Chairman Ralph's Ministry Of Truth

His songs are punk through and through, with simple chord progressions and humorous wordplays that were at times political...Heibutzki was very talkative, conversing with crowd members often, and even made up some songs on the spot with lyrics about people in the audience. He elicited a laugh from the crowd when he made fun of a leaving concertgoer's Slipknot jacket.

For Memorial Day weekend, the road to the Hillsdale Annex is heading back to country, and a little bit of left-field folk. Jason And The Wanted will bring their distinctive country stylings for their first appearance at the Annex. They'll be supported by singer-guitarist Chairman Ralph, of Hillsdale.

As anyone who's seen the Chairman knows, no two shows are alike, and this one won't be an exception. Look for Ralph to pull out everything from country instrumentals, to offbeat covers (the Clash and the Kinks are always on the rehearsal menu), and his own humorous originals (like "Where's The Crowd?", which deals with every musician's worst nightmare -- the empty room).

Exploring new territory isn't a problem for Chairman Ralph of Hillsdale. It's been his priority for nearly a year now, with sets ranging from countrified originals to improvised medleys, and his own versions of '60s Britbeat classics, like the Kinks' "You Do Something To Me." As always, look for Ralph's guitar to do its own talking on instrumentals like the dreamy, laidback "Big Bang (For Shiny Green Grasshopper)."

Six works from Lisa Quinlan's show, "Budgie's Nest," now hang on other people's walls -- instead of her own -- and she couldn't be more pleased with the results.

"I enjoyed it very much, having the opportunity to show off my artwork, as well as the variety (of styles)," Quinlan said. "I look forward to other opportunities like this one."

The show closed on Oct. 20 with "Unraveled," a multi-media party that featured refreshments, and live music from local guitarist Chairman Ralph (Heibutzki). (For a sampling of the highlights, and works sold, see the accompanying photos.)

His music is mostly drawn from real-life observations, Heibutzki said. "I was living in Chicago when 'I Fired The Dog' was written," he went on. "I was visiting a friend who had gotten a dog and was making her husband walk it. Eventually they got rid of the dog because it was too much work. I made the joke that they had fired the dog, which led to the song. It's a social commentary."

For two years, the Chairman's been sharpening his guitar style, which he calls "untamed folk, with a twist of Americana, and roots punk."

"Good music takes you somewhere that you haven't already been," Ralph states. "That seems like an afterthought nowadays, but not to me. It's all up for grabs."

This is more of an "in-your-own-words" sort of thing: I got sent the questions, so here my answers! I may eventually post the ones that didn't run, at some point, but this nugget should more than suffice for now...in which I discuss my inspirations, influences and --as you see below -- some of my more memorable on-the-road experiences. Thanks to Eddie Padin (Publisher) and Mario Bourzac (Staff Writer) for helping to get this baby into print, amid some extremely tight timelines!

For those who missed it, here's the original, unedited version of the preview for my 11/13/09 spoken word performance with Pam Blair (South Bend, IN), and Dave Casper (Benton Harbor, MI) -- in which we opened for blues, jazz and folk singer Claudia Schmidt, who's also dedicated herself to the art, as well!

The Chairman's body of work includes originals about difficult bosses ("Fetch 'N' Step") and tribute ballads to the concertizing power of his favorite band ("I Saw The Clash"). He has also been known to pull out spy themes, country-fried arcana and unlikely covers--with '60s Beat figuring prominently on the menu (including the Kinks, Who and Yardbirds).

Chairman Ralph regularly plays around the Michiana area. His performing venues range from The Chocolate Cafe (St. Joseph, MI), to the Acorn Theater (Three Oaks, MI), and Foundry Hall (South Haven, MI), as well as South Bend's Artpost Gallery, where he appeared in April as part of its Poetry Marathon celebration.

"Good music takes you somewhere that you haven't already been," the Chairman says. "That seems like an afterthought nowadays, but it's not to me. It's all up for grabs."