This Quartet Makes Music and Community

By Jack Thomas
Contributing Writer

What does it mean to be charitable? Many of us associate the work of nonprofits with organizations like The Nest, which relieves families in crisis, or with CivicLex, which educates and informs Lexington residents about local government operations. These two charitable groups alone impact our city in remarkable ways. However, the means by which nonprofit organizations serve our community can vary widely. One way is through the arts — and, more specifically, music. In Lexington, several groups are dedicated to contributing to the talent that makes our city a melodic melting pot.

The idea of a music-based nonprofit organization may initially come off as unconventional, but there is much to be celebrated about the way certain local leaders are investing in Lexington’s greater good. Beyond the sounds they share and the diversity of genres they nurture, their charity is about sustaining community, creating an atmosphere that brings people together in thoughtful ways. While some target the presentation of culture, others focus on accessibility. What makes them alike is their mission to host community-sponsored music events that emphasize the importance of all parties involved: both musicians and audience. 

For the folks at Outside the Spotlight (OTS), that moment is captured through the creativity and intimacy of improvised music. Matt Gibson, a member of the team responsible for the series’ long-term success, described how these performances stick with people. As Gibson puts it, “What happens at these concerts only happens once. When the musicians and audience are mutually appreciative of what’s happening in the present moment, that’s when the magic happens.”

Since 2002, OTS has given touring artists a place to stop and deliver a unique sound to our residents. While celebrated musicians have long been a hallmark of the series, founder Ross Compton wasn’t looking to attract artists who fill concert halls, according to Gibson. As the OTS name implies, Compton wanted to bring in “the independent artists that were operating outside the spotlight.” He continues, “Over 22 years later, we’re still presenting creative improvisers …whose music emphasizes creativity over commercial concerns,” with the goal of getting audiences to “take a chance on something new.” To make this opportunity as accessible as possible, OTS shows are almost always free.

At the door of each show, everyone is welcomed with open arms. I experienced this in January, when Outside the Spotlight hosted the Chris Comer Trio at the 21c Hotel downtown. A donation bin at the front desk allowed patrons to pay what they liked. And while these donations demonstrate the audience’s investment in OTS, they don’t account for all that it takes to bring these shows to life. “The financial reality of it is that each show pays more to the artist than we bring in from donations at the door,” says Gibson, adding, “[but] it all works — and always has worked — based on the generosity of folks in Lexington’s creative community.” Gibson emphasizes that it couldn’t be done without the community. Whether they’re offering venues that accommodate visiting talent or underwriting sponsorships to help fund the operation, Lexington’s civic-minded supporters make the series possible. 

Tahlsound Music Festival

The summer concert series Tahlsound also operates on donation-based ticketing. The goal: to bring the live music experience to everyone. And while Tahlsound isn’t a nonprofit organization, income is not the priority of the event. As Assistant Director Gareth Evans puts it, “We’re not doing this for the money. It’s for the love of music, it’s for the love of Southland Drive and the community at large, and it’s for the love of fellowship.”

For the past nine years, Tahslound has focused on getting as many people in the door as possible to enjoy the music and the company. “That’s the goal,” said Evans. This attitude is reflected by their pay-what-you-like entry fee, a change they made when returning from COVID, after witnessing the community’s generosity and support. Telling the story of their first donation-based concert, Evans explains, “If you break down the attendance, we made more per person than if we had ticketed. The fact that we were able to give access to so many more people inspired us.” The team’s commitment to accessibility doesn’t stop there. Tahlsound’s website describes the series as “a welcoming event that is accessible to all,” and promises to make all the accommodations they can. 

Tahlsound takes place on the historic Southland Drive, previously known as Lexington’s music row. (The name of the concert series is actually an anagram of “Southland.”) In the heart of the city’s music scene, Tahlsound showcases a wide variety of genres as it simultaneously shines a light on local musicians. Evans refers to a “built-in audience,” the reliable pool of patrons that benefits the musicians and Tahlsound alike. The people at Tahlsound see it as a testament to the community’s support. Evans explains, “…there are people in this community that appreciate enough about what we do that they are willing to give to the concept as a whole.” He recalls multiple instances of attendees excited to be at Tahslound without knowing who’d be playing. To these audience members, it didn’t matter — because they had bought into what Tahlsound was doing. “It’s a huge compliment to the music community as a whole,” says Evans.