Stimulus, with Clayton Koontz breaking sticks and making the skins bleed on drums, Harold White kicking out the Bass and Jon Sulick laying down an awesome lead proceeded to send the house crumbling down. With Harold White’s Army Reserve Unit having been called up, a little extra spice was added to what could be his last show for a long time.

  As the night progressed and the taping was finished, various artists took the stage and the Domain was jumping till the wee hours of the morning. Friday night was truly all about the sound!!

Non Stop Action at the Domain with Madhouse

By Matthew Trout

  Energy, high energy fueled by a driving sound and a spectacular stage presence put Madhouse ahead of the game. Working the crowd is a true art form in the hands of Michael Ray who had the entire audience on their feet from start to finish. He even had this old hippy up doing a dance with the mop. I am fairly sure I saw that “Ed Guy” up cutting a “hardwood” rug as well.

  Girls where going wild for Madhouse all evening long, I turned on a glimpse to see a lovely young lady doing about 6 cartwheels across the floor.

I witnessed multiple swoons and heavy sighs while Michael Ray was letting them all know he could feel them “Breathe”. Those not preoccupied with Michael Ray where in awe of “Big D” Dellis Dalton’s screaming guitar. The crowd was into the show in a big way and feeding off the band. Madhouse, in tune with the vibes of the crowd, was in top form and giving back all they got.

  In addition to their many originals, including a couple of stand outs that are sure to be heard everywhere soon, Madhouse treated the Domain to a barrage of covers ranging from AC/DC to Guns & Roses. Two of their originals are still running through my mind a couple days later, “What About Me” and “Breathe”. A future classic ballad, “Breathe” instills emotions to stir the soul. Both songs are bound for airplay in the immediate future check them both out through the mp3 link on the Madhouse site at www.madhouserock.com, and while you’re their let them “Turn You Upside Down”.

  At the Digital Domain, the main focus is giving hard working original artists a chance to showcase their talents and gain much needed exposure through multimedia. Through the efforts of many dedicated volunteers the Domain is growing in popularity and constantly changing to meet the needs of the artists who perform there. Madhouse has contributed a great deal of time and elbow grease to help make the dream reality. The guys spent a day off a couple weeks ago renovating the stage to make it more accommodating to all of the artists who play at the Digital Domain. They spent countless hours setting the stage for their set and the background, lighting and other effects and surprises added greatly to the show. A sense of pride could be felt by all of those in attendance as the “Stars and Bars” brought out the American in all of us.

  Michael Ray, Kenny James, Dellis Dalton and Kevin Lee, thank you for a wonderful night at the Domain.

Bluegrass by the Barrel at the Digital Domain

Matthew Trout

  Growing up in West Virginia has always been filled with perks. Some strong and visible to the eye, some subtle and only felt by those who have the privilege of being here. Our tradition of “back porch picking” and throw together jam sessions has created a talent base unrivaled by any other state. On any given evening, on any given back road, if you drive with your windows down, you are sure to hear the melodic heart of West Virginia. Saturday night at the Digital Domain, the Hillbilly Gypsies and From the Hip put on a show that was a direct testimonial to these traditional perks we enjoy in the Mountain State.

  Starting the evening in a grand fashion, From the Hip stepped up for a rousing first set mixed just right with originals and good old traditionals. These guys get never cease to amaze me with their tight picking and flowing harmonies. Jack Marshall, from Cow Creek Films, picked a winner for the “To Walk in Heaven” soundtrack. From the Hip are tireless in their commitment to excellence in music.

  In their first ever appearance at the Domain, the Hillbilly Gypsies rattled the one hundred year old floors and caused a mass foot stomping knee slapping epidemic. Their versions of “Old Joe Clark” and “Pretty Polly” are among the best I’ve ever heard. Jamie Lynn Buckner’s high harmonies are a pleasure to the ears. She hits those octaves like the Bluegrass legends before her and adds a finishing touch to a group of extremely talented musicians. Trae Buckner belted out a mind blowing version of “Oh Death” that brought emotions rolling from the crowd as he sang it sans musical back up. If you have not experienced the Gypsies, you need to; you will thank me for it.

  I witnessed the birth of floating jam sessions. At one point I saw four different groups of musicians, at four different locations, making music acoustically with harmonies. The sprit of the night and the welcoming atmosphere had musicians scrambling to their cars to get their instruments as soon as the band sets were done. The stage stayed hoping till roughly 3:00AM as fiddles, flutes, guitars by the dozen, banjos, basses, mandolins, and congas flowed freely in and out of the jam.  The Grand Jam flourished with a packed stage of top flight talent. Luke and Gregg Short were in attendance on the stage during the near 25 harmony versions of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” and “Seven Bridges Road”. Trae Buckner said it best as the stage kept filling up, “this is going to be a train wreck folks”. There is something about Bluegrass players though, they seem to adapt well to any circumstance, a more melodic train wreck was never heard.