Page 36 - Megan Reichman

AMSD Concerts

By Robert Tussey
Photography by Richard Dowdy

San Diego’s music scene is eclectic, mainstream,
quirky, and aggressive. It reminds me of Los
Angeles in the sixties. But most of the venues
don’t cover all of these bases: They are more
concerned with covering their bottom line with
over-priced merchandise, liquor, and what passes
as food, relegating the music to a distant third
in the race. The music and concert industry is in
horrible shape driven by greed and absolutely
no concern for the artist or fans. With so much
talent on the road today there is only one concert
promoter who places the music and the space to
hear it above the rest; AMSD Concerts ran with
integrity and gravitas by Carey Driscoll.
This is a place to listen to the music in an inti-
mate atmosphere with other like-minded people
unfettered by alcohol and lousy food. You’re
not going to hear Chickenfoot or Slipknot. What
you will hear is an eccentric blend of music that
will stretch your boundaries, expand your aural
horizons, and take you down memory lane (visit
Carey’s website, ADMSconcerts.com to view all
of his upcoming shows and a list of who has been
36 there). The concerts are held in a ninety year old
church, pews and all, just off of Adams Avenue in
Normal Heights. The acoustics are perfect, creat-
ing an atmosphere that envelopes you with sound
and warmth.
Carey is a life-long musician who has a great love
for the artist. He’s retired and seven years ago
started AccousticMusicSanDiego (now simply,
AMSD) with the idea of putting the music first
and providing a place for myriad artists who, in Al
Koopers words, “never get invited” to San Diego.
With such acts as Livingston Taylor, Janis Ian,
John Sebastian, Chad and Jeremy, and Jesse
Winchester (plus many more) coming to AMSD, it
is time for you and your friends to see these acts
in what feels like a living room atmosphere where
music and history ARE the point of the show.
Since the music and artist and the venue are
what AMSD is all about, Carey says that after
seven years and 380 shows he can’t understand
why “so few people will come to such a great
place to hear music – HEAR it, not… all the idiots
that talk nonstop during the entire show.” And he
has a money back guarantee (read about it on his
site). Folks, NO ONE offers that. But that’s Carey
Driscoll and AMSD and a confidence that you
will not be disappointed and will return for more
shows.
Visit his site at AMSDconcerts.com; you will be-
come part of the family.

September/October 2010