The Midwest Music Summit took over Broad Ripple Village with 300 musical acts playing 20 Broad Ripple venues for three days. It is a daunting task to try to recreate my MMS experience.

I started my MMS craziness a few weeks before the actual event. I was the volunteer volunteer-coordinator. The MMS office is downtown and was full of energy in the weeks leading up to the big show. I had fun sitting on the floor e-mailing and calling potential volunteers and dining on pizza from MMS sponsor, Hot Box. Thursday started for me at 6:30 in the morning, with three sleepy NYC musicians landing on my porch. Jeremiah, John and Dave had driven all night. Air mattresses were blown up, sheets and towels distributed and off to sleep they went. I headed out in the questionable weather to help get goodie bags stuffed and registrants registered. The weather was not in our favor - we moved registration in to the Monkey's Tale. The folks there were great and accommodating. The tent we set up behind the bar soon housed the Great Lake Monkey. I didn't know it was possible to be so dirty and wet in the heart of Broad Ripple. The day flew by as musicians arrived from all over the country. Most of them had driven and were ready to eat (Yats), drink (PRB) and hear music. The kick-off party was on the patio of the Monkey's Tale. The first band of the summit started at 3:30. I got to hear snippets of music as we kept checking-in musicians and volunteers. Muncie band Everything! Now was a crowd favorite and they were nice guys to boot.

By 7:00 Thursday evening, 14 venues were open for music. I touched base with the volunteers at all of them, and discovered that the person volunteering at the Stone Mug was missing. My plans for catching music on several stages changed. I was a little bummed out at the thought of being in one place all evening. Part of my disappointment at being at the Mug was that I'd already seen most of the line-up there. Once I settled in to my post, however, I really enjoyed the music. It was good to see hometown favorites Punkin' Holler Boys and Willie and the Tease play their music to an appreciative crowd. I also learned some fun Stone Mug history: Dale Lawrence (more about him later) used to co-own a barbecue restaurant that operated as a part of the Stone Mug.

I got a chance to talk with Nashville, TN singer Natasha Noack. Natasha grew up in Nashville, is a studio musician and sings in a cover band. She's been working on her solo project for a year. She wowed the audience with her great voice and her provocative stage presence. She was very popular with the men in the audience. I have to admit that by this point in the evening I was feeling pretty cranky. I'd gotten so drenched that I had actual water lines on my legs from wading in the puddles behind the Monkey's Tale. My shoes were soggy, my pants were damp, my hair was frizzy and you can only do so much in the restroom with paper towels and hand soap. I think I looked worse for my efforts. I cheered up considerably as the next band, Kentucky Struts set up. I had chatted with the band earlier in the evening; they seemed like nice guys, wearing swell Western shirts and happy to be at the summit. Their gear was impressive: pedal steel, two beautiful Gretch guitars with B-benders and a Fender amp caught my eye. They started off a little slow and kicked it up a notch with their second song, When. They play the kind of music I love, but can never describe. American-roots-rock is a good start. They harmonize beautifully, were musically tight, and compliment each other with their instruments. Pedal steel makes me swoon, and Adam Pleimen played it beautifully. They were given the ultimate compliment as the other musicians in the room showed their appreciation by clapping wildly and shouting "incredible." I'm looking forward to hearing more of them.

Indianapolis band 19Clark25 was up next. Woman about town Jane Rulon had come to see them and kept me company at my post. Everything seems cooler when Jane is around. 19Clark25 always performs great rock and roll and they played another great show. The Danny Isaacs Band closed out the night with their microphone-stand-moving, hip shaking rock.

I hustled over to the Upper Room hoping to catch houseguest Dave Golden, but just missed his set. Saint Paul's JoAnna James was amazing - great songs and tremendous voice. After her set, I caught up with my NYC roommates and got to compare notes with indianapolismusic.net writer the famous Sweaty B (Ryan Williams). He had played earlier, at the Connor's outdoor stage with Kit Malone & The American Arsonists. I called it a night at 2:00 and headed home for a few hours' sleep.

