The Woodshed Bar and Grill on Sprague Avenue is a karaoke haunt. On Thursday, April 26, there were few enough people that one could hear each individual conversation. Several people sat alone at the bar, bobbing their heads to the beat, some even singing along, as Kyle Johnson, a recent Whitworth alumnus from Colfax, WA, performed his rendition of “Hotel California.”
Charles Bumpas, a regular at the Woodshed, said, “I like the way he sounds… I hope this boy does good.”
Many Whitworthians are involved in the Spokane music scene, which can be an excellent way for students to break through the infamous ‘pinecone curtain.’
“You have students who have been here for four years… I feel like they don’t ever go south,” said Chris Reichart, a senior.
“Sometimes it feels like two separate worlds,” said Carter Hudson, another senior. “But it’s nice to try and bridge that a little bit.” Music is a potential cure for this problem. “I think it’s rad to be out in the community. It’s super easy to get stuck on campus.”
Hudson started playing guitar when he was eight. Now, he has recorded an EP of all original music in collaboration with his older brother and Benjamin Olsen, an alumnus. Around Spokane, Hudson has played at Boots Bakery, open mic night at The Bartlett, Bloomsday, and in a church worship band. His method of getting involved has been “mostly relational,” in his words.
“I guess I have my feet in a lot of different musical things,” Hudson said. From writing his own music to performing covers, he has met many people in the Spokane music community.
Live music can be a potential remedy for the ‘pinecone curtain’ phenomenon which seems endemic to the Whitworth experience. The alumni & parent relations office at Whitworth were able to identify 41 alum who work at least work part time in music. They range from recent grads to people who went to Whitworth in the 1950s, and in occupation from part-time organists at churches to owners of production studios.
The variety of Whitworth graduates who are involved in music can be, if anything, more encouragement for students to get out and go to a symphony or bar to experience Spokane culture. Having an alum or fellow student out in the community doing something musical can be a personal connection for Whitworth students. Students have performed at bars, restaurants, bakeries, farmers markets, churches, and public events all across Spokane.
Lane King, a senior from the Tri-Cities has used his guitar talent to produce one album and do gigs across Spokane, especially at farmers markets. The reason King focuses on farmers markets is because his style of music fits that type of venue. He said that getting in the gig scene is about “marketing yourself as somebody who has something to offer.”
Whitworth music students, especially in the jazz department, are generally encouraged to get out in the community and perform.
“If a person is called to be a musician, then… it’s a shame if they are unable to make a living,” said Brent Edstrom, professor of music, “Professional experiences are helpful.”
“I consider myself a professional. I do what I do, I do it regularly, I do it well, I get paid to do it,” Reichart said. “Our music department is really phenomenal and I think they do promote student teaching, [and] student performing… I think its a healthy environment for that because you are with other musicians.”
Music has more benefits besides just getting involved in the community. According to “How does Music Affect your Brain?”, an article published in 2017 by Ashford University, listening to music releases dopamine and antibodies that boost the immune system. Learning to play an instrument can do all of those things and also increases memory and dexterity.
As Johnson closed up his night at the Woodshed, the bartender went up to sing with him, putting the second microphone to use. Johnson is taking a path that many musicians probably dream of. It is a path that will also continue to connect Whitworth to the the rest of the world. While discussing his future plans, Johnson voiced that he wants to buy a van and tour the country, booking gigs where he can and start making connections.
“This is what I’m doing full time… I want to make it,” he said.
