Done...

The long holiday hustle has kept me away from this keyboard for a while and now that we're in our last few hours of 2007, I want to belatedly wish you and those you care about the best of the season. I hope you found some warm moments and made some special memories...and that you didn't completely burn out on Christmas music or on the endless plays of Dan Fogelberg's "Auld Lang Syne." I lament his passing too but I resent now being tired of a seasonal selection that I used to really like. The Christmas season is much like the other four seasons to me...we really look forward to them but by the time they're over, we're really ready for the next one.

My last post on December 11th encouraged you to take in Adrienne Young's appearance at Ashland Coffee and Tea on the 13th. If you did, I hope you share our appreciation for this earnest and engaging singer/songwriter/human being. Her passion for this planet and its life forces shines through her music in such a compelling way and the current edition of her band Little Sadie, a touch under-rehearsed but instinctively solid, made the evening feel like a living room jam session rather than a perfectly-polished performance...which was just right somehow. There were some strong individual contributions, including a couple of great original tunes from guitarist Landon Fishburne. Adrienne's lastest CD "Room To Grow" was just named a top-5 album from singer-songwriters in The Nashville Scene, no small feat given the level of competition out there. I think a lot more folks will be hearing about this former MerleFest songwriting winner in the coming year.

I'd have to say my musical highlight of this 12th month has been savoring a preview of Jesse Harper's upcoming solo project. Old School Freight Train is still very much a band, judging by their 2008 tour schedule but Jesse, with encouragement and support from an A-list group of players just couldn't help but try his wings on some new air. There are some new takes on OSFT favorites like "Run", "Porch Swing" and "Let Me Go" along with some powerful new ballads like "Falling" and "Old And Broken." Jesse's playing and vocal style keep getting more confident and sophisticated and the almost George Martin-like arrangements on many of the cuts bring a more pop approach to things. All dozen tunes are originals, save for the gospel standard "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and Sam Cooke's moving "Nothing Can Change This Love." Regarding the supporting cast...familiar names include former and current bandmates Ann Marie Calhoun and Darrell Muller, along with Daniel Clarke, Curtis Fye, Robby Sinclair, Zack Hickman and Colin Killilea. Word is Daniel submitted a few tracks from this project to land his gig with k.d. lang. Not sure when this baby will hit the streets, but it will surely be worth the wait.


By the way, the closest stop to here (so far) of the k.d. lang/Danny C roadshow is March 5th at UNC's Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill. Word to the wise..don't wait if you think you might want tickets.

Bringing home the notion that advancing age speeds up the clock, it's a bit scary to me that I've been doing this journal for just about a year now and as hard as it is sometimes to sit down and get started on a post, I'm so very grateful that so many of you take the time to read it and even find value in it. I hereby resolve to more consistent and comprehensive in the coming year, which I hope holds more meaningful musical moments for us all. Have a blessed 2008, and thanks to all the musicians who've enriched my life in 2007...TT

The Godson

Another reminder that there's so much music out there and so little time. Sunday night we were among a sadly undersized crowd to witness a young man on the front edge of what should be a stellar career. His pedigree is enough to suffocate a lesser talent given that he's Steve Earle's son and the late Texas legend Townes Van Zandt was his godfather. So this wiry, way over six-foot-tall, twenty-something cowboy has something to prove and his 90-minute set at Barksdale's "Stretchin'" series offered all the proof any skeptic could want that Justin Townes Earle is the real deal.

Along with his sidekick Cory Yountes on mandolin and harmony vocals, Justin ran through a rich and varied set list of mostly original tunes that made me feel like I could've been in a time machine watching Hank Williams when he first started out of the gate. Fun, up tempo stuff like "Chitlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County" and achingly dark ballads like "Yuma" that told a haunting story of loneliness gone unchecked. Accompanying himself on guitar, occasional harmonica and a good helping of boot heel percussion, Earle the younger displayed a confidence and charisma that can't be faked and made believers of this appreciative audience, most of us hearing him for the first time. You can hear "Yuma" on his MySpace page, which is also the title of a six-song EP that he's selling until his full-length album "The Good Life" comes out on Bloodshot Records this coming spring. I for one, can't wait.

Thanks to BJ Kocen for sticking his neck out for the sake of good music and creating another wonderful listening space in town. And to Susan Greenbaum for her sweet opening set. I love surprises and Sunday provided a really good one.

TT

Critter...

So December's just arrived and we've already had a little teaser snowfall and even some havoc-wreaking black ice around central Virginia...very exciting for one who loves all that winter can bring. Reading the e-posts this week revealed a Grammy nomination for the durable and delightful Seldom Scene and their latest CD Scenechronicity. Congrats to all. I passed along high-fives to founding father Ben Eldridge and asked him what his prodigious progeny had been up to lately. He replied..."I can't keep up with that boy these days. He just got back two weeks ago from traveling around Europe with Uncle Earl for three weeks. He's going back to England on the 8th to go to a Zeppelin reunion concert. He's gotten to be pals with John Paul Jones, so he and Kristan will have backstage passes and all that kind of good stuff. This week he, along with Andy Falco and Josh Williams, are going around doing guitar concerts. They call them Guitarmageddon. He's heading to LA after he gets back from England to rehearse with the Punch Brothers for a few days and then back to the Burg for a week at home over Christmas - then on to Chicago for a new year's eve gig with the Punch boys.Whew! Oh to be young again."

So if you haven't heard, the Punch Brothers are the latest moniker for Chris Thile's string band and they'll be ringing in the new year in the Windy City. Both of the Chris boys seem to have the world by the tail these days. What a ride!

Here at home, it's a chance to hear both Steve Earle's sister Stacey (with Mark Stuart) at Ashland Coffee and Tea on Saturday night and Steve's son Justin Townes Earle at Barksdale's "Stretchin" concert series on Sunday. Both are more than worthy of your musical dollars.

And might I heartily recommend a new seasonal CD from the amazing singer-songwriter Mindy Smith. Some heart-rending new originals and some creative takes on old favorites. We can't get enough of Mindy.

Enjoy the last month of the year...TT

Mais oui!

I don't think I've ever been to a more elegant soiree in this town than the annual Bon Secours holiday celebration at the Virginia Museum Friday night. Since this is a music journal, I won't get into the amazing French-themed decor that transformed the Marble Hall, other than asking Natalie Easterly to take a bow for the unprecedented profusion of fresh flowers...I've never seen anything like it. But the piece de resistance was the stellar quintet of musicians who took their charge far beyond obligatory background and created a classy energy the room may have never felt before. Richmond treasure John Winn gathered the cream of Richmond's crop of seasoned players for the gig...Curtis Fye on bass, Brian Jones on drums, Adam Larrabee on guitar and Daniel Clarke on the grand piano. What a treat to hear these young lions playing their butts off despite the fact that most of the crowd was immersed in party chatter. Those of us who were drawn in to their musical corner, and the numbers grew as the hour grew later, were afforded some of the finest ensemble playing anywhere. John's a serious double threat of course, for when he's not squeezing the most out of his tenor and soprano saxophones, he's singing like a young and hip Mel Torme...it was simply sublime stuff. Old School Freight Train's Jesse Harper even crashed the party in the guise of a "critic" to soak up the ample inspiration these guys were serving up and rendered a soulful lead vocal on Stevie Wonder's "Superstition." Jesse's long-awaited solo project is due out early in 08 by the way. As I write this, the aforementioned Mr. Clarke is probably seated at his keyboard as the sole accompanist for one k d lang at a private function in the City of Angels. The Atlee boy is flying high indeed. A grateful tip of the beret to Bon Secours' CEO Peter Bernard who knows how to do things right. Tres bien!

The night before afforded us a much more intimate musical experience at In Your Ear's studio A as JAMinc welcomed Irish harmonica marvel Rick Epping back to town. With just his box of harps and accompanying himself on concertina, Rick cast his spell for the appreciative audience, skillfully weaving traditional jigs and reels together and sharing his softly evocative vocals. IYE partner Robbin Thompson joined Rick for a couple of numbers including one with Robbin playing his Chinese zhong ruan. If you don't know what that is, you should've been there. He even attracted veteran Richmond rocker and chief Offender Bruce Olsen to the show, who's recorded Rick in his northside studio in recent years. It's a real privilege to hear a musician of Rick's caliber in such a setting...JAMinc and IYE are working on a compilation CD so you can hear some of the remarkable performances we've witnessed over the past few years. And for a very well-written account of a singular life adventure, check out Robbin's Cambodia journal. Powerful and provocative.