Friday morning began with more volunteer coordination. I was smart enough to wear my red cowboy rain boots. Wading through the giant puddle behind Monkey's Tale was much easier and I looked darn fashionable. I got to see random bits of music in the afternoon. There was an outdoor stage in the alley beside the Alley Cat, a tent behind Monon Coffeehouse, and Connor's Pub had an enormous tent city that held two stages. You could literally hear music everywhere you walked in the Village. Friday was the day that I had the most must-see shows circled in my program. I managed to miss Dave Golden again, but I was able to catch my other houseguests, Jeremiah Birnbaum and John Embree. John had spied two tabletop easels on my porch and fashioned a stand for his jimbay drum - good old duct tape ingenuity. Dave Golden joined Jeremiah on harmonica for a few songs and I finally got to see my visitors in action. I ducked out to check on the next round of volunteers. It was jarring to go from the singer/songwriter tone of Connor's to hearing the pop-punk sound of The Record Low in the alley outside of the Alley Cat. Apparently it's hard to play that music with your shirt on. I got back to Connor's in time to hear Ben Shivley - I had met Ben earlier in the day when he was checking in. When I walked in, he reminded me of a young (not that he's old) Michael Kelsey. He was looping his electric guitar to his mandolin playing for a rich instrumental sound. His voice and songwriting were also great.

From there I went to the Jazz Kitchen. I was disappointed that I missed the songwriters in the round set at the Jazz Kitchen, but the number one thing on my list was to see the Amy Lashley Band. Amy has a terrific voice and is a great songwriter. She'll break your heart then make you glad that you have one; she has surrounded her self with an amazing band. Jim Krimedis plays pedal steel (and we know how I feel about that), Robin Reuter on drums and Keith Carey plays bass. The incomparable Scott Ballantine is the guitar player. Her set was outstanding, and the highlight of the summit. Jessica Benge was up next. I'd just met her the day before, but feel like I'd known her for a while. Her voice is incredible. I can't wait to hear more of Jessica and her band.

I raced to Locals Only for a trip down memory lane. MusicalFamilyTree.com hosted the night of amazing bands, and I'd already missed half of the line-up. I got there in time to catch the last of Bloomington band Gentleman Caller. You could tell that this was the place to be. Indianapolis Star's pop music writer David Lindquist and indianapolismusic.net editor Steve Hayes and Otis Gibbs were there. Up next was Mysteries of Life playing one of their farewell sets. Brando played their indie rock set next, followed by the Vulgar Boatmen. America Owns the Moon had cancelled, and then wound up playing a terrific set. I started to write about how all of these bands connect, but I realized that it would take up too much time. I suggest that you check out the MusicalFamilyTree site. I do want to mention Dale Lawrence, because Dale should be mentioned as often as possible. I've been a fan of Dale's since his days in the punk band The Gizmos. He's still an integral part of the independent Indianapolis music scene.

Saturday brought another really early morning. It was feeling natural to be stepping over sleeping musicians as I left the house. I hung out at the registration area and touched base with the volunteer scheduled for the day. I ducked out for a wedding, congratulations Nina and Brian. My nephew John had a hard time understanding why he couldn't go back to Broad Ripple with me. MMS is not as child-friendly as the Art Fair. I checked in to the Jazz Kitchen and caught the end of Jon McLaughlin. His band had a rich pop sound.

I headed back to the Village and checked in with volunteers and was able to spend some time at the Upper Room. I wanted to hear Matt Hopper; he jumped on a table during his first song and got clipped in the ear by the ceiling fan. It was the most rock-and-roll move by a singer/songwriter I've ever seen. He kept playing, bleeding ear and all. While at the Upper Room, I met Tony Bonyata from Machine-Inc Records in NYC and one of the label's artists, Martha Berner. I saw Martha earlier this summer, and am impressed by her great songwriting. One of my favorite musicians was up next - Joel Henderson. Joel played a great set to an appreciative crowd. From there I reported to duty as the door person at the Alley Cat. Musically the Upper Room was as far from the Alley Cat as you can get: the Denver Post and South Park Music Festival showcase was in full swing. I heard Denver bands CAT-A-TAC, Laylights, and Thank God for Astronauts from my perch by the front door. The show wrapped up there at 2:00. I was able to get to the after-party at Rouge, but I almost didn't get in because you had to have a special sticker on your badge. The guy at the door was doing a good job of checking and my MMS staff badge and walkie-talkie did not impress him. I finally got in and was whisked back to the old band room. I'm thrilled that all of the old graffiti is still there. I will say it smells a lot better that it used to.

I was hungry, and it was 3:00 in the morning. The Village Kitchen is a great addition to the late night choices in Broad Ripple. I sat on the steps of the Broad Ripple Steak House eating my veggie burger and recapped the evening with friends. All and all the 2006 Midwest Music Summit was a roaring success.

For more information about the musicians that played MMS check out www.midwestmusicsummit.com.

When I listened to Here Is. . . the latest release (due August 22, 2006) from the Washington State band Gosling I was reminded of riding the bus when I was a freshman in high school and Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody was so popular. Gosling has the sound of Queen, and the songs tell a great story. They will be a blast to see in person.