Snow Glow...

Sometimes you just have to go for it.  Admittedly motivated by ticketed friends who decided to bag it, we took the wintry ride to Ashland Friday night to savor a John Cowan Christmas.  "The Voice" has just released his first seasonal CD Comfort and Joy and the band had braved I-40, 81 and 64 from Nashville to make the gig.  Although they started an hour late, the intrepid crowd was treated to one extended set of what we'd come for...tasteful new arrangements of "The Christmas Song," Stevie Wonder's "Christmas Everyday," and even "Ave Maria" with reverence and power.  And they offered other non-seasonal treats too, like Tim O'Brien's "Hold To A Dream" and Jeff Autry's cool "East Meets Wes," an instrumental tribute to jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery.  Those of us who love this music are indebted to the players who sacrifice the comforts of home and family, especially at this time of year to take on the challenges of making it to the next show, whatever the weather, uncertain of their paychecks dependent on who shows up, but still making the scene and giving it their all.  It's not all glitz and glamour.  It takes lots of guts too.  And we're grateful.

Just a few acknowledgments of recent magic moments, in reverse order...back to Thursday night at the magnificently reborn Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage where the Richmond Ballet's lavish production of The Nutcracker has returned to its perfect home base.  In the pit, the Richmond Symphony played Tchaikovsky's enchanted score with renewed finesse, the sets and lighting were Broadway-caliber and the dancers more than did this seasonal sugar plum justice.  I don't see how it could've been done any better and I'm thankful my girls have me tickets for my birthday and that our town can claim such a first-rate gem.  Bravo!

Monday was my last black tie night of the year, for which I'm always relieved, but for good purpose as host of the Richmond Pops Band's annual holiday concert at the Landmark with the perfectly polished harmonies of the Richmond Choral Society.  Joe Simpkins rehearses the band and my friend Markus Compton directs the choir to such a stirring result that the nearly full house erupted in multiple standing ovations including one of the longest I've ever witnessed for guest soloists Sgts. 1st Class Stephen Cramer and Leigh Ann Hinton from the U.S. Army Chorus and their medley from Phantom of the Opera.  A stunningly beautiful show stopper.

The day before, Saturday the 12th, started with a delightful session at Bruce and Adrian Olsen's northside SounDog studios which for a few magical hours became Page Wilson's Chickahominy Swamp kitchen for some around-the-table live tunes from singer-songwriter Chip Taylor (who penned "Angel of the Morning" and the Troggs' "Wild Thing") with longtime guitarist friend John Platania (who toured with Van Morrison and Randy Newman) and the young and gifted Canadian Kendel Carson (Sirius XM Radio voted her album Rearview Mirror Tears one of the top ten alt-country releases of the year).  Anyway, this potent trio sat and swapped stories and songs based mostly on James Wesley Voight's (Chip's real name) family life as brother of actor Jon Voight (and uncle to Angelina Jolie) and his years as a successful Nashville songwriter.  You'll be hearing the very listenable result down the road on Page's Out O' The Blue Radio Revue on WCVE-FM.  (And I'm out of parentheses.)  Thanks for a great afternoon and some delectable edibles, Page.  And speaking of OOTBRR, don't miss the first show of the new year on January 2nd as Page will be featuring segments from our October 30 JAMinc/In Your Ear Studio Concert with Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin.  Really great stuff...promise.

And we topped off that Saturday with a moving Christmas concert with the combined choirs of St. Giles Presbyterian and the Good Shepherd and Trinity Baptist Churches with guest saxophonist James "Saxsmo" Gates.  There were many highlights over the two-plus hours including Dr. Mel Dowdy's Lightfoot-like take on James Taylor's "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" and Audrey Brown Burton's soaring "Rockin' in Jerusalem."  It got the Christmas season off on the proper foot for me and proved symbolic of the ongoing effort to find the common ground we all yearn for.  Again, shared music is the key.  As another Tim famously said in old London town many years ago, "God bless us, every one."

TT

Listen to the Mockingbird...

