SongLab debuts to an appreciative audience at CADL-Stockbridge

Letha Allen strums guitar. Image by Laura Walsh.

by Paul Crandall, Head Librarian at CADL Stockbridge

Live, original music took center stage in four weekend performances recently at the Stockbridge Library – part of a new initiative called SongLab, featuring local musicians Letha Allen, Jack Falk, Harold Henry and Larry Guenther.

The performances were part of an effort by CADL-Stockbridge to help local musicians get heard and to partner with them as they develop their careers, as well as to add locally imagined and produced content to the CADL collection. The performances were recorded and will be added to the CADL collection in CD format and streamed from the CADL website.

Surveys returned by audience members expressed a good deal of enthusiasm for the project.  “Excellent music and great for the community. Fun time!” wrote one respondent.  “I really enjoy hearing local talent.” Wrote another: “Great idea, what a great way to support local music!”

Larry Guenther was the winner of the musicians’ raffle for $300 in professional studio time at Troubadour Recording Studios in Lansing.

Pictured performer is Larry Guenther, one of four local musicians featured in the SongLab event held recently at the Stockbridge Library, CADL. Guenther was the winner of the musician’s raffle for $300 in professional studio time at Troubadour Recording Studios in Lansing. Image by Laura Walsh.

“Awesome,” said Guenther via text.  “I’m so happy and surprised.”

Audience members were winners, too, as ten of them won drawings for gift cards to local eateries.  “I love that the prizes are for local shops,” wrote one survey respondent. In all, 45 attended the weekend performance/recording sessions.

SongLab was funded by a public service grant made available by CADL to local branches for special projects.

“We were thrilled to support the SongLab at CADL-Stockbridge through the public service grant,” said CADL Executive Director Scott Duimstra. “It’s the type of project that fits the mission of the grants where funds are used for developing innovative services and events that empower, support and entertain the communities we serve. Paul, his staff and the Stockbridge community did a fantastic job in making the project a success.”

Jack Falk glows with his love of music. Image by Laura Walsh.

81-year-old Harold Henry hasn’t lost his touch on the keyboard. Image by Laura Walsh.

Larry Guenther plays to audience. Photo by Paul Crandall

Larry Guenther. Photo by Paul Crandall