Dave Sisson and local music
~ by Jeff Tryon
The Brown County music scene is on the rise, led by several young local artists coming into their own, and fueled by businesses recognizing the popularity of live music.
Brown County offers a variety of music and musicians, ranging from the big-name national acts who grace the stages of the Brown County Music Center and the Brown County Playhouse, to the amazing array of quality players and bands hosted by bars, a winery, and restaurants. Buskers also play on street corners for tips in Nashville, just as the late John Franz used to do.
That’ s where Dave Sisson started out, on the same street corner where Franz had plied his trade, made a name and a career for himself, and became a sort of local musical legend.
“ I played on a few coffee shop stages before that, but I definitely cut my teeth playing on that corner,” Sisson said.“ I was kind of polishing my craft out there.
“ It’ s great. Sometimes you make money, sometimes it’ s not about the money, you just meet cool people. You just never know what you’ re going to encounter out there. I’ ve collaborated with a lot of people that I met just randomly on the street.”
Sisson remembers the value of local venues which opened up the microphone for young players just starting out.
“ Currently we do have a lot of great venues that support music, but I’ ve got to give a shoutout to Muddy Boots and the Pine Room,” he said.
Owners Betsy and James Oblack encouraged local music, and their stages were favorites for many people. Sisson said,“ I used to play there for the brunch crowd for tips and a free breakfast. That was the perfect vibe.”
24 Our Brown County • Sept./ Oct. 2023
Frank Jones and Dave Sisson appearing on the Hippy Hill stage for the 2023 Americana Bean Jamboree Festival at Bill Monroe’ s in Bean Blossom.
Those venues are gone, but Sisson said strong local support is providing a boost for the current local music scene.
“ It’ s a good town for music,” he said.“ There are a lot of different stages and places to play out.”
All kinds of talents at all different stages of artistic growth can find a place to play and improve.
“ I think we have a lot of venues that really appreciate music at all levels— full bands, little duos, and solo acts. There’ s a lot of different levels for people to play— from open mics up to theater shows.”
Sisson said the music offered at local venues has changed in flavor during his time on stage.
“ I wouldn’ t say it’ s a distinct change. You know, music goes in cycles,” he said.“ I think when I started, a lot more of the local music was‘ bluegrass-centric.’ I think a lot of the people and the groups that you see now have the same instrumentation, but there’ s a lot more folk and Americana influence, and less division between the different genres— I think there’ s a good blend around here.” photo by Cindy Steele