After more than enough of Ben Franklin's favorite bird and all the super sides on Thanksgiving day thanks to nephew Matt King and his new bride Liz, we hit the highway to at least make some attempt to walk off such a fine feast.  Destination:  milepost 5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the trailhead for Humpback Rocks, an awesome outcropping where I camped as a Boy Scout.  It's a short hike but a steep one, marked "strenuous" on the trail guide, an assessment with which I concurred while remembering the mashed potatoes and corn pudding from the day before.  Made me wish I had a couple extra young legs like Em's puggle Opie, who easily outpaced her master's parents.  I love treks like this one where you huff and puff a bit for a spectacular payoff...a 360 degree vista with haze-free views of the Shenandoah and Rockfish Valleys.  Windy and clear with a few snow-laden clouds blowing by for an extra edge.  Invigoration. 

The climb was also effectively a way to justify another good meal, a few drafts and some live music in Staunton's new restaurant/listening room, The Mockingbird.  As described in an earlier post, this new venue is now open at the western end of Beverley Street downtown...there's the main dining room when you first walk in, and there's the separate Roots Music Hall which on this night featured our pal Jesse Harper sharing the bill with Staunton favorite son Nathan Moore.  Jesse went first with the seriously tasteful accompaniment of keyboardist Wells Hanley.  Jesse's becoming a solid and compelling solo artist with well-crafted originals like "One True Thing" and "Memphis" along with well-chosen covers including his spot-on take on James Taylor's "Bartender's Blues."  (And for something completely different, check out Wells' zany video "Brainiology" here, also starring Robby Sinclair and Curtis Fye.  Whew!)

Then the hometown boy stepped in to stake his claim, with some spiffy duds and illuminated slight-of-hand, and of course the clever and insightful homemade tunes that won him the Telluride Troubadour title in 2008 and lots of new fans including me at FloydFest last summer.  Plus he's the son of a couple of my old classmates at Lee High School, all-around good guy Steve Moore and the former Gloria Lutz.  We had a fine reunion...and the show was terrific too.  You need to check out the Mockingbird's Website and find out who you might like to see there (like the Honey Dewdrops on Dec. 11) and make a night of it.  Again, the former chef from Richmond's Six Burner, Lee Gregory is running the kitchen, which was slammed on this Friday night, but they still cranked out some deliciously imaginative fare.  It's great to see so much going on in my old hometown.  (above photos by Emily Timberlake)

 

Thanks to B.J. Kocen for the chance to share judging duties with Kay Landry at Ashland Coffee & Tea for their 2nd Songwriter's Showdown a week ago.  I had a blast.  And congratulations to Clay Motley who took first, and won us over with a smoothly delivered set of solid tunes to his own adept accompaniment on guitar.  Another round of contestants appeared tonight and will from now on...a great way to spend a Monday night, whether you're competing or just listening.  And don't forget the paid professionals on their way to AC&T this month, including the Taters, The Gobstoppers and Tony Furtado respectively Wed-Fri nights this week, Adam Steffey & Kym Warner on the 9th, Robin & Linda Williams on the 11th and a very special John Cowan Christmas on the 18th.  And don't miss Charles Arthur's CD release party there on Tuesday the 15th.  The project is called Back At The Christmas Shack and you can preview a few choice tracks here.

So what the heck was Alison Krauss doing at the big game in Charlottesville on Saturday?  Randy and I are dying to know.

Have a meaningful 12th month...TT

rabbit

Acoustic feast...

With two memorable but disparate performances still lingering in my mind's ear...Saturday's mesmerizing reconnect with Jesse Winchester at AC&T and last night's raucous return of Robert Earl Keen, Jr. at the National, it's time to move ahead to compelling offerings over the next few days before Thanksgiving.  We might well be sold out for tomorrow's JAMinc/In Your Ear studio concert with Anne & Pete Sibley but it wouldn't hurt to check here if you're up for our last show of the year.  Friday marks a potent pairing that Brad Wells conceived at the National, gifted singer-songwriter David Wilcox along with guitar wizard Phil Keaggy.  There'll be floor seating for this intimate collaboration between two of acoustic music's most expressive practitioners and again, I'm offering up a pair of  free tickets.  No questions this time...just email me:  mail@timtimberlake.com and say you want them...I'll have a drawing on Thursday and let you know if you've won.

