5.29.2007

BAM!

...hundreds of them actually over the James River Saturday night as the Grucci pyrotechnicians kicked it up a notch and put on a thrilling finale to Richmond's 400th birthday party. We ventured up to our old Libby Hill Park neighborhood to find a perfect vantage point with thousands of others...the fireworks really were amazing with many new planetary and blooming flower shells that we hadn't seen before. How do they do that?

We'd picked up a bite beforehand at Buz & Ned's Real Barbecue on the Boulevard as a warmup for this week's airing of the big Bobby Flay Throwdown on the Food Network.
For those who don't know, my far better half Deveron is food & drink editor at Style Weekly and was in on setting up Richmond barbecue king Buz Grossberg for the friendly competition between superstar chef Flay and a local culinary hero of his choosing. She and Richmond Magazine writer Dave McCormack were judges. The ribbing was taped back in April on the University of Richmond campus and will air this Thursday night at 10 on Food TV. If you can't wait 'til then, Buz is inviting a thousand of his closest friends to the Byrd Theater for a pre-screening and free barbecue sliders (whatever they are and while they last) at 7pm. If you haven't heard who won by the way, let's just say long and slow does it every time.

It's time to be getting your tickets for the 3rd annual Music for Massey show with the Waybacks on the tracks at the Science Museum on June 16th. These West Coasters are so indescribably entertaining that you don't want to miss a rare chance to catch them live. Good ol' Gary Gerloff opens. Tickets

As previously stated, I hope the Graves Mountain festival is on your calendar this year...it starts day after tomorrow and arguably the hottest new band on the circuit is there on opening day...the Infamous Stringdusters. Graves lineup

Hope you had a meaningful Memorial Day...TT

5.26.2007

Summer starts here...

Another "proud to be in Richmond" evening last Thursday as the 3rd Groovin' In The Garden concert of the season brought out another sellout crowd to the lawn for Medeski, Martin & Wood. This venerable trio of imaginative jazz players brought one of their fairly infrequent acoustic sets to the rose belvedere stage that began with John Medeski strumming the strings of his road-worn baby grand in beautiful autoharp-like chords. They cast a magical spell over the mellow, appreciative crowd, somewhat of a different vibe from previous week's offering of Dickey Betts & Great Southern. The Garden has something for everybody. Nice flowers too.

And last night, Old School Freight Train made tracks for their home station, Ashland Coffee & Tea for a snapshot of evolution as a band. The fifth man is still the rhythmically remarkable Robby Sinclair incorporating a sporty red Samsonite suitcase into his drum kit to great advantage. The guys were loose and comfortable, rolling out some fine new Pete Frostic tunes and giving some of their old favorites a fresh face. Their vocals and their instrumental prowess continue to grow in depth and sophistication. And for those who lament their move away from bluegrass, they even tossed a bone out for the finale, in "How Mountain Girls Can Love." OFST is ready to sign a new record deal and have a busy summer planned. Catch a ride if you can.

Richmond's four seasons always preceed themselves and this year's no exception, with the start of summer jumping the calendar by quite a few weeks. We have a had a fine spring overall, with enough rain and comfortable temperatures...I guess it's time for a good hot holiday weekend, especially as we anticipate putting the lid on the big quadricentennial with the Grucci fireworks show tonight over the river downtown. Can't miss that. And Memorial Day weekend also means it's almost time to head up the Old Blueridge Turnpike from Gordonsville to Syria for the 15th edition of the Graves Mountain Festival of Music. Haven't missed a one and if you haven't been yet, this might be a good year for at least a day trip, as all three days are stocked with great bluegrass talent (click here for lineup) not to mention the serene setting, the campground jams and the famous Graves family cooking. Hope to see a bunch of you up there.

And please find some time alone with your thoughts this weekend to reflect on the blessings we share in this country and on those who gave their all to make it possible. The sacrifice continues, and we can never be grateful enough.

5.21.2007

So much...

