By Jonathan Burger, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Inc.
Where are you from and how’d you end up in eastern North Carolina?
I was born in Oneida,NY, and lived there most of my life, except for when I was in college and the Army. My wife Gail and I moved here after I retired as a probation officer. We found New Nern in a “where to retire magazine”, visited, fell in love with the place, and moved here in 2009.
How did you learn to play the guitar? Did you have formal training, informal, or a combination?
I learned to play the guitar while I was a student at Washington College and I am a combination of self-taught and learning from the more talented people I have played with over the years.
Do you have a favorite genre or style of music to play?
I have been a “temp” in a couple of blue grass band on guitar and 6 string banjo, but my love is the classic rock I grew up with in the 60’s and 70’s.
Bag End is a unique name for a band, where did it come from, and how did the band form?
The name Bag-End comes from the J.R.R. Tolkien trilogy, “The Fellowship of the Ring”, and it is the home of one of the main characters, Bilbo Baggins. The band formed after my friend of over 40 years, Mat Kerlin, moved to New Bern. We had done years of youth ministry together, and some music, and started playing open mics and eventually were hired for all sorts of gigs.
You play a lot of live gigs around town, what is it about live music performances that appeals to you, and how is it different from a studio or other setting?
Mat and I prefer playing live because there is that “chemistry” with the audience that dosen’t exist in the studio.
Who is another musician you admire or inspires you?
I am inspired by the music and activism of Neil Young. One of my favorite songs of his is “Heart of Gold”. It speaks of the unconditional love we are all seeking!
What one performance, song, or event are you particularly proud of, and why?
Maybe the performance, or performances, I am most proud of, are the times we played on the Friends of Howard Matthews’ stage at Mum Fest the last several years, and playing at the fund raiser that local musicians did for Howard after he was injured and robbed last year. His subsequent death not long afterward is such a loss to the New Bern community!
What advice do you have for musicians just starting out or wanting to get into music?
My advice to young musicians is don’t give up, play anywhere, and understand it is about the joy you can bring to people; not about you
In one sentence, what is art to you?
Art is being able to use God given talent to impact people’s lives so that they are able to see themselves and the world in a different, more positive fashion.
I know you’ll be a part of the Ghent Front Porch Music Festival on April 18th, but where else can people see you and find your work?
Bag-End plays frequently in New Bern at Art Walk [3/13], Riverside United Methodist church [3/8], Mum Fest, the Harris Teeter Food Court, and the New Bern Historic Home tour [5/2].