In the thick of it...

I'll start this entry with a sincere apology for how long it's been since my last one...two weeks right? It's just been busier than usual, which is a good thing for someone self-employed like me, but a lot has slipped under the bridge that I should've posted. Like the compelling triple-play that happened right here on this very same night, which illustrates just how far we've come as a place for live music. Ashland Coffee & Tea presented the incomparable singer-songwriter Darrell Scott. Toad's Place featured the wild and wonderful Avett Brothers who shared the bill with the Seldom Scene at Groovin' in the Garden last May. Oh, and the Scene was back in town too, swingin' on the tracks at the Science Museum. All on the same dang night! Those difficult musical choices are becoming more frequent around here which is at once exciting and frustrating. So I ended up working the CD table for the Scene with Dudley Connell's new bride Sally, sold a bunch of their excellent and long-awaited studio album SCENEchronicity, visited with lots of old friends and made some new ones, ate one of David Napier's delicious barbecues on a hot dog bun and learned that Jim Napier (distant kin) has some exciting additions in the works for next year's Music for Massey Waybacks show.

All that after a delightful reception to celebrate the green light for Richmond's new performing arts facility Center Stage that was held at sunset on the 9th floor terrace of McGuire Woods' James Center headquarters. Jim Ukrop made brief remarks congratulating all involved in navigating the often rocky road that led to the project's approval. At its core is the much-missed Carpenter Center where extensive renovation and expansion are underway. Click here for a construction update.

I had a good chat with Venture Richmond's Jack Berry about life after the National Folk Festival pulls up stakes and heads to Butte, Montana in 2008. The good news is that sufficient backing to ensure that Richmond will be able to stage its own festival next year is nearly locked in. It will be held in late September and will have the same look, feel and diverse, world-music lineup that's made the National so successful here. The better news is that we still have one more NFF just a few short weeks away along the riverfront downtown, and with anything close to the perfect fall weather we enjoyed for the three days last year, the 69th National Folk Festival promises to be the best one yet. I can't urge you strongly enough to experience this singular cultural happening...it'll surely expand your musical horizons and make you very proud to call Richmond home.

The dance card's filling up, as we'll see more than a few of you I hope at AC&T tomorrow night as North Carolina's tasteful and talented bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers cross the state line once again. These guys represent all that's good about where the music is these days with solid instrumental prowess, tight harmonies and great material. A year ago they were voted the IBMA's Emerging Artists of the Year despite stiff competion. Join us tomorrow and hear how much they've emerged since then. This year's World of Bluegrass trade show along with the 2007 IBMA Awards and FanFest are set for the first week in October and I hope to be doing regular posts from Nashville. As I mentioned earlier, someone had the brilliant idea of asking Sam Bush to host the Awards Show this year, which should liven things up quite a bit while giving all the winners their due. If you're an XM subscriber, they'll be carrying the proceedings live on Track 14 Thursday night, October 4th. It'll be well worth tuning in.

A week from tonight we'll be getting our first look at Charlottesville's new John Paul Jones Arena which I've heard such good things about. It'll also be my first time to witness the mythic presence of Bob Dylan in concert. And as if that's not enough reason to spend an hour on I-64 West, how about a solo Elvis Costello performance for good measure. I'll confess to not having been a big follower of Costello's career, but after being held captive to his moving lyrics and stage presence at MerleFest in April, I don't know which legend I'm anticipating most. I'll get back to you on that.

Our own Robbin Thompson makes one of his infrequent local appearances at AC&T on Friday night, the 28th. Robbin's looking forward to another major life experience as he ventures to Cambodia in November to perform and record one of his own tunes as a theme for an international initiative to fight human trafficking. He'll tell you how this all came about...it's a pretty amazing story. Robbin's one of our JAMinc board members and we've set two more of our studio concerts at In Your Ear this fall: Mike Lille on October 25th and Jake Armerding on November 9th. More later.

A hearty congrats to Page Wilson who celebrates his 11th anniversary hosting the Out O' The Blue Radio Revue on WCVE-FM on Saturday, September 29th. And he'll do it in style, performing with Reckless Abandon and the Richmond Symphony, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, in a live Out O' The Blue Orchestral Revue at the Landmark Theater with special guests Billy Ray Hatley & The Showdogs along with Piedmont Souprize featuring Charles and Sara Arthur. It's very cool to see all these folks on stage together and hear how much common musical ground they find, but if you can't be there, it'll be on the radio...at 8pm as always. Go Page.

I'll close with a brief medical report on two of our favorite singer/bass players. The incredibly indestructable Billy Lux had some pretty intense back surgery back in mid-August to address some pretty intense pain he's been bravely living with for years. So a month's gone by and he's already out of his brace and even embracing Lucille again. As testament to Doc Simpson and modern medicine, look and listen for Billy on stage with Page at the Landmark a week from Saturday.

And shortly after his Ashland gig a few weeks back, John Cowan checked himself into Baptist Hospital in Nashville experiencing chest pain. They found a blocked coronary artery that was successfully opened with placement of a stent. That happened on Monday, the 10th. He spent a few days in the CCU and was due out of there the following Friday. Prognosis is good and having talked with him in the hospital, I know he's very grateful to have weathered this without having to endure bypass surgery or worse. He hopes to be back on the road by month's end. We sure hope he is too.

You boys rest well...we need you.

TT

Cow Plays Hurt...

A handful of us at our favorite music outpost tonight go back quite a ways with John Cowan...way back a couple of decades to the time Bela and Pat joined him and Sam in New Grass Revival. He's taken us to many memorable places for which we'll always be grateful. But tonight, we saw a comfortably matured J Cow in an intimate, personal performance in spite of and maybe because of the fact he was in the throes of bronchitis. His signature pipes weren't as potent as we're used to, but we were treated to some wonderfully subtle and nuanced renditions of both familiar and new tunes for the band. This "unplugged" approach went as far as having the foursome seated on stage, something they've been trying lately and I must say to great effect. And I couldn't help but notice that we were seeing and hearing something reminiscent of those earlier days. Left to right, it was Tony Wray on banjo, Shad Cobb on fiddle and mandolin, John on bass and Jeff Autry on guitar...the same way Bela, Sam, John and Pat lined up. But this is not a New Grass tribute band...I only counted two NGR tunes, "Steam Powered Aeroplane" and "Callin' Baton Rouge." The rest covered material from John's last few solo projects and even a great take on the Moody Blues' "Tuesday Afternoon." It was softer, gentler set and they may not always do it this way, but it was a treat to witness another side of a consumate performer. And Tony, Shad and Jeff played their tails off. Thanks for everything John. In closing I can't resist sharing this video I saw on YouTube of Bill Monroe introducing New Grass Revival doing "Can't Stop Now" at Fisk University back in the 80's. It's priceless...especially the old Cowan coif. Enjoy.

Have a restful Labor Day Weekend everybody...TT

Transition...

