MerleFest Momentum

Believe me I’m gladder than glad to be around for another one, but these trips around the sun we take each year just have to be taking much less time than they used to.  No way it’s time for another roadtrip to Wilkesboro for the remarkable reunion of kindred souls that is MerleFest.  It’s time to meet my fellow geezer Sam Sanger for the 20th time as Cabin Stage managers and spend April’s last weekend soaking up as much music as possible and picking up where we left off.  MerleFest is a marvel of loving logistics headlined this year by the likes of Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, the Doobie Brothers (with John Cowan on bass) and Robert Plant’s Band of Joy.  And literally a hundred more Americana musicians filling thirteen stages for four full days.  If you’ve ever considered making the pilgrimage, this might be the right year.  Click here for a very cool tool that lets you click on a clock to see when and where your must-see artist is performing.  It’s an overwhelming undertaking that requires some energy and commitment but you’ll not find more quality music in one place in one long weekend anywhere.  April 28-May 1.

 

As mentioned previously, Alison Krauss, who won’t be making MerleFest this year, will be making up for lost Union Station time with her much anticipated Paper Airplane album.  AKUS disciples should find the wait worthwhile as it’s pure, sweet vintage Alison.  See if you agree…you can preview the whole thing here until it drops on April 12th.

 

Friday night the Camel on Broad welcomes alt-country phenomenon Justin Townes Earle.  His career has soared since an under-attended gig at Stretchin’ At The Barksdale a few years back…BJ and I were there…were you?  Opening will be Josh Small.  $20 tickets almost gone.

The next day…a great afternoon of alfresco jazz is coming up Saturday at Trinity Episcopal School off Cherokee on Pittaway Road south of the river.  This is a great chance to hear some of of the area’s top high school and college jazz players along with seasoned vets Bop Nation who are also doing a JAMinc-sponsored Trinity assembly performance bright and early this morning.  Bop Nation’s Saturday set kicks off at 2:20pm.  It’s outdoors under a big tent with burgers and dogs for sale but the music is free as the spring breeze.  A real good deal.

Later that night, worth checking out is the Kalob Griffin Band out of Philly and playing the Triple on West Broad with their own Avett-leaning rootsy rock.

Next week, we’re looking forward to welcoming Bill Evans back to town for one of his entertaining and illuminating Banjo in America sessions at In Your Ear.  Bill will bring vintage instruments including African precursors and trace the evolution of this beloved but oft-misunderstood instrument.  Reservations going fast at JAMinc.org.

Our last JAMinc/IYE show of the season is set for Friday, May 13th with the one and only blues harp king Phil Wiggins alongside guitarist Rick Franklin.  Phil will play Studio A almost exactly three years after his long-time partner, the late John Cephas graced our stage in what would be his last solo performance.  Don’t miss this one.  Tickets on sale soon.

 

Just got our tickets for what should be a knock-your-socks-off night at the Southern in Charlottesville on May 19th with Punch Brother Chris Thile in a duo gig with the amazing Michael Daves.  These two forces of nature have a new album out called Sleep With One Eye Open, and having heard what these young Turks can do as a twosome, it should be an ear opener.  Tix here.

 

Don’t forget to save some serious Fridays starting next month on Brown’s Island for acts like Carbon Leaf, Yonder Mountain String Band, Trombone Shorty, Drive By Truckers, the David Grisman Sextet and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.  Sync your calendars here.

 
And if that’s not enough to make you proud to live and love music in River City, how about the 2011 Groovin’ In The Garden lineup Thursdays in May and June including Cracker, Donna The Buffalo with New Riders of the Purple Sage, Nanci Griffith, Toots &

 The Maytals and a thrilling twin-bill offering the Del McCoury Band with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans.  So now it’s up to us to show our appreciation for this musical bounty by getting out and taking it in. 

Congrats to Scott Adams who won the pair of tickets to the Iron and Wine/Low Anthem show at the National on April 27th.  MerleFest eve will set a proper mood…oh yeah.

Signing off to catch a few winks before Bop Nation for breakfast at Trinity in a few hours.  And mad props to Coach Smart and his Rams and Coach Mooney and his Spiders for making March Madness the best this town’s ever seen…how sweet it was.

TT

(MerleFest photos are mine…the rest are from artist sites)