Instead, we felt you should hear directly from the musicians that make up our local scene.

Through five questions, we get an idea of what music caught their attention, what they saw as significant this past year and what they look for in 2008.

Noah Hall
Easterly; Whiskey Priest

Devon Skelton
Potatoe Famine

Lazarus Wolf
West Coast Blues Man

Mark Lemhouse

Steve Lindstrom
The Gusto Brothers

ML: Mill Race's double EP

LW: Lorne Depping's new CD.

DS: The Funhouse Strippers' "Kick Out The Lights"

NH:[Charles] Norman's self-titled debut is an album I have been waiting for. Eric Nordby writes and sings songs that sound like stories your best friend is telling you. His band could all be session-players and they make the songs shine.

SL: There were a couple real good releases in 2007 (there were probably many, but many I probably didn't catch.) The Funhouse Strippers sounded like the most fun (and the Gusto Brothers are all about having fun). Ty Curtis put out a great album and so did this great singer/songwriter, Justin Bennett.

Who is the most promising new act to debut in 2007?

ML: Mickey Bare, who went out solo under his own name for a gig. I like his bands but I like the solo thing as well. He's got this new song about a spaceman. He's gonna get rich.

LW: Lorne Depping.

NH: The Flowers are the most promising, but the oldest is eight so it will be a while before the promise is realized. Norman and Seahorse tie for my vote.

SL: Justin Bennett has some real good music and is always adding to his list of easy listening tunes.

What was the most memorable music moment in 2007?

ML: The Mill Race CD release party, when they played that "Garden Gnome" song. I freakin' love that song.

LW:  Lorne's debut

DS: Rocky Horror-themed benefit for George Tabb. Awesome bands and we raised a chunk of cash to send out to George to help him with doctor bills.

NH: Personally, it was playing the Whiskey Priest/Seahorse release show with Rich and Dan at Blue Pepper.  But for Salem I'd say it was the Mix `n Mash Festival.

SL: I'd have to say it was the Cherry City Music Festival. Second runner-up: the closing of Lefty's. But people should not get too hung up on that. Salem's music scene is so much more than just one club.

What album are you looking forward to in 2008?

ML:  My own.

LW:  Lorne's next CD.

DS: I don't know who all is recording right now but we're putting out our first-ever full-length album probably in early 2008. We're recording right now and it's gonna have some great surprises.

NH: Isn't it about time for a Righteous Animal album? It would be nice to see an Easterly album as well. Potatoe Famine has one coming out and what I have heard sounds great.

SL: I hear the new Gusto Brothers album is going to ROCK.

What is your prediction for the local music scene in 2008?

ML: Salem's second best guitarist, Tim Myles (The Nettles, Rightous Animal, etc.) is gonna get off his lazy butt and start his own band, where he sings and writes all the songs, which are gonna all be about Mark Lemhouse and how cool he is.

LW: I will be following Lorne Depping's rise to greatness.

DS: Depends. If the local press and the downtown commission can get their heads out of their asses, then the music scene could really take off.

NH: I'd like to see a new venue that promotes all genres of music to all ages.  And I'd like to see a program like Deep Roots in Portland begin here in Salem. Is this a prediction, or a prophecy? I don't know, but I'll do what I can to help make them happen.

SL: I predict ... a great year for local music.