A couple of strong entries ahead on Ashland Coffee & Tea's December calendar: incredible blues guitarist Kelly Joe Phelps on the 5th, Stacey Earle on the 8th and Adrienne Young on the 13th. All worthy of your ear and support of AC&T's continuing efforts to bring quality acoustic music to the area in a wonderful listening room setting. Not to nag, but if you want all this to continue, you just have to get out and go the the shows. There's no substitute for "live."

Enjoy your Sunday...and hats off the the Hokies!

TT

Holiday happenings...

If I didn't gain a working dose of the holiday spirit at St. Paul's Cathedral in London last week during the annual Thanksgiving service, I surely accomplished it tonight back home here at Toads' Place thanks to the Blind Boys of Alabama. Imagine if you will first of all the security assembled to ward off any potential trouble with all those dang Americans in one place on such a symbolic day. And then consider the grandeur of the Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece that's seen everything from the funeral of Winston Churchill to the wedding of Charles and Diana.

Add the U.S. Marine color guard reverently delivering the stars and bars up the aisle and the full congregation singing "Come Ye Thankful People Come," and you have have a the makings of one terminal lump in the throat. As exciting as it was to spend Thanksgiving week in the venerable capital of the UK, we missed the traditional kickoff here at home. The lights are on at Lewis Ginter and it seems like all the neighborhoods are way ahead of past years in Christmas extravagance. Maybe we're more ready than usual for the comfort zone.

Tonight's Christmas show with the Blind Boys of Alabama at Toad's Place proved to be a much-needed fast-forward as early on these four-time Grammy winners (who aren't all blind or all Alabama boys for that matter) took flight with a harmonically lush arrangement of "White Christmas." How cool is that? When they sang 'Amazing Grace' to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun" and reached "was blind but now I see" the irony came full circle. Continued kudos to Jeff and the Toad's gang who've worked to improve acoustics and continue to keep open minds about who'll play this important canal-side venue.

I hope to see some of you at In Your Ear Recording on East Broad for a return engagement of harmonica master Rick Epping tomorrow (Thursday) night. He was here two and a half years ago before moving to Ireland and I promise you an riveting evening of music if you'll just check him out at http://www.jaminc.org/ and reserve your seat.

My Bon Secours connection will afford me the privilege of taking in a few sets of the John Winntet (aka/Neighborliness) on Friday night at the Virginia Museum with Mandy Moore's favorite piano player Daniel Clarke back in position on the evening Pollack Award winners Modern Groove Syndicate debut their new CD Ms. Popular at Cary Street Cafe. Danny C might miss the Cary Street gig to rest up for a red-eye flight to L.A. on Saturday morning to begin his year with the tunefully torchy k d lang. Word is their first show is is a duet...no pressure Daniel.

Watch this space for news of when k d and d c will pass this way.

And a final heads up for Sunday, December 9th at Barksdale Theater in Willow Lawn for their BJ Kocen's Stretchin' concert series. Steve Earle's very talented son Justin Townes Earle is coming to town and I'm sold after checking him out on his MySpace page.. Do we have live musical options here in River City now or what?

Thanks for spending some time here...and pass it on.

Three Musketeers...

Three of acoustic music's most heroic figures took us on a magical musical adventure Saturday night at the University of Richmond's Camp Concert Hall in the Modlin Center. We'd seen them many times before, individually and in such notable groupings as New Grass Revival and Alison Krauss + Union Station. And we've seen them onstage together, often with other icons like Fleck, O'Connor and Rice. But this was the first tour for the trio of Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Edgar Meyer. Of course we expected a lot. And a lot we got.

The pure acoustics of the room and the appreciative full house combined to energize the players...Jerry raved more than once how much fun it was to play in this kind of setting. Much insight into how remarkable compositions like "Glide", "The Emphysema Two-Step", "Aboriginal Ambition", "Green Slime" and "Monkey Let The Hogs Out" came to be, was gained during their light-hearted exchanges between tunes. Like how Edgar's 15-year-old son George turned his dad on to Sam's 30-year-old composition, "Foster's Reel." Or how one of the the two Strength In Numbers pieces they played, "Duke and Cookie" was written by Sam & Jerry in five minutes as an homage to John Wayne and Walter Brennan. Stuff like that. Mr. Bush was sporting a full cast on his left foot, and until I know what really happened, I'm gonna say he apparently lost a vigorous butt-kicking contest.

We mere mortals may never experience the joy that musicians of this lofty caliber achieve when they're afforded the opportunity to converse in this way, but at least we can listen in on the conversation. And what a privilege. The ultimate vicarious thrill.

And now for something completely different...
Sunday night I was invited back by director Joe Simpkins to emcee the Richmond Pops Band's fall concert at the Landmark. I've worked with the band in this capacity off and on for many years, dating back to the elegant Christmas performances in the Jefferson's rotunda and I continue to be moved be their power and professionalism. They took on some challenging material for this outing, including Cole Porter's "Begin The Beguine" and Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" and pulled it off nicely. And the distinguished U.S. Army Chorus, in a rare, outside-the-beltway appearance provided some lump-in-the-throat moments during "Muddy Water" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." And the clincher is that this band's concerts are absolutely free, but you better get your tickets well ahead of time. The Christmas show benefiting the Salvation Army is on December 18th at the Landmark. See you there.

I'll wrap with one more reminder about our JAMinc/In Your Ear studio concert this Friday night with the versatile singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Jake Armerding...a great young artist on the rise and a perfect place to hear live music...and the byol and hors d'oeuvre swap make the pre-show and intermission extra special. Click here to reserve your place.

Oh, and if you've never heard John Jorgenson before, do yourself a major favor and head for Ashland Coffee and Tea on Saturday to witness this versatile and wide-open guitarist. He's played with biggies like Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, and Bonnie Raitt and was a co-founder of the Desert Rose Band with Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson back in the day. Now he's sharing his penchant for the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt. You'll be blown away, I promise.

The Americana Music Awards were handed out at the Ryman in Nashville last week and you can check out the winners here. And hearty congrats to Robbin Thompson and Samson Trinh, both finalists in the Independent Music Awards competition (gospel and jazz respectively). Make sure you support 'em with your vote here.

TT

What a week...

Another apology for the silence over the last week or so but let me try to bring things up to date after a pretty good stretch of stuff worth sharing. A week ago tonight D & I had an unusually late night after watching Katie McCall nail her role as a liberal-arts college dean dealing with racism at The Firehouse Theatre. Katie's a fellow voice talent in town and it was our first time seeing her on stage and she owned it. Energized, we'd heard that Richmond's amazing James Brown Tribute Band, The Big Payback was playing that night in Bogart's Back Room so to Lombardy we went and we ended up helping close up at 2am. The BP is a ten-piece churning urn of burning funk led by vocalist Kelli Strawbridge that serves up an incredibly authentic and true list of The Godfather's tunes, familiar and non-, big and brassy, with a vise-like hold on James' signature rhythm. I saw Soul Brother Number One at the National Guard Armory in Staunton when I was in high school and it's so cool that his unforgettable energy and presence can still be experienced right here at home. Don't miss these guys next time they fire it up. Only negative is seeing so many young folks smoking at Bogart's and having to smell like you do when you get home.

The next day we set up for our JAMinc/In Your Ear studio concert with Colorado's Mike Lille. Mike spent some time around here before making the move to Nashville and then farther west.
As always, the CD's can't really prepare you for how good an artist can sound in that intimate, acoustically pristine setting and Mike did not disappoint...his talent as a tunesmith, warm resonant vocalist and ever so tasteful guitarist matched his formidable 6 foot 6 frame. His pal Robbin Thompson joined him for a couple of songs they'd co-written and it was a treat. If you missed it, at least we have a gorgeous 5.1 surround sound recording of the whole thing we hope to get out one day. Thanks to Carlos Chafin and Jan Williams for that. Mike wore his size-16 Chuck Taylor-style clown shoes for his in-school performance the next morning at Mary Munford Elementary. He was a big hit...literally.