On the way home from Ashland last Saturday, we caught an assured and delighted songwriting contest winner named Grace Pettis on the syndicated radio show Mountain Stage.  The apple falls close to the tree, as her dad is talented composer/singer Pierce Pettis who happens to be playing Richmond on Saturday as part of Cafe Caturra Coffee House Series at St. Giles Presbyterian Church on Grove Avenue.  Listen to some of Pierce's great tunes on his MySpace page and consider taking in his thoughtful and inspired performance.  I also have a free pair of tickets for that show...same deal.  Email me a request and I'll draw on Friday. 

After taking a much-needed night off for reflection and retrospection at Little Compton on Sunday, it's back to Ashland Coffee and Tea on Monday for their 2nd Songwriter Showdown.  Congrats to Louis Ledford for winning the debut event this past Monday...this week I have the honor of co-judging the competition with Kay Landry and host B.J. Kocen.  Come to listen or to give a couple of your originals an appreciative audience.  Pertinent details are on the Website and the cover's only $5.  Should be a blast. 

Good wishes for healing wanted for Page Wilson after a vehicular mishap a few weeks ago left him hurting and having to miss a couple of his Saturday night OOTBRR shows on WCVE-FM.  Feel better Page...the big swamp's just not the same without you.  TT

(all photos in this post from artist Websites)

A Natural Collaboration...

It may have been something their agent Keith Case cooked up, but judging by the smiles on stage at Hat Factory last Friday, it appeared that Larry Keel and his band Natural Bridge from up Rockbridge County had been longtime friends and musical associates of the man, the myth, the master...Tony Rice.  My first live experience with Larry  proved more than positive as his flatpicking prowess produced more than one raised eyebrow and broad grin on Mr. Rice's face.   Along with wife Jenny on bass, Mark Schimick on mandolin and Jason Flournoy on banjo, the Natural Bridge kept the nice-sized crowd pumped with a juicy set of roots-based power grass, before the legend even left the green room.  During the break, this former Stauntonian played "do you know" with the band as we passed a nice bottle of Jameson around.  My old compadre Charlie Reilly (who was our blog ticket winner-correct answer: Magraw Gap) shared the observation that he'd seen Marty Stuart at Toad's Place, the venue's previous moniker, playing the other iconic Clarence White guitar...his 1954 B-bender Fender Telecaster.   So with the 1935 big hole D-28 now in the house in Tony's gifted hands, Clarence had come full circle.  Tony seemed pleased at that notion.  And he proved as he has so many times before that he can fit slip into any musical setting and turn it to gold.  Look for a new Tony Rice Unit studio project early in 2010.  Good news.

 

Lone star statesman Robert Earl Keen's back for his annual autumnal stop in River City this coming Tuesday, this time, for the first time at the National, which should prove to be his perfect local launch pad.  And thanks to a National sense of compassion, we'll put you and yours on the guest list if you can answer this query:  What does Robert Earl call the one-room shack fifteen miles from his Kerrville home out on the prairie where he goes to be alone and write his story songs?  I'll do a drawing on Saturday from correct responses to mail@timtimberlake.com.  He'll no doubt be doing a bunch of tunes from his latest album The Rose Hotel along with the growing list of songs his devoted fan base loudly demands every time.  And no doubt Christmas will arrive early again this year.  Fran and Rita will again drive from Harlingen.  Will you at least drive downtown?

Don't forget about Chris Smither and Jesse Winchester playing AC&T this Thursday and Saturday respectively.  Kay and the Parmeles won't be able to keep bringing artists of this caliber here unless we show our gratitude by showing up.   And we hope you'll grace us with your presence and something tasty to eat as JAMinc presents its final In Your  Ear Studio concert of the season on Thursday, the 19th.  You don't want to miss those sweet Sibley harmonies from the foot of the Tetons.  We're filling up fast to hear Anne & Pete so grab your seats here.  And a grateful nod to Julie Geen for the piece on JAMinc in this week's  Style Weekly.  Pick up a free copy anywhere or read it online here. (Sibleys photo from their Website)

"How high's the water Mama?  Six feet high and rising."  True story, with the James running maybe ten more feet by Friday night.  The blog Tobacco Avenue reports evidence of an ark being built at Maymont.  At least get the flying squirrels on there.

TT

Then and now...

