Local “Make Some Noise” column still making noise two years later
By: Kevin Vickery
Believe it or not, I started writing this column for The Courier Times just over two years ago which hardly seems possible. With that in mind, I thought it seemed appropriate to recap the second year and offer some insight as to how it all started and give credit where it is due.
Firstly, it never would have happened if not for the persistence – no make that insistence of my very good friend and fellow columnist, Blaise (The Baker) Doubman. He has a certain motivational technique that I call, “needling” until he gets what he wants. I must have told him at least 20 times that I wasn’t interested in writing an entertainment column but finally, I caved in and here I am, two years and 68 articles later. Honestly, I’m truly glad that he talked me into it and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for helping me make it happen as I have genuinely enjoyed writing the “Make Some Noise” column for these last two years.
I also owe my thanks to The Courier Times, Managing Editor, Travis Weik for taking a chance on me as a writer. I do have previous writing experience but not for any actual publications so I appreciate him for allowing me to gain that experience here. Plus, I can’t say how much I also appreciate his willingness to give me carte blanche on what shows I choose to cover. Sure, he makes the occasional suggestion on something he’d like for me to feature but he still makes column space for basically any event that I want to write about, no matter whether it’s a local or national act or even if I travel out of state for a concert. He makes space for all my long winded ramblings and hardly ever edits my copy. He, still, even, puts, up, with, my, excessive, use, of, commas.
I have been humbled by all the positive feedback that I have received from the readers. I would have never guessed that I would receive so many encouraging emails, Facebook messages, and comments from people who actually take the time to read my words.
On my article about the passing of Ozzy Osborne, Mel Mann of New Castle wrote, “This was great. – I connected to this article on several levels and I’m so glad you were persuaded to share”. Robert Trowbridge from Shelbyville added, “Beautiful testimonial and homage to Ozzy and your journey, Kevin”.
Musician/Author, Michael Crider wrote me from Nashville, TN to say, “I love that story and I love reading things like this from different perspectives than the ones we normally read. He added, “That was another really good article. – Nicely written and well done.. – You’ve really gotten into a groove with these. – I feel like you found your voice. – Very good!”
On my column pieces featuring The Henry County Concert Series, Board member and local musician, Marty Weaver commented, “Thanks for all you do to support and promote local live music. You rock! Peace and love brother”. I’ve also been covering a music festival in southern Indiana the last two years called. Sustain Art & Music Festival. Director, Kyle Ochs commented, “What a great article Kevin! – Thank you so much for playing with us at the festival, entertaining us at the Melody Inn and covering our mission in your columns!” – Thank you for naming our fans the Sustainiacs! – I think it is gonna stick!”
I received a lot of positive feedback from my two-part article that listed and described my top 20 favorite holiday songs. Pastor Justin Schwartz of Mt. Summit Christian Church said, “Thanks for sharing your list. – The part about “Silent Night” was very touching. – There are plenty of songs here I need to check out.” Robert Trowbridge added, “I loved the article. – There were quite a few things that I was surprised to learn including the part about Tony the Tiger singing “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!”.
One of the most meaningful comments I received was via email from my old fried and former neighbor, Phyllis Boze who wrote to say, “Hi Kevin, Just finished reading your two-part story in The Courier Times. – I really enjoyed it and I learned so much about you through it all. I wanted you to know that it is very interesting naming some of entertainers that I enjoy listening to and have some of the CDs that I play daily. – Also learning about the two daughters that you adore. Some time bring them by to meet and say hi!”. Phyllis passed away not long after writing me but I am glad I was able to stop by and say “Hi” one last time.
Going into this writing adventure, I never expected those type of messages but am always happy to receive them. That along with my love of live entertainment is why I make the time to write this column.
Over the first year I also received several requests from readers to write about my past experiences touring and working with various artists during my years in Nashville and other experiences as a working musician. I feel like I’ve done that and will do my best to continue telling some of those stories as the column moves into its third year of publication. A good example of such story is in my recent column featuring an album review of Lot Long’s, “Long Time Coming” which also tells the band’s history and how it coincides with the beginning of my own musical journey.
In the last year I have been fortunate to cover shows ranging from huge, national acts like Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Snoop Dogg, and Weird Al Yankovic to equally talented but lesser known artists such as Steve Earl, and The Dead South, as well as Ambrosia and America’s Got Talent winner, Richard Goodall.
Huh Honestly, for me, I’m just as happy to cover the performances of local, Indiana artists such as The Dane Clark Band, Jennie DeVoe, Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel, Tad Robinson and New Castle’s own, Miles Mann who are all out there grinding every day to make great music and deliver it to the people who appreciate it, while they strive to make their mark in the entertainment industry. They all have their own unique sound, style and approach of delivering to their fans the best live shows they can offer and I feel lucky to witness that process in real time.
I’ve also challenged myself over the last year to step out of my comfort zone and cover some events that stray from the normal concert format that I’m typically drawn towards. I’ve enjoyed covering a few stage shows like, “Murder on the Orient Express”, “The SpongeBob Musical”, “The Addams Family: A Musical Comedy” and “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” which has taken me to venues I had never been to before like Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, The Schrott Center for the Arts at Butler University, and Payne and Mencias Palladium.
I’ve been fortunate to combine those steps outside the comfort zone with even more changes in venue scenery and was lucky enough to have the company of my two daughters while doing so on a few occasions as well. My oldest daughter, Alice and I flew to Charlotte, NC to see YouTubers, The Sturniolo Triplets at The Belk Theater.
My youngest daughter, Delia and I spent the day at Muncie’s Minnetrista Museum & Gardens enjoying The Bob Ross Experience and we all three went to Luna Music in Indianapolis together for an album listening event featuring Twenty One Pilots new album, “Breach”. All those events were great and I was glad to see that not only can this old dog still learn a few new tricks but learning them while seeing through my own kids eyes is a refreshing change of pace.
I should add that my sophomore year as a journalist has allowed for me to cover some pretty good rock and roll films, both old and newly released documentaries, “Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party” by Cameron Crowe is a great rocumentary about one of my favorite artists that I likely wouldn’t have made the time to see if not for this column and “Becoming Led Zeppelin” by Bernard MacMahon also brought old footage to light in telling the story of the formation of one rock’s greatest bands.
I also made my way to the theater for the limited rerunning of “This is Spinal Tap”, possibly the best mock-umentary ever made and again to see it’s 40 years later sequel, “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues”. I even made my way to The Irving Theater (another first) in Indianapolis for a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” celebrating the film’s 50th year anniversary of its theatrical release on the big screen.
Over the course of 2025 I have added a second newspaper, The Chronicle-Tribune to my hopefully growing list of publications to carry my column in syndication so I’d like to officially say “Hello and thanks for reading!” to my new friends and neighbors to the North in Grant County. There are also plans in the works for 2026 with expanded features to my blog site, exclusive social media content, official merchandise and lots of more cool shows and special events to attend and cover so stay tuned!
With all that said, I’d like to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the artists who have made time to talk with me over the last two years, answer my sometimes off the wall questions, and grant me permission to be a small part of how their stories are told.
If you have missed any of my articles or just want to go back and re-read them, they are all available with additional photos and video content on my website at makesomenoise11.com.
So, thanks again to you for taking the time to read this or any other articles from my column and for making my first couple years as an entertainment journalist a really cool experience.
If you see me at a show, please say Hello, and if I’m standing in front of you taking pictures, please accept my apologies but don’t worry – I’ll move along as soon as I get a good shot. Thanks and happy reading!
Make Some Noise 