Robbin's off to Cambodia on a major life adventure...we'll keep you posted. Our next IYE show is on Friday, November 9th and features another great singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Jake Armerding. All we can say about these JAMinc house-style concerts is, trust us. They're worth your time and a few bucks. Click here for reservations to Jake's concert.

A lot of love goes out to the fabulous Farr Brothers who threw together another big musical feedbag for the fortunate few who had directions to the Powhatan hideout last Saturday. A very special surprise this year was an opening set by the always outstanding Honky Tonk Experience with big Brad Spivey. Multiple servings of the world's best hors d'oeuvre, The Big Boss Combo, and a magnificent moon-lit October evening sealed the deal. We're not worthy.

Tuesday night, my clandestine date Valerie Plame and I ventured downtown to Toad's Place for Style Weekly's 25th anniversary soiree and if I were a name dropper, this would be a very long journal entry. My evening's highlight though was getting to welcome Daniel Clarke back home from his big tour with Mandy Moore only to learn that 2008 will find him all over the planet as keyboardist/vocalist with none other than k d lang! The boy's hot. And he so deserves it. Daniel will be doing some Modern Groove Syndicate and other gigs around here in the next few months, so be watching.

So have you made your decision between Ricky Skaggs at Toad's and Meyer, Bush & Douglas at UofR on Saturday night? I finally have...we'll compare notes next week. Hope you survived Halloween. Enjoy this dreamy weather...TT

In Good Keeping...

Before the National Folk Festival becomes an all too distant memory, I want to acknowledge and acquaint you with the wonderful new book by Virginia folklorist Jon Lohman. It's entitled In Good Keeping and it celebrates the first five years of the Master/Apprentice program sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. It "pairs an experienced master artist with an eager apprentice for a one-on-one, nine month learning experience, in order to help ensure that a particular art form is passed on in ways that are conscious of history and faithful to tradition." At the Folk Festival just past, the traditional area around Tredegar featured performances, demonstrations and workshops by all this year's teacher/student partners ranging from all sorts of musical instrument building (and playing) to brewing up the definitive kettle of Brunswick Stew, to properly pinstriping a stylish pink sedan.

I spent an inspiring day on Friday taking master steel drum builder and player Elton Williams (above) and his apprentice Earl Sawyer to school appearances at Henderson Middle and Woodville Elementary. Mr. Williams brought his craft to tidewater Virginia from Trinidad where it originated, and it was fascinating to learn how the quest for musical self-expression meant countless hours pounding or "sinking" an oil drum into a fully chromatic, two-octave musical instrument (correctly called a steelpan) that instantly evokes island breezes. Jon Lohman has not only gathered these masterful mentors for the past five years, he has told their varied stories eloquently in this book, illustrated by Morgan Miller's rich photography. For those who found the most compelling component of this year's festival in the Virginia Folklife area around the New Market Stage, you'll want a copy of this book. For those who spent most of their time on Brown's Island, you'll want a copy too, to find out what you missed. Order yours here. And a grateful nod to Jon for all he's done to promote and preserve some of our Commonwealth's most worthy treasures.

Our next JAMinc/In Your Ear Concert is coming up this Thursday evening and features worldly-wise singer/guitarist Mike Lille (like the flower) in an intimate performance in IYE's acoustically and aesthetically perfect Studio A. Everyone's invited to bring a covered dish/snack of some sort (even if it's just a small KFC) and a favorite beverage and enjoy the hour pre-show social. That starts at 6:30. Our goal in presenting these "house" type concerts is to bring artists to town who our group feels are worthy of your ear. Maybe you've never heard of Mike Lille, or Jake Armerding (our next guest on November 9th) but we have a hunch you'll like them and probably like them a whole lot. So head to our Website, click on "Events", read up on what makes Mike tick and reserve yourself a seat. We'd love to have you.

And if we weren't headed for the woodsy wilds of Powhatan Saturday night for some serious home-made music and well-marinated meats, we'd be with Kay & George at Ashland Coffee & Tea for an increasingly rare appearance by Old School Freight Train. I hope someone will report back to me on how far down the tracks these talented guys are these days...it's been too long.

Pray for rain, here and especially in southern California...TT

Come and Gone...

Richmond's three years as host to the National Folk Festival are now a glowing memory. Those of you who witnessed some part of it, and especially those who were involved in making it happen are no doubt pleased with how things turned out, and that's likely an understatement. It's truly a great achievement that something as uplifting and down-to-earth important as this made such a postive impact on our community, rising above the familiar cynicism and lines that divide us. I hope you spent at least a few sun-washed or star-struck hours on our stunning riverfront and were entertained and inspired by the artistry you witnessed, knowing the years of dedication and hard work that prefaced each wonderful performance.

The only regret one could reasonably take from such an experience is that we were always missing something worth seeing or hearing. Too many choices, too many things to learn, too many ways to find fulfillment. For me, it was the breathtaking common ground found by dancers Jason Samuels Smith and Pancrit Chitresh Das...the dusty western swing kicked up by fiddler Elana James and bassist Jake Erwin, and the deep emotional impact of a mortal angel named Maggie Ingram who at last found the long-overdue adulation of her own hometown. A lump grows in my throat just thinking about them and their purely and powerfully expressed faith. If you were there, you had your own special moments, I know. Those of us who were invested in the planning and execution of NFF 07 are surely dealing with mixed emotions, glad to take a deep breath but wistful that it'll be another whole year before the next one. And there will be a next one, with a new name but with the same focus on the brilliance and diversity of human creativity in whatever form it may take.

As a team leader for the last three years, I'd like to express my deep gratitude to the artist buddies, all 38 of you, who made sure everyone was where they needed to be at the right time, and were such good ambassadors for our city. Your contribution can't be overstated. And a hearty high five to Wheeler Wood and Elizabeth Roark who had the stressful task of jockeying the shuttle buses between the hotel and the festival stages against impossible odds, and they never got to enjoy a single moment on site. Thanks to Josh, Danna, Becki, Mike and Dennis of the National Council for the Traditional Arts who brought their experience and savvy to our city and showed us how to think big and pull it off. Thank goodness you'll still be around to hold our hand as we strike out on our own in 2008. Kudos to festival manger Stephen Lecky for extreme grace under fire.

And finally, a slightly self-serving salute to my fellow JAMinc partners who put seven NFF artists and groups into 14 public and private schools last Friday and who set up four up-close and personal encounters in the Festival's Family Area Saturday and Sunday with the likes of Todd Hallawell and Robin Kessinger, The Sargent Family, The Company Store and Frank Coleman & Chris Fuller. You guys were great. So as they say, all good things must come to an end, but at least for this happy happening, it's only temporary. The wheels are already turning to bring it all back in the fall of next year...new name...same heady experience. It'll be here before we know it. Spread the word...it's the best thing that we've done. And with your help, it's here to stay.

TT

A tough act to follow...

So the group that captured the lion's share of buzz at last year's National Folk Festival here in town was AltaiKai, the other-worldly Siberian throat singers. Who will it be this year? There are many contenders as we anticipate another perfect weekend of fall weather and more people the capital city's seen for a single event save the Nextel Cup. This is the last year the National graces Richmond...in 2008 it's off to higher, dryer Butte, Montana. But this time next year, the Richmond Folk Festival will take root and grow with lessons learned and fresh ideas combined. Please don't miss this opportunity to take in at least some of the sights and sounds of this three-day cultural extravaganza...it's absolutely free and I promise you'll be very proud something this big and this good could happen in your hometown.

The NFF Website is extensive and a highly-recommended primer to learn what acts you'd be interested in, but be open to surprises as the weekend holds many. The Virginia Folk Life area this year focuses on the remarkable master/apprentice program in diverse pursuits covering instrument making, hot-rod building, snake cane carving and country ham curing And do come hungry..the food vendor list is extensive with far more exotic fare than funnel cakes and corn dogs.

Our JAMinc group will be taking a number of artists and performers into Richmond public and private schools on Friday, including Piedmont blues duo Cephas & Wiggins/, the Kotchegna Dance Company and Punch & Judy puppeteer John Styles. And JAMinc is partnering again with the Children's Museum of Richmond to sponsor local artists The Company Store, The Sargent Family, Frank Coleman & Chris Fuller and Todd Hallawell & Robin Kessinger to give informal workshop performances in the Family Area. Something for kids of all ages. Hope to see you on-site sometime over the weekend...I'll have on a purple t-shirt.

