Release the hounds...

We couldn't pass up the chance to be part of history tonight as a long-vacant vaudeville and movie house took its first breaths as Richmond's newest and most elaborate music hall. Having toured the place last summer when it was stripped back to the bare walls in painstaking restoration, it was stunning to see the TLC that brought The National back to its former grandeur with all the modern bells and whistles one could imagine. The Radiators had the honor of playing the first notes on opening night, a veteran band of guys my age playing solid New Orleans-style rock & roll. They of course ended up as the opening act for Dead disciples, the Dark Star Orchestra, bumped from last Friday's scheduled startup since things weren't quite properly permitted as far as the city fathers were concerned. There's still a lot of punch list stuff to complete at 7th and Broad but those who were part of the packed 1st night crowd were treated to elegant surroundings, a liquor license which eluded Toad's Place for a couple of its early months, a generous abundance of bars and restrooms making the place very user friendly and the excitement palpable. The VIP areas weren't quite ready and the adjacent corner restaurant will be a few months in opening but all in all, The National is good to go and whatever your musical tastes are, there's a new reason for heading downtown. We all owe a lot to Bill Reid, Brad Wells, Lorin Willis, David Peterson and their entire team for saving this diamond in the rough for all of us to enjoy. Check the schedule, pick a couple of acts you like and get your tickets. Let's make sure this labor of love stays around to be a part of Richmond's cultural frontline for years to come.



And I do need to mention our fine old time at the center of the universe Saturday night. We somehow missed the memo about it being prom night, but Old School Freight Train chugged in wearing non-matching formal wear that I might have worn at my prom back in the sixties. Once we adjusted to the new look, we settled in for a few old favorites including a hot take on Pete Frostic's Celtic-flavored "Mr. Parshif's Jig" and Randy Newman's haunting "Louisiana." The boys just finished a new cd which we got a good sampling of along with the tasteful percussion of the band's latest addition, Nick Falk. He played Jesse Harper's red American Tourister with respect and taste. Jesse's solo project is also due out this spring...look for an all-star release party you'll not want to miss.



And it's back to Ashland for Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein on Friday night...two guys too good to pass up. Trust me.



And I hope you'll forgive the less-than-ideal phone camera shots I post occasionally when I don't feel like (or am not allowed to use) my SLR. I figure sometimes at least something's better than nothing.



Thanks for the visit, as always...TT