Singer songwriter event returns to Cape May this weekend

Written by Bill Barlow Wednesday, March 20, 2013 01:00 am

Tracy Grammer is in Cape May on Friday.

CAPE MAY – The downtown will again be filled with music this weekend, as the sixth annual Singer Songwriter Cape May conference and showcase returns to Cape May March 22 and 23.

Numerous showcases are free at venues throughout town, with songwriters from throughout the region presenting sets. Each afternoon, the conference features panels on the music business, music mentoring and addresses by recording artists Tracy Grammer on Friday and Ellis Paul on Saturday starting at 5:15 p.m. each day inside Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place.

Each will also present a performance after 8 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the hotel. Tickets for those shows are $10.

Paul made his name in the Boston folk scene, and has released 18 albums, winning numerous awards for his music and songwriting, and developing a devoted fan base.

In an interview in advance of the event, Grammer said she was not sure what to say for her keynote speech. She said she has written songs, but mostly presents and interprets the songs of Dave Carter, her prolific partner who died more than 10 years ago.

She could speak on breaking into the music business, but she said it has changed enormously since the 1990s.

As part of a duo with Carter, Grammer released several albums, including a Christmas album, and she has continued to release material since Carter’s death in 2002. She sings and plays violin, mandolin, guitar and other instruments.

Last year came “Little Blue Egg,” including 11 previously unreleased songs with Dave Carter.

Grammer had found some of old tapes and wanted to transfer the material to digital for fear they could be damaged by mold. She was surprised by what she found.

Before the digital revolution, there was a multi-track machine that used VHS tapes for audio recording.

“And it was awesome for musicians because it was cheap,” she said.

She and Carter used the system for demos and to work on songs. From about 30 tapes, she found 16 songs worthy of release, including the 11 on “Little Blue Egg.”

The 2013 SS Cape May showcase venues are: Aleathea's Restaurant at The Inn Of Cape May, Cabanas Beach Bar, Carney’s and The Other Room, Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May, C-View Inn, Elaine’s, Jackson Mountain Café, Lucky Bones Backwater Grille, Marq's Pub at Marquis de Lafayette, Martini Beach, Merion Inn, Pilot House, The Mad Batter, Ugly Mug and the Brown Room, Boiler Room and Grand Ballroom of Congress Hall.

For more information see www.sscapemay.com.