And an advisory to fans of Adrienne Young, one of the freshest, most earnest singer/songwriters out there: she'll be at The Loft in Fredericksburg Thursday (tonight) for a concert benefitting the Spotsylvania supervisor candidate Tom Beals. Nice to have that kind of artistic support. Tom and his brother Jonas are better known around here as the promoters for Lewis Ginter's deligtful and varied Groovin' In The Garden series. Are you sure you want to get into politics Tom? My bride and I will be voting with our cover/contributions.

See you there or along the river this weekend...TT

Loose ends...

Making the most of one's precious time in the midst of the musical whirlwind that is the IBMA's annual Nashville gathering is challenging enough...sorting through the memories, the countless experiential snapshots is even tougher. If you're a fan of the music, it should be a destination, and if not next year, when? Words are too hard to come by after the long ride home, so a few visual highlights will have to be my retrospective, like the above shot of Father Earl at a surprise FanFest appearance Friday night. If you want more, just shoot me a post: mail@timtimberlake.com.

The Morning After...

The 18th IBMA Awards are history now and it was an exhilarating evening at the Opry House for many of the nominees who likely thought their chances were slim. It was a night for sentimental favorites, for influential artists who no doubt thought they might never see another crystal obelisk again. And for newcomers who were genuinely and pleasantly surprised that their time had already come. You can see all the victors listed here but I have to enthusiastically mention a few.

Tony Rice, Tony Trischka and Sam Bush, beloved masters of their respective instruments took their categories. Dale Ann Bradley finally claimed the Female Vocalist prize she'd earned long ago. And the cool and courageous Bradley Walker, who's stolen the hearts of fans everywhere over the last few years, stole the prestigious Male Vocalist of the Year trophy on his first try. It was also a big night for those Infamous Stringdusters who were voted Emerging Artists and also saw Fork In The Road win Song Of The Year and share Album Of The Year honors with J.D. Crowe and Lefty's Old Guitar. A rare tie.

The Grascals made it two in a row as Entertainers of the Year, Doyle Lawson added another car to his gospel train and also extended his six-year run as Vocal Group Of The Year. Rob Ickes brought his total of Dobro wins to an astounding nine and Missy Raines won her seventh upright bass title. Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper wrested the Instrumental Group title away from eight-time winners, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder. And he doubled his pleasure by capturing the distinction of Fiddle Player Of The Year.

Earlier in the day, Mike Auldridge or "Larry The Legend" from his Seldom Scene days was presented with a special Distinguished Service Award as a ruler of the resophonic. Chris Jones, already a successful bluegrass bandleader became Broadcaster Of The Year and Mark Newton's Hillbilly Hemingway scored a win for Don Bailey for Best Graphic Design. And congrats to John Lawless (remember when he played banjo for the Heights of Grass?) and Brance Gillihan for their Bluegrass Blog which has become a daily source of industry news...they became Print Media Persons Of The Year.

So as the celebrations continue down the hall at the Sugar Hill suite, I'd better fold my hand and get some z's to be fresh for my opening shift as FanFest emcee Friday morning...I get to bring on Cadillac Sky who continue to win my admiration for their dynamic energy and powerful songcrafting. And young mandolin whiz Sierra Hull too...she's really grown up.

Night all...TT

Bluegrass ant hill...

That's the way Tim O'Brien described the International Bluegrass Music Association's annual gathering when it was held along the Ohio River in Louisville in the documentary Bluegrass Journey from 2003. (highly recommended). We outgrew the funky old Galt House, our host hotel, so for the past three years we've been here in Nashville, which by most accounts gave birth to bluegrass in 1945 when Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys, then comprised of Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Wise and Cedric Rainwater gave bluegrass music its defining identity in performance at the Ryman Auditorium. The IBMA World of Bluegrass is a full week of all day and all night jam sessions, seminars for producers, record labels and artists, showcases for new bands and festival promoters...pretty much a full convergence of nearly everyone involved in the industry, culminating in the 3-day indoor FanFest featuring 60 of the genre's best bands all performing gratis to benefit the IBMA Foundation. The phone photo above was taken on the 21st floor of the Renaissance Nashville, the host hotel, where Mountain Heart did a 3o-minute unamplified performance for a fortunate few. Clay Hess has replaced Clay Jones on lead guitar by the way, and rumor has it that Adam Steffey will depart MH in '08 to join former Union Station bandmate Dan Tyminski on the road as Alison takes a year off. So we're off and running on a week that offers an unparalleled opportunity to absorb an overwhelming quantity of quality music and commune with the folks who make it. The focal point is the annual awards show now held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Opryland where the industry honors its best work or at least the most popular. The proceedings will be carried live at 9pm on XM Satellite Radio and results posted immediately on The Bluegrass Blog. I've never tried this before, except when filling out my ballot every year, but I'm going to take a stab at making some picks in the bigger categories, just for the heck of it. I'll be ready for a slice of humble pie in the wee hours of Friday morning.
Anyway, here goes:

Emerging Artist: Bradley Walker will be tough to beat...he's had a big year, but the buzz and votes will go to The Infamous Stringdusters.
Male Vocalist: A highly competitive category, but I have a hunch that young Bradley Walker will walk away with it this year.
Female Vocalist: I'd love to see Dale Ann Bradley get her due, but it's probably Rhonda's...again.
Vocal Group: It's a long shot but Doyle's well-deserved string might be broken this year by The Isaacs.
Instrumental Group: Skaggs & Company will most likely extend their ownership of this category but it's time to recognize Alison and Union Station for the pure elegance of their playing.
Song: (to the writer) It'll either be "The Last Suit You Wear" done by Larry Sparks and written by Larry Shell, Larry Williams and Kim Williams or "Fork In The Road" from the Stringdusters, written by Chris Jones & John Pennell...my guess is the latter. It should have been "Born Lonesome," Cadillac Sky's powerful piece penned by their own Bryan Simpson. Not even nominated.
Album: The Dusters' momentum might push them up the Opry steps to grab this one too for Fork In The Road but the safe bet would be Sparks' The Last Suit You Wear.
Recorded Event: Despite the highly-touted Skaggs/Hornsby collaboration, I'm going with Tony Trischka's Double Bluegrass Banjo Spectacular.

Guitar Player: I think it's Tony's turn again, especially in the wake of his moving tribute tour with AKUS.

Banjo Player: Crowe, Shelor and Mills are multiple past winners. Cia Cherryholmes likely won't win with her first nomination, so Tony Trischka should be recognized for his influence and imagination.
Mandolin Player: Except for Doyle Lawson, all the nominees are past winners and all are worthy, but let's reward the Award Show's host Sam Bush for his singular style and for keeping the music fresh for all these years.
Dobro Player: Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes have each won this like eight times, Phil Ledbetter once. That's it. Only three winners ever. Mike Auldridge will receive a Distinguished Service Award at the special Thursday luncheon. He should win that night too. Hands down.

Bass Player: Union Station's Barry Bales hasn't won before...it's time.
Entertainer Of The Year: Doyle's never taken the big one before so this could be his year unless Cherryholmes takes it back from the Grascals.

Tune in on XM and keep score...having King Sammy in charge should make it one of the best shows ever. Good morning from Nashburg...TT

Twin Bill

I'll begin a look back at two big shows from the past week with a disclaimer: it's a phone camera. It's not unusual to be prohibited from having or using a camera in a concert, but you can ususally grab a shot with your phone, which is what I'm doing occasionally now just to have something to show you. Obviously the quality's not up to snuff but it's something. And I think I risked confiscation to grab the above shot in Charlottesville's deluxe new venue, the John Paul Jones Arena at UVA. It was our first time there and our first time to witness a performance by the durable Bob Dylan. I've seen the Beatles and the Stones live but I missed a chance to see Elvis when he was here in the 70's and have always regretted it. So seeing Dylan was a must, especially since I got to see Elvis too!

