All Honky…No Tonk

So what was Brad Spivey, the Honky Tonk Experience front man to do without his band?  Simply charm the 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.

from Hell Freezes Over

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)