So what was Brad Spivey, the Honky Tonk Experience front man to do without his band? Simply charm t
he Ashland crowd as a long, tall guitar man with a coal car full of country gold. Real country from the songbooks of Dale Watson, Tom T. Hall and Merle Haggard. Firmly holding down the opening slot all by his lonesome. He was there at the behest of Ted Pitney, former King Wilkie lead guitarist and songwriter who’d never done much singing in that much-missed ensemble, but now was 
fronting his own Teddy & The Roosevelts. Comprised of seasoned players like Jay Starling on lap steel and keys and former Wilkie bassist Jake Hopping, Ted and his cohorts rolled through an extended set of compelling originals that even included a fresh new take on “Lee & Paige,” the tragic love song from his more bluegrassy days. And there was royalty in the house as Jay’s dad John proudly made the scene in support of his gifted son. Highly recommended is Ted’s EP Genesee that includes the beautiful “October Fire” and is available thru CDBaby here.
More recently, we were back at AC&T for the return of Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen who continue their quest to become one of the hottest bluegrass bands in the land. Heck they already are, but there are dues to pay and fans to earn and if there’s any justice at all, it’s just a matter of time. Vocally and instrumentally, all the goods are there. The other cooks, Mike Munford-banjo, Lincoln Meyers- guitar and Stefan Custodi-bass are as tasty as it gets. Don’t miss these guys if they’re anywhere close. And get their CD here.
We’ve got an exciting lineup for the next few months at In Your Ear Music and Recording as JAMinc proudly presents the delightful folk duo Dana & Susan Robinson up from Asheville, partners in music and life. They’re up this coming Thursday night and we still have room for you at this writing. Reservations here.
On March 3, one of the very best friends an old-time fiddle has ever had, Bruce Molsky returns to IYE for another round of earnest and engaging tunes both original and traditional. Bruce can cast a spell, and in this pristine acoustic environment, magic is pretty well assured. A sold-out situation is likely, so grab your seats now right here.
And we’ve just firmed up an April 14th date for banjo player/historian Bill Evans who some of you may remember from his old Cloud Valley or Dry Branch Fire Squad days. Bill will present a musical and very informative evening with his priceless collection of instruments including precursors of the old five-string. Bill did this for us many years ago at the Virginia Historical Society and it’ll be good to see him on the east coast again. Reservations available soon on our JAMinc website.
If you missed our most recent IYE offering or if you were there and are hungry for more, Kip Williams and his smokin’ fusion jazz band Bop Nation will reconvene at the Capital Ale House downtown on February 17th, a Thursday. Area masters Keith Horne, Mike Ess, Steve Kessler and Kevin Simpson populate this tonal democracy, that gives each of these solid players a chance to shine. You might want to get advance tickets for this one here.
Randy Fitzgerald and his East of Afton bluegrass buddies are hosting another all day jam on Saturday, 2/26 at Grandpa Eddie’s BBQ out on Three Chopt. The first one last year was a big success and it’s a chance to hear a bunch of our town’s best pickers in an evolving and inclusive day of spontaneous fun. It benefits the very worthy Fisher House which accommodates families of wounded veterans being treated at McGuire Hospital. Check Grandpa’s website for further details. And BYOI.
Have you discovered Garden & Gun? The “Soul of the South” is not a primer for green-thumbed bounty hunters. No sir. It’s actually a wonderfully well-done publication out of Charleston, SC that celebrates the broad southern ethic and its cultural reflection with great photography and design, some of our top writers and for the sake of this post, a discerning ear for our favorite Americana music. It’s just a treat of a magazine. The current issue’s cover story is “Bluegrass Nation…25 Bands Giving Old-Time Music a Whole New Sound.” You may take issue with some who made the Top 25 but there’s no doubt they’re all pioneers and trend-setters who’ve found a comfortable branch some distance from the trunk of the bluegrass tree. You can read the piece here but indulge yourself in a hard copy. I’ll bet it won’t be your last one. Brothers Seth and Scott Avett appear in the above photo from the cover shoot, thanks to James McClister.
And in the interest of full disclosure, I banged out most of this post today while revisiting the Hell Freezes Over Eagles reunion DVD and had a fine time. Lots of guitars and big harmonies took me back to a nice sunny place. I’ll share a video of the tune that’s my favorite from that reunion…it was a tough choice. Joe Walsh with a string section. And Don Henley hammering the most meaningful rimshots ever heard. Huge.
I have more friends who are Steeler fans so I’ll pull for them but truth be known, I don’t give a rip who wins. Regardless, I’ll be tube-glued all day I’m sure. Have a Super day but take a minute to mentally list and savor everything we take for granted. And pray for the freedom-loving people of Egypt. They need us and we need them.
TT
(The Robinsons, Bruce Molsky and Bill Evans photos from their respective websites)
Quicksilver bassist Carl White, it worked. It certainly wasn’t the distraction one may have feared. And Carl, who slid into Jamie Dailey’s slot on his departure a few years ago, still managed to make it to center stage to horse around with Doyle and even sing his moving “Help Is On The Way.” The main vocal trio now
consists of Doyle, bassist Corey Hensley and guitarist Mike Rogers with their tasteful young Dobro man Josh Swift adding bass vocals when a quartet was called for. Sidemen are now Jason Barie on fiddle and a 20-year-old Crowe clone named Jessie Baker . The evening was capped with a heartfelt tribute to departed WEAG pastor Fred Spivey that included a powerful take on “Precious Memories” led by Mike Rogers. Fred leaves an unfilled vacancy. The Quicksilver revolving doors continue to spin and you can always count on Professor Lawson to deliver his well-honed message loud and clear. Amen and amen.
For those who missed Kip Williams’ hot band Bop Nation at our In Your Ear show last month, you get another shot tonight at Capital Ale downtown starting at 8pm. Seasoned veterans Keith Horne, Steve Kessler, Mike Ess, and Kevin Simpson work the groove with taste and touch. $8 cover.
We’ve been waiting for this one since last July’s FloydFest when Morwenna Lasko and Jay Pun and their quartet captivated the reverently quiet crowd gathered at the Front Porch stage by lantern light during the Friday night power failure. Without a PA, these Berklee-bred artists held us spellbound. Morwenna and Jay have played AC&T since as a duo, but add bass and percussion Friday night and it should be sublime. See you at 8p on the tracks. And Saturday, AC&T’s most prolific player BJ Kocen and his Gobstoppers hold forth for another fine evening of collaboration with the likes of Jackie Frost, Tater Brad Tucker, George Garrett, Jim Wark and Chris Fuller. The Gob stops here…again.
The compelling Americana band Yarn, playing AC&T on March 2nd, comes highly recommended.
time fiddler Bruce Molsky back at In Your Ear Studio A after a five-year absence. Not too soon to reserve your seat at at the JAMinc website as it will surely sell out like it did last time. Heck we can only put 80 chairs in there.
Bluegrass patrons and players have a great chance to exercise their passion at Grandpa Eddie’s in the far West End on Saturday, the 26th during the 2nd annual day-long jam benefitting the Fisher House. East of Afton and a host of other bands will hold down the stage for the 12-hour marathon but spontaneous participation is encouraged. Here’s your chance to try out your chops on “Rocky Top” with the big boys. Read more from today’s Times-Dispatch.
And here’s a save-the-date for Memorial Day weekend…the first Virginia Traditions & Tunes festival at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Think of it as a warm-up for this fall’s Richmond Folk Festival, only featuring all Virginia artists and craftspeople. A great musical lineup already including Wayne Henderson and the Dixie Bee Liners. JAMinc’s a participating sponsor.
