Quicksilver Productions: Kickin’ American Music
Posted under: 15 years ago I moved to the North Fork Valley. I came in search of fertile land. And found it! However, there was something missing. I craved… live music. The Blue Sage had some occasional concerts featuring mostly folk singers. And there were a few local bands playing The Casa’s backyard. So my friends and I reached out to some of our favorite artists to see if they’d consider putting Paonia on their tour schedule. The first year or two we brought in The Yonder Mountain String Band (our first Paonia show), Tim O’brien, Darrell Scott, Open Road, and wallah – Pickin’ Productions was born! 
Then one day the Town of Paonia built a stage in Town Park. And after years of driving around The West making music with Sweet Sunny South, I knew what that meant. Paonia was ready for a free summer concert series. 8 years ago, we started Pickin’ in the Park. And thanks to The Kampe Foundation and a whole bunch of local support, Pickin’ in the Park is still going strong, and some say it’s their favorite part of summer. I know it is for me. 
From the beginning of us bringing music to the North Fork Valley, we recognized the diversity of this community. We started out bringing mostly rootsy bands, based in bluegrass, country, folk… music that the ranchers, coal miners, the organic farmers and the tech savvy’s would all come out to support, and enjoy. Then as the community grew and changed demographics, we opened our tastes up to a more diverse selection of genres including jazz, pop, funk, and good ol’ rock and roll. Never losing touch with the rootsy side, though.
Whatever or whoever we present, especially at Pickin’ in the Park, it’s with the entire community in mind. We strive to find bands that can be enjoyed by all ages. Yet at the same time, we look for bands that are relevant in the National (or International) scene. Bands that are exciting, to us! No “cover” bands, rather bands making new music that is interesting, bands who are presenting their work in an entertaining fashion. Bands that can bring the older folks, and the younger, and folks in the middle, together for a picnic, for a dance, for a toe tappin’ good time on a cozy blanket sipping locally made Cider. It’s a mellow scene. And when you look out over the audience, you see all types of Paonia people. Just hanging out, enjoying a beautiful evening with a great a band. It’s that simple, really.
If you want to find out more about Pickin’ in the Park or other events produced by Rob Miller and Pickin’ Productions, visit us at www.pickinproductions.com.
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