I'll admit I've never been a serious Dylan disciple...I liked his sixties stuff..."Like A Rolling Stone," "I Want You," "Just Like A Woman" and I enjoyed his latest somewhat mushy pop outing, Modern Times. Most of the material in between got past me, but you can't deny his influence and impact on our music and our culture. He cut quite a figure as he strode out to a retro-intro delivered by an invisible emcee, dressed in a Spanish-style dark suit with white collar and cuff accents and a powder-gray gaucho hat. His veteran six-piece band wore matching gray suits and black fedoras and provided a perfect visual and musical backdrop to the poet's 90-minute set. It would be a stretch to call the former Mr. Zimmerman a singer, especially since his trademark rasp is now delivered in short, stacatto bursts that left me wishing for lyric sheets. I did better with the more familiar ones like "Don't Think Twice," "Tangled Up In Blue" and his closer "All Along The Watchtower" which of course ended up as Jimi Hendrix' biggest hit back in '68. And Bob Dylan continues to let the music do the talking as the only words spoken during his set were "Hello friends" and a spare intro of his bandmates.

It may reveal some lack of depth on my part, but for my music money, the goods came early in the "opening" performances by r&b sensation Amos Lee and the charmingly unplugged Elvis Costello. First Amos Lee...we'd been told by a friend's daughter that he was worth the price of admission alone and she was right. Amazing voice, great material and one of the tightest bands you could ever hope to hear. His keyboard guy Michael Bellar had his rig sounding like a big, fat Hammond B-3 with Leslie and he just nailed it. Amos closed with an inspired rendering of Sam Cooke's anthemic "A Change Gonna Come," and it brought the house down.

After a brief intermission, Costello, bristling with energy and charisma, let forth with a non-stop, all-too-short set of his thought-provoking, well-crafted songs including "Alison," and "(The Angels Want To Wear My) Red Shoes." Armed only with his vintage Gibson dreadnought, Elvis revealed something I discovered during his well-received performance at MerleFest earlier this year...this guy can sing. With pitch and power. A fitting vehicle for his potent lyrics. The only disappointment was when he mentioned that his singing wife and their new twin boys were hangin' backstage, not saying she was none other than jazz stylist Diana Krall. Having her join him for just one number would have been a treat. Has anyone seen them perform together?
So the new home of the Hoos doubles well as a venue for music...the sound was terrific. We sprung for an extra twenty bucks for on-site parking and it was worth it; in and out via Rt. 29 was a breeze and we got a spot right next to the building. But the popcorn was chewy.

48 hours later we hit the Fan for the third Out O' The Blue Orchestral Revue, an occasional collaboration between Richmond troubador and radio host Page Wilson and the Richmond Symphony. These wonderful outings aired live on WCVE 88.9 FM have been a thrill for fans and friends of Page and his Reckless Abandon bandmates Jay Gillespie, Jim Skelding, Charles Arthur, Chris Fuller and Billy Lux. Hearing our ol' pickin' pals up there doing "Swim Nekkid In The Ocean" and Page's familiar theme song, "Virginia" with the nearly surreal backing of the Symphony was simply beautiful. And credit solid back-up vocals from Chris and Billy along with a great sound mix in the Landmark Theater for making the evening as memorable as its potential. Charles' gifted wife Sarah Arthur and her sweet band Piedmont Souprize along with Billy Ray Hatley & The Showdogs also had their turn, playing a few numbers on their own, only to be joined by Mark Russell Smith conducting our amazing orchestra with charts delivered by Richmond's gifted arranger and jazz guru Doug Richards. The results were a treat for the musicians and the audience alike. Kudos to Page for the 11th anniversary of those two Saturday night hours of music from the Chickahominy Swamp, and to the Richmond Symphony for 50 years of greatness. And a fond farewell to its dynamic conductor who has surely made his mark.

An evening like that makes one proud to call Richmond home, and so does what's on its way in less than two weeks...our third and last National Folk Festival. More on that and reports from bluegrass music's biggest week, the IBMA's in Nashville...coming up.

Come on back...TT

On track...

Last night served to underline all the reasons I love to go to Ashland Coffee and Tea. Part of it is the same reason one likes to be home...the familiar surroundings, old friends and comfortable routine. I'll just have the pita chips and hummus this time and forego the panini. That way I can justify an extra ice cold Yuengling. As a place to enjoy the joyously organic process of making music, it really couldn't be much better...great acoustics and sound system with someone at the controls who knows what it's supposed to sound like (Brian Hoffa was subbing for George and was superb). And then you're treated to a front-table seat to soak up every lick, every tasty fill, each well-crafted lyric and harmony from a band like North Carolina's Steep Canyon Rangers, and well, you have cause to give thanks for your many blessings.

I'd seen this young band a few times before but getting them up close and personal last night was a real treat. Lead singer/guitarist Woody Platt has the stature, stage presence and pipes to hold down the fort with conviction especially with expert backing from Mike Guggino, their tenor/mando man and Graham Sharp on banjo who sings baritone and bass. Founding member Charles Humphrey handles the upright bass and is a delightfully wry and dry emcee. But the kid who lit up the room was fiddle whiz Nicky Sanders. His technical skills were put to good use on some dazzling breaks and a killer take on Bill Monroe's "Tennessee Blues." His spot-on sound effects for their hilarious homage to The Intimidator, "Feelin' Just A Little Like Dale," almost forced a lap or two under yellow. And the karma was right for their encore number "Orange Blossom Special" as the ten-thirty freight rumbled through right on cue. It's scary how often that kind of thing happens at our favorite music room. Glad it happened to one of our favorite bands...don't miss these guys next time.
They've figured out how to make the bluegrass purists and the younger, more adventurous fans happy at the same time...not an easy thing to accomplish.

Autumn starts at 5:51 in the morning...not a minute too soon...my favorite season.
Hope you enjoy it too...TT

In the thick of it...

I'll start this entry with a sincere apology for how long it's been since my last one...two weeks right? It's just been busier than usual, which is a good thing for someone self-employed like me, but a lot has slipped under the bridge that I should've posted. Like the compelling triple-play that happened right here on this very same night, which illustrates just how far we've come as a place for live music. Ashland Coffee & Tea presented the incomparable singer-songwriter Darrell Scott. Toad's Place featured the wild and wonderful Avett Brothers who shared the bill with the Seldom Scene at Groovin' in the Garden last May. Oh, and the Scene was back in town too, swingin' on the tracks at the Science Museum. All on the same dang night! Those difficult musical choices are becoming more frequent around here which is at once exciting and frustrating. So I ended up working the CD table for the Scene with Dudley Connell's new bride Sally, sold a bunch of their excellent and long-awaited studio album SCENEchronicity, visited with lots of old friends and made some new ones, ate one of David Napier's delicious barbecues on a hot dog bun and learned that Jim Napier (distant kin) has some exciting additions in the works for next year's Music for Massey Waybacks show.

All that after a delightful reception to celebrate the green light for Richmond's new performing arts facility Center Stage that was held at sunset on the 9th floor terrace of McGuire Woods' James Center headquarters. Jim Ukrop made brief remarks congratulating all involved in navigating the often rocky road that led to the project's approval. At its core is the much-missed Carpenter Center where extensive renovation and expansion are underway. Click here for a construction update.

I had a good chat with Venture Richmond's Jack Berry about life after the National Folk Festival pulls up stakes and heads to Butte, Montana in 2008. The good news is that sufficient backing to ensure that Richmond will be able to stage its own festival next year is nearly locked in. It will be held in late September and will have the same look, feel and diverse, world-music lineup that's made the National so successful here. The better news is that we still have one more NFF just a few short weeks away along the riverfront downtown, and with anything close to the perfect fall weather we enjoyed for the three days last year, the 69th National Folk Festival promises to be the best one yet. I can't urge you strongly enough to experience this singular cultural happening...it'll surely expand your musical horizons and make you very proud to call Richmond home.

The dance card's filling up, as we'll see more than a few of you I hope at AC&T tomorrow night as North Carolina's tasteful and talented bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers cross the state line once again. These guys represent all that's good about where the music is these days with solid instrumental prowess, tight harmonies and great material. A year ago they were voted the IBMA's Emerging Artists of the Year despite stiff competion. Join us tomorrow and hear how much they've emerged since then. This year's World of Bluegrass trade show along with the 2007 IBMA Awards and FanFest are set for the first week in October and I hope to be doing regular posts from Nashville. As I mentioned earlier, someone had the brilliant idea of asking Sam Bush to host the Awards Show this year, which should liven things up quite a bit while giving all the winners their due. If you're an XM subscriber, they'll be carrying the proceedings live on Track 14 Thursday night, October 4th. It'll be well worth tuning in.