This post is gonna be tough to bang out as I've soaked up so much great talent since Thursday. Now that I've opened the door to this venture, I feel a certain obligation to give the performances I've had the privilege to witness their due, which is a challenge, both to my available time and my ability to properly put it into words. Here goes...

I will say that it's not my favorite local venue for live music, as elegant as it is. The Marble Hall at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is like one cavernous shower, but a good time was had by all thanks to the first rate bar room chops of Brad Spivey and his bona fide Honky Tonk Experience. They proved they could successfully work any room, but next time we'll head for Shenanigans or Poe's Pub for a more appropriate setting. I love these guys. Always a treat to hear Mike Lucas' tasteful guitar work and Randy Cook's ever-growing command of the pedal steel. His graceful wife Bitty even took a few turns with the ladies' urban cowboy-of-choice for the evening, Craig McFarland.

I don't usually talk a lot of theater here but I have to hand out some serious accolades to the veterans at Theatre IV who wrapped up their month-long run of "The Wizard of Oz" last weekend at the Empire. Friend/actor/voice talent Cathy Shaffner told me last week how she was blown away by the caliber of the production and I'm so glad she encouraged me to squeeze it in for the Saturday matinee. My almost-21 daughter Emily somewhat reluctantly agreed to come along, but after all was said and done, she was so glad she did. We have such a rich vein of talent running through our theater community here and they pulled out all the stops for this one at every level; the production values including beautiful and elaborate sets, complete with flying witches and monkeys, a small but big sounding live orchestra, and amazing cast including 19-year-old Alia Bisharat as Dorothy who outsang Judy Garland and seemingly channeled her in the spoken parts. My old pal Gordon Bass made a convincingly sweet and bumbling Wizard and long-time colleague Jan Guarino not only devoured the airborn Wicked Witch role, but directed the whole darn thing as well...husband Bo Wilson smoothly juggled all the balls as stage manager. There must have been fifty some cast members including a bunch of adorable kids playing Munchkins...little Emily Zinsser stole my heart. A sincere salute to Bruce Miller and Phil Whiteway for all they've done with Theatre IV and the Barksdale over all these years. We're not worthy.

Saturday continued with a late afternoon of perfect chamber of commerce weather for the Canal Walk wrapup on Brown's Island. Richmond's own Taters enjoyed a career highlight kind of a gig opening for country's silver siren Emmylou Harris. Jim Wark...you rock! I'll confess to at least a little anticipatory ambivalence when I heard she was only toting two musicians to her Richmond show. But having heard her with Buddy Miller before, I should've known that he would be all she'd need to run off a ninety-minute string of songs that made her who she is today...profound tunes like "Easy From Now On," "Pancho & Lefty, " "One Of These Days," and "Wheels." And some of her haunting newer stuff too like "Can You Hear Me Now?" Miller proved again to be one of the most worthy in a long list of backup singers to stand to Emmy's right on stage, folks like Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs, Barry Tashian, Sam Bush and Jon Randall. And more lately John Starling. Chris Donohue sealed the deal with sensitive acoustic and electric bass. It was overall a very sweet and mellow afternoon, something a little unusual when compared with the typical Brown's Island summer fare. Even the trains on the river trestle seemed to pass a little more quietly and reverently, in the presence of royalty.

Sunday afternoon at historic St. John's Church, I had the privilege of narrating a special performance by the Richmond Choral Society entitled "It Started In Jamestown." It's always moved me to hear a really good well-rehearsed choir and this seasoned group fills that bill and more, under the able guidance of Thom Williams. They went through an hour's worth of music selected to illustrate life in colonial America and the British influence on our culture. I got to stand in the pulpit in the very room where Patrick Henry made his courageous cry for liberty or death and offer some context for the music. What a thrill. Thanks to Thom and Jack Winn for the opportunity, to Dawn Desmond for my well-researched script and to the amazing Markus Compton on piano. I'm fortunate enough to hear Markus every week accompanying and leading our sanctuary choir at Hebron Church in Goochland County.

