Sitting together like a couple of old friends, Denton Hatcher and Ryan Harris reminisced over the past year and a half of Nitty Gritty Nights at Chelsea’s Café. From the nights that went a little past 2 a.m. to the not-so-great audience members, the one thing both men can agree on is that there’s no end in sight for the local musician showcase.
Gabe Daigle, owner of Red Star Bar in downtown Baton Rouge, was in charge of bookings for Chelsea’s when he approached Hatcher about getting together some local musicians for a show. Since then, the every-other-month event has been known as Nitty Gritty Night.
“It’s kind of an open mic, but it’s not an open mic,” Hatcher said. “It’s good taste. It’s not like just some yahoos getting up on stage and burning out some cover tunes.”
After playing in many bands and now having his own, Hatcher — who describes his style as a mix of country and soul — is deeply involved in Baton Rouge’s music scene. Although there are often some repeats in the seven to eight people who play, Hatcher tries to get new singer- songwriters for each night.
One performance that stood out to Hatcher was when he let two barely 18-year-old girls on stage, and according to Hatcher, they “killed it.” These undiscovered artists coming out and sharing their original music is what truly colors and defines Nitty Gritty Night.
Hatcher said this Friday will feature a huge style mix, with local musicians like Harris, Becca Babin, Ray Hudson, Benjamin Moore, Paul Emden and Liam Catchings. Each person’s taste is a little different, and the audience, as well as Hatcher, can expect to be surprised.
“It’s what you do, but it’s kind of also a part of you,” Harris said. “So you’re gonna see people that are playing songs that are about hope, that are about pain, that are about tragedy, that are about having a good time. You’re gonna get the whole spectrum. For someone who writes a good song, they’re putting themselves out there.”
As someone who has participated in the show more than once, Harris said he uses the night to get feedback on his work. Self-described as an “Americana” style, his pieces have a mix of sounds he listened to growing up. Writing original music can be difficult, and Harris said hearing his peers’ reactions is helpful as an artist.
“It may be a little solo performance, but it takes a lot,” Harris said. “There’s a lot of time spent working on your song and making sure the song is just how you want to present it, and when you come in here and you feel that love, it’s a really good feeling.”
Harris’ favorite part of Nitty Gritty Nights is the “random stuff,” like when all the guys decide to get on stage and put on an impromptu performance as friends, including Hatcher.
While Hatcher tries to stay out of the limelight of the show, he will sometimes play two or three songs. What he looks forward to most is watching an attentive audience truly enjoy a performance.
Although the night consists of individual acts, Hatcher and Harris consider the sequence of musicians to be the real show. If someone wants to slow down the mood with a few soft songs, Harris likes to come in afterward and pick up the beat with a few good-time pieces.
The music will begin at 10 p.m. Friday night on the Chelsea’s stage and will end when the café closes at 2 a.m.