in The Garden of Sheba space or Continental Divide?). But it is up to us to lend help and support, not to overtake.

Whatever Gravity was, is and will become I know what it's worth is and it was much more than any price tag. Times are tough, but Gravity is more than a music venue, it is a place for PEOPLE.

Let us not be selfish in this, let us be selfless.

as Ezra Hamilton said to me tonight: "Whatever you give away you get to keep."- from his older brother from someone else and so on... Hopefully we can all understand that and give if you want to keep something.