A week from tonight we'll be getting our first look at Charlottesville's new John Paul Jones Arena which I've heard such good things about. It'll also be my first time to witness the mythic presence of Bob Dylan in concert. And as if that's not enough reason to spend an hour on I-64 West, how about a solo Elvis Costello performance for good measure. I'll confess to not having been a big follower of Costello's career, but after being held captive to his moving lyrics and stage presence at MerleFest in April, I don't know which legend I'm anticipating most. I'll get back to you on that.

Our own Robbin Thompson makes one of his infrequent local appearances at AC&T on Friday night, the 28th. Robbin's looking forward to another major life experience as he ventures to Cambodia in November to perform and record one of his own tunes as a theme for an international initiative to fight human trafficking. He'll tell you how this all came about...it's a pretty amazing story. Robbin's one of our JAMinc board members and we've set two more of our studio concerts at In Your Ear this fall: Mike Lille on October 25th and Jake Armerding on November 9th. More later.

A hearty congrats to Page Wilson who celebrates his 11th anniversary hosting the Out O' The Blue Radio Revue on WCVE-FM on Saturday, September 29th. And he'll do it in style, performing with Reckless Abandon and the Richmond Symphony, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, in a live Out O' The Blue Orchestral Revue at the Landmark Theater with special guests Billy Ray Hatley & The Showdogs along with Piedmont Souprize featuring Charles and Sara Arthur. It's very cool to see all these folks on stage together and hear how much common musical ground they find, but if you can't be there, it'll be on the radio...at 8pm as always. Go Page.

I'll close with a brief medical report on two of our favorite singer/bass players. The incredibly indestructable Billy Lux had some pretty intense back surgery back in mid-August to address some pretty intense pain he's been bravely living with for years. So a month's gone by and he's already out of his brace and even embracing Lucille again. As testament to Doc Simpson and modern medicine, look and listen for Billy on stage with Page at the Landmark a week from Saturday.

And shortly after his Ashland gig a few weeks back, John Cowan checked himself into Baptist Hospital in Nashville experiencing chest pain. They found a blocked coronary artery that was successfully opened with placement of a stent. That happened on Monday, the 10th. He spent a few days in the CCU and was due out of there the following Friday. Prognosis is good and having talked with him in the hospital, I know he's very grateful to have weathered this without having to endure bypass surgery or worse. He hopes to be back on the road by month's end. We sure hope he is too.

You boys rest well...we need you.

TT

Cow Plays Hurt...

A handful of us at our favorite music outpost tonight go back quite a ways with John Cowan...way back a couple of decades to the time Bela and Pat joined him and Sam in New Grass Revival. He's taken us to many memorable places for which we'll always be grateful. But tonight, we saw a comfortably matured J Cow in an intimate, personal performance in spite of and maybe because of the fact he was in the throes of bronchitis. His signature pipes weren't as potent as we're used to, but we were treated to some wonderfully subtle and nuanced renditions of both familiar and new tunes for the band. This "unplugged" approach went as far as having the foursome seated on stage, something they've been trying lately and I must say to great effect. And I couldn't help but notice that we were seeing and hearing something reminiscent of those earlier days. Left to right, it was Tony Wray on banjo, Shad Cobb on fiddle and mandolin, John on bass and Jeff Autry on guitar...the same way Bela, Sam, John and Pat lined up. But this is not a New Grass tribute band...I only counted two NGR tunes, "Steam Powered Aeroplane" and "Callin' Baton Rouge." The rest covered material from John's last few solo projects and even a great take on the Moody Blues' "Tuesday Afternoon." It was softer, gentler set and they may not always do it this way, but it was a treat to witness another side of a consumate performer. And Tony, Shad and Jeff played their tails off. Thanks for everything John. In closing I can't resist sharing this video I saw on YouTube of Bill Monroe introducing New Grass Revival doing "Can't Stop Now" at Fisk University back in the 80's. It's priceless...especially the old Cowan coif. Enjoy.

Have a restful Labor Day Weekend everybody...TT

Transition...

As we get ready to shift gears from the summer season to the fall this weekend, knowing the calendar's about three weeks behind reality as usual, let me take a moment to acknowledge a fine time downtown last weekend at the annual Shockoe Craft Beer Festival in Kanawha Plaza. Thanks to Tracy Leverty of Echelon Events Management for hauling me in to emcee the day that started at high noon with ThermUs. These wizened local troubadors created a languid soundtrack to the sultry afternoon. We thought we were in store for another 100-degree sizzler so the frothy brew proved a popular antidote to the heat. I think we made it officially to 97. Close enough. The venerable Taters were next with their impressive ode to the road from Nashville to Bakersfield. Craig Evans and Brad Tucker did their time-tested terrific job of playing the hits from Orbison to Owens...the boys are so solid after all these Ten Years of Taterin'...keep it comin'. I really enjoyed The Atkinsons for the first time, featuring Dickie and Jamie Wood, who have done so much in support of local bands over the last few years with their Richmond Roots Revival events at various venues. Fresh from a big Friday night in Floyd, Virginia son Scott Miller slid in to the headliner slot with his Commonwealth band and easily drew the biggest crowd of the day to the front of the stage. Scott's crafty and compelling songwriting was a good match for the equally and uniquely creative concoctions of the thirty-some brewers assembled for the two-day event. Scott's also become a confident and engaging performer...check out his fourth release on Sugar Hill, Reconstruction, recorded live at The Down Home in Johnson City Tennessee. And he's got one of the coolest Websites around. And a hot high five to Steve Payne of Soundworks for his consistently stellar job of getting the music from the stage to our ears.

On to Ashland tomorrow for another close encounter with one of the most remarkable pure voices in Americana, or any music for that matter, John Cowan and his band at AC&T by the tracks. If you like r&b or the blues or you want to see and hear part of why New Grass Revival thrilled and inspired so many fans and bands alike back in their day, come check out the Cow. Show starts at 8.

Incidentally, John does a fine job narrating a new half-hour documentary on The Infamous Stringdusters viewable now online. It's a nicely done piece following the boys during a Colorado tour last March called "Four Days Of Infamy" If you don't know these guys yet, this is a great introduction. If you're already a big fan as I am, this will seal the deal. You'll even see Critter get a haircut!

And finally for now, congrats to Jeff Sadler for finally scoring the ABC diploma for Toad's Place! Make mine a double. The Avett Brothers on Sept. 20 and Marty Stuart on the 28th.

TT

Summer slips away...

Hopes were realized Wednesday night at the Coliseum when Alison Krauss and her world-class supporting cast played the big room and made it feel like a living room. Concerns about how her delicate acoustic sound would play in the 6th Street Cavern were quickly forgotten as Cliff Miller had his substantial system tuned to the room beautifully. The stage backdrop was a huge map of eastern Tennessee and western Virginia, presumably to remind us of the headwaters of Alison’s music. Rustic chandeliers hung from the ceiling giving it an intimate, homey feel. As good as the show looked and sounded, my only wish was for the live video projection that most of the arena concerts offer these days. For those of us a good distance from the stage, it would have made the experience more personal to have a closer look. And I feel silly bringing binoculars.

Jerry Douglas adds such a powerful element to the band’s dramatically clean and open arrangements and his tasteful fills are thrilling to hear. During his solo shot, he said he loved coming to Richmond because everyone knew what a Dobro was. He mentioned the influence of Josh Graves and the Old Dominion Barn Dance. I was glad JAMinc’s Wally Thulin was with us to see how far AKUS has come since he and Fieldcrest Music brought the band to McVey Theater at St. Catherine’s School in November of 1991. Back then, the group consisted of Alison Brown, Adam Steffey, Tim Stafford and Barry Bales. Tickets were $12. Alison had just won IBMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, and her first Grammy. She now has 20, more than any female artist ever. Her Coliseum set included a significant complement of bluegrass tunes as she catered to her audience well. Her contribution to the music is immeasurable.

