During COVID-19 we are all coping with ways to stay healthy and positive.  The Chautauqua Lake Pops is a music venue and prides itself in presenting music for all to enjoy while lifting spirits through music.

Listening to music can help reduce stress, depression and improve mood.  Music can be a source of pleasure and contentment at any time in our lives though especially so in difficult times. The notion that music can influence your thoughts, feelings and behaviors probably do not come as much of a surprise.  If you've ever been moved to tears by a tender live performance then you can easily understand the power of music to impact your moods.

The psychological effects of music can be powerful and wide-ranging.  Music therapy is an intervention sometimes utilized to promote emotional health, help people cope with stress and boost their psychologicial well-being.  Music can relax the mind.  Music has the power to inspire and entertain.  Instead of thinking of music as pure entertainment, consider some of the major mental benefits of incorporating music into your everyday life.  You might find you are happier and more relaxed as a result.

Why do we turn to music in times of crisis?  Communities around the world have turned to music during the COVID-19 crisis.  From YouTube parodies to apartment block sing-alongs, music can help maintain a sense of community. With contraints on our movements and our general way of life becoming more and more restricted, we are feeling a loss of control not experienced since World War II.  In being confined to our homes, we are missing our normal social support from friends and family plus our freedom to control our day-to-day lives. Listening or making music provides a means of regaining control.

Parodies on YouTube are both lifting community spirits and reminding people to look after each other -- not just themselves.  The Chautauqua Lake Pops has always been about lifting community spirit through music.  With the presence of COVID-19 that focus is even stronger, now. Music creates a sense of belonging and participation.

An example of a parody regarding COVID-19 is from a musician who makes a hobby out of putting together parodies of popular songs.  His latest twist turned the famous and beloved Beatles tune, "Yesterday" into a chorus about COVID-19.  The first line sets the tone.  "Yesterday, COVID-19 was so far away.  Now the world has changed in every way."

I recall the residents of Paris singing as flames tore though the roof of their historic Notre Dame Cathedral.  Parisians sang hymns in the streets when they could do nothing else to save the beloved icon.  This spontaneous reaction seemed to reflect the need to reassure each other even though the cathedral was being destroyed before their eyes -- their community would continue.  The presence of music seemed to offer to the cathedral, itself, reassurance that she was being supported by her community in her time of need.

Community support has evolved from a series of spontaneous musical flash mobs to connect with each other to coordinated displays of appreciation which includes clapping, shouting and singing to acknowledge the health care workers on the front lines. These expressions of gratitude help people to cope in times of crisis.  It provides personal and social development, mental health and well-being benefits along with community strength and harmony.

Today, music is the most consumed form of culture.  People listen to music to regulate their mood and to achieve self-awareness.  We are seeing this age-old human adjustment once again being mobilized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to keep communities pulling together.

Music is a social balm for soothing anxiety, enhancing community connections and acting in defiance of a threat to community spirit.  The Chautauqua Lake Pops is community spirit. Music has not yet lost its importance for humanity and neither has the Chautauqua Lake Pops!


"Music is like magic.  Having been an entertainer and musician for many years I have seen, first hand, the healing power of music and how it lifts spirits and heals hearts.  Music calms the soul, can shift moods, manage stress and stimulate positive interactions with others.  A day without music is like a day without sunshine!"

Rockin' Robin Grandin
Music to Remember
www.musictorememberwny.com

Having dedicated years to developing music programs to help generate mental and social health across Western New York Robin Grandin is living proof of music's effectiveness and importance during times like this.  Robin wrote a song in honor of her mother who developed memory loss.  The title is Memories of the Heart.


"Music therapy was an important aspect at my place of employment. Often times a barbershop quartet or a high school choral group would give concerts which always brought about many smiles.  The residents and staff were pleased that these talented groups took the time out of their day to bring music into their lives."

A Retired Assistant Director of Nursing


"The medical benefits of music are well-known as it does improve mood and may reduce symptoms of depression.  Music can be very relaxing for women in labor and for surgeons in the operating room.  Often times we can experience an uplifting sense of community when we listen to a music concert." 

A Retired Doctor


"As we begin to see some light with moving forward through COVID-19 we must not forget those who are effected mentally, socially and economically.  Music has played a very important part in healing those wounds.  It is a time of renewal, to refresh and reorganize through music to help us all heal.  The Chautauqua Lake Pops can provide a service to the region as we recover and reopen. The Chautauqua Lake Pops from its inception has always been the people. Working hard to find a way, even now, to continue bringing the gift of music to the community in a safe way.  We need it now more than ever."