First a glance over the shoulder to a couple of memorable performances you probably missed.  Back to Sunday, October 25th where my cozy rural church in Goochland County was host to the sensational Oberon Quartet.   Hebron Presbyterian was founded in 1842 and in recent years thanks to our music director Markus Compton (the new leader of the Richmond Choral Society incidentally), we've been privy to a wide variety of performers from classical to jazz to bluegrass in an inviting, worshipful setting.  Comprised of four gifted members of the Richmond Symphony, the Oberon Quartet, artists-in-residence at St. Catherine's School, enthralled us with an expansive program that included the world premiere of The More Things Change, an original composition by Richmond's own John Winn,  best known for his extensive endeavors in the jazz realm.  In three unique movements (the 2nd of which, Stasis,  was one of the most lush and dreamy things I've ever heard), John's work came to life, thanks to violinists Susy Yim and Alana Carithers, violist Molly Sharp and cellist William Comita.  It was a privilege to hear such artistry radiating from a score played for the first time anywhere.  I hope John's work will be properly recorded soon so it can be shared with the rest of the world.  Bravo!

I'd first met Wil Maring, an enchanting singer/songwriter from the Land of Lincoln, when she played the Cabin Stage at MerleFest more than ten years ago as a winner of the Chris Austin songwriting contest.  On that April Friday night she became a member of a distinguished sorority that also would include Gillian Welch, Adrienne Young, Tift Merritt and Martha Scanlan.  She brought her road partner/sideman Robert Bowlin along for the ride to Richmond to play one of our JAMinc/In Your Ear Studio Concerts last Friday and it was pure magic.  Robert's a past Winfield, Kansas national flatpicking champion and the last fiddler to play in Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, as well as a sensitive backup vocalist and the two of them cast a spell over the two delightful sets that included "Bottomland," the tune that won the contest and my affection all those years ago, another poignant original "Keeper of the Farm" you can see here and a show-stopping take on Cole Porter's western show tune "Don't Fence Me In."  Look for that one in the soon-to-be-released JAMinc/IYE compilation CD.  They had a tough act to follow.  Lucille Brown Middle School 6th grader Harper Speagle-Price opened the show with a handful of well-played tunes on her mandolin, backed up by dad Terry on guitar and Barry Lawson on bass.  She was poised, cool and collected and you can count on hearing much more from this talented 11-year-old in the years to come. 

Our next In Your Ear concert, the last of 2009, will feature Anne and Pete Sibley from Jackson Hole, Wyoming on Thursday, November 19th.  As mentioned before, they won the "Great American Duet Sing Off" on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion last spring for good reason.  Come hear why...reservations soon on our JAMinc Website.  Don't dally on this one.                          

(All above photos from artist Websites)

Sunday night had me back at the Landmark to host the Richmond Pops Band's fall concert and it's a kick to hang backstage in that venerable hall with consummate stage manager Donna Pendarvis and hear that big and brassy group of musicians work the crowd so powerfully.  The incredible U.S. Army Chorus was back as special guests from DC and their announcer was Staff Sgt. Jesse Neace whom you might have caught singing "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch in Game 3 of the World Series in Philly.  What a thrill for a super nice young guy!  Thanks to RPB director Joe Simpkins for one of my favorite recurring gigs.  You still might be able to get free tickets to their annual holiday concert on December 14th by sending a SASE to the Richmond Pops Band, 3811 Cotrell Road, Richmond 23234, before Dec. 7th.  Limit 4 per letter.

So much music down the short road...including Rockbridge County roots rocker Larry Keel and Natural Bridge at Hat Factory this Friday night, with very special guest Tony Rice.   I've heard Tony in many settings over the decades but this should be a unique environment for him.  Intrigued?  Just tell me the name of the group Larry was in that won the Telluride band competition in 1995 and I've got a pair of free tickets to the show for you.  (Hint:  Danny Knicely was in it too)  I'll draw from correct answers to mail@timtimberlake.com.

Lots of great shows booked at Ashland Coffee & Tea this month including Richmond Folk Festival regulars Coleman & Fuller on the 4th, Chatham County Line on the 6th, Chris Smither on the 12th and Jesse Winchester on the 14th.  And don't forget Texas road warrior Robert Earl Keen at the National on the 17th.  Please get out and support these venues that are going out on a limb for us in bringing all this top-drawer talent to town.