Be sure to check out our own keyboard wizard Daniel Clarke, now on tour with pop sensation Mandy Moore. He gets a lot of camera time in a new special on the Oxygen network entitled “I Am Mandy Moore” which is a great look at what it takes to prepare for a CD release and a national tour to support it. We talked with Danny C in L.A. Wednesday night and he’s his always- enthusiastic self, and soaking up the whole scene. The show first aired early last week but it’ll probably run again. Don’t miss it.

Our long-awaited first visit to Toad’s Place happened Friday night as we headed down to the old Lady Bird Hat Factory, now the latest new venue along Richmond’s riverfront.
For reasons still unclear, even though they’ve been open since June, there’s still no ABC license at Toad’s but a good lesson was learned that you really don’t have to have drinks to have a great time. It’s quite a facility reminiscent of the old Flood Zone but nicer, with lots of concrete, brick and massive beams still exposed, visually pleasing but making the sound less than ideal, given the investment in high-end audio gear. We hope they’ll be able to soften up the hard surfaces in the room to improve the acoustics, given how much good music is planned in the coming months.

Homegrown bluegrassers Jackass Flats did an energetic opening set and got to spotlight their own Aaron Lewis who was the first-place fiddler at Galax last week. Congrats Aaron…mighty fine. Next up was the ever-enigmatic King Wilkie, who are busy working their new CD on Zoe/Rounder called Low Country Suite. It's a compelling snapshot of the band's musical evolution, which has led from their 2003 beginnings as faithful bluegrass disciples to their current, definitely darker, more mysterious place in Americana and including a few more non-traditional instruments like pedal and lap steel, ukulele and even a Shroeder-like toy piano. There's also a key personnel change now underway as lead guitarist and gifted songwriter Ted Pitney pulls away to pursue matters personal. His spot is being filled at least for now, by Adam Ollendorff, one of those gifted Berklee School guys out of Boston on steel. Seemed to be an amicable parting and I just hope Ted will continue to be one of the band's prime providers of great material. Only wish they'd had longer to play and could've worked in "Wrecking Ball, " my favorite KW tune.

And then, along came Sam Bush and he instantly made subjects of the nearly four hundred in the crowd as he kicked of his 90-minute set with "King of the World." He rode the "Bluegrass Train" straight back to the source with a most successful sing-along on "Uncle Pen." The band is as solid as ever with Sam's high-school classmate Byron House on bass, Chris Brown and his drums of renown, Stephen Mougin on guitar and versatile veteran Scott Vestal on his stealth banjo. Sam's got so many tools to draw on in building his musical game plan, not the least of which these days is his voice. His lead vocals have become stronger and more assured with each passing year and along with his singular eight-string stylings and his soulful way with a fiddle, Mr. Bush is a serious triple-threat. Make that quadruple as he adds another feather to a full cap as host of the IBMA Awards Show in Nashville on October 4th. He's had my vote for Entertainer of the Year for a long time...maybe one day he'll get his due.

I'll finish up tonight with an invitation to join us at my church out in Goochland County this coming Sunday for our annual bluegrass gospel service. It starts at 6pm at Hebron Presbyterian on Shallow Well Road between routes 6 & 250 and again features Paul & Damian Muller, Darin Lawrence and Buster Sexton. It's free, we don't take an offering and there's an old-fashioned ice cream social after the service. Y'all come...

Have a good week and thank the Lord for the rain...TT

Sweatin' To The Dog Days...

Does anyone else feel like they're starting to get used to this triple-digit heat? Almost getting to where you kind of enjoy it? Am I nuts? Maybe the dog days are getting to me but there's something therapeutic about getting some needed work done outdoors and working up a good sweat...and then the delicious cold shower. Hope you've managed to take in some of the hot offerings around here in the last week or so. It's Friday night in America, and I should be having a Honky Tonk Experience at Shenanigans, but here I sit. At least it's cool...

We caught the Nickel Creek/Fiona Apple collaboration at Innsbrook a week ago and thought Fiona, whom I'd never heard live before, did a great job in getting into the NC swing of things. The three California kids served as her band while she was onstage and they'd obviously worked out their arrangements well. Welch & Rawlings' "I Want To Sing That Rock and Roll" was a treat. There were more than a few Creek Freaks who felt Ms. Apple's presence took valuable time away from a fond farewell...not enough swan songs if you will. The tour stopped at the Charlottesville Pavilion the next night, with a different set list and a few distracting sound issues affecting, of all things, Chris Thile's mandolin. Given that they carry all their own sound gear and tech crew, that was the last shoe that should've been dropped.

Now all eyes will turn to Chris' new venture as he gets serious about The Tensions Mountain Boys, soon to pull up stakes from NYC and Nashville to set up shop in The Windy City. The How To Grow A Band will soon transition into the TMB consisting, if you've lost track, of Gabe Witcher on fiddle, Noam Pikelny on banjo, Greg Garrison on bass and Chris Eldridge on guitar. That's right, Chris is taking leave of The Infamous Stringdusters to take a ride on Thile's compelling train to Chicago. It was an understandably difficult decision for Critter to make but now that dust has settled, all concerned seem to be cool with it. Obviously a great opportunity for Ben's gifted boy, and a great opening for another fine guitarist Andy Falco who'll replace Chris in the Dusters come September. All the best to both amazing bands.

Sunday, the wilting heat and the threat of thunderstorms forced The Big Boss Combo indoors at Legend's, depriving us of one of Richmond's most entertaining cultural experiences: a deck full of Johnsons. Don't get me wrong, the gifted brothers from Limber, West Virginia do a great show even indoors, but indoors, you just can't make out all the lively stage banter that separates the BBC from all the other would-be bluegrass ensembles hereabouts. (Hereabouts is used in tribute to the late Norman Rowe) I did hear Harry Johnson when introducing brother Slim say "I'd rather hear Slim play the fiddle than eat. Of course I've heard Slim eat and it's not pretty." Don't miss Rusty, Harry, Tiny, Slim and Big Red Johnson when they next find their way to a stage near you.

Two top-drawer acts roll into R-town this coming week...Alison Krauss + Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas on Wednesday at the Coliseum and Sam Bush on Friday at Toad's Place. Seems like an awfully cavernous venue for Alison's delicate acoustic sound but they're blocking off half the building so it'll be a bit more intimate. Let's hope Cliff Miller can make the old room sound good...if anyone can, Cliff's the man. He runs SE Systems in Greensboro, the company that's done all the MerleFests from the beginning. Alison knows a good sound man when she hears one.

I'm really looking forward to checking out Toad's Place for the first time on Friday, and hats off to manager Jeff Sadler for bringing Sam to town. And for picking Jackass Flats and King Wilkie as openers. Should be a great night, especially if they have their ABC license by then. All the folks who were treated to an amazing Buddy Guy appearance there last week apparently got a little thirsty. Incidentally, the Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder show that was set for July 13th was rescheduled for November 3rd. Sadly that's the same night that Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Edgar Meyer play the UofR Modlin Center. I hate when that happens.

Congrats to Kay and the gang at Ashland Coffee and Tea for winning a readers' poll in Cooperative Living Magazine as best live music venue in Virginia. They even beat out The Birchmere! Don't miss the legendary Charlie Louvin (Ira's brother and half of country music's all-time best songwriting team) on the 22nd and the golden-throated John Cowan returning on the 30th.

See you somewhere along the way I hope...T

Catching Up...

With apologies to those who've been checking in for any new postings over the last few weeks, I've committed a few hours tonight to getting back up to speed with this journal endeavor. July's been full of family time and a few business trips but we just got back from our first Floydfest and it surpassed even the most raving reviews I'd heard from friends over the years.

For the uninitiated, the name Floydfest might evoke a celebration of the late Howard McNear's spacey, lovable character who kept the men of Mayberry well-groomed. But this Floydfest is named for the southwest Virginia mountain town that's home to the famous Friday Night Jamboree at the Old Country Store and the treasure chest on Talley's Alley that is County Sales.

