Tonight at the South By Southeast Concert Series
On a recent Saturday night, the top billing for the South By Southeast concert at the Historic Myrtle Beach Train Depot belonged to a Nashville singer/songwriter named Diesel. This Diesel, fueled by a voice low in flash but heavy in heart, is connected in name only to the diesel locomotives from the depot’s past.
The Kansas native does give an explanation. “It’s my legal name,” she said with a gasp, as if she has been asked the question many times before. “I got it as a nickname cause I’m pretty tenacious. It stuck, and so it has become the only name I use.”
Torch songs of love’s advantages and disadvantages were frequent in her two sets backed by her producer Josh David Whitmore on guitar.
“I would describe it as eclectic new folk,” Diesel said about her style. “I write outside the Nashville box, my songs tend not to follow typical patterns of verse-chorus-bridge. And I like it that way - it's a singer's dream.”
The music was ideal for the lovers in attendance and as the evening progressed, chairs at the depot were observed sliding closer together.
Diesel, along with the night’s opening act, Murrells Inlet singer/songwriter Wendell Matthews, are just two of dozens of entertainers who have made their way to the depot’s stage because of a similar desire to bring Americana music to the Grand Strand.
Humble Beginnings
SXSE started like a grass-roots political campaign. The original members got together because they needed something to do on a Saturday night. They shared a love for Americana music, which members describe as “word of mouth” music.
SXSE director Jeff Roberts reminisced about the first concert.
“There were 12 of us and everybody anted up $100 for the musicians,” he said.
Held at the since demolished Aloha Motel on 74th Avenue North, the night featured blues musician Lauren Ellis and singer/songwriter Jill Block. One of the features of the Aloha recreation hall was an enormous fireplace. “It was monstrous,” says original member Seth Funderburk. “You could fit a car into it.”
The Valentine’s Day concert in 2000 was successful in starting a buzz, which spilled out onto Ocean Boulevard in front of the Aloha. This grew beyond the ping-pong tables and shuffleboard courts of the Aloha, and after 50 concerts, the SXSE membership has grown from a few members to just under 200.
On a recent Saturday night, the top billing for the South By Southeast concert at the Historic Myrtle Beach Train Depot belonged to a Nashville singer/songwriter named Diesel. This Diesel, fueled by a voice low in flash but heavy in heart, is connected in name only to the diesel locomotives from the depot’s past.
The Kansas native does give an explanation. “It’s my legal name,” she said with a gasp, as if she has been asked the question many times before. “I got it as a nickname cause I’m pretty tenacious. It stuck, and so it has become the only name I use.”
Torch songs of love’s advantages and disadvantages were frequent in her two sets backed by her producer Josh David Whitmore on guitar.
“I would describe it as eclectic new folk,” Diesel said about her style. “I write outside the Nashville box, my songs tend not to follow typical patterns of verse-chorus-bridge. And I like it that way - it's a singer's dream.”
The music was ideal for the lovers in attendance and as the evening progressed, chairs at the depot were observed sliding closer together.
Diesel, along with the night’s opening act, Murrells Inlet singer/songwriter Wendell Matthews, are just two of dozens of entertainers who have made their way to the depot’s stage because of a similar desire to bring Americana music to the Grand Strand.
Humble Beginnings
SXSE started like a grass-roots political campaign. The original members got together because they needed something to do on a Saturday night. They shared a love for Americana music, which members describe as “word of mouth” music.
SXSE director Jeff Roberts reminisced about the first concert.
“There were 12 of us and everybody anted up $100 for the musicians,” he said.
Held at the since demolished Aloha Motel on 74th Avenue North, the night featured blues musician Lauren Ellis and singer/songwriter Jill Block. One of the features of the Aloha recreation hall was an enormous fireplace. “It was monstrous,” says original member Seth Funderburk. “You could fit a car into it.”
The Valentine’s Day concert in 2000 was successful in starting a buzz, which spilled out onto Ocean Boulevard in front of the Aloha. This grew beyond the ping-pong tables and shuffleboard courts of the Aloha, and after 50 concerts, the SXSE membership has grown from a few members to just under 200.