Kickball + Concert

Calvin Johnson Keeps It Independent

originally published July 25, 2007

It's hard to find a more apt figurehead of what it means to be an independent artist and patron of the arts than K Records founder and musician Calvin Johnson. He's not weakly opinionated or preachy; he's committed to an ethic of independence and resistance to the "corporate ogre." It is this quietly firm stance that is cause for so much admiration for the guy. But, even so, a lot of that admiration would be pretty hollow if his music weren't as compelling as it is. Longtime fans have followed his winding styles through his bands The Go Team, Beat Happening, Dub Narcotic Sound System and The Halo Benders, among others. His appearance this weekend will feature an acoustic solo set. Don't get the idea that this is a half-assed way to experience him, though. Simply put, there's no such thing as a bad way to see Calvin Johnson.

Johnson is performing at the East Athens Community Park on Saturday morning for the Team Clermont Summer Festival. He's providing musical entertainment at the local publicity company's annual "W's vs. K's" kickball tourney, in which the game pits east-of- and west-of-the-Mississippi-River radio stations against one another. Johnson's inclusion in Team Clermont's annual event was initially surprising; he has long had a policy of playing non-sponsored, all-ages events. The kickball tournament he will perform at is, indeed, all-ages, free, open to the public and alcohol-free - and even specifically a non-sponsored part of the weekend - but the entire Team Clermont weekend has always been inextricably linked with Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. The weekend's main event is dubbed "The Blue Ribbon Ball" and the brewer's logo and name appear on most of the events' promotional materials.

Johnson initially bristles when this is brought up. "That's annoying," he says. But Team Clermont contacted Johnson and assured him that in no way was his particular event affiliated with anything other then them, himself and kickball. "His event is specifically not sponsored," says Team Clermont publicist Lucas Jensen. "We're aware of his convictions and that's why we set it up this way. It's at a local East Athens community park and is free and all ages. As far as money goes, Pabst is not involved at all."

As a performer Johnson is charismatic, engaging and, at times, hilarious. He says he's planning on focusing the set around songs from his most recent release Calvin Johnson & the Sons of the Soil. Having played Athens several times over the past decade, he says he's excited about returning: "Yeah, I haven't been there in a while. I just got home from tour a few days ago. I'm gonna go up to Anacortes and then Atlanta and then Athens and then head up to New Brunswick."

Keep in mind, revelers, that this show is at 11 a.m. So be sure to set that alarm and jump out of bed for what will be one of the more unique and fulfilling activities of this entire weekend.

Gordon Lamb