Local resident works to bring live music to village

In the last two years, a number of factors have significantly impacted how fans engage with live music in Tompkins County. In response to the pandemic, widespread closure of hospitality and music venues has prompted Trumansburg local Kevin Black to make live music accessible again.

“I have been a talent buyer and concert promoter in Tompkins County specializing in the planning and management of events featuring local and national artists for about nine years now,” Black said.

The growing popularity of streaming services, virtual concerts and other digital music offerings during the pandemic has called into question the survival of live music as a viable business, but that hasn’t stopped Black.

“Tompkins County is currently low on venues,” Black explained. “That adds further challenges and complications due to the pandemic with booking live music. Live music has become almost nonexistent in Trumansburg, and I’m looking to change that.”

With a long history of booking bands in locations ranging from the historic Rongo on Main Street in Trumansburg to The Upstairs on Cayuga Street in downtown Ithaca, Black has established himself as a premier music promoter.

“I got into this type of thing as a young kid, when I was in high school,” Black said. “I would throw a house party and feature a band, sometimes playing in the house or other times in the garage. It ended up being successful, and I decided this was something I wanted to do professionally when I got older.”

Black feels empathy and a kinship both for the struggling establishments that provide space for live shows and for the musicians struggling to be booked in them.

“It’s not acceptable to me to have a band come from Rochester or Syracuse and have no guarantee that it will at least be worth their drive,” Black said. “Just hoping that people will give a couple bucks at the door and that there will be enough people attending for the band to receive a fair compensation isn’t a fair gamble in respect to their talents and time given.”

Black is redefining booking new music and presenting it in the shifting landscape that has become the music scene in Tompkins County. Black’s booking company, Kevin Black Presents, books talent with a guaranteed minimum payment rather than payment based on attendance or size.

“I’m currently the talent buyer and promoter for The Upstairs Ithaca, the space above what was originally Lot 10 on Cayuga Street,” Black said. “Before they closed their doors, I was also booking and hosting a variety of events at The Dock on the inlet in downtown Ithaca.”

The struggle to make music venues viable, especially within hospitality locations, has resulted in fewer spaces to book live music events. The closure of The Dock means that promoters and musicians alike now have one less option in Tompkins County.

“My endeavor to offer more live music options isn’t just about the music for me,” Black said. “It’s also about giving back to the community.”

In the past, Black has hosted events at The Rongo, with the proceeds being donated to local area food banks, and has hosted shows to benefit cancer patients and people in need of assistance.

“I moved to Trumansburg about 15 years ago because it’s a community that supports artistry,” Black said. “I was raised right next door in Ovid and decided to make Trumansburg my permanent home because the community is so supportive of live music.”

Having devoted years to coaching youth football in the Trumansburg Central School District and volunteering for school events over the years, Black is dedicated to his community. This year, his aim is to bring music back to it.

“I’m already booked out through May at several venues in Tompkins County,” Black said. “There is more to come. This year, I’m bringing music back to Main Street and well beyond in Trumansburg. I’m currently solidifying plans for large live music events and finishing booking for Trumansburg. Once everything is finalized, I will be announcing some amazing shows in T-burg.”

As restrictions are relaxed and mandates lifted, Black is optimistic about his ability to bring live music back to struggling venues, as well as introducing it to new ones.

Black has also partnered with Jeremy Bussmann, a fellow music promoter new to the Tompkins County scene, to expand current options and bring in new talent for the community.

“Our goal is to bring the community together through music,” Black said. “I want people to be able to [throw out] politics and forget about life for a minute and just experience a genuine unity through the enjoyment of live music. I think we all need that, and that’s part of what I’m trying to provide for the community.”

Information on upcoming shows and booking for Kevin Black Presents and Jeremy Bussmann can be found at kevinblackpresents.com, m.facebook.com/kbpbooking/ and m.facebook.com/jeremy.bussmann.

Trumansburg Connection appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Snack time

Join in support of the Trumansburg Community Nursery School and indulge in an interactive wine and chocolate truffle tasting! On March 4 from 7 to 8 p.m., “wine” down with friends and loved ones while staying safe and cozy at home! Come for a wine and chocolate pairing led by experts from the school’s local partners, Finger Lakes Wine Flour, Lakewood Vineyards and Ryan William Vineyard.

This is a virtual event. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/y8htowlj.