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FARRIS: I'll take a stab at trying to be thorough but brief in mentioning all the people who have played a vital role in creating and nurturing this scene, but I gotta start with the two bands that introduced me to original local music and really made me take notice that a scene even existed -- Dahli Llama and God's Water. Both have been long over, but their talent and showmanship set a standard that all who followed have had to contend with. We should all thank our lucky stars that Hope Nichols landed in Charlotte as she's added more color and entertainment to this town than anyone. Other persistent ladies that have made countless contributions include Gina Stewart (musician), Lea Pritchard Kuhlmann (musician/club owner), Tracie Nasta (promoter/label rep), Carolyn Cook (promoter) and Laurie Koster (artist/promoter). Fellas who always kept things interesting include the X-Periment, It Could Be Nothing, Fred Hutchinson, Jay Garrigan, Eric Lovell, The Alternative Champs, Unknown Hinson, Lin Benfield, Andy Kastanas and Jason Herring, aka DJ Jah-Sun Rising. All of these folks have chosen to travel down the road less taken and I applaud their innovativeness and tenacity. The three bands I really wanted to see make it (and thankfully one is still kicking ass today) -- Come On Thunderchild, Wichita Caravan and The Belmont Playboys. Something would just click every time these guys took to the stage and I was always amazed. A few more stellar sound and studio guys we're lucky to have around: Les Moore, Mark Williams, Dave Harris and Rob Tavaglione. To my knowledge, none have gotten rich from the local recordings they've produced so I think it's safe to assume they do it because they wholeheartedly love music. And finally, a standing ovation for Nick Karres at the Double Door Inn for hanging in this business for as long as he has (34 years this December) ... and for letting me into shows long before I turned 21 (granted, they would brand me with so many "X"'s I felt like I was the lead in The Scarlet Letter 2). The history of that place is undeniable and it really is a local institution. And R.I.P. Fat City and 13-13. Gone, but no way we can forget!