Groovin' In The Garden continues Thursday at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with one of the hottest and most adventurous jazz ensembles in the nation Medeski, Martin & Wood. This NY-based trio has a huge and growing national following and they're sure to light up the night at Richmond's most beautiful outdoor venue. Homemade Bread will open. Tasty. Daniel Clarke and son Joe will disown me if I miss this one. www.richmondconcerts.net

We'll see you on the tracks in Ashland Friday for Old School Freight Train's semi-regular stop at what amounts to their home base. Haven't talked with any of the guys since Jesse Harper's solo gig last month, so I assume it'll be Pete, Nate, Darrell and Jesse along with Robby Sinclair on percussion. I'll let you know if I hear anything different.

Closer to home, here's a first alert to another wonderful night on different tracks, at the old Union Station on Broad Street, now the Science Museum of Virginia. On Saturday, June 16th the impossible-to-cubbyhole Waybacks from the West Coast will find their way back to Richmond for the 3rd Annual Music For Massey benefit for the Massey Cancer Center at the VCU. We've moved the show from the Canal Club to this wonderful outdoor venue (we can move indoors if it rains) and urge those who've never witnessed this fabulously entertaining and engaging group of musicians before to put the date on your calendars post haste. Get your tickets now at www.ticketstobuy.com Richmond's own lovably irascible Gary Gerloff will open. See you then...if not sooner.

As I sit writing this post, the task has been made all the more pleasurable thanks to a tip from my younger sister and musical compadre Vicki Burton in Southport, NC. She emailed me a few weeks ago about this online radio station called The Folk Alley, saying that now that she's found it, she's found a friend for life...all she'll ever need. Skeptical, I checked it out and I have to say I'm now a believer. If I had my own radio station, it would sound pretty much like Folk Alley...great mix of music, knowledgeable, low-key personalities, no commercials of any kind, and it's all free. It operates like a public radio station running on listener contributions and I'm about to make a good one. Check it out and let me know if you agree. www.folkalley.com

Enough...have a great week...TT

5.17.2007

Correction...

I was misinformed when letting you guys in on who'll be backing Emmylou Harris this Saturday on Brown's Island. Thanks to Bill Craig's excellent interview in this morning's T-D, I see that she'll be bringing her long-time roadmate Buddy Miller to Richmond along with Chris Donohue. Buddy's a great singer/player in his own right and it'll be the next best thing to having Mark Knopfler along to reprise some of the terrific material from the duet album "All The Roadrunning." Should be another handsome feather in River City's musical cap...thanks to Wachovia for making it happen .

Looks like the Honky Tonk Experience has won out...see you at the Virginia Museum for Third Thursday tonight at six...TT

5.15.2007

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

5.11.2007

Friday Night in America...

I had to knock out a quick post after enjoying a great evening of bluegrass, delicious food & drink and old friends at the 13th annual Hoedown in the Garden at St. Joseph's Villa. The venerable Lonesome River Band is definitely back in business with the return of lead vocalist/guitarist Brandon Rickman who's honed his interpretive skills to a high level in his time away with family. Along with Matt Ledbetter (Phil's son) on Dobro, Alan Ball on mandolin and Mike Anglin (formerly with Larry Cordle and 3 Fox Drive) on bass, LRB seems to have found its trademark groove again. Hats off to a patient and dedicated Sammy Shelor for delivering something worth waiting for...solid, hard-hitting bluegrass of the highest caliber. They played at this fundraiser for the Flagler Home at St. Joseph's Villa, and it's highly recommended that you make plans for next year. It's a pretty pricey ticket ($75) but when it includes four hours of open bar and a delicious buffet of barbecue chicken and pork along with delectible crabcake and oyster apppetizers catered by David Napier of the White House Restaurant and Old City Bar, not to mention two sets of LRB, it's a serious bargain. FYI, we were treated to an opening act I hadn't had the chance to hear before...longtime banjo great Clyde Bailey (with son Christopher playing a mean bass cello) and the Rock Solid Bluegrass Band (I'll confess I might have missed their exact name) opening the evening with an impressive set of tunes. We'll be hearing more from them I'm sure.

