Go BOOM in the Berkshires

Berkshire Organization for Original Music (aka BOOM) is a newly formed non-profit organization that is dedicated to increasing the viability and visibility of original music in the Berkshires.

BOOM is spearheaded by Lee resident Sandy McKnight and Pittsfield resident Tom Conklin, both are local musicians who believe that an original music scene in the Berkshires would not only present opportunities for local musicians, but would also be beneficial to area businesses.

BOOM is holding an organizational meeting at Berkshire Community College’s Koussevitzky Arts Center in Pittsfield at 7pm on Tuesday (January 12).

All area musicians are encouraged to attend, as well as everyone who supports local music, including those involved with music venues, recording studios, music stores, local colleges, local publications, radio stations and anyone interested in creating and maintaining a thriving original music scene in the Berkshires. Bring ideas and participate in the discussion.

Here’s BOOM’s mission statement:

Our mission is to highlight, showcase, and cultivate the original music scene in Berkshire County and environs. This includes promoting local venues that feature local original music; providing access to information about the music business, songwriting, and other important subjects of interest to area musicians; coordinating resources within the region, including local media, in order to promote local original music and encourage the patronage and support of the community at large; and creating and producing events that raise the profile of the local original music scene.

Membership will be open to all musicians performing original music, or desiring to create original music; business owners that wish to cultivate local original music, with the understanding that the arts scene is beneficial to local business. This includes proprietors of performance venues, shops and businesses that sell musical instruments, recorded music, and related items, and any other businesses, such as restaurants, cafes, etc. that could benefit from an active local music scene; and foundations, institutions and organizations that wish to help promote the arts in the region, including chambers of commerce, performing arts companies and institutions, and colleges and universities in the area who wish to support the performing arts.

Membership will be free.

BOOM is part of Columbia Arts Team (CAT), a 501c3 not-for-profit, and all contributions are tax deductible. CAT’s broader mission is to promote and showcase the performing arts in general, and have been doing so since their inception in 2002.