As we get ready to shift gears from the summer season to the fall this weekend, knowing the calendar's about three weeks behind reality as usual, let me take a moment to acknowledge a fine time downtown last weekend at the annual Shockoe Craft Beer Festival in Kanawha Plaza. Thanks to Tracy Leverty of Echelon Events Management for hauling me in to emcee the day that started at high noon with ThermUs. These wizened local troubadors created a languid soundtrack to the sultry afternoon. We thought we were in store for another 100-degree sizzler so the frothy brew proved a popular antidote to the heat. I think we made it officially to 97. Close enough. The venerable Taters were next with their impressive ode to the road from Nashville to Bakersfield. Craig Evans and Brad Tucker did their time-tested terrific job of playing the hits from Orbison to Owens...the boys are so solid after all these Ten Years of Taterin'...keep it comin'. I really enjoyed The Atkinsons for the first time, featuring Dickie and Jamie Wood, who have done so much in support of local bands over the last few years with their Richmond Roots Revival events at various venues. Fresh from a big Friday night in Floyd, Virginia son Scott Miller slid in to the headliner slot with his Commonwealth band and easily drew the biggest crowd of the day to the front of the stage. Scott's crafty and compelling songwriting was a good match for the equally and uniquely creative concoctions of the thirty-some brewers assembled for the two-day event. Scott's also become a confident and engaging performer...check out his fourth release on Sugar Hill, Reconstruction, recorded live at The Down Home in Johnson City Tennessee. And he's got one of the coolest Websites around. And a hot high five to Steve Payne of Soundworks for his consistently stellar job of getting the music from the stage to our ears.

On to Ashland tomorrow for another close encounter with one of the most remarkable pure voices in Americana, or any music for that matter, John Cowan and his band at AC&T by the tracks. If you like r&b or the blues or you want to see and hear part of why New Grass Revival thrilled and inspired so many fans and bands alike back in their day, come check out the Cow. Show starts at 8.

Incidentally, John does a fine job narrating a new half-hour documentary on The Infamous Stringdusters viewable now online. It's a nicely done piece following the boys during a Colorado tour last March called "Four Days Of Infamy" If you don't know these guys yet, this is a great introduction. If you're already a big fan as I am, this will seal the deal. You'll even see Critter get a haircut!

And finally for now, congrats to Jeff Sadler for finally scoring the ABC diploma for Toad's Place! Make mine a double. The Avett Brothers on Sept. 20 and Marty Stuart on the 28th.

TT

Summer slips away...

Hopes were realized Wednesday night at the Coliseum when Alison Krauss and her world-class supporting cast played the big room and made it feel like a living room. Concerns about how her delicate acoustic sound would play in the 6th Street Cavern were quickly forgotten as Cliff Miller had his substantial system tuned to the room beautifully. The stage backdrop was a huge map of eastern Tennessee and western Virginia, presumably to remind us of the headwaters of Alison’s music. Rustic chandeliers hung from the ceiling giving it an intimate, homey feel. As good as the show looked and sounded, my only wish was for the live video projection that most of the arena concerts offer these days. For those of us a good distance from the stage, it would have made the experience more personal to have a closer look. And I feel silly bringing binoculars.

Jerry Douglas adds such a powerful element to the band’s dramatically clean and open arrangements and his tasteful fills are thrilling to hear. During his solo shot, he said he loved coming to Richmond because everyone knew what a Dobro was. He mentioned the influence of Josh Graves and the Old Dominion Barn Dance. I was glad JAMinc’s Wally Thulin was with us to see how far AKUS has come since he and Fieldcrest Music brought the band to McVey Theater at St. Catherine’s School in November of 1991. Back then, the group consisted of Alison Brown, Adam Steffey, Tim Stafford and Barry Bales. Tickets were $12. Alison had just won IBMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, and her first Grammy. She now has 20, more than any female artist ever. Her Coliseum set included a significant complement of bluegrass tunes as she catered to her audience well. Her contribution to the music is immeasurable.

Be sure to check out our own keyboard wizard Daniel Clarke, now on tour with pop sensation Mandy Moore. He gets a lot of camera time in a new special on the Oxygen network entitled “I Am Mandy Moore” which is a great look at what it takes to prepare for a CD release and a national tour to support it. We talked with Danny C in L.A. Wednesday night and he’s his always- enthusiastic self, and soaking up the whole scene. The show first aired early last week but it’ll probably run again. Don’t miss it.

Our long-awaited first visit to Toad’s Place happened Friday night as we headed down to the old Lady Bird Hat Factory, now the latest new venue along Richmond’s riverfront.
For reasons still unclear, even though they’ve been open since June, there’s still no ABC license at Toad’s but a good lesson was learned that you really don’t have to have drinks to have a great time. It’s quite a facility reminiscent of the old Flood Zone but nicer, with lots of concrete, brick and massive beams still exposed, visually pleasing but making the sound less than ideal, given the investment in high-end audio gear. We hope they’ll be able to soften up the hard surfaces in the room to improve the acoustics, given how much good music is planned in the coming months.

Homegrown bluegrassers Jackass Flats did an energetic opening set and got to spotlight their own Aaron Lewis who was the first-place fiddler at Galax last week. Congrats Aaron…mighty fine. Next up was the ever-enigmatic King Wilkie, who are busy working their new CD on Zoe/Rounder called Low Country Suite. It's a compelling snapshot of the band's musical evolution, which has led from their 2003 beginnings as faithful bluegrass disciples to their current, definitely darker, more mysterious place in Americana and including a few more non-traditional instruments like pedal and lap steel, ukulele and even a Shroeder-like toy piano. There's also a key personnel change now underway as lead guitarist and gifted songwriter Ted Pitney pulls away to pursue matters personal. His spot is being filled at least for now, by Adam Ollendorff, one of those gifted Berklee School guys out of Boston on steel. Seemed to be an amicable parting and I just hope Ted will continue to be one of the band's prime providers of great material. Only wish they'd had longer to play and could've worked in "Wrecking Ball, " my favorite KW tune.

And then, along came Sam Bush and he instantly made subjects of the nearly four hundred in the crowd as he kicked of his 90-minute set with "King of the World." He rode the "Bluegrass Train" straight back to the source with a most successful sing-along on "Uncle Pen." The band is as solid as ever with Sam's high-school classmate Byron House on bass, Chris Brown and his drums of renown, Stephen Mougin on guitar and versatile veteran Scott Vestal on his stealth banjo. Sam's got so many tools to draw on in building his musical game plan, not the least of which these days is his voice. His lead vocals have become stronger and more assured with each passing year and along with his singular eight-string stylings and his soulful way with a fiddle, Mr. Bush is a serious triple-threat. Make that quadruple as he adds another feather to a full cap as host of the IBMA Awards Show in Nashville on October 4th. He's had my vote for Entertainer of the Year for a long time...maybe one day he'll get his due.

I'll finish up tonight with an invitation to join us at my church out in Goochland County this coming Sunday for our annual bluegrass gospel service. It starts at 6pm at Hebron Presbyterian on Shallow Well Road between routes 6 & 250 and again features Paul & Damian Muller, Darin Lawrence and Buster Sexton. It's free, we don't take an offering and there's an old-fashioned ice cream social after the service. Y'all come...

Have a good week and thank the Lord for the rain...TT

Sweatin' To The Dog Days...

Does anyone else feel like they're starting to get used to this triple-digit heat? Almost getting to where you kind of enjoy it? Am I nuts? Maybe the dog days are getting to me but there's something therapeutic about getting some needed work done outdoors and working up a good sweat...and then the delicious cold shower. Hope you've managed to take in some of the hot offerings around here in the last week or so. It's Friday night in America, and I should be having a Honky Tonk Experience at Shenanigans, but here I sit. At least it's cool...

