The 'Next Generation' takes Hats Off!

Funded by the New York Racing Association and several regional sponsors and administered by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, this music festival is a tradition and beloved event that shows off Saratoga Springs' music community to the world stage and emphatically states: "Our time has come!"

"The Hats Off Music Festival brings thousands of tourists and Capital Region residents into downtown Saratoga Springs for two nights of music, fun and celebration at the start of the race meet. While the economic impact of the event during those evenings is substantial, its effects also can be felt throughout the year as people come back to enjoy the area again and again," stated Greg Dixon, Vice President of Tourism, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

Over the years, every attendee has developed their favorite performers that they look forward to seeing on the streets of downtown, and certainly this year's lineup (see map) has plenty of that. But what is significant in 2009's festival is the conscious effort on the part of the Chamber and the festival organizers to cultivate a younger audience base while remaining faithful to the philosophy of showcasing home-grown talent.

"We have always had new acts as part of the lineup every year," notes Susan Farnsworth, Festival Coordinator for several years, "and that's a delicate balancing act as people grow attached to long-time performers, and yet in this talent-rich area, it's important to give as many people as possible an opportunity."

What is striking about this year's roster of performers is the young talent that has been named to play. For the first time, a home-grown record label (Collar City Records) will have its own stage and will feature Capital Region artists that have already received acclaim for their performances and recordings such as Matthew Loiacano, Sean Rowe, and Ben Karis-Nix.

But nothing 'brings it on home' and says local more than the 'Next Generation' stage on Saturday night, August 1 in front of Eddie Bauer on Broadway. It is there that 5 different 20-something performers will show off the results of a thriving music colony that has been firmly ensconced in Saratoga County for decades. These are the heirs; the sons and daughters of musicians and music fans. Your neighbors, if you will, growing up and striking out to bring their music to the world, or planting new roots right here in town. This is the next generation's time to shine; and while all 5 of these people have common ground geographically in their upbringing, like branches on a sturdy oak tree they are beginning to make unique paths as they stretch out to the skies beyond home. They all have messages worth listening to, all worth getting to know:

Maggie Doherty -

This appears to be the one of the group most pre-ordained by genetics, as the daughter of Molly Dwyer (and niece of Rick and Sharon Bolton, all from one of Saratoga's 'most wanted' performing groups) has been singing in public with the likes of Jeff Walton since the age of 3 ('Sweet Baby James' she remembers) and fearlessly belting out the National Anthem at Saratoga Polo at age 6. Residents have literally watched her grow up on stage.

Yet the 2009 version of Maggie finds her completing her first year at Hofstra University on Long Island - cum laude as a journalism major while taking courses in music and making the school's club rugby team, which finished 2nd in the Big Apple Classic. Her interests in music have grown and evolved as well; she takes the train into NY City about twice a month to explore the jazz clubs in Greenwich Village, and finds time to write articles for "Hofstra Freedom" - a conservative quarterly for college Republicans. You always had to remark about her good nature, smile and poise on stage, and now she brings a remarkable refinement, and also humor: she listed her short-term goal as 'getting Mom to give me her car for next school year.'

I promised you I would write it, Maggie. So there it is.

Rachel Van Slyke -

It's easy to be a victim. It can happen to anyone - and in the blink of an eye your life is changed. But it's what you do in response that makes all the difference.

In late 2007 Rachel Van Slyke was sitting pretty. She received industry acclaim and top honors in Clear Channel's "Song of the Year" competition, a recording contract with TSR records, which resulted in a debut album, "so I begin" which was recorded at the prestigious Stanley Recording Studios in Santa Monica, CA. Tour plans were being made which encompassed the entire eastern seaboard.

Then she was in the wrong place at the wrong time in Ft. Lauderdale and was struck by a drunk driver. She lay in the hospital, a victim. But not a victim for long.

By the spring of 2008, Rachel set out on tour again. Through the virtue of hard work, perseverance, and motivation to promote the sustainability of the land around her, and her music, Rachel took off on a 4-month, 4100 mile tour that would take her from Florida to Quebec and back through the Adirondacks to Saratoga Springs, returning to the city where she had spent her formative years networking, playing open mics, etc.

