The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 66

FAGE E-6- THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR- -SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1989 Mellencamp's success gave hope to local artists Deer Creek opened new avenues for music-lovers, music-makers ilv -y By JILL WARREN STAR STAFF WHITER One was born in small town: the other was built in one. Both managed to move Indianapolis' once second-rate music scene into the major leagues during the 1980s. The success of John Mellen-camp, who remains based in his hometown of Seymour, served as powerful inspiration to countless local artists who dream of following in his footsteps. And Deer Creek Music Center, located in southeastern Hamilton County, has convinced Indianapolis music-lovers to keep the concert dollars in-state. The outdoor amphitheater provided the sort of entertainment more mature rock 'n' roll acts.

We're still strongest there." While Indianapolis still lacks a good mid-size venue, a hall that could accommodate 3,000 to 4.000 patrons, the availability of the Hoosier Dome, Market Square Arena and the new Deer Creek Music Center make Indianapolis a standard stop on most major concert tours. Said Sunshine Promotions vice president Steve Sybesma: "There's nothing that can't play Indianapolis now. We have all the venues covered." Sunshine grew so quickly in the 1980s that it twice had to relocate its offices in search of larger quarters. The once-fledg-ling company is now among the nation's top 10 concert promoters and is an active member of the newly formed North American Concerts Promoter's pears to be on the rise, Dennis Burris of The Vogue warned that live music clubs may be on the decline. The "emergence of recorded music as the main alternative to the live scene" is an issue that cannot be Ignored.

"At one point. The Vogue was really the only thing happening in Indianapolis," Burris said. "Now, there 10 or 15 recorded-music bars. We're doing better than ever, but it makes me wonder how much better things would be if not for all those recorded-music clubs." Burris is also facing competition from the newly established Ritz Music Hall and smaller events Sunshine Promotions books at venues such as the Murat Theater and Clowes Hall. Still, he believes the club carries sufficient clout to win the most desirable bookings.

"What The Vogue is more well known for is some of the cool bands now. Things have really switched." Several area bands have been signed to recording contracts with both the major labels and the smaller independents. Best known are Summer and Duke Tumatoe, who last year recorded a live album at the Vogue for Warner Bros, under the direction of John Fogerty. Indianapolis followed the national trend where bands popular at the beginning of the decade were revived in time to see the era come to a close. Road-master surely ranks as the best re-entry.

Others include Faith Band and a strong new offshoot, Carl Storie, and the All-Star Band. There were Just two notable departures from the local club scene: The Hummingbird, which focused on blues and folk music, in 1985, and Crazy Al's, which slam-danced Indianapolis into New Wave but closed in '82. on their own merit, not mine." An abundance of talented local musicians, whether, influenced by Mellencamp or not, has led to a fresh, new, original music scene, according to Bob McCutcheon, manager of the Ritz Music Hall and an early Mellencamp production manager. 1 "When I first came to Indy In 1980, there was an original scene. There was Roadmaster, Faith Band they all had record deals and were really doing something.

There were a lot of bands that had hope," McCutcheon said. "But then, in the middle of the '80s, it all fell apart. Today, there are bands getting signed to major record deals." Summer, who recently returned home from a national concert tour, said local players are excited by new opportunities to play their own music as opposed to popular cover tunes in area clubs. "Instead of, 'Wait till you hear the new Queen song we're it's 'Wait till you hear our new, original he said. "The bands getting the biggest respect now are the ones doing the original music.

They're the MSI No new clubs were opened to fill the void, but The Vogue, the Patio and, recently, the Slippery Noodle have assumed the responsibility of booking music for that displaced audience. While the popularity of original, locally produced music ap ASSOCIATED PRESS John Mellencamp Jovi, Randy Travis, Ringo Starr and Diana Ross. Indianapolis rocker Henry Lee Summer, who released two albums In the late '80s for CBS Associated, earned the distinction of being the only artist to perform three times during the amphitheater's first season. "If it wasn't for Mellencamp, I very much doubt I would have DAY BUFFET opportunities formerly only available to those who didn't mind long car trips. Mellencamp's impact started years before.

After the release of several minor albums and a disastrous experience with a manipulative manager who dubbed him Johnny Cougar Mellen-camp broke through in 1982 with American Fool. Thanks to irresistible rockers such as Hurts So Good and Jack and Diane, Mellencamp began the transformation from self-styled "Little Bastard" to an artist who can turn heartfelt convictions into chart-topping hits. He also established, with Willie Nelson, the fund-raising concert series Farm Aid. The fourth Farm Aid show will take place April 7 in the Hoosier Dome. Mellencamp holds the record at Market Square Arena for most sellouts by a single artist, a feat he accomplished on his 1987-88 Lonesome Jubilee tour.

The tour ended with a massive concert at the State Fairgrounds that drew more than 40,000 fans. MB aw MaaaaasiW 1 1 am 5 pm Over 50 Feet of Holiday Treats With Over 60 Different Items i' x. i. mm had a chance," Summer said. "I knew that with him making it big, the record company was more willing to take a chance on me.