We caught the Nickel Creek/Fiona Apple collaboration at Innsbrook a week ago and thought Fiona, whom I'd never heard live before, did a great job in getting into the NC swing of things. The three California kids served as her band while she was onstage and they'd obviously worked out their arrangements well. Welch & Rawlings' "I Want To Sing That Rock and Roll" was a treat. There were more than a few Creek Freaks who felt Ms. Apple's presence took valuable time away from a fond farewell...not enough swan songs if you will. The tour stopped at the Charlottesville Pavilion the next night, with a different set list and a few distracting sound issues affecting, of all things, Chris Thile's mandolin. Given that they carry all their own sound gear and tech crew, that was the last shoe that should've been dropped.

Now all eyes will turn to Chris' new venture as he gets serious about The Tensions Mountain Boys, soon to pull up stakes from NYC and Nashville to set up shop in The Windy City. The How To Grow A Band will soon transition into the TMB consisting, if you've lost track, of Gabe Witcher on fiddle, Noam Pikelny on banjo, Greg Garrison on bass and Chris Eldridge on guitar. That's right, Chris is taking leave of The Infamous Stringdusters to take a ride on Thile's compelling train to Chicago. It was an understandably difficult decision for Critter to make but now that dust has settled, all concerned seem to be cool with it. Obviously a great opportunity for Ben's gifted boy, and a great opening for another fine guitarist Andy Falco who'll replace Chris in the Dusters come September. All the best to both amazing bands.

Sunday, the wilting heat and the threat of thunderstorms forced The Big Boss Combo indoors at Legend's, depriving us of one of Richmond's most entertaining cultural experiences: a deck full of Johnsons. Don't get me wrong, the gifted brothers from Limber, West Virginia do a great show even indoors, but indoors, you just can't make out all the lively stage banter that separates the BBC from all the other would-be bluegrass ensembles hereabouts. (Hereabouts is used in tribute to the late Norman Rowe) I did hear Harry Johnson when introducing brother Slim say "I'd rather hear Slim play the fiddle than eat. Of course I've heard Slim eat and it's not pretty." Don't miss Rusty, Harry, Tiny, Slim and Big Red Johnson when they next find their way to a stage near you.

Two top-drawer acts roll into R-town this coming week...Alison Krauss + Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas on Wednesday at the Coliseum and Sam Bush on Friday at Toad's Place. Seems like an awfully cavernous venue for Alison's delicate acoustic sound but they're blocking off half the building so it'll be a bit more intimate. Let's hope Cliff Miller can make the old room sound good...if anyone can, Cliff's the man. He runs SE Systems in Greensboro, the company that's done all the MerleFests from the beginning. Alison knows a good sound man when she hears one.

I'm really looking forward to checking out Toad's Place for the first time on Friday, and hats off to manager Jeff Sadler for bringing Sam to town. And for picking Jackass Flats and King Wilkie as openers. Should be a great night, especially if they have their ABC license by then. All the folks who were treated to an amazing Buddy Guy appearance there last week apparently got a little thirsty. Incidentally, the Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder show that was set for July 13th was rescheduled for November 3rd. Sadly that's the same night that Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Edgar Meyer play the UofR Modlin Center. I hate when that happens.

Congrats to Kay and the gang at Ashland Coffee and Tea for winning a readers' poll in Cooperative Living Magazine as best live music venue in Virginia. They even beat out The Birchmere! Don't miss the legendary Charlie Louvin (Ira's brother and half of country music's all-time best songwriting team) on the 22nd and the golden-throated John Cowan returning on the 30th.

See you somewhere along the way I hope...T

Catching Up...

With apologies to those who've been checking in for any new postings over the last few weeks, I've committed a few hours tonight to getting back up to speed with this journal endeavor. July's been full of family time and a few business trips but we just got back from our first Floydfest and it surpassed even the most raving reviews I'd heard from friends over the years.

For the uninitiated, the name Floydfest might evoke a celebration of the late Howard McNear's spacey, lovable character who kept the men of Mayberry well-groomed. But this Floydfest is named for the southwest Virginia mountain town that's home to the famous Friday Night Jamboree at the Old Country Store and the treasure chest on Talley's Alley that is County Sales.

For years, Floyd County has attracted settlers looking for personal freedom and alternative lifestyles...an escape from the commercial and the conventional. All those ingredients along with a team of visionary music lovers led by Kris Hodges and Erika Johnson have created the celebration of tunes and truth called Floydfest. I can't overstate what a wonderful accomplishment on the part of staff and volunteers we witnessed over those four days in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The festival's only six years old now, and having experienced other more mature events like Telluride, Grey Fox and Merlefest, I can't help but put this Virginia gem in that class of well run events with diverse and compelling lineups. We decided to go for the full experience and camp on site and had heard great things about Dancin' Dave's Festival Camping and we weren't disappointed. It's pretty cool to arrive a few hours before the festival starts and have your campsite all set up and ready for you. And Dave really is quite a hoofer!

The festival grounds are rolling woods and open fields right on the Blue Ridge Parkway with one of the most eclectic gatherings of food, craft and life science vendors you'll ever see. There are seven stages including two magnificently-crafted permanent pegged-beam structures that rival any outdoor venues anywhere. Stage Sound of Roanoke provided some of the best festival audio I've ever heard and the hard-working volunteers who handled the countless tasks it takes to put on a 4-day party for 10,000 people were always smiling. In short, we fell in love with Floydfest, and plan on making it an annual late-July fixture on our family calendar. Do check their Website for a look at how wide-open the lineup is for this festival and how many performers fill the schedule over the four days. It's one of the biggest cultural bargains anywhere on the planet...period.

I can't possibly cover all the artists we heard but I will touch on a few highlights starting with the Barrel House Mamas who kicked things off on the main Dreaming Creek stage on Thursday. They're a trio of young, old-time singer/songwriters out of Asheville who had folks talking all weekend. Delightful. Our pals the Infamous Stringdusters were next and it was fun to see and hear the reaction of those who hadn't witnessed their inspired musicianship before. The boys invited Sam Bush and Scott Vestal up for a jam near the end of their set and mandolinist Jesse Cobb couldn't hide his delight in trading licks with his mentor and idol. Didn't even try. Sam and his band closed out the evening with one of the most electrifying SBB sets we'd seen...at Floydfest, they leave the area down in front of the stage open for dancers and dreamers and the energy circulating between artist and audience makes for magic. That along with great stage lighting with fog machines and a mountain breeze in King Sammy's mane added an unforgettable visual component to favorites like "Howlin' At The Moon" and bassist Byron House channeling Led Zeppelin again for "Whole Lotta Love." The crowd went nuts.

Night one continued at the Pink Floyd Garden Stage, in an enchanted forest with twinkling lights and candles surrounded by rustic old salvaged iron fencing and bentwood gates to contain the beer and wine drinkers, where some of the lesser-known but most memorable acts kept things going into the wee hours. That first night we were all captivated by Rose's Pawn Shop, an amazing L.A. rock band infused with just the right amount of Appalachian sensibility. They were right at home.

Friday, we were advised not to miss this Charlottesville group called High Society. Led by a very creative tunesmith named Peyton Tochterman, and basically a stringband accented by the always tasteful trumpet of veteran John D'earth, they kicked things off on the main stage with a thought-provoking set of songs that might be most remembered for what happened in between two of them. Bass player Darrell Muller (yep, on loan from Old School Freight Train) in a most romantic move, asked one surprised Erin Allebaugh for her hand in marriage...right there in front of God and everybody. (See photo at right) He leaped gracefully from the 6-foot stage and placed a lovely ring on her finger, she breathlessly said yes and the show went on. Darrell wore a permanent smile for the rest of the set. Bountiful blessings to you both.

Having just enjoyed a more-than-memorable evening with The Waybacks here in Richmond last month, it was a treat to see them again so soon. As fine a night as that was, as all who were at the Science Museum will attest, something magical happened at the Hill Holler stage Friday night as the natural ampitheater filled with thousands in the cool mountain air to fuel the band with their love. The whole energy thing snowballed and it was just one of those times when all the stars were in alignment, all the cylinders were firing and the audience fed the musicians with the intoxicating enthusiasm that creates peak performance. Four (count 'em) four encores! Sorry you couldn't be there Jim, but at least CD On Demand was there to record most all the sets all weekend long including both Waybacks shows...the next best thing to being there.

Hats off to Virginia's very own folklorist Jon Lohmann for his informed and respectful hosting of the Workshop Porch stage all weekend. The Dixie Bee Liners and the Carolina Chocolate Drops among others drew large appreciative crowds. And who was that silver-caped crusader making the most of Saturday night's full moon around the fire circle in The Global Village? Who indeed?

Two bands I hadn't heard before delivered knockout punches: The Wiyos, down from Brooklyn with former Richmonder Parrish Ellis on a smoking rhythm guitar, have been seen around here at AC&T and elsewhere a few times but I've always missed them. Too bad as they're as refreshingly unique as it gets with their retro take on ragtime blues and hillbilly swing. I want more. We discovered The Old Ceremony at the Garden Stage on Saturday night and were immediately taken with frontman Django Haskins' command of his 7-piece orchestral rock band that included cello and vibraphone. Look up rock & roll lead singer/guitarist in the dictionary and there's Django, full of energy and confidence working through a set list full of captivating tunes about life and love. All of which he wrote by the way. Those who know of my penchant for bluegrass might be surprised how much I was knocked out by these guys from Chapel Hill. I learned too late that they opened for Squirrel Nut Zippers on opening night for our new riverside music hall Toad's Place. The next time they're here, I won't miss them, and neither should you.

Speaking of bluegrass, the genre was well-represented by groups like Three Fox Drive, Big Country Bluegrass, and the impeccable Blue Highway. Tim Stafford's amazing Ralph Stanley impersonation is spot-on and hilarious.

You might have seen Montreal guitarist Erik Mongrain in a frequently-forwarded YouTube video performing "Air Tap" on his lap. He plays in a most unconventional, percussive way and it was a treat to watch how he creates his intricate and hypnotic melodies right there, live, on the Dreaming Creek stage.

Floydfest subscribes to the "you can sleep when you're dead" philosophy as the Global Village stage next to the big campfire ring at the bottom of the hill goes 'til three in the morning. While I won't claim to have made it until then, we did hear some powerful performances from two Asheville ensembles: Afromotive and Toubab Krewe, artfully weaving a mesmerizing mix of rock and West African music that was the perfect soundtrack to a fully moonlit mountain morning. What is it about Asheville anyway? And Bryan Sutton too.

The last band standing was Railroad Earth, just back from a successful tour of Japan, and a perfect choice to leave the bitter-end crowd with full hearts as the hazy sun settled over the ridge. There's something about lead singer Todd Sheaffer's voice that casts a spell and Sunday's lingering festivarians were treated to a fitting rendition of "Where The Soul of Man Never Dies" and a terrific arrangement of one of my all-time favorite country tunes, Gram Parsons' "Luxury Liner." They tore it up. And the whole staff and crew took the stage during the encore to bask in the glory of a festival well done.

And it was, on every level. I was invited to Floydfest this year by production mangager John McBroom to offer some possible ways to refine and improve the tech side, based on my years as Cabin Stage manager at Merlefest. Bottom line...I had nothing. These guys had it all buttoned down. It's such a treat to see what a good idea, fed and nurtured by creative and caring people and a large measure of plain old hard work, can become. Congrats to my man Pete Daniels for capturing the essence and energy of the festival with his fine emcee work. Thanks John, and J.P. and Linda for making us feel welcome. And thanks to Kris and Erika for their remarkable gift to lovers of good music and good people. I hope I never miss another Floydfest.

I'll close with a shout out to our pals who were there and had been trying to get us there for so long...John & Pat Ward, Anita Conner, Ronnie & Karen Rush, and Scott & Kate Whitehead.

It was also good to see Merlefest's Nancy Watson there, and the tall, dark and handsome budding banjo man, Austen Lux. Thanks Austen...you added a lot.

Now...still to come and a little closer to home, don't forget Nickel Creek's farewell-for-now tour stops at Innsbrook this Friday night. And Alison Krauss + Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas plays the Coliseum on Wednesday, August 15th. The Coliseum! Does anyone remember when Wally Thulin and Fieldcrest Music brought Alison to the McVey Theater at St. Catherine's School? That was a lot of years and Grammys ago. And, two nights later, I'm looking forward to my first Toad's Place show with Sam Bush and King Wilkie. You too?

Is it really 3am? I'm out. Thanks for hanging with me on this post. Please feel free to forward to anyone who might be interested. Back soon...TT

Sacrifice...

Here's hoping you and yours are marking this Independence Day with something good on the grill, a refreshing beverage or two and at least a moment to quietly thank those statesmen and soldiers who put their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor on the line for all of us. And we pray for safe return to those who are still out there defending the precious notion on which this nation was founded. Taking it all for granted is too easy.

After tonight's fireworks have faded, there are a few notable musical opportunities to remind you of. Virginia's great keeper of the folk flame John McCutcheon will be in town at VCU's Singleton Performing Arts Center tomorrow (Thursday) night.

On Friday, one of last fall's National Folk Festival show stoppers, go go king Chuck Brown plays Fridays at Sunset on Brown's Island.

And Saturday, unless you're a closet member of the Soul Patrol and you're headed to Innsbrook to catch Idol Taylor Hicks, you'll want to be with us at VCU again for The Jackie Frost Ensemble.
And if you haven't checked out Richmond's new music hall, Toad's Place yet, Friday the 13th might be the perfect night, as Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder blow into town. I got to bring Ricky onstage 25 years ago just north of town at a now-defunct club called J.P.'s and I'm looking forward to the same privilege at Toad's. Getting old ain't so bad.
One more thing...if you're a true Country Gentlemen fan, you'll have to hit the road to Berryville in northern Virginia for the Gent's 50th Anniversary Reunion show on July 14th. Randy Waller, who's capably carrying on for Charlie, tells me that almost every one of the past members of this beloved band will be showing up for the tribute...it should be a fitting occasion to mark the huge contribution the Country Gentlemen have made to the music.

Stay well...TT

Telluride Retreat

Over a week's come and gone since we got back from our magical mystery tour to Telluride and the task of putting it all into words still daunts me. So please accept a rotating gallery of images that will change periodically so if you're interested, check back. Thanks to all the inspiring musicians, especially John Cowan, New Belgium Brewery, makers of Fat Tire and the Good Lord for making those magnificent mountains. It was too good to be true...TT

Saturday Night in America..

It's after Saturday midnight at Telluride and as I write this, I'm listening to John Cowan and Drew Emmitt out the window do "Fly Through The Country" next door at the Sheridan Opera House...they're playing big and loud as they should...I just can't do it all. Getting ready to hit the hay and I'm way too tired to make any attempt at describing the last three days...complete sensory overload. I will post this shot of tonight's Sam Bush Band encore with at least twenty notable pickers on stage at one time. See if you can name them...King Sammy has lots of friends. One more day...it's going too fast now...TT

Telluride @ 34

It's difficult to overstate how privileged I feel to be in the San Juan mountains of southwest Colorado again to soak in the overwhelming sensory pleasures of Telluride Bluegrass. Since 1988, this is our fifth one and despite the miles and the moolah required to get to this remote old mining town-turned chi-chi ski resort, it's always more than worth it, given the breathtaking setting and the indescribable vibe created by the world-class musicians who come to play here. Telluride sits in a box canyon at just under nine thousand feet of elevation surrounded on three sides by 14 thousand foot peaks still holding snow on this first full day of summer...that combined with a group of visionaries headed by Craig Ferguson who have built this festival over 34 years into arguably the nation's best presented weekend of Americana music, creating a spiritual vibe that can only be felt, not described. So with that, and with one day down and three to go, I've decided to try to let my pictures do the talking this time...my heart's already so full there's no way I could do this thing justice in words. All I will say is if you can ever work these four days in June into your calendar, it'll be a life-changing experience. More to come...TT

On tracks...

So this is what happens when a technically-inclined music lover throws up a couple of condenser mikes on a tall stand out in the house in front of a great band...a pretty sweet representation of what it was like to be there. Sean Wahlberg was there at the Waybacks show at the Science Museum Saturday and he wants us all to enjoy it whether we were there or not. The whole night is just a click away in more formats than I understand. Thanks Sean...TT

Way...

This won't be a long post, since, as I said previously, it's tough to put the Waybacks in a neat little box and tell folks who haven't heard them either live or on record what they're all about. After our long-awaited show at the Science Museum tonight, it's now even more futile to categorize the virtuosic genre-bending they pull off so effortlessly. Those of us who have a lengthy track record with these guys were well rewarded with their first encore, an extended jam on their signature "Bright Place", the one that won me over on MerleFest's Cabin Stage six or more years ago. Yes, they did "Petrified Man" too and the one about red grenadine but the new stuff was what impressed tonight. All I can say is, for Pete's sake guys, lets get the new record out! The junior Wayback Warren Hood is making huge contributions both as fiddler and mando man but even more notably as a crooning singer/songwriter. He pushed lots of buttons in the crowd with the hook "I'm Tired of Always Being Right." And guitar wizard James Nash had us in the palm of his hand making sure we didn't miss a single lyric to a new millenium prison song called "Daughter of a Conjugal Visit." You can't make this stuff up...but James did. Stevie Coyle added to his distictive finger-style guitar work with a solid lap steel on selected tunes and the band's impeccable rhythm section, Chuck Hamilton on drums and Joe Kyle, Jr. on bass were their always steady and tasteful selves. It's a privilege to watch musicians of this caliber do their thing especially knowing they're such good human beings to boot. Thanks to Jim Napier for making this whole thing happen for the third straight year and for letting us tag along for the ride. If you've never seen The Waybacks, and they're ever close by, please do yourself a favor and check them out. It doesn't matter what kind of music you like. You'll dip your bucket deep into the well, and come up full. Thanks everybody, especially Gary and Patrick. I miss you guys already. My only regret is that I missed Adrienne Young tonight at AC&T She's got a new CD out and I'm sure it's terrific. And I'm gonna miss the Cowboy Junkies and King Wilkie at Lewis Ginter this Thursday, and the Biscuit Burners and Cephas & Wiggins in Ashland this coming weekend. But the San Juans are calling....TT

TT

Way cool...

We're really looking forward to the return of the band without a brand, and by that I mean it's next to impossible to verbally describe what they do musically and what kind of experience you'll have hearing them live. The Waybacks are a five-man West Coast entity that cuts a wide swath through the Americana pasture leaving bales of happy and enlightened listeners behind. Here are some descriptive attempts from their Website. They'll be headlining the third annual Music For Massey benefit for VCU's Massey Cancer Center, this year at the Science Museum of Virginia this coming Saturday, the 16th. Click here for more info and online ticket purchase. Richmond's perennially engaging Gary Gerloff will open. I'll emcee. Can't wait...TT

Rose River Reflections...

Even before I started this journal, I'd always find it nearly impossible to come back home after another festival and try to adequately answer the question from well-meaning friends, "Well, how was it?" Folks who don't have an earnest, active interest in music, either as a player or a serious listener can't possibly comprehend how deeply we can be affected by four days in a setting like Graves Mountain with old friends and new, inspiring musicians both on stage and on the porch, decadent food and drink and a complete disconnect from the cares and responsibilities of home. The transition back is always an effort, but is always so worth it. This 15th year at Graves was no exception.

Emily and I snuck out a day early to get a head start on the reunion and to partake of the bountiful AYCE seafood buffet Wednesday night...a highly-recommended indulgence if I'm able to interest you in making the 2008 16th edition which will fall on May 29-31 next year. The pan-seared scallops were sublime. There was a sufficient number of other early arrivals to get our homemade music going after supper, and right up front, I'd like to thank all the pickers who made the old cabin rafters ring for those four nights: Danny Hughes, Billy Lux, Billy Budd, Don Grubb, Kenny Young, Randy Cook, Jack Cowardin, Will Perkinson, John Ward, Scott Street, Tim Oksman and my own E minor. A special debt is owed to our New England pal Lincoln Meyers who drove all the way from New Hampshire to join us this year and dazzle us once again with his technical and tasteful proficiency as a guitarist. Lincoln's residence pulled in some other amazing newcomers to our fold, guys we hadn't heard before like 20-year-old Marylander Jordan Tice on guitar and The Biscuit Burners' new five-string phenom Wes Corbett. It's such a privilege to witness musicians at that level, feeding off each other's energy and creativity just sitting there before your eyes and ears in the living room. An indescribable thrill...thanks to all involved and to those who I inadvertently left out. These organic affairs often went on from early evening to 3 in the morning so the resulting sleep deficit may have impaired the already deficient memory bank a bit.

Oh yeah, and there was a little bluegrass festival going on too, over on the main stage by the refreshingly cool waters of the Rose River, which was of course filled with all manner of humanity, young and old, seeking relief from the hotter-than-mountains-should-be temperatures. I'm not not going to attempt a full review of the festival's impressive lineup this year...just a few highlights. Since we've been on their bandwagon since the beginning a few short years ago, we sat in rapt attention to see what new tricks The Infamous Stringdusters had up their sleeves since last time. We aren't the only ones out there who regard the Dusters as their new favorite band...they're so gifted in every department...instrumentally and vocally...carefully crafted arrangements and breathtaking endings...and a case full of youthful charm. When bassist Travis Book broke into his tender rendition of "Poor Boy's Delight," an entranced would-be Molly kicked off her flip-flops and evaded the vise-like security to join the boys on stage and even take a few turns with Jesse Cobb in an unplanned but fitting interpretation of the song's lyrics. "Do you think it'd be wrong?" The unnamed damsel obviously didn't think so. One of the coolest coincidences ever came with the band chosen to close out Thursday night's show. The second full moon in the month of May was set to rise about the time an excellent East Tennessee group called Blue Moon Rising was to wrap things up for the night. Only at Graves Mountain.

Friday, it was a treat to catch Western North Carolina's Steep Canyon Rangers, one of the really solid new bands out there. They still kill me with one of their old favorites, "Feelin' Just A Little Like Earl," a witty nod to The Intimidator and his NASCAR world. And from the same neck of the woods, The Biscuit Burners opened some ears to their fiery brand of mountain music with their willowy new lead vocalist Odessa Jorgenson and aforementioned banjo wunderkind Wesley Corbett. Don't miss 'em at AC&T later this month. The Grascals proved emphatically that the IBMA Entertainer of the Year award they snagged last fall was no fluke. Those whose tastes run back a little closer to the trunk of the tree were thrilled to mark the return of Graves regulars IIIrd Tyme Out (who incidentally welcomed back their longtime mandolin man Wayne Benson after a 3-year hiatus with John Cowan). Russell Moore demonstrated that it's about time for another IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year win. And for the real deal, Victor Dowdy and his high-intensity Bluegrass Brothers blew the lid off the joint to close out Friday night.

I dare say that there were more of bluegrass music's top bands gathered at Graves on Saturday than anywhere else on the planet. The Mark Newton Band kicked it off early at 10am with some of the excellent material from his new Carl Jackson-produced "Hillbilly Hemingway" project. Carl would join him later along with the remarkable mandolin prodigy Sierra Hull, who's pretty much all grown up now and is fronting her own group. The band that's largely responsible for turning me on to this stuff all those years ago, The Seldom Scene is still going strong thanks to the tenacity and taste of founding member Ben Eldridge and the "new guys" Ronnie Simpkins, Fred Travers and recent Bluegrass Now cover boys Dudley Connell and Lou Reid. The first of two phenomenal families on Saturday's schedule, The Isaacs were up next with their soaring harmonies and powerful message. If listening to siblings Sonya, Becky and Ben Isaacs lean into "It Is Well" doesn't put a lump in your throat and a tear in your eye, you might check your pulse for signs of life. And what some of us foolishly wrote off as a novelty act at first has now emerged as a stunning testament to what togetherness and hard work can do when properly applied. Cherryholmes, who won IBMA's top prize, Entertainer of the Year in 2005, the same year they were nominated for Emerging Artist, is an actual nuclear family of six, father Jere, mother Sandy Lee, daughters Cia Leigh and Molly Kate and sons B.J. and Skip. If you didn't know it was real, you'd find it completely implausible that all this talent could dwell in one family and that they could get this good in such a relatively short time. And their elegantly tailored and sequined stagewear demonstrates that these vagabonds take what they do very seriously. It's a joy to behold. They'll be back at Graves Mountain for a concert on Sunday, August 12...definitely worth a drive up the Old Blueridge Turnpike. We got our first chance to check out Mountain Heart since lead vocalist Steve Gulley split for Grasstowne and were relieved to hear that his able replacement Josh Shilling is more than up to the task of maintaining the high energy and power one of the music's top ensembles. And with Adam Steffey and Barry Abernathy sharing the lead load, Mountain Heart is still beating strongly.
National Heritage Fellow and now doctor of fine arts from King College Doyle Lawson sported the seriously sporty red Nudie jacket he wore on the New Years Eve broadcast of a Prairie Home Companion and gave his usual vocal workshop rendering impeccably arranged tunes, secular and non-. It's still a thrill for me to hear their signature gospel tune "On The Sea of Life." Nothing's ever topped that one for me. His left-hand man, lead vocalist, guitarist and foil Jamie Dailey is departing at the end of the year to start a new band with Kentucky Thunder's Darrin Vincent (Rhonda's brother). Jamie's become so much more than a great singer in Quicksilver and it's hard to imagine Doyle finding someone who'll be able to handle the light-hearted banter the two have enjoyed on stage together for the better part of ten years. It won't be the same. And what can you say about the current passengers on the Martha White Bluegrass Express that hasn't already been said? Rhonda Vincent hasn't been voted Female Vocalist of the Year by her peers for seven consecutive years for nothing. Her fans are loving, loyal and legion. And we even got to see her spit on the stage in an effort to dislodge an errant flying insect. Apparently it's all the rage. She said that was a first. So did the bug.
While it wasn't the final set of the evening, the most moving featured Alabama's Bradley Walker, wheelchair bound with Muscular Dystrophy but with a big baritone voice and a bigger heart. He's captivated a growing list of Nashville's finest players and singers, guesting with them on stage over the years and they're now returning the favor on his highly regarded new CD "Highway of Dreams," another labor of love for Grammy-winning producer Carl Jackson.
Bradley's all-star band was led by Carl along with Jim Van Cleve, Adam Steffey, John Wheat, Fred Travers, Clay Hess and Ben Isaacs. Also offering backup vocals on selected tunes were Sonya Isaacs, Rhonda Vincent, Cia Cherryholmes and Mark Newton. Hearing the result of all that talent gathered to support such a courageous and inspiring young man like Bradley was a profound experience. Standing backstage while Bradley, Carl and Sonya delivered Jackson's "If I Hadn't Reached For The Stars" had me as choked up as I've been in a long, long time. Music is such a direct line to the heart.

Thanks to Jimmy, Rachel, Lucky, Lynn & Trisha Graves, Mark Newton, Sonny Ludlam, Frank Jurney, Gene and Johnnie Daniell, Madison Gibson, Dennis Campbell and all the family, staff and volunteers who make this weekend at summer's edge such a meaningful pleasure every year. Now get some well-earned rest...I insist.

TT

Stand by...

Just back from another amazing weekend at Graves Mountain and I'm dealing with the inevitable emotional gear change required after immersing one's self in an intense parade of music, food and friends for four full days and nights and then having to return to reality. I'll try to gather my thoughts and share some reflection on a singular experience in the next few days. It was too hot for what you kinda like to feel in the mountains, but the rain held off until it was over, so no complaints there. Hope you had a good June weekend, wherever you were.

TT

BAM!

...hundreds of them actually over the James River Saturday night as the Grucci pyrotechnicians kicked it up a notch and put on a thrilling finale to Richmond's 400th birthday party. We ventured up to our old Libby Hill Park neighborhood to find a perfect vantage point with thousands of others...the fireworks really were amazing with many new planetary and blooming flower shells that we hadn't seen before. How do they do that?

We'd picked up a bite beforehand at Buz & Ned's Real Barbecue on the Boulevard as a warmup for this week's airing of the big Bobby Flay Throwdown on the Food Network.
For those who don't know, my far better half Deveron is food & drink editor at Style Weekly and was in on setting up Richmond barbecue king Buz Grossberg for the friendly competition between superstar chef Flay and a local culinary hero of his choosing. She and Richmond Magazine writer Dave McCormack were judges. The ribbing was taped back in April on the University of Richmond campus and will air this Thursday night at 10 on Food TV. If you can't wait 'til then, Buz is inviting a thousand of his closest friends to the Byrd Theater for a pre-screening and free barbecue sliders (whatever they are and while they last) at 7pm. If you haven't heard who won by the way, let's just say long and slow does it every time.

It's time to be getting your tickets for the 3rd annual Music for Massey show with the Waybacks on the tracks at the Science Museum on June 16th. These West Coasters are so indescribably entertaining that you don't want to miss a rare chance to catch them live. Good ol' Gary Gerloff opens. Tickets

As previously stated, I hope the Graves Mountain festival is on your calendar this year...it starts day after tomorrow and arguably the hottest new band on the circuit is there on opening day...the Infamous Stringdusters. Graves lineup

Hope you had a meaningful Memorial Day...TT

Summer starts here...

Another "proud to be in Richmond" evening last Thursday as the 3rd Groovin' In The Garden concert of the season brought out another sellout crowd to the lawn for Medeski, Martin & Wood. This venerable trio of imaginative jazz players brought one of their fairly infrequent acoustic sets to the rose belvedere stage that began with John Medeski strumming the strings of his road-worn baby grand in beautiful autoharp-like chords. They cast a magical spell over the mellow, appreciative crowd, somewhat of a different vibe from previous week's offering of Dickey Betts & Great Southern. The Garden has something for everybody. Nice flowers too.

And last night, Old School Freight Train made tracks for their home station, Ashland Coffee & Tea for a snapshot of evolution as a band. The fifth man is still the rhythmically remarkable Robby Sinclair incorporating a sporty red Samsonite suitcase into his drum kit to great advantage. The guys were loose and comfortable, rolling out some fine new Pete Frostic tunes and giving some of their old favorites a fresh face. Their vocals and their instrumental prowess continue to grow in depth and sophistication. And for those who lament their move away from bluegrass, they even tossed a bone out for the finale, in "How Mountain Girls Can Love." OFST is ready to sign a new record deal and have a busy summer planned. Catch a ride if you can.

Richmond's four seasons always preceed themselves and this year's no exception, with the start of summer jumping the calendar by quite a few weeks. We have a had a fine spring overall, with enough rain and comfortable temperatures...I guess it's time for a good hot holiday weekend, especially as we anticipate putting the lid on the big quadricentennial with the Grucci fireworks show tonight over the river downtown. Can't miss that. And Memorial Day weekend also means it's almost time to head up the Old Blueridge Turnpike from Gordonsville to Syria for the 15th edition of the Graves Mountain Festival of Music. Haven't missed a one and if you haven't been yet, this might be a good year for at least a day trip, as all three days are stocked with great bluegrass talent (click here for lineup) not to mention the serene setting, the campground jams and the famous Graves family cooking. Hope to see a bunch of you up there.

And please find some time alone with your thoughts this weekend to reflect on the blessings we share in this country and on those who gave their all to make it possible. The sacrifice continues, and we can never be grateful enough.

So much...

This post is gonna be tough to bang out as I've soaked up so much great talent since Thursday. Now that I've opened the door to this venture, I feel a certain obligation to give the performances I've had the privilege to witness their due, which is a challenge, both to my available time and my ability to properly put it into words. Here goes...

I will say that it's not my favorite local venue for live music, as elegant as it is. The Marble Hall at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is like one cavernous shower, but a good time was had by all thanks to the first rate bar room chops of Brad Spivey and his bona fide Honky Tonk Experience. They proved they could successfully work any room, but next time we'll head for Shenanigans or Poe's Pub for a more appropriate setting. I love these guys. Always a treat to hear Mike Lucas' tasteful guitar work and Randy Cook's ever-growing command of the pedal steel. His graceful wife Bitty even took a few turns with the ladies' urban cowboy-of-choice for the evening, Craig McFarland.

I don't usually talk a lot of theater here but I have to hand out some serious accolades to the veterans at Theatre IV who wrapped up their month-long run of "The Wizard of Oz" last weekend at the Empire. Friend/actor/voice talent Cathy Shaffner told me last week how she was blown away by the caliber of the production and I'm so glad she encouraged me to squeeze it in for the Saturday matinee. My almost-21 daughter Emily somewhat reluctantly agreed to come along, but after all was said and done, she was so glad she did. We have such a rich vein of talent running through our theater community here and they pulled out all the stops for this one at every level; the production values including beautiful and elaborate sets, complete with flying witches and monkeys, a small but big sounding live orchestra, and amazing cast including 19-year-old Alia Bisharat as Dorothy who outsang Judy Garland and seemingly channeled her in the spoken parts. My old pal Gordon Bass made a convincingly sweet and bumbling Wizard and long-time colleague Jan Guarino not only devoured the airborn Wicked Witch role, but directed the whole darn thing as well...husband Bo Wilson smoothly juggled all the balls as stage manager. There must have been fifty some cast members including a bunch of adorable kids playing Munchkins...little Emily Zinsser stole my heart. A sincere salute to Bruce Miller and Phil Whiteway for all they've done with Theatre IV and the Barksdale over all these years. We're not worthy.

Saturday continued with a late afternoon of perfect chamber of commerce weather for the Canal Walk wrapup on Brown's Island. Richmond's own Taters enjoyed a career highlight kind of a gig opening for country's silver siren Emmylou Harris. Jim Wark...you rock! I'll confess to at least a little anticipatory ambivalence when I heard she was only toting two musicians to her Richmond show. But having heard her with Buddy Miller before, I should've known that he would be all she'd need to run off a ninety-minute string of songs that made her who she is today...profound tunes like "Easy From Now On," "Pancho & Lefty, " "One Of These Days," and "Wheels." And some of her haunting newer stuff too like "Can You Hear Me Now?" Miller proved again to be one of the most worthy in a long list of backup singers to stand to Emmy's right on stage, folks like Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs, Barry Tashian, Sam Bush and Jon Randall. And more lately John Starling. Chris Donohue sealed the deal with sensitive acoustic and electric bass. It was overall a very sweet and mellow afternoon, something a little unusual when compared with the typical Brown's Island summer fare. Even the trains on the river trestle seemed to pass a little more quietly and reverently, in the presence of royalty.

Sunday afternoon at historic St. John's Church, I had the privilege of narrating a special performance by the Richmond Choral Society entitled "It Started In Jamestown." It's always moved me to hear a really good well-rehearsed choir and this seasoned group fills that bill and more, under the able guidance of Thom Williams. They went through an hour's worth of music selected to illustrate life in colonial America and the British influence on our culture. I got to stand in the pulpit in the very room where Patrick Henry made his courageous cry for liberty or death and offer some context for the music. What a thrill. Thanks to Thom and Jack Winn for the opportunity, to Dawn Desmond for my well-researched script and to the amazing Markus Compton on piano. I'm fortunate enough to hear Markus every week accompanying and leading our sanctuary choir at Hebron Church in Goochland County.

Groovin' In The Garden continues Thursday at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with one of the hottest and most adventurous jazz ensembles in the nation Medeski, Martin & Wood. This NY-based trio has a huge and growing national following and they're sure to light up the night at Richmond's most beautiful outdoor venue. Homemade Bread will open. Tasty. Daniel Clarke and son Joe will disown me if I miss this one. www.richmondconcerts.net

We'll see you on the tracks in Ashland Friday for Old School Freight Train's semi-regular stop at what amounts to their home base. Haven't talked with any of the guys since Jesse Harper's solo gig last month, so I assume it'll be Pete, Nate, Darrell and Jesse along with Robby Sinclair on percussion. I'll let you know if I hear anything different.

Closer to home, here's a first alert to another wonderful night on different tracks, at the old Union Station on Broad Street, now the Science Museum of Virginia. On Saturday, June 16th the impossible-to-cubbyhole Waybacks from the West Coast will find their way back to Richmond for the 3rd Annual Music For Massey benefit for the Massey Cancer Center at the VCU. We've moved the show from the Canal Club to this wonderful outdoor venue (we can move indoors if it rains) and urge those who've never witnessed this fabulously entertaining and engaging group of musicians before to put the date on your calendars post haste. Get your tickets now at www.ticketstobuy.com Richmond's own lovably irascible Gary Gerloff will open. See you then...if not sooner.

