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By Chuck Backhaus
Rappahannonk News Staff Writer
Some of you probably think that this area’s greatest cultural asset is either its civil war or equestrian heritage, but music fans know differently. If you want evidence of this, you do not have to look any further than this weekend’s Rappahannock “Weekend in the Country” song camp — The twice yearly camp that is headed by Trapezoid front man and Washington, Va. resident Paul Reisler.
Reisler, who said that he loves to teach almost as much as he loves to perform and compose, has been conducting these local camps for the last three years.
“I suppose its one way to keep me off the road,” said a joking Reisler who has recently released the hypnotic instrumental CD Birth of a River, a collaborative effort with Bobby Reed of the Bruce Hornsby Band.
It is also a way for music fans to get up close and personal with some of today’s finest singer-songwriters. Imagine being able to receive personal riding instructions from Willie Schumacher and you will have a good idea of what these song camps are all about.
The talent level that Reisler attracts is nothing short of astounding. Either Reisler has some wicked charm, is owed an awful lot of favors or he has made a heck of a lot of friends throughout his 30-plus years in the music business.
But perhaps the most attractive feature of these camps is their price. The cost for the three-day camp is $150. And if you are serious about learning and improving upon your music, this is an incredible bargain.
The camp counselors, if you will, not only hold intensive workshops on topics such as lyric and melody writing but they will also provide you with invaluable advice on your own compositions — In other words, you get to perform for these people and receive their feedback.
But for the average, local, music lover, the hidden gems are the opening night concerts. Pluck down $13 and be treated to an up-close, intimate performance that would ordinarily cost you three times the price.
For example, when the camp last settled here in October, attendees were treated to a performance by Reisler, pop star Beth Neilsen Chapman and behind-the scenes-composer Steve Seskin.
Chapman, who is now a star in her own right, was the substance behind the style for years as she penned top-ten hits for some of the biggest names in the country and pop music worlds; including Willie Nelson and Elton John. In fact, just last year, Chapman served up another smash as the ghost writer for Faith Hill’s number-one hit “This Kiss.”
Seskin, whose witty style and infectious voice delivered a spectacular opening night performance, could very well be a star if he so chose. But the venerable song writer, who
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