In recent years, Tuscaloosa has watched as its music scene has dwindled away to karaoke nights and eighties cover bands. Not that there isn’t fun to be had in a raucous night of listening to your friends belt out horrendous versions of “I Will Survive,” or in hearing some gnarly renditions of Tom Petty or Joan Jett, but where are the great original bands? What has happened to the influx of powerhouse local talent?

These are questions Tuscaloosa’s own, Hackberry Records, is tackling. The hard working founder, Reed Watson, has made it his mission since Hackberry’s inception three years ago, to shine a light on some great local talent and businesses; and prove that the city of Tuscaloosa is still a force in original music.

College towns are a great melting pot for original music. They allow kids from all walks of life to converge in one general spot. And like any person thrust into new surroundings, relationships are formed out of common interest. Since the University of Alabama’s enrollment goes up every year, it only makes sense to assume that out of the hundreds of new residents, there will be some who want to play music. And when those relationships turn to the birth of a new band, the public, and businesses like Hackberry will be there to take notice.

As of right now, Hackberry has five bands in its roster: The Motions, Sparrow and the Ghost, Joshua Folmar, Callooh! Callay!, and the National Trust (currently inactive). “It's all about relationships.” Watson said. “I would never work with an act without building some sort of relationship with them and seeing how they operate. Work ethic is almost as important as raw talent, if not more. I'm always out looking, but the right fit always seems to find it's way into existence, if you know what I mean.”

With a music industry that, at least on the side of the major labels, seems solely focused on how much money their artists will bring in, recent years have shown a digression in what was once common place in the business: artist development. Once upon a time, a record label would see a group or a single performer and instead of calculating how much money they would rake in off their first record, they saw the potential that could be nurtured and developed to create an artist that would have longevity in the business.

Now, however, the major’s are focused on finding artists that fit the mold of their top sellers. They aren’t interested in anything that may be a little different, out of fear that it won’t sell as well. This is where the independent labels, like Hackberry, step in. What the independent labels lack in big shot, top gun connections, they make up for in attention to their artists. Many artists are now seeking out independent labels for this very reason.

“Majors aren't stupid, they're business-savvy.” Watson said. “I think indies have to be business-savvy as well, but they have to draw the line somewhere. At the end of the day, this is art. Art can be entertainment, but entertainment isn't always art. I think indies are a little more idealistic and a little more willing to take chances on people that they believe in. That's still important. If you believe in the fact that a great piece of art can transform mindsets and change lives, then you're probably gonna identify with the independent mindset.”

With a more intimate relationship between artist and label, the artists generally find that they are allowed more artistic contribution to their music, they don’t have the stress of a major label breathing down their neck, threatening to shelf them if they don’t sell enough units, they get to choose which producers they want to work with, and overall, independent labels offer an open creative environment that pays attention, first, to the artists they believe in and, second, to the profit they may turn.

Hackberry’s website states that they are an “artist collective that works together with musicians to manage their careers and help promote their art… it’s completely and utterly grassroots.” Along with the openness they show to the artists already on their label, Hackberry does what most labels do not, they ACCEPT unsolicited music, meaning, if you want them to hear you, all you have to do is mail in your music. They respond to all submissions.

“ I'll tell ya, the kind of band I want is one that is worried about playing a show this week, not sending their demo out to random label 1, 2, and 3,” Watson said. “I like bands that display the kind of work ethic and focus that says ‘if I'm good enough, they'll find me’. I don't accept demos through e-mail for the same type reason. If you're really confident that you've got something that I want, then you'll burn a disc and ship it to me. The fact remains, though, if your band is good enough and it's something that I must know about, I'll know about it.”

For the address to submit music to Hackberry Records, or to check out their artists upcoming shows, visit www.hackberryrecords.com.

by Jennifer Jeffcoat