On to America's birthday party...night all...TT

Four In A Row...

I'm in the middle of four straight nights of live music...here's a quick half-time show: Another big season at Innsbrook had us among the throngs enjoying the prodigious slide guitarist Derek Trucks and his excellent band. How do twenty-somethings like Derek and Jonny Lang absorb so much of the blues and let it flow so instinctively at such a young age? Check the summer schedule at www.innsbrookafterhours.com.

Last night was the season opener for Groovin' in the Garden at Lewis Ginter...a beautiful night in every way as perennial favorites The Seldom Scene kicked things off with a few tunes for their long-awaited new studio album due out late this summer. God bless Ben Eldridge for keeping the flame alive. North Carolina's high-octane string band The Avett Brothers closed things out with their unvarnished vocal treatment of a compelling set list of original music. The boys are hot, have a growing legion of fans and have scored an appearance on Conan O'Brien's late show tonight on NBC. The brothers Beals of Haymaker Productions have come up with a big-time lineup for the next seven Thursdays. Please...take a look at www.richmondconcerts.net.

Tonight, I'm really looking forward to hearing the latest evolution of the legendary Lonesome River Band at St. Joseph's Villa's Hoedown in the Garden. LRB has played this gig for the last six years at least...it used to be at Lewis Ginter. Bandleader/banjo master Sammy Shelor has lured lead singer/guitarist Brandon Rickman back after a few years away...should be fun.

And tomorrow we're off to Chippokes State Park near Surry (across the river from Jamestown and all the 400th Birthday madness) to camp out overnight and take in Steve Bassett's acoustic summer tour with Michelle Nixon and Drive. Hope the rain holds off as our tent is untested for waterproofing.

Hope all you mothers are treated well on Sunday...you can never be thanked enough...TT

5.09.2007

Old friends...

Welcome back to the ol' journal and congrats to my long-time friend/musician/promoter Mark Newton for his tenacity and hard work that have led to a great new album Hillbilly Hemingway produced by Carl Jackson, and a couple of fine sets last Thursday at Ashland Coffee and Tea. Those who've known Mark since his Knoxville Grass or Heights of Grass or Virginia Squires days will recognize a guy who's matured musically and has gathered not only some compelling material, but some top players for his band as well. Along with tasteful banjo work by John Wheat and solid standup bass and vocals from Beth Lawrence, we were treated to virtuoso performances from Clay Hess on guitar and Randy Kohrs on Dobro. The latter two had me shaking my head in disbelief all night over how cleanly and creatively they supported the vocals and ripped their breaks. They both are solid lead vocalists as well. A select few took advantage of one-on-one workshops with Clay and Randy, arranged by JAMinc at AC&T this past Saturday. I hope we'll see a bunch of you at the 15th annual Graves Mountain Festival of Music May31-June 2. Mark, Sonny Ludlam and Jimmy Graves have built this event into one of the nation's finest small festivals. Check the potent lineup at http://gravesmountain.com/bluegrass.htm I haven't missed a one and we might see you the Wednesday night before at the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Start fasting now.

And I have to pass along heartfelt thanks to our favorite balladeer George Turman for drawing another memorable evening of homemade music from the Among Friends well. What a treat for me and daughter Emily to share the stage with the likes of Frank Coleman, Libby Dunton, Jackie Frost, Sheryl Warner, Richard Ward and the inimitable Uncle George. Conspicuous in their absence were Daniel Clarke, Chris Fuller, Danny Hughes, Billy Lux and Jim Skelding. (Daniel was on the road with Mandy Moore, the rest were doing a Big Boss Combo/Johnson Brothers gig at a fancy Kentucky Derby party) So they were missed but the Shady Grove Coffee House crowd seemed to indicate they got their money's worth. They sure made us feel welcome at any rate. Big fun.

Just a heads up for late this year or early next...Deveron and I were treated to hard hat tour of the National Theater this morning, downtown at 7th and Broad. I haven't been as excited about something coming to our city for as long as I can remember. It is a true diamond in the rough at this stage but it promises to be an incredible music venue for audiences and artists alike when it's done. Harry Kollatz, Jr. did a great piece on the work-in-progress in this month's Richmond Magazine. Go to www.richmondmagazine.com and click on the Center Stage link.

