The following is an interview with Anthony Silva, founder of Me&Thee Music, conducted by Discover Marblehead. The Me&Thee is the longest running, all volunteer acoustic music venue in the U.S. To see this season’s concert schedule, go to meandthee.org.
Tell us about Me&Thee Music, why you started it and how it’s evolved over the years. Me&Thee Music began as a community gathering place at a time when many other music clubs and coffeehouses were closing. At the time, I had a folk music radio show and was meeting many local musicians looking for places to play that were not bars or loud restaurants. Because we’ve been a “listening room” since the beginning, we attracted a group of students and adults who volunteered their time to keep it running.
The Me&Thee has become the longest running, all-volunteer acoustic music venue in the U.S. where artists from all over the country perform in an acoustically and historically significant setting at the UU Church, 28 Mugford St. The Me&Thee has grown over the decades to a professional-quality concert series featuring nationally known and regional performers including Suzanne Vega, Tracy Chapman, John Hartford, Tommy Makem, Anais Mitchell, Pete Seeger and many more. The Me&Thee is beginning its 55th season this September and we have another great concert schedule lined up.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? Our realization that our volunteers are the most important part of what makes the Me&Thee successful. Our staff is here because they believe in our mission and without them, we wouldn’t succeed. They create the atmosphere and environment for our talent to thrive and for our audience to feel welcome as part of our community. Our volunteers go way beyond what is expected. Every night, we open with professional sound, media outreach, audience coordination, ticket sales, performer travel and hospitality, refreshment prep and sales, and more. This is a well-coordinated, yet complicated operation, that has run smoothly for years.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? There are so many places in Marblehead where you realize the historic significance and beauty of where we live. Fort Sewall is one of those special places where you can look over our town or out to sea and imagine how many generations began their travels from this spot and how life unfolded in simpler times. Our abundant historical buildings and homes speak that history to us. I’ve traveled all over the world, yet our town remains one of the most beautiful and unique places I know.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Beginning when I was very young, I pursued tap dancing for 14 years performing in concert halls, orphanages, senior centers and community halls throughout Eastern Massachusetts. I also appeared in two productions at North Shore Music Theater, “Gypsy” and “Music Man.”
The business spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. To learn more, visit discovermhd.com.