One of the most creative, tireless, effective, zany, enduring, fearless, witty, dapper and debonair gentlemen to ever work a microphone for a living, Harvey Lee Hudson, Jr. called it quits Sunday after 88 action-packed years of doing what he did best...being himself.  Charming the socks off anyone in his presence either in person or on the air, ol' Harv set the bar impossibly high.  Era over.  The "Passing Parade" goes on forever.  Heaven has a new host.             

(Adolph B. Rice Studio photo/April 27, 1949)

TT

Straight from the Crooked Road

Those who joined us this past Saturday night at the Virginia Historical Society for warm and wonderful performances by  Wayne Henderson & Helen White along with the Dixie Bee-Liners may still be sporting indelible smiles thanks to witnessing Wayne's mastery up close and hearing (maybe again) his delightful story of the day Billy Graham drove a limousine.  Or sharing in mom Melinda's pride as 15-year-old Danielle Sargent confidently filled Casey Henry's banjo slot with the Bee-Liners after only a brief green room rehearsal.  Here she is taking her victory bow with co-founder Buddy Woodward.  Thanks to Jennifer Guild and all the VHS crew for sharing their elegant space with us.  We hope to do more music there down the road.  Thanks to Bob Brown and Page Dowdy for the above photos.

You may have enjoyed Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at FloydFest this past summer...if you were left hungry for more, she graces the National this Thursday night.  She's a powerhouse.

 

The IBMA Awards handed out earlier this month saw last year's sweepers Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent take Vocal Group and the big one...Entertainer of the Year once again.   And I hear they blew the lid off the Ryman at the award show with their a cappella rendering of "Don't You Want To Go To Heaven."  If you've never supped from this duo's cup of soaring gospel harmony, your most pressing opportunity is this Friday as they make a return trip to Richmond's West End Assembly of God on Parham Road...thrills and chills guaranteed.

Our next JAMinc/In Your Ear Studio Concert promises to be another gem, as past MerleFest/Chris Austin songwriter winner Wil Maring and her duo partner Robert Bowlin join us on the eve of Halloween, Friday, October 30th.  They've toured Europe extensively and played the Opry.  Reservations only $15 in advance (no surcharges) and $20 at the door.   And we're happy to have our talented young friend Harper Speagle-Price, accompanied by her dad Terry and Barry Lawson on bass as musical appetizers. Harper's the former Mary Munford mandolin student who's now at Lucille Brown Middle School.  Come hear how far she's come.  Better not procrastinate on this one.

Lots more to come this fall...an embarrassment of riches, as they say.  Do pace yourself but catch as much as you can...the music matters.

(Bowlin & Maring photo from her Website)

TT

Don't Need No Ticket...

After Maggie Ingram's daughter completed her stirring monologue about simpler times and blessings to be counted, the throngs gathered under and around the Virginia Folklife tent were offered a completely heart-rending rendition of "Beulah Land" by Richmond's gospel treasures, the Ingramettes.  And when, right on cue, a CSX coal train lumbered over the riverside trestle and sounded its whistle, I fought back tears, recalling Curtis Mayfield's mid-sixties anthem "People get ready, there's a train a comin'.  You don't need no baggage, you just get on board.  All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'.  You don't need no ticket...you just thank the Lord."  Looking out over the reverent and completely engaged crowd of many colors, we listened to this gifted family sing with such soulful intensity, they dissolved the invisible walls that divide us and delivered hope for a brighter day.  I learned a lot that Saturday at the 2nd Richmond Folk Festival...that Maggie had moved to our city from Georgia in 1961 and found employment in the home of attorney and civil rights icon Oliver W. Hill, Sr.  And she often appeared with the Silver Star Quartet, forty-year Sunday morning fixtures on WRVA Radio.  This elegant matriarch and her progeny holding court was the highlight of this year's three-day gathering for me, much as it was two years prior.  Much credit again goes to Virginia's folklorist Jon Lohman who programmed the "Sacred Sounds, Sacred Places" theme for this year's Folklife area and wisely brought back the Ingram family, old time singing Baptist preacher Frank Newsome and Tidewater's powerful a cappella ensemble the Paschall Brothers.  Amen and amen.

