Only A Dream…

I turned on Prairie Home Companion Sunday and was blessed to hear this deeply touching song about the passage of time and losing people and places you love.  It was Mary Chapin Carpenter accompanied only by Jon Carroll’s elegant piano and my eyes moistened as they do when a song resonates in a personal way.  It reminded me what a consummate observer of life she is and what a warm and expressive voice she has.  If you need a refresher, the perfect opportunity is just a week away as she’s headed to Lewis Ginter on Thursday the 25th to close this year’s impressive Groovin’ In The Garden concert series.  The ideal venue for thoughtfully beautiful music like this.  Some tickets remain here, and there may also be a few left for this Friday’s sure-to-be enchanting evening with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.  Also in the rose garden at Lewis Ginter.  Thanks to Tom Beals and all the Haymaker folks for putting together an amazing lineup for this season.  And for offering up a couple of free tickets for the MCC show on the 25th.  Want ‘em?  Email me with the Grammy-winning group (best new artists in 1976) that Jon Carroll was in.  (mail@timtimberlake.com) Fifth correct answer wins.  Jon also put in a great performance for one of our JAMinc/In Your Ear studio concerts back February of 2010.  You’ll be hearing some of that later this fall as part of our new radio show on WCVE Public Radio that debuts at 1pm on September 3rd.  Spread the word and tune us in!  Incidentally, our first JAMinc/IYE concert of the fall features killer sax man Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update on Friday, September 16th.  Make your reservations here.  And another reminder of this year’s seventh annual benefit for the Massey Cancer Center with those wandering Waybacks from San Fran.  It’s moving to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden this year (sweet) and features Americana’s most suave and versatile leading man, Jim Lauderdale.  Grab your tix here.  And email me at the address above for details on how you can be a patron for the event with lots of cool perks including a pre-show meet and greet (and eat) party.  One more thing…I’m honored to be part of Paul, Damian and Brian Muller’s Hebron Boys for this year’s annual bluegrass gospel concert at my church, Hebron Presbyterian out in Manakin-Sabot.  We might as well fill those “benches all worn” as Hazel Dickens put it…it’s free and there’s an old-fashioned homemade ice cream social following the 5pm service.

Oh, and happy anniversary to Mekong…catch the amazing James Brown tribute band The Big Payback tonight (Thursday) and their outrageous selection of Belgian beer.  And have you heard?  Starting next week we can buy Fat Tire right here in River City!  Life is good.

Who said “Everything in moderation…except moderation?”

TT

(Mary Chapin Carpenter photo from artist website)