Dan Dalpra, Chautauqua Lake Pops Founder & CEO



Be safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

Tonight, May 27 at 8:00 EST Boogie Wonder Band will present their new video entitled Love Solution.  Put on your boogie shoes and join the fun!  If you missed it, the video filmed on Hollywood Blvd. is below.  Enjoy!

Be safe.

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse

                                                                     
SPIRITS STRONG


Birthdays aren't cancelled                                                                    

Hope isn't quarantined

First Words aren't delayed

Caring isn't postponed

Courage isn't on hold

And Love hasn't stopped

                                                            

                                                                               

Be safe.  Be kind.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse                                                                               

                                                               

                                                               

                               

                                            

                   

This is Liz Osborn from Darien NY.  She competed in The Choice in 2016 on the Bemus Bay Pops floating stage in Bemus Point.  Her parents were there to lend support as were many others in the audience.  We all knew Liz was living out her lifelong dream on that stage.

The photo of Liz in her red dress was taken during her audition.  The song she chose to sing was Cheater Cheater by Joey & Rory.  Other songs Liz performed during the competition included White Liar by Miranda Lambert; Suds in the Bucket by Sara Evans; Stay by Sugarland; I told You So by Randy Travis and Picture by Cheryl Crow/Kid Rock.  Since entering The Choice Liz became one of Buffalo's Women of Country in 2019.  Jillian Eliza from Buffalo created Women of Country to showcase the top female country singers in the Buffalo area.

Liz at age 5

I think young Liz knew what she wanted to become even at the young age of 5.  When her mother, Gloria was cleaning out old school work from her kids she came upon the above cherished items.  "Priceless, looks like you made your dream come true little girl, love you xoxoxo", wrote Gloria on her FB page.  That was then ..

.. this is now.  Today Liz Osborn sings with Bob Campbell-Nash and are known as OsbornNash.  Liz and Bob are an acoustic singing duo that enjoys having a good time doing what they love and sharing it. Their performances include an entertaining mix of country, rock n' roll and anything goes covering an unexpected variety of songs and styles guaranteed to please.  As recording artists they are singers-songwriters dedicated to the integrity of the song not attempting to win popularity by chasing current trends.


OsbornNash Beginnings

It all started when Bob was approached by a mutual friend and was asked to meet and give a listen to Liz.  Over the years Bob has worked with a number of talented musicians both male and female so he wasn't reluctant to offer his opinion.  After this meeting it was apparent that Liz had potential and the drive to develop further as a singer so Bob took an interest in helping Liz with her career.  Bob performed as a guitarist, singer-songwriter in a number of musical projects from Toronto to Key West and points in-between.  He generally keeps a low profile more centered on looking forward than back.

As fate would have it, opportunity came knocking when the female singer in a trio Bob started called These Two & Me decided to go to Nashville for the summer.  It was then Bob started working with Liz to fill in with the trio and learn the songs necessary for their upcoming shows.  The same year Bob took Liz to Nashville where they got to play a song at The Bluebird Cafe which inspired their song, Nashville Tan and perform in a writer's round at The Commodore Grille.  Since then OsbornNash has continued to perform and record in Nashville.  They are currently completing their debut album, This is It to be released this year.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, writer's round, it is described as a group of songwriters in a circle taking turns singing their songs.  One writer sings a song and then the next sings a song and so on.

What started as a chance meeting led the way for Bob and Liz to work together through the original trio into a duo that became Acoustic Confusion and ultimately re-branding as OsbornNash, a name they feel is more in keeping with current plans.

When performing OsbornNash has a unique chemistry together.  Their comfortable and relaxed approach to performing makes it apparent that they love what they're doing and enjoy each other's company.  The result is a room full of friends sharing the moment together.

This year WYRK has invited them to open their Spring Acoustic Show featuring Granger Smith with Chase Rice and has recognized them as upcoming artists making a name for themselves in Nashville TN, Music City USA.

OsbornNash opened for Wynonna Judd and the Big Noise when she appeared in July 2017 for WYRK 106.5 Ribfest at Buffalo's waterfront.  Liz and Bob  have also opened for Billy Currington, LOCASH, Russell Dickerson, Corbin Morgan and Canaan Smith. 

They are grateful for every opportunity to perform for their growing fan base.  What lies ahead for them?  Hopefully an expanded measure of success, but most importantly to continue making music together and share the talents of which they have both been blessed. 

"There is nothing more fulfilling than having the opportunity to perform and share the talent and music we've been blessed with. When performing live we like to build a connection with an audience by presenting a mix of songs and styles along with  our own original material", says OsbornNash.

