Take the word committed.

It could mean something different depending on the context in which it is used.

Here’s an example: the judge said “Mr Johnson, as your actions pose a threat to yourself and others, it is my decision that you should be committed to a psychiatric facility until such time that a panel of psychiatrist feel you are ready to re-enter society”.

But here is how I will use it in this column. Dr. Eddie White and his staff at Awendaw Green are committed to giving musicians an outlet to expose their music to the public.

Now that doesn’t mean that he isn’t crazy.

To pull off the events that they regularly do at Awendaw Green, it takes a great deal of “out of the box” creative thinking that might seem crazy to some people. Does he need to be committed? The jury is still out.

All jokes aside, Dr. White’s enthusiasm and creativity have given the local music scene a real burst of energy and a breath of fresh air. CDs from Jeff Norwood, Travis Allison, the Whisperjets and events like Roctoberfest, The Rev. Palmer Gospel and Blues Heritage Festival, Grass On The Green, along with the weekly Barn Jam are just some of the great things they have done out there at Awendaw Green.

And bigger and better events are already in the works.

One of the things that Dr. White and I have in common is our commitment (there’s that word again) to giving the young bands a chance to introduce themselves to the music scene.

He’s asked me to help spread the word that there are still a few performance slots open for The Youth Gives Back Concert - a benefit for Camp Happy Days featuring Charleston's best youth bands and several of Charleston's premier bands. This will be a two-day event and will have a music industry seminar for the bands involved.

Bands interested in playing should go to awendawgreen.com for more info.

Or maybe you can get more info at this week’s Barn Jam which features local, young, artists Slanguage, Trouble In Transit and Deborah Hudson.

Also on the bill is Rova Zetella. from Griffin, Georgia. They describe themselves as an Indie band “following Christ and playing rock music”.

Check them out at  www.myspace.com/rovazetella.

To round out the bill is Come On And Go With Us, featuring Jacob Simpson (vocals, guitar), Chase McGill (vocals, guitar, banjo, piano) and Dustin Hedrick (violin). They initially formed Come On Go With Us while studying at Mississippi State University.

With their strong Southern roots in mind, they embraced the idea of sweet tea, hot weather, family and friends. Soon began the writing process and later took to the road.

During their first poorly planned but richly enjoyed tour, the need for a full band and a bigger sound became prevalent as their audiences grew.

Recorded at Nashville's legendary Quad Studios, the band's first full length album - a melting pot of relaxed, energetic, and happy go lucky songs about life, love, and lack thereof, sprinkled with moments of darkness- was released in March.

You can listen to their music atwww.myspace.com/comeongowithus.

This Saturday is the Joel Hamilton Canned Food Drive.  Lending a helping hand to the Lowcountry Food Bank and seeing a great show, would that be something you might be interested in?

Check out awendawgreen.com for more info. Also on the bill is Timbre.

During a show earlier this year where I was doing sound, after Timbre’s set, Joel told me that she might sit in during his set.

Now I’ve seen people whip out a banjo, guitar, or even a trumpet to jam with an artist in an impromptu moment but I’ve never seen anyone whip out a harp until that night.

You can find out more about this unique artist at    www.myspace.com/timbre" www.myspace.com/timbre

Until next week, support live music and be nice to each other!

Contact Stu at Sjohnson@allnightkungfu.com.