I don't think any of the bands around here would be getting the chances they are now if not for him." "That's bull," Mellencamp said during an interview last summer. "If It's true, I appreciate the compliment. But If bands are doing well, it's because they are good bands. They're doing it FREE PICTURES WITH SANTA it Coved Roast Round of Beef, Au Jus it dried Med Ham, Hoosier Style Roast Loin of Pork Baked Atlantic Whitefish in Lemon Butter Sauce Breaded Chicken it Turkey and Dressing it Candied Yams it Parsley Potatoes it California Medley 95 it Cheese Assortment it Bakery Breads and Flavored Butters it Delicious Dessert Tables $10 Green Beans, Homestyle Caesar Salad it Fresh Fruit En Game it Vegetable Trays 3 AFFORDABLE tfU REASONS TO SPEND Tossed Salad PLUS Many More Tempting Salads Plus Much, Much More! Children Under 5-FREE GRAND BALLROOM Children Under 12 HALF PRICE YOUR NEW YEAR'S AT OUR INN QUALITY INN EAST 3525 N. Shadeland FOR RESERVATIONS CALL Jannice 549-2222 OPT.

1 RIDE THE ELEVATOR HOME: ROOM SUMPTUOUS BALLROOM BUFFET FROM 6-9 P.M. PARTY FAVORS BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE DANCE TO THE PROFILE BAND IN THE BALLROOM 9-? BREAKFAST BUFFET 9-11 $119.90 PER COUPLE PLUS TAX. KM OPT. 2 $50.00 PER COUPLE INCLUDES ALL THE ABOVE EXCEPT ROOM 1 BREAKFAST BUFFET. Since he decided not to tour in support of his last release, the stark, introspective Big Daddy, Mellencamp was one of the few major artists not to perform at Deer Creek Music Center's debut season last summer.

Built by Sunshine Promotions to the tune of $12 million, the state-of-the-art facility had an enormous impact on the Indianapolis concert scene. Pollstar, an industry publication that caters to promoters and venue operators, has nominated Deer Creek for two prestigious awards in its annual poll: best outdoor amphitheater and best new venue. The results will be announced soon. Deer Creek attracted top artists from all musical genres. Among the 46 concert events were shows by Sandl Patti, Bob Hope, the Beach Boys, Metallica, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Bon NtW TCAna EVE PACKAGES PACKAGF 1 LSI New)eaiEve OPT.

3 LOUNGE FIRST COME FIRST SERVED $5.00 SINGLE $10.00 COUPLE PARTY FAVORS- CHAMPAGNE AVAILABLE H0RS D'OUEVRES 7-9 DISC JOCKEY. RITZ 1250 Per Person $2500 Per Couple NIGHTCLUB SECOND THOUGHT OPTION $42 00 ROOM TAX IF AVAILABLE OPTION 1 a OPTION 2 ADVANCE PAYMENT IN FULL REQUIRED NO LATER THAN 28 DEC. 1989. SOUTHEAST 1-465 EMERSON (EOT WOCH (MOVE) 783-7751 TO INCLUDE RESERVED SEATING. PARTY FAVORS.

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the Contours put on live performances that'll have you dancing in the aisles. Two shows: 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Dinner. From 8-1 1 p.m.

sample the delicious variety of food stations, featuring Baron of Beef, peel-your-own spicy shrimp, oysters, and pasta. Don't miss the Good Luck Station. Dancing. Shimmy, bop, watusi, and twist the night away from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Celebration. Cash bars, including champagne, are available throughout the night. Complete breakfast. From a.m. hungry revelers can help themselves to a full breakfast, including fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, apple crepes, and breakfast meats.

One prite. Just $75 per person covers performances by the Contours, dancing, buffet dinner and breakfast, party favors, balloons, and valet parking. Call our New Year's Eve reservations line at 262-8100. Then get out your dancing shoes. Black tie is optional.

Steak Houso of Japan TO INCLUDE SAME AS PACKAGE 2 WITH ONE NIGHT saw YEAR'S DAY CHECKOUT EXTENDED TO 4 00 ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. INDOOR RECREATION AREA (CLOSED A 4 CHRISTMAS ftW 'IS I JP ADDITIONAL NIGHT FOR HAPPY HANGOVER PARTY 50 off 0 0 U. 0 I NEW YEAR'S DAY IN THE RITZ LOUNGE WITH ALL DRINKS OPENS AT 1100AM HOT TUB SUITES AVAILABLE 2 FOR 1 SPECIAL CHOICE OF DINNER MENU UP TO A VALUE OF $10 00 PURCHASE ONE DINNER AT REGULAR PRICE, AND RECEIVE A SECOND DINNER OF EQUAL OR LESS VALUE FREE. VALID FOR A PARTY OF TWO. MUST PRESENT AND SIGN THIS COUPON VALID SUN DEC.

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lmlianaMiliH, Indianapolis 50 S. Capitol, Downtown 549-2222 FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL JANETTE oo R'SEV YEA "Eat hearty YOU 3etore '-4 ir' 'V n' Don't spend I New Year's Eve CAN ENJOY THE CITY'S BEST VIEW Why sit and look at four blank banquet room walls? New Year's Eve, enjoy the most romantic and panoramic view in Indianapolis. Dine, dance and celebrate at THE TELLER'S CAGE, 35th Floor, INB Tower, downtown Indianapolis. Select from two packages I a i on epena 11 I at I If-- PACKAGE II the party! Enjoy a great dinner at the Fifth Quarter on New Year's Eve. Choose from great steaks, seafood or prime rib our specialty! We will prepare you a dinner you'll remember into next year! DINNER SERVED FROM 4 p.m.

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