How to Get Booked At The New Mama's
By Matt Toledo - 5/2/2001
Mama Einstein's will soon be no more. Local business man Joel Schechtman and Ohio University Journalism professor, Terry Anderson purchased the bar from Swindlefish owner, Sean Jones in early March.
Joel Schechtman currently owns Skippers Bar And Grill located on Union street near the Union.
Terry Anderson's name should be familiar to those of you who follow world events. He was held hostage in Lebanon for nearly 7 years.
I recently had a chat with the new booking manager for Mama Einstein's, Scott Bell. Scott will continue to be the booking manager for the bar when it makes the final transition to its new owners and new format. Currently, the bar plays a mixture of Jam, electronic, and college rock. The new format will be all blues oriented.
Scott will be throwing a large bash on June 2nd to say good-bye to the old music format. The show will feature 4 to 10 bands and the show will last all evening. Bands slated for the event have yet to be determined, though Scott already has some bands unofficially listed on the event's bill.
Other bars in Athens, fearful of the new Mamas, have started to book more blues acts themselves, placing a squeeze on the tons of indie and college rock bands still trying to break into Athens.
Recently, Casa booking manager Matt Harvey stated to me that Casa has always booked blues artists and will start booking some more to remind Athens that Casa does play the blues. Likewise, you can a find blues-rock act nearly every Friday and Saturday at the Smiling Skull. Pomeroy's Court street cafe books nationally known blues acts and artists several times a month. O'Hooleys has booked B.B. King's daughter twice in the last year.
AMN: Scott, how did you get the booking manager job?
Scott: I've worked at Skipper's for around two years now, and have a good business relationship with the owner - Joel. He knew how much I was involved with music on my free time, and offered this golden opportunity to me.
AMN: How are you involved in music?
Scott: No official bands to speak of, but I've been involved in the open stage circuit practically the whole time I've been in Athens, and helped to organize an open stage at Mama's in the past, and now in the present. Plus I was raised in a musician family.
AMN: Did your folks play in bands?
Scott: Definitely. My pops was full-time-rock-n-roller until I was born. Now he just does weekend gigs with some of the guys he's been playing with for 20+ years. My mom doesn't play an instrument, but she's an excellent artist. I won't go into my Dad's personal triumphs however...
AMN: Have you lived in Athens all your life?
Scott: No, no. Only for a little more than three years. I hail from Cincinnati
AMN: Did you come to school here, or just relocate for the heck of it?
Scott: I relocated to continue to play music with my favorite guitarist and then decided to stay around
AMN: Your not in a band and you came here to play with your favorite guitarist? Who is it?
Scott: I had been playing with this kid for years and years prior to coming to Athens, in garage bands and such. It's not important who he is, but he is now at the Guitar Institute of Technology in Los Angeles.
AMN: Cool. So, is it true that Mama's is going to switch to an all blues format soon?
Scott: Yes, that is correct. However blues is an extremely expansive category and has many different... flavors if you will.
AMN: Yes, blues is very diverse. When does the switch to the new format take place?
Scott: We will be closed all summer for massive renovations, and will reopen the first week in September (no specifics yet).
AMN: What is the new Mama's going to look like? Is it even going to have the same name when it reopens?
Scott: No it will not have the same name, and I have no specifics on the decor yet.
AMN: Have you started booking bands for the new Mama E's?
Scott: I've been setting up tentative prospects with some of the local blues acts, and have been doing a lot of researching. I will start plugging in dates when I have more info from my bosses.
AMN: If you had your choice of any Blues artist, who would be your first choice for opening night at the bar?
Scott: B.B. King/ Buddy Guy!
AMN: What does it cost to book BB King these days?
Scott: yowzah!
AMN: So, if I was in a Blues band, and I wanted to get a show at the new Mama's, what sort of stuff should I include in my press kit?
Scott: First, a demo --on a CD! Write-ups on the band, pictures, accomplishments, and most importantly, contact info. You wouldn't believe how many people forget the contact info.
AMN: Do you think a good press kit is important for bands to have?
Scott: Absolutely. Essential, even.
AMN: What sort of music do you generally like to listen to (name names if you want)
Scott: Currently I'm listening to a lot of hip-hop. But my taste ranges from artsy-progressive rock (a la Yes & Dream Theater) to old school jazz (a la Charles Mingus & Miles Davis). I can enjoy just about anything.
AMN: Have you ever been to see a famous blues artist live?
Scott: B.B. King is about it for 'famous', but I used to hang out at a great blues club practically all throughout my teenage years.
AMN: Which one? Was it in Cincy?
Scott: Yes. Burbank's always had(s) great live blues, as well as this small little cigar bar in Lebanon, OH.
AMN: Where should bands send their press kits if they want to be considered for the new Mama E's?
Scott: Mail your press kits to me, Scott Bell 126 A Central Ave. Athens OH 45701. That is for mailing your press kits
AMN: Well, we are almost done.. I have a few stupid speed round questions to ask you. Just answer as quickly as you can...
AMN: Paper or Plastic?
Scott: paper
AMN: Record or CD?
Scott: CD
AMN: Beer or Mead?
Scott: Beer
AMN: If you could change one thing about Athens?
Scott: more parking!
AMN: Cool. I would have moved Athens to a warmer climate myself, someplace with a beach nearby. Thanks again, Scott.
