To his surprise, guitarist and DJ Michael Kocher found himself busier than ever throughout the COVID pandemic. For the majority of his fellow musicians, however, the COVID lockdowns spelled disaster, bringing their careers to an abrupt halt. Finally, there is light at the end of the tunnel as local restaurants, clubs and other venues are bringing in enough revenue to afford to hire entertainers.
Kocher, CEO of Michael K. Music Productions, Inc., credits his ability to keep working to his flexibility as an artist and deep ties to the community.
“I’ve kind of been an exception to the rule and managed to remain extremely busy.” he said.
Fronting a band called Pretty Big Deal with musicians Joe Glumsic, Todd Kreuzburg and Ken Crawn, Kocher also works as a solo artist and backs vocalists. During the pandemic, the Pretty Big Deal Band appeared in different configurations – for instance when teaming with another musician as the Pretty Big Duo (seen in the opening photo). In addition, Kocher is well-known as a DJ for various local events.
Among other venues, he appears in Severna Park at Brian Boru, Garry’s Grill and Sullivan’s Cove and in Annapolis at Dark Horse and at Ram’s Head Tavern. He feels very lucky.
“Many full-time musicians were hit very hard,” he said. “I’m not full-time and kept my regular job. I was furloughed temporarily at the beginning of the pandemic but my company continued to pay me so I was never in dire straits. I’m very involved in the local music scene, however, with many friends in the entertainment industry. My friend P. J. Thomas, who works with Neal Bumgarner in a duo called P.J. & Neal, is vice-president of a great organization called the Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians. “
Thomas, who has devoted both her time and talents to raising money for the organization, described AMFM as a nonprofit created in 2006 to provide temporary financial relief to professional Annapolis musicians who can’t work due to sickness, injury, or any other circumstance leaving them unable to perform.
The fund acts as an emergency relief fund for lost income. Since its founding, AMFM has grown to provide additional benefits to the local music community, including catastrophic relief and funding youth music programs through scholarships and private lessons.
“AMFM has given out well over $200,000 to musicians as a result of COVID,” Thomas said. “Many solo/duos were able to perform a lot during COVID but it hit our bands so hard. Drummers, bass players, and others.”
Kocher, recalling what it was like for musicians at the beginning of the pandemic, described an evening where Pretty Big Deal played a reduced capacity engagement at the Rams Head Tavern behind a plexiglass screen which the group jokingly referred to as playing in an aquarium. Nevertheless, they managed to draw about 100 fans.
He remembers that times were terrible for restaurants and he did his best to help them even appearing gratis a few times playing guitar solo outside an eatery while people picked up meals curbside.
Things were equally tough for musicians who usually supplement their income by teaching music lessons because in-person instruction all but stopped. Teaching remotely simply didn’t work.
“Things seem to be coming back now though,” Kocher says. “Venues like Rams Head On Stage are continuing to bring in local talent and lining up lots of bookings while venues like Garry’s Grill that had never booked local talent are continuing to do so.”
Like musicians, actors were also hard hit by the pandemic. Some theaters actually closed their doors and, after 39 years, the famed Capitol Steps political satire group dimmed their stage lights for the last time in January of 2021.
There is a new sense of hope, however, as many theaters, like The Children’s Theater of Annapolis, managed to survive the pandemic. There is more good news for young actors as Severna Park High’s long running Rock ‘N Roll Revival is returning to the stage for a live show.
Rehearsal in full swing for Rock ‘N Roll Revival XXXIII
It’s hard to tell who is happier, Severna Park High School Drama’s young actors or their parents. Absent from the stage for a live performance for two years, the 135 students involved in Rock ‘N Roll Revival XXXIII as cast, band and crew are thrilled at the prospect of once again performing before an audience.
Getting together for vocal rehearsals like the one getting underway in the photograph seen here or for dance rehearsals has been a pure pleasure for everyone in the cast and they can’t wait for the show to come together during tech week.
The show’s theme, “Time After Time”, has been kept under wraps but, if past shows are any indication, audiences will be treated to the great music and dance numbers SPHS’ Rock ‘N Roll Revivals are known for.
The show debuts on March 10th. Tickets may be ordered at HOME | Falcon Drama. Show dates are March 10, 11, 12 and 13 and March 17, 18 and 19. All shows are at 7 pm except March 13 for a matinee at 3 pm. All shows require wearing a mask.
According to producer/director Angela Germanos, there will be a Student Rush on March 9 for SPHS students only at $10 per ticket. Tickets will be on sale at lunches that day and at the door (cash only).