For years, Floyd County has attracted settlers looking for personal freedom and alternative lifestyles...an escape from the commercial and the conventional. All those ingredients along with a team of visionary music lovers led by Kris Hodges and Erika Johnson have created the celebration of tunes and truth called Floydfest. I can't overstate what a wonderful accomplishment on the part of staff and volunteers we witnessed over those four days in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The festival's only six years old now, and having experienced other more mature events like Telluride, Grey Fox and Merlefest, I can't help but put this Virginia gem in that class of well run events with diverse and compelling lineups. We decided to go for the full experience and camp on site and had heard great things about Dancin' Dave's Festival Camping and we weren't disappointed. It's pretty cool to arrive a few hours before the festival starts and have your campsite all set up and ready for you. And Dave really is quite a hoofer!

The festival grounds are rolling woods and open fields right on the Blue Ridge Parkway with one of the most eclectic gatherings of food, craft and life science vendors you'll ever see. There are seven stages including two magnificently-crafted permanent pegged-beam structures that rival any outdoor venues anywhere. Stage Sound of Roanoke provided some of the best festival audio I've ever heard and the hard-working volunteers who handled the countless tasks it takes to put on a 4-day party for 10,000 people were always smiling. In short, we fell in love with Floydfest, and plan on making it an annual late-July fixture on our family calendar. Do check their Website for a look at how wide-open the lineup is for this festival and how many performers fill the schedule over the four days. It's one of the biggest cultural bargains anywhere on the planet...period.

I can't possibly cover all the artists we heard but I will touch on a few highlights starting with the Barrel House Mamas who kicked things off on the main Dreaming Creek stage on Thursday. They're a trio of young, old-time singer/songwriters out of Asheville who had folks talking all weekend. Delightful. Our pals the Infamous Stringdusters were next and it was fun to see and hear the reaction of those who hadn't witnessed their inspired musicianship before. The boys invited Sam Bush and Scott Vestal up for a jam near the end of their set and mandolinist Jesse Cobb couldn't hide his delight in trading licks with his mentor and idol. Didn't even try. Sam and his band closed out the evening with one of the most electrifying SBB sets we'd seen...at Floydfest, they leave the area down in front of the stage open for dancers and dreamers and the energy circulating between artist and audience makes for magic. That along with great stage lighting with fog machines and a mountain breeze in King Sammy's mane added an unforgettable visual component to favorites like "Howlin' At The Moon" and bassist Byron House channeling Led Zeppelin again for "Whole Lotta Love." The crowd went nuts.

Night one continued at the Pink Floyd Garden Stage, in an enchanted forest with twinkling lights and candles surrounded by rustic old salvaged iron fencing and bentwood gates to contain the beer and wine drinkers, where some of the lesser-known but most memorable acts kept things going into the wee hours. That first night we were all captivated by Rose's Pawn Shop, an amazing L.A. rock band infused with just the right amount of Appalachian sensibility. They were right at home.

Friday, we were advised not to miss this Charlottesville group called High Society. Led by a very creative tunesmith named Peyton Tochterman, and basically a stringband accented by the always tasteful trumpet of veteran John D'earth, they kicked things off on the main stage with a thought-provoking set of songs that might be most remembered for what happened in between two of them. Bass player Darrell Muller (yep, on loan from Old School Freight Train) in a most romantic move, asked one surprised Erin Allebaugh for her hand in marriage...right there in front of God and everybody. (See photo at right) He leaped gracefully from the 6-foot stage and placed a lovely ring on her finger, she breathlessly said yes and the show went on. Darrell wore a permanent smile for the rest of the set. Bountiful blessings to you both.

Having just enjoyed a more-than-memorable evening with The Waybacks here in Richmond last month, it was a treat to see them again so soon. As fine a night as that was, as all who were at the Science Museum will attest, something magical happened at the Hill Holler stage Friday night as the natural ampitheater filled with thousands in the cool mountain air to fuel the band with their love. The whole energy thing snowballed and it was just one of those times when all the stars were in alignment, all the cylinders were firing and the audience fed the musicians with the intoxicating enthusiasm that creates peak performance. Four (count 'em) four encores! Sorry you couldn't be there Jim, but at least CD On Demand was there to record most all the sets all weekend long including both Waybacks shows...the next best thing to being there.

Hats off to Virginia's very own folklorist Jon Lohmann for his informed and respectful hosting of the Workshop Porch stage all weekend. The Dixie Bee Liners and the Carolina Chocolate Drops among others drew large appreciative crowds. And who was that silver-caped crusader making the most of Saturday night's full moon around the fire circle in The Global Village? Who indeed?

Two bands I hadn't heard before delivered knockout punches: The Wiyos, down from Brooklyn with former Richmonder Parrish Ellis on a smoking rhythm guitar, have been seen around here at AC&T and elsewhere a few times but I've always missed them. Too bad as they're as refreshingly unique as it gets with their retro take on ragtime blues and hillbilly swing. I want more. We discovered The Old Ceremony at the Garden Stage on Saturday night and were immediately taken with frontman Django Haskins' command of his 7-piece orchestral rock band that included cello and vibraphone. Look up rock & roll lead singer/guitarist in the dictionary and there's Django, full of energy and confidence working through a set list full of captivating tunes about life and love. All of which he wrote by the way. Those who know of my penchant for bluegrass might be surprised how much I was knocked out by these guys from Chapel Hill. I learned too late that they opened for Squirrel Nut Zippers on opening night for our new riverside music hall Toad's Place. The next time they're here, I won't miss them, and neither should you.

Speaking of bluegrass, the genre was well-represented by groups like Three Fox Drive, Big Country Bluegrass, and the impeccable Blue Highway. Tim Stafford's amazing Ralph Stanley impersonation is spot-on and hilarious.

You might have seen Montreal guitarist Erik Mongrain in a frequently-forwarded YouTube video performing "Air Tap" on his lap. He plays in a most unconventional, percussive way and it was a treat to watch how he creates his intricate and hypnotic melodies right there, live, on the Dreaming Creek stage.

Floydfest subscribes to the "you can sleep when you're dead" philosophy as the Global Village stage next to the big campfire ring at the bottom of the hill goes 'til three in the morning. While I won't claim to have made it until then, we did hear some powerful performances from two Asheville ensembles: Afromotive and Toubab Krewe, artfully weaving a mesmerizing mix of rock and West African music that was the perfect soundtrack to a fully moonlit mountain morning. What is it about Asheville anyway? And Bryan Sutton too.

The last band standing was Railroad Earth, just back from a successful tour of Japan, and a perfect choice to leave the bitter-end crowd with full hearts as the hazy sun settled over the ridge. There's something about lead singer Todd Sheaffer's voice that casts a spell and Sunday's lingering festivarians were treated to a fitting rendition of "Where The Soul of Man Never Dies" and a terrific arrangement of one of my all-time favorite country tunes, Gram Parsons' "Luxury Liner." They tore it up. And the whole staff and crew took the stage during the encore to bask in the glory of a festival well done.

And it was, on every level. I was invited to Floydfest this year by production mangager John McBroom to offer some possible ways to refine and improve the tech side, based on my years as Cabin Stage manager at Merlefest. Bottom line...I had nothing. These guys had it all buttoned down. It's such a treat to see what a good idea, fed and nurtured by creative and caring people and a large measure of plain old hard work, can become. Congrats to my man Pete Daniels for capturing the essence and energy of the festival with his fine emcee work. Thanks John, and J.P. and Linda for making us feel welcome. And thanks to Kris and Erika for their remarkable gift to lovers of good music and good people. I hope I never miss another Floydfest.

I'll close with a shout out to our pals who were there and had been trying to get us there for so long...John & Pat Ward, Anita Conner, Ronnie & Karen Rush, and Scott & Kate Whitehead.

It was also good to see Merlefest's Nancy Watson there, and the tall, dark and handsome budding banjo man, Austen Lux. Thanks Austen...you added a lot.

Now...still to come and a little closer to home, don't forget Nickel Creek's farewell-for-now tour stops at Innsbrook this Friday night. And Alison Krauss + Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas plays the Coliseum on Wednesday, August 15th. The Coliseum! Does anyone remember when Wally Thulin and Fieldcrest Music brought Alison to the McVey Theater at St. Catherine's School? That was a lot of years and Grammys ago. And, two nights later, I'm looking forward to my first Toad's Place show with Sam Bush and King Wilkie. You too?

Is it really 3am? I'm out. Thanks for hanging with me on this post. Please feel free to forward to anyone who might be interested. Back soon...TT