HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WHNT ) – Evan Billiter has been the President of the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation for the past 10 years. He spent years booking shows for Concerts on the Dock and Straight to Ale, and earlier this year opened St. Stephens Music Hall with John Chamness.
He spoke to us about What’s Spinning.
What’s Spinning?: With the band Drop Diver
Name of record/artist?
Evan: Paul Simon Graceland
What emotion does this record invoke for you?
Evan: That’s a tough question, you mean what emotions, cause just one is impossible. When I was in high school, I sang, haven’t sang since, my joy for music comes from harmonies. Harmonies are an artist impression of unity and chemistry and that’s what that album does. Yes Paul Simon is the lead singer, but those harmonies are mind blowing.
What is your favorite instrumental part of this album?
Evan: I mean it has to be the voices. There’s all kinds of African instruments: djembes, drums, it’s incredible…but voices often get over looked as an instrument.
Does this record bring back any memories for you?
Evan: A simple nod with a far off look and tears in his eyes “when I moved out of my parents house, at 18, I moved into a house on Clinton in downtown Huntsville. 2 girls who were friends of my older sister, because of my very sheltered upbringing, I wasn’t allowed to listen to any kind of rock music, they were half big sister roles and half music influencers. They opened me up to a world of music I had no idea about. I was already a little introduced to Pearl Jam, Nirvana and The Doors (all front man music) but they introduced me to secular harmonies and rock n roll. Crosby steels Nash and young, mamas and papas, and Simon & Garfunkel. So the first time I heard that album was in that house, the first time I lived away from home. And one of them was the love of my life. Paul Simon was bringing world music to the forefront and in my experience world music had been separated from the mainstream.”
S.G. Goodman and her journey to Alabama
What are the highlight tracks?
Evan: Diamonds on the soles of her shoes, of course. That’s one of the greatest songs of all time. And Graceland, it’s so hard to pick. You can call me Al is so ridiculous that that song is on that album, it sticks out like a sore thumb. All of the rest of it is so full of meaningful lyrics and then you can’t hear You Can Call Me Al without thinking of Chevy Chase.
Describe the album artwork
Evan: To me it’s interesting that the whole album has African influences but the artwork is like King Arthur.
RAPID WORD ASSOCIATION – What is the FIRST word that comes to your head?
Evan: Everything has to my head, but symbiotic
Why should WE listen to this record?
Evan: See all answers above, if I haven’t convinced you by this point to listen to this record…it’s as valuable as Beethoven 5th Symphony. If you like Simon & Garfunkel it’s an intimate view of who Paul Simon is. It’s an important part of American music history. It connects the world of America to the world of Africa and, it will make you smile.
St. Stephens Music Hall located at 2620 Clinton Ave W, Huntsville, AL | Open: Wednesday to Saturday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. …