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