 

(panorama by Charlie Reilly)                                           The heavenly Father blessed us with another wonderful weekend of weather despite the light sprinkles of Saturday afternoon.  If the TV weatherfolk hadn't made such a deal of a rainy Saturday forecast, attendance that day would have likely been as strong as Sunday's record-breaking numbers.  This fifth collaboration between our city and the National Council for the Traditional Arts continues to earn the affection and appreciation of an increasingly wide demographic, with respect to both age and ethnicity.  It's apparent that people are learning that folk music in the inclusive sense is less a hootenanny and more a celebration of the world's cultural traditions.  Let's take good care of it. 

Another rewarding experience for me came before the festival even started, as I drove and ran sound for the remarkable Tuvan throat singers, Khogzhumchu.  We took these four gentle souls and their interpreters Elena and Constantine from New York's CEC Artslink, to five public school appearances, where they filled young minds with sounds never before heard...of wind and birds and rushing water in rhythmic songs astonishingly created solely by vox humana.  It was a thrill to see and feel the reception they received. 

(Bora Ju and Min Ji Kim from Korea-Wally Thulin photo)   And I'm proud of our non-profit JAMinc for coordinating transportation and sound reinforcement for six Festival performing groups.  We covered sixteen different schools Thursday and Friday and brought compelling musical experiences to over five thousand young people.  Thanks to TNT Limousine for the vans.  Mission accomplished!

And a serious salute to all my intrepid artist hosts who made sure all the festival performers had a proper good time in our fair city and made it from hotel to stage to CD signing to lunch to the next stage and back to the hotel all weekend long.  You guys are the best ambassadors Richmond could ask for.  My one regret is that it's all over for another year.  I sincerely hope you witnessed at least some of RFF II.  It's  truly Richmond's finest hour.  And you don't need no ticket.

I wimped out and left my camera at home this year so I'm grateful for my visually-gifted pal Charlie Reilly for preserving images and sharing a few with us to your right.

At least there's much more great music in the pipeline starting with tonight (Thursday) at the Capital Ale House downtown as that highly-evolved string band from California makes its way back to town...that's right, the Waybacks return for a couple of wild and witty sets of quality tunes.  Don't miss James, Warren, Chuck and Joe.  We won't.

Saturday, one of the coolest roots combos you could imagine is happening on the Boulevard thanks to JAMinc and the Virginia Historical Society...an evening of "Tunes From The Crooked Road" featuring legendary luthier/guitarist Wayne Henderson and his tuneful pal Helen White along with one of the nation's top contemporary string bands, the Dixie Bee-Liners.  Virginia's Heritage Music Trail winds through the southwest part of the Commonwealth, near places like Rugby, Wayne's hometown,(population: 7) and provides an actual and figurative link to our dearest folk traditions.  The duo's earnest stories and songs will be complemented by the Bee-Liners fresh lyrics, tight harmonies and instrumental prowess.  The Roots Music Association named them Bluegrass Artists of the Year in 2008.  The concert starts at 7:30pm in the luxurious Robins Family Forum auditorium at 428 N. Boulevard.  Tickets are $20 in advance and for VHS members, $25 at the door.  You can buy them online here.

A footnote:  we caught the CD release matinee at Ashland Coffee & Tea a few Sundays back for the rock-solid string swing jazz band, Gypsy Roots.  Richmond should be very proud of Thomas Wakefield's impressive ensemble and how far they've come.  The new album is entitled Chakra Odyssey and it's must listening.  Somewhere Django is smiling.

Live music lives only if we head out to hear it.  Let's go.

TT

(Wayne & Helen photo by Bob Brown at In Your Ear; Dixie Bee-Liners photo from their Website)

Blown Away...

