• Millenium ‘98 pulled out all the stops (including a keynote address from MTV personality Matt Pinfield) and delivered a second successful music showcase and symposium;

• Fuel’s success on the national charts added a big feather to the hat of Central Pennsylvanian music;

• The meteoric success of Big Tubba Mista has meant massive crowds and revitalized memberships at local Arthur Murray’s Dance Studios.

But as good as these accomplishments have been, the jury is still out on their long-term viability. Millenium hasn’t proved anything more than that it can be a heck of a lot of fun seeing many bands in a single night, even in half-empty clubs.

Unfortunately for Fuel, I can only picture their ending — tossed onto the alternative music trash heap — instead of waxing poetically about their current success, since alternative radio will no doubt toss them out with the dishwater when the next moneymaker comes along.

This leads directly to the Big Tubba Mista phenomenon. There is no arguing this seven piece band can play and draw large crowds, but remember to be far away from the boat when the swing trend sinks like the Titanic. And for all you neuvo-swingers, be sure to take lots of photos of those snazzy ’40s suits and dresses; it will make for a huge laugh in about 15 years.

1998 had one huge live-music downer when the area’s largest venue, The Courtyard, closed its doors to bands after a series of business blunders. And while local promoter John Harris landed at Gullifty’s, I doubt the West Shore eatery’s heart is into being the live music leader in the area. Too many times there are more tumbleweeds than patrons to think that Gullifty’s will attract a larger audience. (Ever heard of advertising?)

On the plus side, New Market Entertainment produced a number of shows at Gullifty’s and other venues, bringing in bands that draw second-generation hippies and frat rats in search of the next Grateful Dead, Phish, or Dave Matthews Band. Also notable, Dickinson College presented several good shows that brought some new musical blood into the area. And while Hersheypark Stadium and Arena continue to lose shows to Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center, it might serve as motivation for Hershey to get a little more adventurous with next year’s summer concert series.

Any upstart promotion company might want seek some wisdom from Jim and John Howie, who continue to present shows at The Wire and book larger acts at The West Shore Theatre. The Wire has shaken its high-school-hangout tag and continues to draw more patrons to the intimate coffeehouse, but it’s not like people are pounding down the door. Also, you have to wonder where are all the area’s music lovers reside when a performer like Patty Griffin plays The West Shore Theatre for only $10 and less than 250 people show up.

Which brings me to the people who go out to see live music in this area. Since I started covering music for MODE, I’m continuously amazed that the same people show up at most shows. I don’t know if I should be excited that a core group is so interested in live music or horribly depressed since so few new faces come out for live music.

Sadly, I’m beginning to believe that Central Pennsylvanians are plain lazy. From my experience in the past two years, people seem more content complaining about the lack of things than actually doing them.

So, am I wrong about my observations? Can I convince any of you to get off your butts and send me a message at EdY@MODEWeekly.com to prove that I am wrong? Prove to me that I don’t know what I’m talking about.

I won’t hold my breath.