Yesterday’s paper included a front-page article featuring an interview I had with one of our area’s most prolific musicians: “Bumpy” Peterson.

It was not only a pleasure to talk to the man himself, who exuded a sort of humble, yet genuine wisdom as he told me of his experiences, but also a unique firsthand account of the way it used to be for area musicians.

Peterson began playing music in 1951, at the age of 13. Since then, he has maintained a consistent career that has seen its share of ups, downs and in-betweens. This is to be expected from anyone who can boast a music career of more than six decades, but what I was able to glean above all else is that music and its performance is transcendent of the times in which it exists.

I love music and I love history, and I was fortunate enough to be able to learn a little more about both subjects in my conversation with Peterson. I’ve been under no illusion that the scene resembles, even barely, what it once was in the pre-digital and MP3 era. Those were the days, after all, when the only music option to be had by an establishment without a jukebox handy was to host a live band.

Being in a house band, let alone one that played upward of five to six times a week, is unfathomable to me in today’s culture. XM Radio, DJs and a myriad of other technologies have done away with that concept. And yet that notion gave me a newfound admiration for those who earned their stripes through the hard work and personal sacrifice that comes with playing music for a living. I’m thinking of the Bumpy Petersons, Junie Schencks and Steve Swansons, to name a few, of the music world.

Music used to be more than just background noise. It used to be a way of life for some, and an attraction for others. People would drive for miles and miles just for a chance to catch their favorite band at a local establishment. In an era during which music of all forms is accessible with the swipe of a finger, it simultaneously interests and saddens me at the drastic changes that have been imposed on the working musician – and that’s to say nothing of their impact on the financial viability of going that route as it pertains to a satisfactory career option.

Nevertheless, music and the musician has persevered. It is most certainly a new era; but somewhere, more often than not tucked away in a dimly lit corner, the performer earns what little bread he can for the drinking and dancing pleasure of others with no other incentive than that it is his one, true passion.

Thank you for the insight, Bumpy. I hope our paths will cross again in the not-so-distant future.

And now, here’s some of what you can expect to find in the area this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

Infinity Jazz Series To Feature Chautauqua Big Band Swing Friday: Infinity Visual and Performing Arts will host Chautauqua Big Band Swing at the Infinity Arts Cafe at 7 p.m. Friday as part of its Jazz at Infinity series. The evening will feature music of the big band era as well as some contemporary songs interpreted by a 16-piece jazz orchestra. Band members include: David Golando, Curtis Barnes, Rob DeSantis, Carol Drake and John Cross on saxophone; Andrew Bennett, Rick Lundquist, Carrie Pawelski and Tim Prezbelinski on trombone; Jason Fox, Sarah Ozga, Michelle Battaglia and Mary Anne Harp on trumpet; Craig Ridgway on drums and Vince Micchice on bass. Jazz at Infinity events are free, family friendly and open to the public. Audience members of all ages are welcome.

The Infinity Arts Cafe performance entrance is located at 300 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information, call 664-0991 or visit infinityperformingarts.org.

2016 ‘Belle Bash’ Concert Series To Commence Tuesday: Lucky Dog Productions’ annual Belle Bash summer concert series will kick off its new season with a Tuesday concert featuring Nikki Hill, a Carolina singer whose roots are comprised of rhythm and blues, and garage rock rumble. Just a couple years ago, Hill was a bartender with an affinity for punk and a deep love for classic rhythm and blues. At her husband, now guitar player, Matt Hill’s behest, she stepped out from behind the bar and onto the stage. The response has been ecstatic, and now the band tours the globe relentlessly, stunning audiences with their muscular sound, Matt’s superb leads, and, of course, Nikki’s inimitable charisma. Boarding for the show will be at 7 p.m., and the music will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40.

For more information on the 2016 Belle Bash summer concert series, visit 269belle.com and find the “Belle Bash” tab, or find the events on Facebook.