For those of us on hand for the first of two evenings with harmonica virtuoso Howard Levy at In Your Ear last night, it was one of those special nights that makes one grateful for the gift of music and those who invest their hearts and souls into the art of making it.  Howard and his gifted and tasteful guitarist Chris Siebold mesmerized the intimate audience which included local blues legend L'il Ronnie along with jazz mentor and JAMinc co-founder Doug Richards.  It was a profound experience to see such serious musicians truly astounded by Chris' and Howard's stunning artistry.  And the recording is spectacular...we'll let you know when some of it might air on WCVE-FM.  You should have been there...but the beautiful thing is, we have them for one more incredible show tonight at 7:30.  (Doors at 6:30, $20)   I can't urge you strongly enough to be spontaneous.  Just do it.  And be looking out for a short Flecktones reunion tour with Howard onboard this November.  In Your Ear Studios are at 19th and Broad.  (photo by Page Dowdy)

 

And it was a big night for Brad Spivey and his Honky Tonk Experience as they provided the proper backdrop for Black Tie & Boots, the annual pre-State Fair throwdown at the brand new venue, Meadow Event Park.  Don't let a little needed rain keep you away from this sprawling and much more appropriate setting for the State Fair of Virginia.  Just north of Ashland, exit 98 off I-95.  It runs through Oct 4th and there's a lot to see...and hear.

 

The Experience is playing one of a handful of terrific pre-Folk Festival gigs starting Sunday, October 4th (theirs is at the Hat Factory on the 7th) called the Richmond Roots Music Sessions.  Check out the full lineup here.  Big thanks to Todd Ranson for all his legwork in putting this awesome addition to the Festival together.  Crank it up!

TT

Crown Jewel

By all indications, Richmond's elegant new performing arts complex CenterStage has been more than worth the wait. We got a first look tonight during dress rehearsal for the grand opening Saturday night in the fully enhanced and expanded Carpenter Theatre. It's been meticulously restored and repainted with more bars, more restrooms and inviting lounges and public spaces. First class all the way...and we didn't get to see the 200-seat Gottwald Playhouse and the smaller Rhythm Hall that will afford more intimate venues under the same big roof between 6th and 7th Streets along East Grace. You can take in the big show featuring all of CenterStage's resident companies including the Richmond Symphony, Ballet, Shakespeare and Jazz Society plus SPARC, The African American Repertory Theatre, Barksdale/Theatre IV, Elegba Folklore Society and the Virginia Opera. Tim and Daphne Maxwell Reid proved genial and light-hearted hosts during tonight's rehearsal and the challenging stage changeovers were amazingly smooth. If you make the scene on Saturday, look for John Winn and his dad Jack (left) blowing twin saxes and crooning "The Best Is Yet To Come" with Desiree Roots Centeio. (That's David Hoggard on drums) And prepare to be impressed by the AART tap and stomp production of Langston Is My Man inspired by Harlem poet Langston Hughes. (below) Hats off to producer/director Keith Martin who did a sterling job of wrangling hundreds of performers and crew, and this was just rehearsal. Richmond's new star attraction should shine brightly Saturday night. Plus you can tour the place for free during a Sunday afternoon open house. Details and info on all the above on the CenterStage Website. Oh, and fittingly, Mother Abbess showed up from the Sound of Music and sang "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." The climb has been challenging and contentious but the view from the top is spectacular.

TT

September Songs

So far, the ninth month has brought luxuriously less humid more comfortable weather, a full corn moon, a much-needed soaking rain at the end of the Labor Day weekend, and a heightened anticipation of the season that comes next. Fall is my favorite of the four, and I find that preference grows with each passing year. The AC-free open windows, the lengthening shadows cast by more golden rays of sunlight, and the wistful awareness that life is indeed passing and every moment is more precious. Music plays a big part in that and there’s so much to look forward to in this and the months to follow. A few highlights…

The much-anticipated opening of Richmond CenterStage is this coming Saturday downtown at 6th and Grace. After a long and often painful gestation, we’ll all be anxious to see the birth of the new Carpenter Theater with wider, more cushy seating, a freshly fancy paint job and a greatly expanded backstage/load in capacity. The first glimpse will feature performers from nine of our area’s cultural fixtures including the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Ballet. Hopes are high that this re-burnished jewel will assume its rightful place as Richmond’s cultural focal point, with creative booking that gives everyone a reason to come downtown and be inspired.