While everything is done with a contagious wink and a smile there is no mistaking these two talented people take their form of art very seriously.  I have heard them perform throughout Chautauqua County and can honestly say they never disappoint.  The song, Nashville Tan is a favorite of mine. It's a great uptempo country tune with fun lyrics that will get your feet tappin' to the music, in no time!

The video below is one of many on their youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0nfT7g5OVUsUV369XnqP6A

"Liz and Bob came in and captivated the audience, providing tight harmonies, a great playlist and lot's of fun!  Bob is a master on the guitar and Liz has the voice of an angel!  I'm happy to be playing their music here at WKPQ.  Go see them if you get a chance!"

Lee Richey, Program Director .. Kickin' Country .. WKPQ 105.3 FM Hornell NY.


The news that Liz and Bob have plans to release an album this year is exciting news for all OsbornNash fans as well as those who will soon become fans.

To learn more about OsbornNash visit them at www.OsbornNashMusic.com or like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and most social media outlets.  Liz and Bob are always interested in making new friends.

Be safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

Chautauqua Lake Pops

"An Essential Necessity" Providing Social & Mental Therapy

In these uncertain times, COVID-19 is affecting all of us as we await the decisions of when to reopen and how to do it safely.  I think many would agree that the impact music and the arts have on helping ease the anxieties we all face can help us in everyday life.  Music helps soothe our souls and it also brings us together as a people.

The Chautauqua Lake Pops is more than being essential .. it's a necessity.

Earlier on this blog I featured Diane Bergholtz, a longtime friend and fan of the Bemus Bay Pops.  Diane expressed the following thoughts to me, then and they are timely, now.

"In this troublesome time one of the groups I am in adopted the motto, MUSIC IS LIFE.  Because of this group many have been able to continue to pursue their talent.  Orchestras have introduced their music to many who may never have had the chance to experience it.  Music is truly the UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE.  Music can relieve our stress and help us to get through this difficult time in our lives."

Diane went on to say that she truly hopes all of us will be able to relax by the lake this summer enjoying time with friends listening to the universal language.

Many of us on social media have begun to notice the appearance of virtual concerts to help deal with stress during this global pandemic.   In my research for this blog story I found an article online entitled The Power of Music to Help Cope with COVID-19 by Kimberly Waterman, Media Relations Manager with Northwestern Medicine.

Social media is filled with people singing and dancing during social isolation.  What is the power of music to help us cope?

For musicians and performers, this is the perfect opportunity for them to practice, share their music on social media and use it as a means to connect with the world outside.  The good news is, you do not have to be musically inclined to reap the benefits of music. Aside from playing a musical instrument, music listening in itself releases endorphins in your system.  When listening to music that you enjoy, dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical and serotonin, the "happy" chemical is released in your brain giving you a sense of pleasure and boosting your mood.

Along with dopamine and serotonine that is released when listening to music, oxytocin is a hormone released while singing which can alleviate stress and anxiety.  Studies have found that singing decreases feelings of depression and loneliness.  Any kind of active engagement in music can help relieve stress such as playing an instrument or moving/dancing to music.

As I write this, the little round device by Amazon that listens to your commands has been told to play .. smooth jazz.  She chose for me the soothing sounds of Kenny G and his soulful saxophone.  Thank you, Kenny G.  Thank you, Alexa.

Music can be found everywhere in our lives from your car radio, Bose radio, Pandora and even the gal named "Alexa" who resides in thousands of homes around the globe.


Yes, we are experiencing stressful times when we can't do as we once did though you can find music at the touch of a button or a command .. and hopefully at a concert, lakeside.


For inspiration, during times like this,  I turned to these uplifting quotes regarding the importance of music .. especially now.

"Music does a lot of things for a lot of people.  It's transporting, for sure.  It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life.  It's uplifting, it's encouraging, it's strengthening."

The late, great singer Aretha Franklin.

"Music is life itself."

Louis Armstrong

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."

Bob Marley

"Music has a healing power.  It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours."

Elton John

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of your soul."

Plato

"Music doesn't get in.  Music is already in.  Music simply uncovers what is there, makes you feel emotions that you didn't necessarily know you had inside you, and runs around waking them all up.  A rebirth of sorts."

Matt Haig, author


"I think the emotional side during times like this is a relevant issue to not be overlooked.  The Pops program along with other entertainment venues are very important for public health.  Sometimes this gets lost in everything else.  Our program being outside and open is a safe and good fit with social distancing during these restrictions."

Dan Dalpra, Founder & CEO Chautauqua Lake Pops

www.chautauqualakepops.com


Be safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse