Cautionary Tales

A belated retrospective of the past week of enhanced musical adventures, starting a week ago tonight when we were thankfully persuaded to make the Mekong scene ostensibly to celebrate the West Broad Vietnamese eatery’s 14th anniversary with a beer-soaked bash to remember, even though mine’s a bit hazy.  The draw was all the Belgian draft beer, wings and spring rolls you could consume, a commemorative glass and t-shirt (above) and the clincher, a beefed-up version of Richmond’s potent Modern Grove Syndicate, with Daniel Clarke back on keys and guest sax solos from Samson Trinh. (A side note:  Samson’s big band take on the Beatles’ Abbey Road, at least what I’ve heard of it, is remarkable…it’ll be well worth the long wait.)  It was a big night on all levels, especially the brew which I wasn’t quite prepared for…the Grande Reserve Chimay Ale for example weighs in at 9% alcohol.  Bottom line…the stuff’ll sneak up on you…it took many of us by surprise…I was grateful to have a designated driver.  Mekong’s selection of Belgian and world beers is said to be the best in town…behold but beware.

 

A healing ride up 64 to Staunton on Thursday meant a rendezvous with sister Robyn who was already headed there for Lee High School’s 40th class reunion, and an intimate evening with Middlebrook residents Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group in a cozy black box of a theater on the campus of my sister’s alma mater Mary Baldwin College.  Robin and Linda were taping a live DVD with bandmates Jim Watson, Jimmy Gaudreau and Dr. Chris Brashear.  Robyn and Tim were enjoying re-discovering their old hometown.  The Williamses covered lots of musical turf including a lovingly revived “High Atmosphere,” their moving impression of seeing “Maybelle’s Guitar and Monroe’s Mandolin” in the  Country Music Hall of Fame, and some heroic homage to Hank Williams thanks to Robin’s take on “Ramblin’ Man” with his bluesy harp work and a stunning mando solo by Mr. Gaudreau.  The camaraderie and close harmony that ideally comes with more than 30 years of marriage shone brightly and the performance will be worth anticipating…the DVD is due out by year’s end.

We heard a lot of buzz from Stauntonians in the audience that night about the new upscale restaurant/music hall being carved out of an old downtown corner building.  Robyn and I stumbled on the construction zone on West Beverley during a post-breakfast walk the next morning and were excited to find the Mockingbird, billed as offering “Artisan Fare and Roots Music” well underway.  We got to talk with owner/proprietor Wade Luhn who was cagey about the level of talent he’s planning to book, but with a 160-seat dedicated listening room (above) and former Richmond chef Lee Gregory (Six Burner) in the kitchen, my gut says this guy’s gonna do things right and there may be a good many Queen City road trips in our future.  Breaking news…a fire starting in a trash can in the music hall on Sunday did some serious damage that will set back the opening but some hard work and insurance money should keep things on track.  And a chocolate malted for the road from Wright’s Dairy Rite was the perfect postlude.

We had to get back to set up for our 7th sold-out JAMinc/In Your Ear Studio Concert in a row, as seasoned PP&M players Dick Kniss and Paul Prestopino made their tedious way south on I-95 to join George Turman and Daniel Clarke once again for an emotional tribute to the folk legends who would likely do their last command performance at Wolf Trap the next night, sans Mary Travers.   Enduring friend Libby Dunton was also on hand to add her signature harmonies.  If you missed the music and the memories, stay tuned for a replay on Page Wilson’s Saturday night show down the road.

The finale to our four-day tour meant another run west up to the Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company near Wintergreen for the 1st annual Brew Ridge Trail Music Festival.   If you remember, Saturday was a bit soggy and a steady drizzle when we rolled in and the realization that you could see and hear the main stage from the terrace of the very nice and dry restaurant nearby, moved us to sit under an umbrella sipping craft brew and nibbling on nachos and wings all day. William Walter and his guitar man Tucker Rogers, along with Jesse Harper, Darrell Muller & Trey Pollard and the Infamous Stringdusters (right) were in top form as the crowd grew throughout the day and the rain went away.  The solo CD Jesse Harper & His Best Intentions is finally out and in a generous marketing gesture, he’s letting us download it for whatever we want to pay…let your conscience be your guide. Click here for details and follow the golden rule.

Conserving sufficient energy for our final stop wasn’t easy, but thanks to my perennially patient road pal, with some difficulty we found Bel Rio on Monticello Road (not Avenue), a new place in the up-and-coming Belmont section of Charlottesville, where newgrass rockers Cadillac Sky were holding forth.  The boys came to play and the crowd was more than appreciative.  They have a new 5-song EP entitled Weary Angel that you can get for free here with a t-shirt order.  And you can watch their latest video, a cover of Death Cab For Cutie’s, “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” here.  We’re working on getting them back to R’town in November.

More breaking news…good news this time:  the Robbin Thompson Band is reuniting for a handful of shows to  reprise their breakthrough album Two B’s Please from almost 30 years ago, starting at the National on November 27th.  RT plus Velpo Robertson, Eric Heiberg, Audie Stanley and Bob “Rico” Antonelli are honing their highly-evolved skills  to perform the best-selling project in its entirety…in its original sequence.  As solid as “Brite Eyes,” “Candy Apple Red,” and yes, “Sweet Virginia Breeze” were back then, it should be a powerful experience to hear what these songs have become with all that accumulated musical wisdom.  We’ll let you know when tickets go on sale.

Here’s a save the date…they’re inducting the inimitable Sammy Shelor into the VFMA’s Hall of Fame at the Chesterfield Fairgrounds on September 18.  It’s a well-deserved honor for Virginia’s five-string stylist who’s guided the Lonesome River Band back into the bluegrass limelight.  Details to come. And don’t miss the cool corn maze that Sam and wife Sue have created again this year up near Meadows of Dan.  It opens September 5th.

We’re well into our second hundred posts here and we’re grateful for your readership, input and nice words.  They mean a lot…TT

(Turman & Friends photos by Charlie Dunton.  The awesome early Robin & Linda photo from their personal collection)

Straight Ahead...

Good live stuff in the short term:  tonight, Richmond's Mekong Vietnamese restaurant on West Broad celebrates its 14th anniversary with a big food, beer & music party featuring the all-out ensemble Fear No Beer, whose members you may very well mistake for the seasoned vets of Modern Groove Syndicate.  The roving keyboardist for said group says the suds selection at Mekong is world class...Danny C should know.  There's a $40 tab but food, drink and tunes plus a t-shirt and take-home glass are included.  Deal.

  The aforementioned Mr. Clarke, back off the road for a few weeks, will also join the venerable George Turman and his other compelling compadres at a sold-out JAMinc/In Your Ear Studio A concert on Friday in the Bottom.  No more reservations...hope you have yours.

Saturday, the Chickahominy Swamp's most visible denizen hosts the Out O' The Blue Stage Revue  once again at Pocahontas State Park with Marna & Macy, L'il Ronnie & The Grand Dukes and of course Page Wilson & Reckless Abandon.  Advance tix are $8 with parking included.  Music starts at 6.  Hot fun in the summertime! 

Further out of town is the new Brew Ridge Trail Music Festival up near Wintergreen with the Sons of Bill,  the Infamous Stringdusters, Jesse Harper, William Walter and others...15/advance, 20/gate. Noondark.  (at right, Dusters Jeremy Garrett, Travis Book and Andy Hall)

And later that night, power stringband Cadillac Sky plays Bel Rio in Charlottesville for a 12 buck cover.  Indoors.

Oh, and Saturday night right here in River City, the ever- ready National welcomes Drive By Truckers with MerleFest darling Tift Merritt opening.  And it's good to hear the Toad's Place space is back as The Hat Factory...with the National already in fifth-gear they've got a big hill to climb...even with a mechanical bull!  We wish them well.

A non-musical footnote...watched the HBO documentary Resolved on DVD last night.  It's about the academic pursuit of debate at the highest level and it's a most engaging and fascinating treatment of what I expected to be dry and tedious.  Highly recommended Netflix viewing when it's too hot to be outside.

Les Paul is more...TT

(Turman & friends photo by Charles Dunton/Page Wilson and Cadillac Sky photos from their Websites)

Sweet and Sticky...

So this walking definition of "lanky" bounds on to the Charlottesville Pavilion stage Sunday night sporting light blue seersucker slacks, a bow tie and white suspenders and declares "It's great to be back down south, where the air is sweet and sticky."  A dramatically more gregarious Justin Townes Earle, as compared with our last laid-back encounter at Barksdale's "Stretchin'" series a few years ago, got things rolling for this Big Surprise Tour stop, two 90-minute sets with Steve Earle's gifted son, NY's Felice Brothers (former subway buskers), the Dave Rawlings Machine with Gillian Welch, and the Old Crow Medicine Show, who each had their own time punctuated with frequent cross-pollination.  Although we may have preferred an indoor listening room to reverently take in the all-too-rare Welch/Rawlings appearance, the Pavilion is a fine shed as outdoor venues go and as the thermometer threatened the century mark at showtime, the shade and a dog's breath of a breeze made it tolerable.  And the ice-cold Bud in the 16-ounce aluminum bottles.  Highlights were definitely the chance to hear Dave get his long-deserved share of the spotlight with some new material we hope ends up on a CD.  And James Felice, the hulking accordion player and his whiskey barrel of a voice.  I missed seeing these guys at FloydFest and am grateful for a second chance.  An added plus was a nice chat with Robin Williams who's getting ready for a live HD DVD recording session with wife/roadmate Linda and Their Fine Group up in Staunton later this month.  Something to watch for.

Friday we witnessed a diverse night of music in Bruce and Adrian Olsen's Soundog Studios in north Richmond...light was too low for pictures but imagine a spacious barn of a studio with candlelit tables and chairs, Tiffany-style lamps, a grand piano gracing oriental rugs at the far end and one of Richmond's rock legends pulling it back a notch or two but still maintaining his edge and attitude.   It was a CD release party for Bruce's leaner, more earnest and earthy heros kings and lovers, recorded right there with pals Johnny Hott, Bob Rupe, Stephen McCarthy, Steve Bassett, and Joe McGloen with Adrian on percussion.  Original material.  They even did their own earth-friendly packaging.  And thanks to Adrian, we were treated to two compelling musical appetizers, singer/songwriter Keegan Dewitt from Nashville who also scores films, and Annie & The Beekeepers, a delightful acoustic trio from the Boston area comprised of Annie Lynch on lead vocals and guitar & banjo, Alexandra Spaulding on cello and harmony vocals and Charlottesville's Ken Woodward on bass.  They met Adrian at Berklee and with his help, recorded the Squid Hell Sessions EP which is available through CD Baby on their MySpace page.  Fine work. 

Do take a minute to check out Ashland Coffee and Tea's   new Website and a full calendar of music over the next few months, with all our local favorites plus plums like Eliza Gilkyson, Bill Kirchen, Moondi Klein & Jimmy Gaudreau, and in November, Chatham County Line and Chris Smither.  Jackie Frost and some of her musical boyfriends take the stage this Saturday. 

If you want to catch George Turman and his friends Paul Prestopino and Dick Kniss plus Daniel Clarke and Libby Dunton at our next JAMinc/In Your Ear studio concert on the 21st, click here quick...we're almost sold out.  It'll be a loving tribute to Peter Paul & Mary and then some...a very special night.  And reservations will be available soon for our two nights at IYE with harmonica/keyboard king Howard Levy on September 24th.  Save the date and check back.

One more thing...a pretty impressive lineup near Wintergreen on Saturday, the 22nd including the Infamous Stringdusters, Jesse Harper, the Sons of Bill and FloydFest faves William Walter and his guitar man Tucker Rogers.  It's called the Brew Ridge Trail Music Festival.  Hard to pass that one up.

Find some shade and some sweet tea and take in some live music...it'll help the dog days pass.  And welcome back down to the sweet and sticky south Wally!

TT

(Turman photo by Charles Dunton)

Gerloff Sendoff

  It was a hot August afternoon just west of the Boulevard when all Gary's people gathered to celebrate him in the manner by which he'd be most pleased...a sweaty club packed to the walls with good friends and disciples who came to properly fete the whiskered wonder with drink and song.  It couldn't have been a scene he'd have enjoyed more.  And it's a gross understatement to say that there was a lot of love in the room.  Proceeds from merch sales and the door went to an education fund for Gary & Mindy's  two great kids.  Richard Arthur's Cafe Diem was the room and all afternoon, one after the other thanks to typically spot-on stage management by Kevin "McMick" McGranahan, fourteen of Richmond's most enduring bands paid homage to the one who lasted not long enough.  We caught Little Ronnie & The Grand Dukes, The Charles Arthur Trio and  Billy Ray Hatley & The Showdogs....all doing their beer-soaked best to create the "pull out all the stops" atmosphere that echoed Mr. Gerloff's approach to life.  He leaves us in his wide and frothy wake and we'll surf it for as long as we can and try to be worthy.  RIP GG

FloydFeast

FloydFeast...an aptly coined title that I can't claim but will use to start this year's look back at what's evolved into a lovingly-crafted treat for all the senses near milepost 170 on the Blue Ridge Parkway every July.  Kris Hodges and his partner-in-dreams Erika Johnson have conceived and brilliantly executed this mountaintop celebration of music and its singular capacity for removing the walls that divide us to reveal the ties that bind.  Over four days on seven stages, the tunes pour out from players of all stripes, a dizzying accomplishment of scouting and scheduling on the part of the fully-engaged Mr. Hodges, his dedicated staff and legions of volunteers.  If you haven't, do take a look at the Website to peruse the rich list of performers. FloydFest is a time of discovery...of music you've never experienced that resonates with what you inherently recognize as well done.  And a generous helping of the familiar favorites.   Throw in the splendid scenery, the blissed-out fans, the creative campsites and the most mouthwatering array of festival food you'll ever find, and you have FloydFest 8...the Revival.  And even though I had to bug out before it was over this year, I'm still full to the brim with great memories and deep admiration and gratitude for all who made it happen.

Much of this year's event was captured in HD by a crew shooting for the Virginia Department of Tourism for a promotional video and maybe a documentary on the phenomenon that is FloydFest.  After a dust settling downpour the night before things got started, the weather was summer-perfect and the festers showed up in big numbers.  Leftover Salmon and String Cheese survivors respectively,Drew Emmitt and Bill Nershi  and their bandmates pulled a fine first-day set on the Dreaming Creek main stage as did Chapel Hill rockers and Floyd-faves The Old Ceremony with front man Django Haskins serving up the proper mix of thoughtful lyrics and rock & roll attitude.  Last year's top popular vote getter among a fertile field of emerging artists, William Walter & Company worked the Hill Holler stage and the main over the weekend.  With tasteful support from lead guitarist Tucker Rogers, bandleader Willie Walter played the crowd like a harp, tossing out t-shirts, CDs and even scanty logo wear just for the ladies.  And the boys can PLAY.  They'll be at Sine here in Richmond on August 21st.  But there are other kinds of front men...

...like the remarkable reverend from the Little David Old Regular Baptist Church just outside of Haysi, Virginia, elder Frank Newsome.  A former coal miner with black lung, he still sings a capella praises to The Lord from his dog-eared songbook with riveting clarity and power.  The Rev. Mr. Newsome sang and talked with old friend Jon Lohman on the Virginia Folklife porch stage and will be coming to share more testimony with us at our Richmond Folk Festival October 9th-11th.

And from my old hometown of Staunton came last year's Telluride Troubadour winner Nathan Moore with a couple of gentle sets of self-made story songs.

New York's stylish and sassy Smart Brothers, Jay and Lou were crowd pleasers with their youthful exuberance and their retro-sounding repertoire.

One of my top discoveries this year was Toronto-based brother band The Sadies, a kind of alt-country Gram Parsons-inspired quartet led by Dallas and Travis Good.  Sporting tailored western-cut suits, they easily proved there was substance as well as style.  Travis' vintage Telecaster even sported a Scruggs-style tuner to facilitate the twang.

I'm realizing I've been ignoring the distaff side of the lineup, so here's daughter of rock-royalty, Levon's daughter Amy Helm with the most excellent group Olabelle, who did a couple of choice tunes penned by their namesake Ola Belle Reed including "High On A Mountain Top" and "I've Endured,"  both popularized by Tim O'Brien.  

Adrienne Young left Little Sadie behind and was back at FloydFest with her new band Old Faithful comprised of Andre Eglevsky on bass, Oliver Craven on fiddle and vocals and another notable offspring, John Starling's son Jay on Dobro.  Her caring spirit shines through all that she does including a coming event celebrating rural ingenuity and craftsmanship starting this Friday called the Backyard Revolution up in Albemarle County.  Click here for more details.  And The Duhks flew south once more from Winnipeg to render a few more of their inspired and ultra-musical sets with Sarah Dugas' soaring vocals and confident stage presence.  Here she shares a knowing smile with banjoist/vocalist Leonard Podolak, who, incidentally was also smiling...trust me.  These guys also packed the Va. Folklife Porch for an informal sit-down set to the delight of the care- and hair-free fans of all ages. 

Another first for me was witnessing the sultry showpersonship (new word too) of Grace Potter.  With her hot band The Nocturnals from the great state of Vermont, Grace rocked through a strong set on the main stage, after waiting for the lights to come back on...literally.  We had a site-wide power outage near the end of Grupo Fantasma's preceding Friday night set and it took nearly two hours to find the off-site breaker responsible.   All stages continued in the old acoustic way.  The whole thing was handled with great aplomb thanks to savvy scrambling by the crew led by production director John McBroom and main stage manager J. P. O'Connor.  A well-oiled machine indeed.

So many logistics, so many talented people executing so well both on stage and off.  And I left out so much.

FloydFest is a living monument to what a good idea can become with proper nourishment.  And it's set to happen again the last weekend in July, 2010.  I hope I'll see you on the Parkway for Love Potion # 9.  Can I get a witness?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Back down in River City, I'd like to give you some save-the-dates for our JAMinc offerings upcoming:

As Peter, Paul & Mary prepare for what could be a final bow at Wolftrap next month, their two loyal sidemen, bassist Dick Kniss and multi-instrumentalist Paul Prestopino have agreed to re-join old fan and friend George Turman for our first summertime Studio Concert at In Your Ear Recording on August 21st.  Some other special guests you might hope for are in the wings as well.  This should be a memorable evening on many levels and reservations will be available online probably this week.  Check back. 

In September, we've booked harmonica titan Howard Levy, who helped Bela Fleck get the Flecktones started two decades ago (whew!) and is currently dazzling audiences with his musical diversity.  That's on Thursday, the 24th. 

Then in October, we've got two things...on Saturday, the 17th JAMinc and the Virginia Historical Society proudly present Music From the Crooked Road with the Dixie Bee-Liners plus Wayne Henderson & Helen White.  Wayne and Helen played back to back sold out shows for us last year at In Your Ear.  This fall, one of the top contemporary bluegrass bands in the country join the bill in VHS' beautiful Robins Family Forum auditorium on The Boulevard.  And former MerleFest songwriting contest winner Wil Maring and her singer/stringman Robert Bowlin play our In Your Ear Studio Concert Series on Friday, October 30th.

One more...on November 19th at In Your Ear, JAMinc welcomes the winners of Prairie Home Companion's "Great American Duet Sing-Off" held this past spring, Anne & Pete Sibley from the foot of the Tetons out in Wyoming to IYE.  A footnote...autoharpist Bryan Bowers who graced our stage last November underwent successful prostate surgery early this month and is mending nicely.  As we wish him many more years on the road, tune in to Page Wilson's Out O' The Blue Radio Revue this coming Saturday night from 8-10 on WCVE 88.9 FM and hear a generous segment of that magical evening.  Or streaming live here.

This Sunday at Cafe Diem, 600 North Sheppard, some of our best will play tribute to one of their own, our too-soon-departed Gary Gerloff.  Proceeds will benefit an education fund for his two fine kids.  Here's the lineup with times:

        1. Just Dessert 1:00 p.m.

        2. Page Wilson & Reckless Abandon 1:50 p.m.

        3. Dominic Carpin & Armistead Wellford  2:35 p.m.

        4. Terry Garland & Bruce Corson  3:10 p.m.

        5. The Revinyls 3:50 p.m.

        6. DJ Willams Projek 4:25 p.m.

        7. Little Ronnie & Grandukes 5:10 p.m.

        8. Gayle McGee & Nocturns 5:50 p.m.

        9. Charles Arthur Trio 6:30 p.m.

      10. Billy Ray Hatley & The Show Dogs 7:05 p.m.

      11. The Big Guys 7:45 p.m.

      12. The Taters 8:25 p.m.

      13. The Janet Martin Band 9:05 p.m.

      14. Manny Green & Members of the Gary Gerloff band  

Times won't be exact but come early and stay late. 

$15 cover.  There'll be a lot of love in the room, for sure.

And one last thing...noted string player/instructor Adam Larrabee went to his car last week behind Key Signatures on Grove Avenue to get his banjo out of the back seat.  To his surprise the rear passenger window had been broken out and there were now two banjos in there.    So he's selling the extra one.  But seriously folks, Adam does have a nice Stelling five-string for sale at a bargain price.  Contact him at alarrabee@earthlink.net if you're interested, or if you have one you've been trying to ditch.  His back window's still not fixed.

Peace out...T

Full Glory...

The July full moon over Jackson, Wyoming was a moving and melancholy sight, and looking back at the image tonight, on the 40th anniversary of man first setting foot on that distant source of wonder, elegantly underlines the fleeting nature of time and the precious nature of what we can do with it.  My window on the west has closed for now, and I'm lamenting how quickly the small memories fade and how quickly the routine returns.  I'm so grateful for the 30 days I had with my favorite girls and for even the already forgotten moments...there were so many.  The "magnificent desolation" Buzz Aldrin described exactly four decades ago and the rugged terrain found in the part of America we just left, make one at once thankful for our comforts and yearning to be more at one with the elements.  The craggy majesty of the Tetons was something I'd been preparing for for years albeit insufficiently.  These timeless sentinels that tower above Jackson Hole, snow-covered year round, are breathtaking in their testimony to our inconsequentiality. 

But this is a music blog after all so I'll share a few thoughts about our big Friday night in the old copper-mining wild west town of Butte, Montana.  Home to hundreds of saloons and up until the 1980's a vibrant and legal red light district called "The Line," Butte inherited the National Folk Festival from our ten times larger and far more genteel hometown.  The venues couldn't be much more different...Richmond's modern urban skyline up against the falls of the James vs. Butte's lingering frontier attitude toward wide-open dancing and drinking in the streets....no cooler checks, no sneaking beer into plastic cups here, no sir.  And instead of our wilderness river, Butte has the Berkeley Pit, a massive hole in the ground on the eastern side of town that's not only full of toxic water, it's a major tourist attraction.  So the county seat of Silver Bow County has a little harder edge.  But what a fun place to hear music.  We only were able to take in opening night which included a great Irish band, the Pride of New York, Sierra Hull and Highway 111, Magic Slim & The Teardrops, a solid Chicago blues unit, and BeauSoleil avec Michael Ducet.  The Cajun legends closed the "Original" main stage that 1st night, beneath the scarlet-trimmed and iconic headframe from the old mining days that was used to lower men into the deep shaft and pull the ore to the surface.  On a hill overlooking the town, it was a fitting and imposing centerpiece for the National, which of course has left our 2nd annual Richmond Folk Festival in its tailings.  Artists playing Butte and headed east to join us in October include Bob French's Original Tuxedo Jazz Band from New Orleans, North Bear from outside Butte, and Wylie Gustafson, the Texas yodeler made famous for his .com cry, "Ya-hoo-ooo."  It runs the 9th thru the 11th and we'll be expecting you.    

Back home in the comfort zone a week later (Boulder to Richmond in 3 days), we had to check out the John Cowan Trio at Ashland Coffee and Tea.  Actually his drummer Bryon Larrance had a previous gig, and John Frazier had a best-friend's wedding.  So it was just John with his most seasoned side-men Shad Cobb and Jeff Autry.  And it was just right...a tasty set list including favorites like Tim O'Brien's "Hold To A Dream," some sweet jams on the Moody Blues' "Tuesday Afternoon" and Jeff's instrumental composition "East Meets Wes" (Montgomery).  And there was also a silky Sinatra tribute dedicated to the memory of John's dad, "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning."  The boys just finished recording a Christmas album...more than worth waiting for the November release on Koch Records.  Standards like "Silent Night, " "O Holy Night," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," and even "Ave Maria" gain new meaning with John's perfectly-controlled power.  And wait 'til you hear the rousing new take on "Let's Make A Baby King."  It'll be a Christmas to remember.

And I want to pat my pal Page Wilson on the back for a fine free show at Dogwood Dell on Saturday night with a top-drawer Reckless Abandon alongside including Bill Lux, Jay Gillespie, Charles Arthur and Jim Skelding.  Their 1st set closer, Michael Burton's "Night Rider's Lament" was as fine a tune as I've ever heard them render.  And he was doing the Out O' The Blue at the same time!  Magic.

Speaking of King Charles, he'll be doing a solo show at AC&T's new homegrown Wednesdays slot on August 5th...he can do it all, so get out and support the live stuff.  And this Thursday, the 23rd, Chris Fuller, Frank Coleman, Jackie Frost and the Taters take the Ashland stage in a benefit for the Bluemont Concert Series coming to the Center of the Universe later this summer. 

Jesse Harper's opening for Dean Fields at Capital Ale House's downtown music hall this Saturday and then of course this is FloydFest 8-The Revival weekend, Thursday-Sunday up on the Parkway.  I only need to hyperbolize if you've never been...it's one of the coolest and far-ranging fests in the nation...give it a try; you'll be hooked.

Finally for now, JAMinc's got such a fine lineup set for this fall's Studio Concert series that we're getting started in August at In Your Ear Recording with George Turman welcoming back his friends and Peter, Paul & Mary sidemen Dick Kniss and Paul Prestopino...and likely some other special folk sitting in.   It's on the 21st and you can check our Website soon for reservations.  In September we've snagged harmonica master and original Flecktone Howard Levy.  In October, it's past MerleFest songwriting winner Wil Maring with John Bowring, and in November, Jackson Hole's Anne & Pete Sibley who last spring took top honors at the Great American Duet sing-off on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion.  Join us for a great season that also includes the Dixie Beeliners with Wayne Henderson & Helen White at the Virginia Historical Society on October 17th.  Ticket info soon.

A good year for howling at the moon...TT

 

(George Turman photo by Charles Dunton)

At the drop of a pin…

I can’t remember when I’ve been to a concert where the audience has been as reverently attentive.  No whoops, no shouting of requests, and very little spontaneous applause after instrumental solos.  The Punch Brothers were treated to the respect one might expect for a renowned string quintet, which of course they are, at the century-old auditorium at Boulder’s Colorado Chautauqua.  From the Website:

Before radio and television, the Chautauqua Movement united millions in common cultural and educational experiences. Orators, performers, and educators traveled a national Chautauqua circuit of more than 12,000 sites bringing lectures, performances, concerts, classes, and exhibitions to thousands of people in small towns and cities. Theodore Roosevelt called Chautauquas, "the most American thing in America."

The Boulder site is one of only three remaining Chautauquas in the country, and the Brooklyn-based band rose to the acoustic potential of the ancient all-wood shed.  Their wide-ranging two setter included Chris Thile’s entire “Blind Leaving The Blind” suite plus such surprises as Gabe Witcher’s  happy homage to Roger Miller, “Kansas City Star,” a collaborative new nod to “Rye Whiskey,” and a tribute to former hometown heroes Hot Rize as their finale with Nick Forster’s “Shadows In My Room.”  Chris Eldridge proudly shared that he’s been playing the late Charles Sawtelle’s D-28, thanks to Nick.  As many times as I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing this band’s prowess, this may have been their finest hour.

Being out here in these new Rockies, as compared to our ancient Appalachians back home, one can’t help but be changed by their majesty and be struck with a deep sense of gratitude for having so many wonderful and wild places to visit from sea to shining sea.  But forget about finding any Smithfield ham out here.

Of course there’s no hiding from the media even in the wilderness, so the continuing accounts of Michael Jackson’s premature passing came to perfect fruition for me thanks to an email from old friend and radio colleague Kirby Carmichael.  Here’s Kirby with a 13-year-old MJ on a Richmond visit.  Innocence lost…rest in peace Michael.

TT