Songwriters can come from anywhere, but many are right around the corner on Ministers Island near Saint Andrews.
The historic island held a songwriters circle for the public to experience emerging artists.
The circle included Claira Blanchard, Jacob Rose, Charlotte Bartlett, and Shawn Richard.
Blanchard is an emerging artist who just graduated high school last Thursday, and will now be regularly participating in shows such like this one.
“I don’t know any different [from shows like this] because I have been allowed to grow, thrive, and perform thanks to Jamie [Steel],” said Blanchard, toward Jamie Steel, who manages Periwinkle Productions. “He’s really a big reason why I’ve been able to develop my confidence as a young artist.”
Steel is a instrumental part of the local music scene in Charlotte County. Local talent often finds the spotlight because of his influence.
“What was special [about this show] was the fact that we were able to bring together four talented emerging artists all from the local area,” said Steel. “I think it’s a testament to the affinity for music that the region has.”
Steel’s company runs many local shows for artists to get their name out into the streets.
“Periwinkle Productions has served both as a ‘presentation vehicle’ but also as a career development avenue for younger emerging artists…. And we have always tried to provide opportunities for emerging artists and established artists.”
The show on Sunday filled the bath house on Ministers Island with laughs, claps, and people eager to listen to talent that comes from close to home.
“Local people come out to this, they sell out the shows, and they are the best crowd ever,” said Blanchard. “They sing along, they clap, they just absolutely love live music. It makes the musicians less nervous and it helps us gain confidence. It’s just Saint Andrews, I can’t even explain it.”
The show on Ministers Island was sold out, with people even trying to buy tickets at the door.
“Ministers Island is a good venue because it’s cool,” stated Blanchard. “The acoustics in there [the bath house] are incredible just because of the way that [the roof] is shaped, and if you stand in one spot it feels like there’s speakers all around your head.”
A songwriters circle is a very personal type of show where a group of artists who write their own music play songs in turn, each only playing one song at a time, allowing ample breaks and time for them to interact with each other and the crowd.
“I love songwriters circles because I feel like they are more intimate than a regular show,” said Blanchard. “The point is to talk about the songs and to interact with the other artists, really get some chemistry going in there.”
Many don’t buy tickets to local shows such as this one in fear that the music won’t be good or they won’t enjoy the show, but Steel says that they are just too scared to take a chance.
“My mantra sometimes is that some of the best music you’ll ever hear and some of the best talent you’ll ever experience is by people that you’ve never heard of,” said Steel. “So take a chance, sit back, relax, and enjoy what the artists have to offer, and more often than not you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
