Musicians Have Originality Covered At Colorama

With previous membership in two bands under his musical belt, Louie Palma is no stranger to cover songs. But he has had little chance to develop original music until recently.

These days, Palma shows off his songwriting talents at Colorama Music's Live Original Music Night in Hudson. His inspiration appears to be everyday life, with its school of hard knocks and its moments of grace.

Palma and his accompanist, guitar player Ronnie Ray, are regulars at the event and have developed a local following.

"The audience has begun to request particular songs," Palma said.

His most requested number, "My Wallet's Talking to Me," a gentle, ironic tale of times in which cash is not flush, comes from a phrase his father often used when his children asked for money when funds were low, Palma said.

In "My Dear LaVerne," Palma paints a picture of love's everyday, low-key sweetness. "Hey, LaVerne, 20 years together, you're still putting up with me," he sings.

Palma said singing his own songs adds another level to his performance.

"You get bored by doing cover tunes. It's much better when the song is yours."

His style, Palma said, is "a cross between folk, country and rock." Fans have likened his sound to that of singer-songwriter Neil Young.

Guitarist Ray also is a veteran of area bands and was on the road four years touring nationally with the Rhodes Brothers band.

"He can go from really hard rock guitar to some of the most beautiful acoustic stuff you've ever heard," Palma said.

Palma works on the songs several weeks before debuting them at Colorama. Ray has not heard the song before they perform it.

"Part of the fun is playing live and coming up with an original song and letting the audience watch us work it out on the stage," Palma said. "It's really cool."

Colorama's owner, Leslie Payne, created the Thursday night event because he had observed that artists often had few chances to perform original material.

Newcomers to performing also use the venue.

"They can test their skills and the audience reaction without extreme pressure," Payne said.

THE LOWDOWN

WHO: Louie Palma and Ronnie Ray

WHEN: Performing from 7:30 to 10 p.m. today

WHERE: Colorama Music, 9302 Denton Ave., Hudson

COST: Cover charge is $5.