Oh, I forgot one important fact: that 4100 mile tour was made on her BICYCLE. Traveling alone. Sleeping most nights in a sleeping bag in someone's yard (if she was lucky).

So you can imagine that she rarely runs short of ideas for songs. But more to the point her music promotes a mission: to raise awareness and show that people can rely on themselves for their own survival. "Life is more than getting caught up in the rat race of life, never seeing your own children, worried about having the greenest lawn," she said.

Zac Rossi -

A Saratoga native and 2009 graduate of SUNY Oneonta (Music/Business), Zac is all business when it comes to his craft which revolves around the six strings. When I met with him, he had just finished work up the street at Saratoga Guitar, and was armed with a bunch of magazines with titles like Guitar Player, Performing Guitarist, Guitar World, etc. You get the idea. He does make time for the Colts in the fall though. And he does want to emphasize to our female readers that 'I'm single!'

Zac began performing in theatrical comic and improv presentations at the age of 8, and made his music debut at Rick Bolton's open mic at age 15. In the summer of 2004, he began performing regularly with Maggie Doherty, and when she's away at school can be seen as a soloist. There is also a band project in the works. He still thinks a lot of his friends are surprised by the fact that he's actually making a go at playing out as much as he has recently. But it's not a surprise here. He works hard at it and maximizes his talents by networking with the great pool of local talent that has helped him since he started.

It's not hard to picture him helping others on their way up in short order as well. This is a very well-grounded individual with goals of being a touring pro musician in some capacity, be it conventional gigs or even citing product demonstrations traveling as a manufacturer's rep as a way to spread the music.

Rachel Matthews -

This Clifton Park native is returning to Flagler University in St. Augustine, FL this fall after a year's hiatus. It's not surprising that she's leaving for awhile, for this songwriter seems to be at her most prolific when at an airport departure gate. Before returning home last fall, the Shenendehowa grad had "...spent four months traveling all over Australia, backpacking across New Zealand and sunbathing in Fiji."

Rachel's earliest memory of performing was when she was 8. It was at her great aunt's 50th anniversary of being a nun - she was face-painted like a clown, and sang "colors of the wind" from Pocahontas.

This may or may not factor into the fact that she majors in psychology.

Later, at age 10 she debuted her first original song "Fate" at a library open mic, and though she has written several other fetching melodies since that point "this is the one that my long-time friends always request."

Though she draws upon her extensive travel for perspectives in her songwriting, it is this area that is most nurturing to her: "I love the open mics here - they are so diverse and welcoming to all. I recall one where I saw a man playing a saw with an orchestra bow, followed by younger kids singing a cappella, and all being welcomed. You see that to an extent elsewhere, but not like here in Saratoga Springs."

So while it's no surprise that Rachel is leaving, don't be surprised when she returns: "I have a big beautiful family here in Saratoga County, and a major love for the Adirondacks. It may be hard to imagine 'settling down' at this point, but if I do it anywhere, it will probably be here."

Jenn Guay -

She is a young songwriter poised to bust out on several levels. To begin with, this life-long Saratoga Springs resident (and 2004 Skidmore graduate) is leaving town - literally right after the August 1 show! - to Burlington, Vermont. For another, she will be officially releasing her 1st full-length CD ("Toxic Babe") on that night. So you can help her with gas money, but an advance copy revealed that you'd be wise to pay close attention to her music under any circumstance.

In preparation for this voyage, she has been working so hard over the last few months at 3 jobs, and playing when she can, that she didn't even have time to make the photo shoot for this article!

Jenn's earliest recollection of performing was at age 8 on the cello in her elementary school orchestra. At Skidmore, she played that instrument in that school's prestigious jazz ensemble. It was not until she was 22 that she picked up the guitar which now is a regular staple at her shows. She cites her dad John, who was a working musician while she was growing up and is the producer of her new CD, as a major influence in her career.

While in Burlington, she hopes to flesh out her sound by putting together a band for her music, but also will be attending the University of Vermont to become a French teacher. The few nights off she has will find her hanging at jazz clubs here in town, and though she is wise enough to know that life's twists and turns can take a person anywhere, it seems likely that she'll return to Saratoga Springs often, perhaps permanently after satisfying her wanderlust.