And we just heard that Nickel Creek's farewell tour along with Fiona Apple will stop in Richmond at Innsbrook on August 3rd.

Last word...join us at Chippokes State Park this Saturday evening across the river from Jamestown, as Steve Bassett "blows the dust off' in an acoustic concert backed by bluegrassers Michelle Nixon and Drive. Rumor has it there'll be a fine jam in the campground afterwards...happy birthday America!

TT

5.01.2007

History made...

Well, the 20th MerleFest is now a fading memory or should I say a boxcar load of memories, and trying to sort through and recount them is a daunting task. I've been on the tech staff at this festival for all but two of those twenty years and it's become such an important part of my year every April that I can easily get choked up talking about it with folks who understand how music and those who make it can enrich your life. It's a warm reunion for the team that runs things, so many of whom return every year and pick up where they left off. It's really impossible to convey the MerleFest experience in words or even pictures. But do check the Website (www.merlefest.org) and consider joining the 80, 000 who journey to Wilkesboro from all over the world. It might change your life...it has mine.

The stars converged this year to produce an event that many of us had pretty much given up on...a New Grass Revival reunion. The band went its separate ways after opening for The Grateful Dead on new year's eve of 1989 and until last Saturday, had not been seen together, save for backing up Garth Brooks on Conan O'Brien's late night show four or five years ago.
The four, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Bela Fleck and Pat Flynn injected an amazing new power and sophistication to bluegrass that captivated fans and influenced bands all over the world. All have moved on to successful careers of their own, but legions have been waiting for a chance to see and hear them together again. Patience was rewarded during the 20th Anniversary Jam Saturday afternoon on the Watson Stage. The cool thing was, it wasn't really planned...Doc had requested that it happen, since NGR was present at the very first MerleFest, but nothing was agreed to. Sam had brought Pat on stage to play with Jam guest Pam Tillis. The Dirt Band's John McEuen was actually holding down the banjo slot until Bela entered from stage right and there they were. Although not on the set list, Sam seized the moment and lit into Townes Van Zandt's White Freight Liner Blues, and thousands were overcome with the great sense of joy and relief that the impossible is indeed possible and we might look forward to more of this down the road.

The other highlight was an emotional and loving Saturday night tribute to the music of Tony Rice by Alison Krauss and Union Station with Jerry Douglas. Sadly Tony's not singing any more but as he joined AKUS for a nearly two hour closing set, it was clear that he's still very much the impeccable guitar stylist who's become synonymous with taste and tone. Alison and Dan Tyminski rendered the lyrics to songs Tony put into the acoustic mainstream with tender loving care. Streets of London and Winter's Night were particularly haunting. As they closed with Freeborn Man, we were treated to a slideshow of Tony's life on the big video screen. Lots of moist eyes in the house, and what a wonderful thing to do for someone like Tony Rice, who's meant so much to so many musicians and fans over the years...to give him his props while he's still around to savor them. God bless you Tony.

And I haven't even mentioned Elvis Costello, and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones...you'll just have to imagine the possibilities. I'll try to post some more photos soon.

Today's amazing internet and satellite technology enabled folks to enjoy the festival online and on XM Radio...you can still hear many live performances in the archives at www.radiofreemerlefest.org. Very cool and convenient, but no substitute for sitting there with like-minded music lovers and witnessing it before your own eyes and ears when it's actually created. Music is such a blessing.

Here at home this week, join us at Ashland Coffee and Tea Thursday night for The Mark Newton Band performing some great tunes from Mark's Carl Jackson-produced new CD Hillbilly Hemingway.

And a bunch of us are joining old pal George Turman this Saturday night at the Shady Grove Coffee House for something close to an Among Friends show. www.shadygrovecoffeehouse.com
Come on out.

Thanks for checking in...and please forward a link to those who might be interested...TT