Aurora is not just known as “The City of Lights”
Forty-minutes from the big city that has the Mag Mile, Buckingham Fountain, Sears Tower better known as Willis Tower is a city called Aurora, “The City of Lights.”
Leland Tower was at one point the tallest building in Illinois outside of Chicago. Leland Towers at the time had all the modern amenities, telephones where in every room. Wow, who would think that they had an operator using a switch board like in the movies?
What else is in Aurora you may ask? THE BLUES!! A famous musician by the name of John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson recorded there. The Leland Towers also housed a transmitter for WLXT-TV channel 60, an Aurora TV station which signed on in 1969, and just like Aurora public Access, is now defunct. It also housed a transmitter for 107.9 WAUR-FM.
Now who would also think that this tall building would be known for something other than the blues? Well, the tower is also known for suicide, many have jumped from the twenty-second story into the river below. Aurorans believe the building is haunted. Leland Tower is also known for it’s Shooting Star and Christmas tree on the roof.
The Blues on the Fox is well know festival that takes place in downtown Aurora. With well known musicians like Buddy Guy, Johnny Lang, Samantha Fish just to name a couple, with that you also have musician/singer/ songwriter/artist Noah Gabriel.
Noah has been singing and songwriting for over 17 years. If you noticed local artist was not used, in the eyes of Aurorans he is not just a local talent, but loved and respected by many. When asked about the music scene in the area, Noah describe his victories with being a musician in the area.
I first experienced Noah seventeen years ago at the Relay4Life at the Kane County Stadium. Since then he has made numerous gains as a musician. From playing open mic’s, to opening for numerous musicians, he left his hometown to travel to Tennessee, and now is coming back home to re-focus and keep striving for greatness.
“I need something to make me think!” Noah said. A smart cat he is!! Yoda talk for the L sevens (squares). We talk about music today in great detail after we compared music of today compared to music of the so called past we both were in agreement that it needs to be woken up!
“People are getting bombarded with nothing!” he also said. People want to tune out sometimes. With things the way they are with music one would wonder what is the problem. Noah needs to be on Ellen, or Jimmy, of Colbert. Noah’s music has reached the ears of some bigger names like Kings of Leon and Bryan Adams.
I first noticed something way back some years ago. Tell me what you think.
With that being said, Noah is a great artist who should be respected, he is a force to be reckoned with. With hits like “Grey on Grey” and “Come Back” and “Found My Heaven” and many more to come, who writes thirty seven songs in thirty seven days? Besides Prince. Noah. With the opening of “The Venue” in Downtown Aurora we will see Noah and many other artist who by the way are from the area.
Ryan Carney Cello and Bass player also from the band Antony and the Tramps from St. Charles has played with Noah but he stands on his own.
We can expect more from them on June sixteenth at the newly opening “The Venue” in Downtown Aurora.
Ryan has performed in Chicago at the Taste of Chicago, Lincoln Hall, House of Blues and Schubas just to name a few. Again notice how local artist was not used. Ryan is also a force to be reckoned with. Ryan is the associate director for the Kaneland youth Orchestra, working with the young musicians who lacks music programs provided by their schools.
Ryan teaches private lessons and that background spans more than twenty years. Ryan also leads free master classes several times a year in schools around Fox Valley community. This dude has a huge heart!!!
“We are a Family” Ryan said of the musician community.
Be on the lookout for some upcoming dates and places where he will be performing.
Terry “Snooze” Marion who, like the other two, has put the work in around town. From performing at “Kiss the Sky” to opening for Twista. Terry who produces/writes and records his own music.
“We need more out this way” when commenting on “The Venue.” “We are picked over, it’s a lot of talent out here, they pick us and take us to Atlanta, L.A. or wherever! We making noise but they don’t say where their from!” Don’t take me away from my home leave me here, produce me here, let me shine for my city!”
He hopes “The Venue “ stays around. It’s needed for growth! Things will change they all hope. With the influx of new business coming to Aurora things will change and new talent will be discovered.
Aurora has talent it just needs to be spotlighted. Give the City a chance, it’s already label as “The City of Lights”, now let’s let Aurora shine bright like an LED bulb! These three artist can be found at your local grocery store, if you noticed the word local was not used till the end of this read. Why you may ask? Because these guys should be respected in their crafts. Anyone who picks up a mike and bares their heart gets my respect.
