‘I know it will turn around and that’s why I promise to buy American.  If we can get everyone to buy local we can dig ourselves out.  We’re not encouraging isolationism or anything, but in this bad economy we need to take care of our own.”

 

The Assembly Line Concert has shown just how strongly a community can come together for a cause. Over 250 performers gave their time, as well as the countless volunteers, customers, fans and sponsors who kept the energy alive, without a break, for over ten days.

Local poet and keyboardist Cat Listening crooned several hours of his sensual melodies at various points throughout the show.  Not only did he perform several of his own sets, but he also filled in when other performers didn’t show up, and played backup for singers who needed musical accompaniment.  On Friday, March 27th he and another musician named Brother Gregory Edwards stepped in to cover a spot left open by an act that cancelled.  Brother Edwards volunteered his praise music, but when he began singing event organizers realized that Edwards had no musical instrument.  According to Guinness rules, this is essential.  So Listening quickly stepped in.  “It happened pretty fast,” he said.  “They needed some kind of musical backup to qualify, so I hopped up and started playing impromptu.”

 

The combination worked and audience members loved it.  Albert and Paulette Murawka from Clinton Township came out to Ferndale to support Edwards.  “This is the best show he’s done,” Albert said.  “We see him sing at some local bars, but this is the first time he’s been on the Internet.  It’s kind of a big deal.”  Edwards’s songs focus on his Catholic Faith.  He is a Brother at Assumption Grotto in Detroit, and is proud of such songs as Reflections of War, Crucifixions End and Thunder on Thunderhead.

 

The fast-acting keyboardist Cat Listening’s work is more earth-bound.  On his Myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/catistening), Listening says “It's about the attention we pay our surroundings as conscious individuals. It must be devoted, for it is this attention which connects, integrates, and secures our individuality to the larger designs, new ideas, and people, making our gifts valuable to something outside of ourselves.”

 

“There have been such a variety of acts,” said Oak Park resident Gerry Maddox, who came out nearly every day to listen.  “There have been Celtic fifers and men with drums.  Last night there was this group Broken Arrow that had some Mexican Americans and Native Americans together singing the blues.  It was really beautiful.”

 

Maddox is another victim of the poor economy.  He was a building contractor, with many autoworkers as customers.  “It all came together one day like a sign,” he says.  “I was at this man’s house to start a construction job, and he came home right then with a pink slip in his hand.  I knew then things were going to be bad.  I’ve lost a lot of work since that day.”

Bryan Wright of Dearborn is another unemployed supporter of the Assembly Line Concert.  “I was born and raised UAW Baby, and you can quote me on that!” 

 

The concert has not only shattered the world record, it has managed to bring people together to promote the idea of buying American, and has brought local and national attention to AJs Music Café and the City of Ferndale.  Governor Jennifer Granholm came out to show her support.  The BBC, The New York Times and each of the three major TV stations have covered the record-breaking concert, which is carrying on into April.

 

For more information about this and other events at AJ’s Music Café, please see their website at http://www.ajsmusiccafe.com.