Warren Philharmonic To Present ‘Star Spangled Spectacular’ Thursday: The Warren Philharmonic, under the direction of conductor Bryan Eckenrode, will perform its “Star Spangled Spectacular” concert in downtown Warren, Pa., Thursday at 7 p.m. Students from the Warren County Summer Music School performing with the members of the orchestra. The orchestra will have as many as 85 musicians performing together in this community concert. Selections for the concert include: “The Eagles on Tour,” which features the hit songs “Heartache Tonight,” “Desperado,” and “Hotel California”; “A Tribute to Lerner and Loewe”; “Star Wars”; “A Tribute to Henry Mancini”; as well as patriotic favorites “Washington Post March” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The orchestra will also perform more traditional works including “Variations on a Theme” by Paganini, and “The Fair at Sorochinski” by Mussorgsky.

The concert will be held on Second Avenue, between Liberty Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, near the fountain.

3rd On 3rd Gallery Accepting Submissions For Next Show: 3rd on 3rd Gallery at Reg Lenna Center for The Arts is accepting submissions for its next show, “Myjtownny,” via Instagram through July 17 at midnight. The guidelines are as follows: anyone with an Instagram account can play; all entries must be tagged #myjtownny; pictures must be taken in the Jamestown city limits; and the image comments should identify the location. Filters and image manipulation are allowed. Entrants will be notified by private message on Instagram by midnight on July 19, and are responsible for printing their entry at 12-by-12 inches and delivering them to the gallery no later than July 27 at 4 p.m. The “Myjtownny” exhibit will open with a public reception July 27 at 7 p.m., and run through Sept. 9.

3rd on 3rd Gallery is located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Private viewings may be scheduled by calling 664-2465, ext. 227.

HAPPENINGS

To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email gpaterniti@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 243 by Monday.

Tonight

The Opener: noon, Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market, Cherry Street (between Second and Third streets) in Jamestown

Greatest Hits: 5 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Jamestown Young Professionals mixer: 5:30 p.m., Moon Brook Country Club, North Main Street Extension in Jamestown

Adam McKillip: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Charity Nuse and Amanda Barton: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 8 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Friday

Adam Gould: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Chris Vogt: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Alex Kates: 6 p.m., Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle in Lakewood

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 7 p.m., Lakewood Legion, 174 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Sean Patrick McGraw: 7 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Karaoke: 8 p.m., Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 865, 41 Bigelow Ave. in Jamestown

Grand Larseny: 8 p.m., Vikings Lake Park, 4923 Route 430 in Maple Springs

Velvet Cabbies: 9 p.m., Yesterday’s, 103 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Splitfoot: 9 p.m., Chautauqua Suites, 215 W. Lake Road in Mayville

Derek Davis Duo: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Mighty Little: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

The Release: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Hangover: 10 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

DJ Fish: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

“The Jungle Book” screening: 2 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Greg Ford: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Danger Bird: 6 p.m., Island Park in Youngsville, Pa.

Bryan Moore and Jamie Smith: 7 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Rick Magee and the Roadhouse Rockers: 8:30 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

Smokehouse: 9 p.m., Lakewood Rod and Gun, 433 E. Terrace Ave. in Lakewood

Jules-R-Us Karaoke featuring Tami T: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Strange Kind of Sunshine: 9 p.m., Steener’s Pub, 3022 Route 430 in Greenhurst

Smackdab: 10 p.m., Ellicottville Brewing on Chautauqua, 57 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

DJ Griz: 10 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Prom dance party: 10 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Small Town Revolution: 10 p.m., Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point

Bold Folly and Dream Beaches: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

DJ Fish: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

Sean Patrick McGraw: 2 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

“The Jungle Book” screening: 2 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Steelhorse: 2 p.m., The Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Derek Davis Duo: 3 p.m., The Cooler, 114 W. Main St. in Sherman

Bill Ward and Company: 4 p.m., Hadley House, 3328 Hadley Bay Road in Stow

Open Jam: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Monday

Bill Ward: 6 p.m., Andriaccio’s, 4837 W. Lake Road in Mayville

Tuesday

Greg Ford: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville

Wednesday

Chris Vogt: 6 p.m., Lakeview Hotel, 13 Water St. in Mayville