MARION- The Music Show, a new television program produced Braselton’s Music of Marion, aired its first show yesterday and will continue every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and again at 8 p.m.
The show airs on Public Access Channel FLTV channel 2.
Among other things, the show provides music education and promotes local bands to the greater Rochester area including Wayne, Ontario, Seneca, and Cayuga and Monroe counties.
Ray Braselton, owner of Braselton’s Music and producer of the Music Show, said the show is and educational television program. “It provides education for people of the area and it promotes and showcases bands in the area. It gives teen bands in the area an opportunity to showcase their material.”
Braselton said all musical genres and age group are represented during the show. “One show has young children ages 8 and up playing music. Another showcases people over 60.”
He said the main target for his show, however, is teenagers. “Braselton Music is a teaching studio and we are trying to promote music education in the Wayne County area. We are trying to encourage groups of people to get together and play in public,” he said.
“It’s a healthy environment for children. It’s educational and stimulating. We think this will motivate kids to get out there and find people their own age willing to form a band.”
The show was conceived during a brainstorming session with Jay Parkman, Nick Reda, Dan Barney and Ray Braselton.
Braselton said it’s important to promote the young musicians of Wayne County as much as possible. “We want to get their name out there, give them exposure. Hopefully they can get a job out of it.”
The Music Show has a number of different segments during each episode. Bands composed mainly of teenagers serve as the host band of each show. After they are done playing, a semi professional group will perform.
Normally there will be at least two bands per show and each band will play two or three songs. Afterwards bands will be interviewed and will have time to promote their engagements and albums.
An instrumental showcase displays different types of instruments every week and teaches how they built, work and played. They will showcase everything from guitars and drums to keyboards and effects boxes.
The next segment is called Uncle Nicks Corner presented by Nick Reda, a teacher of the guitar, banjo and mandolin at Braselton’s Music. Braselton said this segment of the show is a methodical but interesting teaching segment in which Reda gives the viewers tips on how to play the guitar.
Afterwards there is a round table discussion where band members sit in with Barney, Reda and Braselton. The round table talks are open to any musical topic including history and education. “We try to keep it interesting and entertaining,” Braselton said. “The discussions can go from funny to down right argumentative.”
Braselton said it is important for the public to have exposure to music because music has a tendency to teach people how to learn and think.
“It expands your mind and brings people out of their shell,” he said.
He said music has other benefits as well. “It tends to be a family thing. It keeps families more connected. It’s an educational, mind stimulating, moving experience. That’s what music is. It’s a beautiful experience. A lot of people that get involved with music die with an instrument in their hands.”
Braselton’s Music opened in 1975 in downtown Marion. Three years ago they moved to Route 21.