Music in May...

Hats off to Steve Bassett for courageous genre-blending on his Virginia State Parks tour with Goochland's Michelle Nixon and Drive. We caught their performance last Saturday at Chippokes Plantation near Surry and I'll admit to a touch of skepticism when I saw he'd brought his trusty Hammond B-3 with Leslie along for the ride. Purists may disagree but I thought they found an intriguing middle ground between folk/bluegrass and gospel/r&b. My favorite was a rollicking version of Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" as their encore. Few have Steve's command of that classic organ and it's still a thrill to hear him work it so instinctively. Just ask Delbert McClinton, who often takes Mr. B on tour with him. We got into an after-show jam in the campground, and some tasty burgers on the grill before turning in, only to be awakened by a wee-hours downpour that beat on the tent so hard Deveron and I couldn't hear each other talk. We were amazed and delighted that the borrowed, untested tent kept us completely dry and cozy. Happy Mother's Day indeed.

Lots more to come this week...wish there were three of me on Thursday as I'd love to take in all the competing shows: the man, the myth, Brad Spivey and his Honky Tonk Experience, as fun and entertaining a tribute to real country music as you'll hear anywhere, play the Virginia Museum's Third Thursday. www.honkytonkexperience.com Up at the center of the universe, the mesmerizing bluesman Chris Smither returns to Ashland Coffee & Tea. www.ashlandcoffeeandtea.com To complete the trifecta, how about the guy who wrote "Jessica" and took over for Duane upon his passing in the Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts and Great Southern returning to Groovin' In The Garden. www.richmondconcerts.net Whew! I'm still agonizing over that call...I'll see you at one or the other for sure.

There'll be no dilemma about what to do Saturday, as Emmylou Harris makes her way to Brown's Island for an acoustic set to conclude the Canal Walk fundraiser. www.canalwalk.org Original Seldom Scene lead vocalist John Starling, who's one of my all time favorites and his new band Carolina Star will back up Emmylou. If you missed the earlier post, Carolina Star is comprised of former Scene bandmates Mike Auldridge and Tom Gray, along with Jimmy Gaudreau and Rickie Simpkins. Expect some wonderful chestnuts from Ms. Harris' Roses In The Snow era. Can't wait.

And on Sunday, I have the honor to narrate a special performance by the Richmond Choral Society at St. John's Church marking four hundred years of British influence in the making of America. It's entitled "It Started In Jamestown." www.richmondchoralsociety.org This is a top-drawer choir and goosebumps are guaranteed, especially in this historic setting.

Thanks for your time in stopping by here from time to time...makes the keyboard time worthwhile.

TT