I was reading the article entitled “Now and Then” about the Ames music scene in the June 11 edition of the Daily. As a long-time member of the Ames music scene and the ISU community, I could definitely agree with some of your findings.

I first got my start in the ISU music scene in the early 1990s, slightly before the time period in which the article starts. Back then, Dugan’s Deli was the establishment that fostered local talent. Bands like the Bone People, The Sun Dogs, Axigaly, Lunchbox, Basemant and Fool’s Journey were the popular bands. I played with a band called Flying Taxi. From our perspective, People’s was not a place that fostered local talent. It was always assumed that you had to have several CDs out and have a record deal to play Peoples. Flying Taxi tried for more than two years to land a gig there but were unsuccessful, even though we had a CD and packed the venues in Ames we had played.

Furthermore, the Ames music scene is not confined to what is going on in and around Welch Avenue. The Bone People are legends of the Ames music scene and played other venues than those at ISU. I just joined an Ames band in 2001 called The Box Brothers. This band doesn’t play the Ames scene, but has been a big draw for corporate and private parties and festivals since 1998.

Also, the Ames music scene has grown in the Christian community as well. Churches like Cornerstone Church, First Evangelical Free Church and Stonebrook Church have vital contemporary music programs that involved many ISU students and others from the Ames community. There a lot of great bands coming out of these churches, such as Bolsa De Papas, You Tell Jimmy and others.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I just wanted to offer a different perspective than what your article shows. The Ames music scene has a rich history and a bright future.

Ryan Sheeler

Resident

Ames