With many people stuck at home in their pajamas watching Netflix due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online performances from musicians all over the globe have become the norm. Local area musicians are no exception, as many have taken to social media platforms to stream live performances for the entertainment of their followers.
Bradford resident Tyler Calkins, who has been seen performing with Marshmellow Overcoat and Second Act, recently started utilizing Facebook as a platform to present new material to his followers.
“I’d normally be performing several times a week between the bands I’m in, as well as solo acoustic shows, so it was a way to stay busy and keep in touch with everyone,” explained Calkins. “I’d tried some pre-recorded videos before, but people seemed to want a full, livestream show.”
His last live stream drew around 100 people over the course of an hour, but Calkins seemed confident he could beat that number next time.
“Trying it with the bands will only help more people tune in,” Calkins said. “It was a lot of fun.”
Marshmellow Overcoat has cancelled performances up until July, though they are open to playing this summer if restrictions are lifted.
“Right now, future booking and even recording at studios is on hold,” Calkins explained. “I can’t complain — everything is still on schedule as far as the bands, but it has been tough not being able to perform and see anyone.”
Despite the current situation, Marshmellow Overcoat recently released a new live album called “Live Picks, Vol. 7,” which can be listened to on all streaming platforms as well as the band website at www.marshmellowovercoat.com.
“It was a way for us to put out something during this time without performing, and it also enabled us to promote our latest studio album ‘Jumping Sharks’ a bit more,” Calkins said.
Calkins’ next live-stream performance will be at 5 p.m. on May 15. To view it, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tylerjcalkins.
In addition to Calkins, full-time musician and Bradford native Jim Ronan has also taken to social media to reach his followers, as all of his performances aside from Facebook Live events have been cancelled.
“The pandemic has put a big dent in my performance income,” he said. “While I’m not normally a fan of posting a virtual tip jar on Facebook Live, now it’s a way to recoup some of the lost income. Fortunately, teaching has remained solid.”
As a full-time guitar instructor, Ronan also had to find an alternate way of reaching his students.
“As far as teaching, I’ve had to adjust to all instruction being online,” he explained. “The way I teach and interact is totally different now.”
Those who would like to check out Ronan’s performances can visit his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jim.ronan.7, at 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Additionally, through June 3, his children’s group “Mister Jim and the Juice Box Heroes” will perform live from 11 a.m. until noon every Wednesday, sponsored by The Learning Center.
Ronan said he’s received nothing but positive feedback for his performances, with many commenting on his sense of humor and thanking him for providing a much needed distraction during the pandemic.
