EVERY well-known artist in the music industry had a humble beginning. Being recognized locally is the key first step for any up-and-coming musician. “I think that every community should have a platform for talent,” says Hugh Dawson, producer and father of The Bay Show. The program currently airs on local cable KFTY (Channel 50) early Sunday mornings at 2am. The Bay Show is the brainchild of Dawson, who also goes by the nickname Hugh Heff, who developed the concept back when he was a concert promoter in the club scene.
Dawson says that he came up with the idea one night when he was promoting a show that was going to be videotaped at a local venue. Dawson was amazed at how the performers kept vying for the spotlight, both onstage and in front of the cameras. It was an observation that planted the seed for what was to become the start of his television production. The show took its first baby-steps in the garage of a friend’s home and has since gone from taping at public access television stations in San Jose and Mountain View to the Media Center, a production company based on the San Francisco peninsula.
The Bay Show is described by Dawson, who is also the host, as a vehicle for both aspiring as well as established hip-hop artists who need an outlet for their music. Talent such as Dem Hoodstarz and Nump come to him from all around the Bay Area, some of whom are categorized as being in the top Billboard 100 based on radio play and CD sales. Working in unison to promote the show’s message is a cartoon accompaniment, modeled specifically to emulate Dawson and the entire sequence of the program. Cadi-Man is an illustration created by Kevin Amodia, who during the course of the cartoon is relied upon to provide performers for the show. The two have an interesting partnership that exists through a series of antics and pranks initiated by Cadi-Man lulling the host into foolishly believing his acts are genuine big-name stars, when in reality they are look-alikes. Dawson views the cartoon as an opportunity to present different musical themes and as a way to bridge the separation between musicians who may not be aware of one another, but share the same umbrella as aspiring musicians.
The skeleton of the program is what he attributes to a “three-prong” format. He, along with other members of the show’s staff, filters through various acts who have submitted their material to piece together a video countdown, which is accompanied by two live performances. The show also includes a featured artist with Dawson conducting a one-on-one interview to highlight the musician, or bands, achievements. Dawson stresses the urgency of building up local musicians, because, essentially, neighborhood support is what drives the inspiration of his show. “Television is still the greatest platform for exposure,” he says. [The show] “reflects your community, and if you want to be a part of your community this is a great way to do so.”
THE BAY SHOW airs on local cable KFTY (Channel 50) Sunday mornings at 2am.
