The Milwaukee Post

April 6, 2018 • Milwaukee County Post • 17 ENTERTAINMENT By CATHERINE JOZWIK Special to the Post MILWAUKEE — Many musicians would prefer to focus on their craft rather than the business and legal side that comes with being successful in the industry. However, without knowl- edge of record contracts, marketing, and booking gigs, bands and solo artists can easily be taken advantage of. In the competitive music industry, artists who desire a fruitful career must work hard — and do their home- work. 88.9 Radio Milwaukee recently announced Backline, an initiative and partnership with Gener8tor, a local business startup accelerator, to help musi- cians better navigate the industry. "We saw that we have a lot of talent in this town and we wanted to help them be suc- cessful," said Glenn Kleiman, executive director of the radio station since May 2016. He noted that many musi- cians are confused and frus- trated with the business aspect. "We just wanted to plug that gap," he said. 88.9 strives to support local music by hosting programs such as 414 Live, which hands over the airwaves to Milwaukee-area artists Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. "We do a lot to help the Milwaukee music scene. This is just the next step," Kleiman said. The Backline project has two parts. Four full-time area musi- cians or bands will be select- ed to participate in a 12-week music business education seminar this August. Program applications can be submitted June 4-29 on the Backline website, back- linemke.org. 88.9 is also seeking a Backline program director. Applications are accepted through April 13. Those interested can apply at back- linemke.org/careers. To help them succeed, Backline artists will each receive a $20,000 grant, which can be used for record- ing, touring and other expenses. The grants are funded by private donations, and Kleiman stresses that Backline is a nonprofit endeavor. "The return is for the com- munity and musicians' careers," he said. Andy Kosanke, guitarist for Milwaukee-based band Paper Holland, said the grant money could make a big dif- ference for many musicians. "It's enough to buy a tour van or get a professional record made," he said. Quarterly music business workshops taught by indus- try professionals will be free and open to the public. Kosanke said these will be very helpful, as the music business can get complicat- ed. "The business side is very much behind a curtain, unless you know the right people," he said. Kleiman said 88.9 and its partners are hoping to expand the program to two 12-week sessions by 2019. Backline aims to create an image of Milwaukee as a city that's supportive and wel- coming to musicians, like Austin, Texas or Nashville, Tenn. "I'm intrigued to see what they will do with this," Kosanke said. Kleiman feels confident that a vibrant music and arts scene in Milwaukee will help attract young professionals to the city. "We are just really excited. One goal is to help musicians be successful. The other is to help companies attract young workers," he said. By CATHERINE JOZWIK Special to the Post Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets might sing doo-wop hits some baby boomers remember from their youth, but their performances appeal to audiences of all ages. The Guyz will present their latest show, "Now In Technicolor," at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center April 13. The show will honor lead tenor Don Lobacz, who is planning to retire after this performance, and the "New Guy" will be revealed. Baritone singer Tommy Lueck said the show will include music from boomer- era TV shows such as "I Dream of Jeannie," "The Mickey Mouse Club," and "Bewitched." "The show explores through the gimmick of tele- vision how music has changed," he said. He considers the family- friendly variety show, which includes dancing, comedy, and even a simulated quiz show, "squeaky-clean." "It's a real lot of fun," he said. Lueck grew up "on the boomer-Generation X cusp," watching "The Monkees," "Gilligan's Island," "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "The Love Boat." He and his siblings enjoyed music, singing and dancing. "We were the kind of kids that would put on shows for the neighborhood," Lueck said. A fan of doo-wop music from an early age, Lueck lis- tened to his parents' records over and over. In 2010, he and three friends formed Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets. Members Lueck, Lobacz, bass Aaron Schmidt and top tenor Reggie Kurschner all have theatrical and singing backgrounds, working with arts organizations such as the Skylight Opera Theatre and Off The Wall Theater. After the Guyz were cast in a Broadway Baby Dinner Theatre production of "Forever Plaid," the show was forced to close down due to copyright issues when the national tour came through. Not wanting to give up, Lueck came up with the group's name and had busi- ness cards made. Through word of mouth, the group got gigs performing at corporate events and performing arts centers around the area. Four Guyz perform with a pianist, bass player, and drummer. In addition to pop- ular music from the 1950s to the 1970s, the Guys sing hits by doo-wop quartets The Four Freshmen, The Four Lads and The Four Aces. "This is all music that cele- brates being a teenager," Lueck said. Each one of the Guyz per- forms different roles in the group. Lueck, who says he is "the crafty one," makes pup- pets and other stage props. Kurschner does choreogra- phy; Schmidt, sound design; and Lobacz, arrangements. The Guyz have presented six different shows, includ- ing "On Ice," which features the music of the Rat Pack, and "A Look Back," which celebrates baby boomers growing up in the 1950s and '60s. Besides their corporate and performing arts center gigs, the Guyz have appeared at classic car shows and on Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio. They've held Christmas and New Year's Eve shows at the Waukesha Civic Theatre and Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove. Although the group has not made any recordings, Lueck said they plan to move in that direction. "We want to take our favorite shows, put them in a package and license it," he said. Always eager to engage with fans, The Four Guyz do a meet-and-greet after every show. "The level of connection we have with the audience is really wonderful. This music speaks to the boomer genera- tion, and it's a gift to be able to share that," Lueck said. For more information about the Four Guyz In Dinner Jackets, and upcom- ing performances, visit www.fourguyz.com. For tick- et prices for the upcoming April 13 show, visit southmilwaukeepac.org. Four Guyz flex their range with boomer-era TV Backline clarifies the business side of the music industry Submitted photo Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets, which formed in Milwaukee in 2010, perform doo-wop hits from the 1950s and '60s Workshop applications accepted until April 13

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