Concert offers eclectic musical mix

Friday, January 5, 2007
Members of the local band, Berlin Drop, perform as part of a unique concert conducted at the Days Inn on Thursday, Jan. 4.

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

Music fans in Nevada were treated to an eclectic mix of music styles and energy levels Thursday evening, Nevada's own Dangerous Doug Harper put together the "Made by Machines, All For Love Concert" with himself, Marci Mitchell, Christopher Jordan and Berlin Drop performing at the Days Inn.

Doug's brother, Matt Harper, started the evening off with a performance at Mojo's restaurant. Matt sang a mix of rock standards, one of which he modified the lyrics to for a friend in the audience, and his own compositions. Diners were offered a discount ticket to the concert.

Doug Harper, meanwhile, was preparing the venue at Days Inn. The back wall of the conference room was draped with Berlin Drop's wings logo and Cody Dulin from Eric Lane and the Doghouse Band was there to make sure the audio equipment was ready for the musicians. Lights were set up and merchandise arranged on tables, for those who wanted to take the music home, for a small price.

Doug started off the concert with a solo performance. After a few songs, Marci Mitchell joined him for some duets. Doug is the bassist in her band. Mitchell joked that she should move him from bassist to lead guitar based on his performance during the concert.

After Harper and Mitchell left the stage it was time for Christopher Jordan, a Christian singer from Normal, Ill., whose music reflects the hard realities of life.

A former atheist, Jordan explains on his Web site that just as he was about to commit suicide while high on drugs, he found God.

"I'm not important," Jordan said. "I'll be gone in 50 years, my music will be gone before that, but 1,000 years from now God could look down and go, 'I know that one.'"

Closing out the evening Berlin Drop; Aaron Rorabaugh, Nathan Rorabaugh and Zac Otero; changed the dynamic of the concert dramatically. Acoustic instruments were the instruments of choice for all previous performers but Berlin Drop was electric all the way.

As Berlin Drop got ready to take the stage there was a stir in the audience, people got up and moved their chairs closer to the band.

The change in ambiance was dramatic and loud. From the first guitar chord the band used a musical version of shock and awe to drive their performance, one that could be felt in the bones of the listener.

After the concert ended audience members were encouraged to look over the merchandise offered for sale. CDs, T-shirts, pins and stickers were offered by the bands performing in the concert.

On the Net:

www.dangerousdoug.info

www.berlindrop.com

www.myspace.com/christopherjordan

www.marcimitchell.com

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