If you want to give the CenterStage folks a little time to work out the inevitable bugs and don’t feel the need to be there on opening night, you might want to witness the potent reunion of Chuck “Rockin’ Daddy” Wrenn and Barry “Mad Dog” Gottlieb who’ll be overseeing the festivities this Saturday at the BennyFit for Hospice at the Playing Field out on West Broad. For those who frequented Benny Waldbauer’s punk rock club Benny’s, near Monroe Park back in the eighties, you can bask in those hazy memories as members of the Ortho-Tonics, Beex, The Good Guys, the Diversions and others give it their all to recapture the magic. Outspoken smooth operator Chris Bopst will also partake. Proceeds go to Bon Secours Hospice. (old Benny’s poster from The Throttle-1981)

The following weekend, the Virginia Folk Music Association will bestow its highest honor to native son Sammy Shelor for his contribution to bluegrass and evolution of the five-string banjo. He will join fellow finger pickers Roy Clark, Ralph Stanley, Bill Emerson, Eddie Adcock and Ben Eldridge in the VFMA Hall…Sammy’s a four-time winner of IBMA’s banjo player of the year award and is a finalist again this year, has played with the Heights of Grass, the Virginia Squires and currently leads the solid-as-ever Lonesome River Band. Sammy’s induction will include an LRB performance at the Chesterfield Fairgrounds on Friday, the 18th. More info and tickets are available here. Let’s all turn out and celebrate one of this generation’s true stylists and genuinely nice guys.

Ashland Coffee and Tea has regained its stride with some very compelling local and touring artists on its fall schedule, including Bill Kirchen, Chatham County Line, Chris Smither and Jesse Winchester. Keep an eye on their ever-changing Website.

A fine lineup of players will join Mark Newton in Fredericksburg on September 19th for his Homecoming Pickin’ Party at Maury Stadium.  Artists include Larry Stephenson, Claire Lynch, IIIrd Tyme Out and the Seldom Scene and a big jam at the end of the day.  Advance tickets are $30 available here, and proceeds benefit the James Monroe High School athletic program…I think Mark played baseball there.  So its a….homer!

JAMinc presents a double opportunity to experience the remarkable virtuosity of Grammy winner Howard Levy, one of the most innovative harmonica players of all time on September 24th and 25th at In Your Ear Recording in the Bottom. Howard and his veteran guitarist Chris Siebold will offer a far-ranging set list including jazz, blues, latin and pop melodies with a few old Flecktone favorites thrown in for good measure. You can reserve one of 80 seats we’ll have each night here (click on “events”) or you can get lucky and win a pair for Thursday night here by answering the following question: Mr. Levy’s harp was heard on the soundtrack of what 1996 film adapted from a novel of the same name by a Virginia writer? I’ll draw from all correct responders to mail@timtimberlake.com on September 12.

Jamgrass devotees will welcome Railroad Earth back to the National on Friday, the 25th and I’ve got a pair of comps to that show as well…here’s the question: Name the band lead vocalist Todd Sheaffer played in prior to starting Railroad Earth. Email answers again to mail@timtimberlake.com. Drawing for duplicate correct replies on September 14th.

There are still quite a few volunteer slots in numerous capacities available for the 2nd annual Richmond Folk Festival, October 9-11. Check the Website to sign up and enjoy the sweet satisfaction of being a part of one of the best things ever to happen to our city. And stay tuned for the soon-to-be announced lineup of the Richmond Roots Music Sessions, a nightly warm-up for the Festival starting at Legend Brewery on Sunday, October 4th. Some of our town’s best from all over the musical map will be performing at places like Capital Ale House, Plaza Bowl, Gibson’s, and The Hat Factory. What an amazing week we have in store…soak up as much as you possibly can.

And if RFF II leaves you hankering for more, the west coast’s Waybacks blow into town on Wednesday, October 15th at Capital Ale House.  Preaching to the choir for many of you extolling their extensive musical virtues, but this is definitely a band that shines live.  The records don’t do them justice.  They can do it all.  Tickets available online.

A footnote: the previously announced reunion concert with the Robbin Thompson Band at the National on November 27th will be re-scheduled to another date shortly…

Hope your summer’s been as memorable as mine…hard to let the memories fade so quickly. But that’s ok…fall’s in the air and that will ease the post partem summertime blues.

Thanks for the read…TT

(Howard Levy photo from his Website)