Media Coverage

The best little venue that not enough people know about
by Lorna Bracewell

Have you ever been to a listening room? I’m not talking about a theatre where folks may come to listen but first they have to contend with uptight ushers, mediocre seats and expensive drinks. I’m not even talking about a coffeehouse where folks may come to listen but are hard pressed to do so over the gurgle of the cappuccino machine, the murmur of the pretensious yuppies who didn’t come to listen and the hiss of the cheap ass PA. I’m talking about a true listening room with immaculate acoustics, an intimate environment and an attentive audience. You’re probably thinking, “Where the hell do you think you are? Boston? This is Tampa Bay, sweet cakes. We ain’t got none of them high fallutin’ listenin’ rooms around here.” Ummmm, yes we do…

Pro Star Sound Stage is a recording studio by day but by night it is by far one of the finest listening rooms in which I have ever had the privilege of performing. It’s cozy (it seats about 100 people), it’s quality (did I mention it was a fully functioning, professional recording studio?) and it’s owned and operated by two avid music lovers with a knack for spotting and supporting emerging singer/songwriters.

If you love indy folk, are burnt out on Skipper’s or are just looking to sample something eclectic and new, you have got to catch a show at Pro Star. The next installment in their “Celebrate the Songwriter” series is Saturday, November 22 at 8pm (doors at 7:30pm). It features four talented and local independent artists, Ngaire, Blaine Lewis, Stephanie Anderson and Papos Frassica. If you’ve heard them before, I promise you haven’t heard them like this. If you’ve never had the pleasure, do yourself a favor.

I’ve made the rounds on the earnest singer/songwriter circuit of this great nation and I’ve performed at some of its premier venues. Nevertheless, it is always a pleasure for me to return home to the best little venue that not enough people know about and that Tampa Bay is exceedingly fortunate to lay claim to. Boston, eat your heart out!

Tampa Bay ’s Best Small-Scale Live Music Venues
Julie Garisto, Times Correspondent Jan 21, 2009

It might surprise some that the Tampa Bay music scene thrives, despite the accessibility of music in the digital age. If anything, My Space and other Web sites have helped spread the word to get more folks out and ordering CDs. The area has several top-notch music acts. Concert halls and venues pack crowds without the anchor of a national headliner, just by booking the bay area’s most reputable bands.

These are the places to see Tampa Bay’s live music acts, where you can enjoy a rich and often overlooked cultural resource – and become part of a friendly community.

NEW WORLD BREWERY – CROWBAR – SKIPPER’S SMOKEHOUSE – THE ORPHEUM – DUNEDIN BREWERY – KELLY’S PUB -
YEOMAN’S ROAD PUB – DAVE’S AQUA LOUNGE – THE GLOBE – RINGSIDE

HONORABLE MENTIONS
PRO STAR SOUND STAGE: A venue run by recording studio professionals featuring folk and Americana artists. 3220 28th St N , St Petersburg (727) 526-0446.