As I sit writing this post, the task has been made all the more pleasurable thanks to a tip from my younger sister and musical compadre Vicki Burton in Southport, NC. She emailed me a few weeks ago about this online radio station called The Folk Alley, saying that now that she's found it, she's found a friend for life...all she'll ever need. Skeptical, I checked it out and I have to say I'm now a believer. If I had my own radio station, it would sound pretty much like Folk Alley...great mix of music, knowledgeable, low-key personalities, no commercials of any kind, and it's all free. It operates like a public radio station running on listener contributions and I'm about to make a good one. Check it out and let me know if you agree. www.folkalley.com

Enough...have a great week...TT

Correction...

I was misinformed when letting you guys in on who'll be backing Emmylou Harris this Saturday on Brown's Island. Thanks to Bill Craig's excellent interview in this morning's T-D, I see that she'll be bringing her long-time roadmate Buddy Miller to Richmond along with Chris Donohue. Buddy's a great singer/player in his own right and it'll be the next best thing to having Mark Knopfler along to reprise some of the terrific material from the duet album "All The Roadrunning." Should be another handsome feather in River City's musical cap...thanks to Wachovia for making it happen .

Looks like the Honky Tonk Experience has won out...see you at the Virginia Museum for Third Thursday tonight at six...TT

Music in May...

Hats off to Steve Bassett for courageous genre-blending on his Virginia State Parks tour with Goochland's Michelle Nixon and Drive. We caught their performance last Saturday at Chippokes Plantation near Surry and I'll admit to a touch of skepticism when I saw he'd brought his trusty Hammond B-3 with Leslie along for the ride. Purists may disagree but I thought they found an intriguing middle ground between folk/bluegrass and gospel/r&b. My favorite was a rollicking version of Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" as their encore. Few have Steve's command of that classic organ and it's still a thrill to hear him work it so instinctively. Just ask Delbert McClinton, who often takes Mr. B on tour with him. We got into an after-show jam in the campground, and some tasty burgers on the grill before turning in, only to be awakened by a wee-hours downpour that beat on the tent so hard Deveron and I couldn't hear each other talk. We were amazed and delighted that the borrowed, untested tent kept us completely dry and cozy. Happy Mother's Day indeed.

Lots more to come this week...wish there were three of me on Thursday as I'd love to take in all the competing shows: the man, the myth, Brad Spivey and his Honky Tonk Experience, as fun and entertaining a tribute to real country music as you'll hear anywhere, play the Virginia Museum's Third Thursday. www.honkytonkexperience.com Up at the center of the universe, the mesmerizing bluesman Chris Smither returns to Ashland Coffee & Tea. www.ashlandcoffeeandtea.com To complete the trifecta, how about the guy who wrote "Jessica" and took over for Duane upon his passing in the Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts and Great Southern returning to Groovin' In The Garden. www.richmondconcerts.net Whew! I'm still agonizing over that call...I'll see you at one or the other for sure.

There'll be no dilemma about what to do Saturday, as Emmylou Harris makes her way to Brown's Island for an acoustic set to conclude the Canal Walk fundraiser. www.canalwalk.org Original Seldom Scene lead vocalist John Starling, who's one of my all time favorites and his new band Carolina Star will back up Emmylou. If you missed the earlier post, Carolina Star is comprised of former Scene bandmates Mike Auldridge and Tom Gray, along with Jimmy Gaudreau and Rickie Simpkins. Expect some wonderful chestnuts from Ms. Harris' Roses In The Snow era. Can't wait.

And on Sunday, I have the honor to narrate a special performance by the Richmond Choral Society at St. John's Church marking four hundred years of British influence in the making of America. It's entitled "It Started In Jamestown." www.richmondchoralsociety.org This is a top-drawer choir and goosebumps are guaranteed, especially in this historic setting.

Thanks for your time in stopping by here from time to time...makes the keyboard time worthwhile.

TT

Friday Night in America...

I had to knock out a quick post after enjoying a great evening of bluegrass, delicious food & drink and old friends at the 13th annual Hoedown in the Garden at St. Joseph's Villa. The venerable Lonesome River Band is definitely back in business with the return of lead vocalist/guitarist Brandon Rickman who's honed his interpretive skills to a high level in his time away with family. Along with Matt Ledbetter (Phil's son) on Dobro, Alan Ball on mandolin and Mike Anglin (formerly with Larry Cordle and 3 Fox Drive) on bass, LRB seems to have found its trademark groove again. Hats off to a patient and dedicated Sammy Shelor for delivering something worth waiting for...solid, hard-hitting bluegrass of the highest caliber. They played at this fundraiser for the Flagler Home at St. Joseph's Villa, and it's highly recommended that you make plans for next year. It's a pretty pricey ticket ($75) but when it includes four hours of open bar and a delicious buffet of barbecue chicken and pork along with delectible crabcake and oyster apppetizers catered by David Napier of the White House Restaurant and Old City Bar, not to mention two sets of LRB, it's a serious bargain. FYI, we were treated to an opening act I hadn't had the chance to hear before...longtime banjo great Clyde Bailey (with son Christopher playing a mean bass cello) and the Rock Solid Bluegrass Band (I'll confess I might have missed their exact name) opening the evening with an impressive set of tunes. We'll be hearing more from them I'm sure.

On to America's birthday party...night all...TT

Four In A Row...

I'm in the middle of four straight nights of live music...here's a quick half-time show: Another big season at Innsbrook had us among the throngs enjoying the prodigious slide guitarist Derek Trucks and his excellent band. How do twenty-somethings like Derek and Jonny Lang absorb so much of the blues and let it flow so instinctively at such a young age? Check the summer schedule at www.innsbrookafterhours.com.

Last night was the season opener for Groovin' in the Garden at Lewis Ginter...a beautiful night in every way as perennial favorites The Seldom Scene kicked things off with a few tunes for their long-awaited new studio album due out late this summer. God bless Ben Eldridge for keeping the flame alive. North Carolina's high-octane string band The Avett Brothers closed things out with their unvarnished vocal treatment of a compelling set list of original music. The boys are hot, have a growing legion of fans and have scored an appearance on Conan O'Brien's late show tonight on NBC. The brothers Beals of Haymaker Productions have come up with a big-time lineup for the next seven Thursdays. Please...take a look at www.richmondconcerts.net.

Tonight, I'm really looking forward to hearing the latest evolution of the legendary Lonesome River Band at St. Joseph's Villa's Hoedown in the Garden. LRB has played this gig for the last six years at least...it used to be at Lewis Ginter. Bandleader/banjo master Sammy Shelor has lured lead singer/guitarist Brandon Rickman back after a few years away...should be fun.

And tomorrow we're off to Chippokes State Park near Surry (across the river from Jamestown and all the 400th Birthday madness) to camp out overnight and take in Steve Bassett's acoustic summer tour with Michelle Nixon and Drive. Hope the rain holds off as our tent is untested for waterproofing.

Hope all you mothers are treated well on Sunday...you can never be thanked enough...TT

Old friends...

Welcome back to the ol' journal and congrats to my long-time friend/musician/promoter Mark Newton for his tenacity and hard work that have led to a great new album Hillbilly Hemingway produced by Carl Jackson, and a couple of fine sets last Thursday at Ashland Coffee and Tea. Those who've known Mark since his Knoxville Grass or Heights of Grass or Virginia Squires days will recognize a guy who's matured musically and has gathered not only some compelling material, but some top players for his band as well. Along with tasteful banjo work by John Wheat and solid standup bass and vocals from Beth Lawrence, we were treated to virtuoso performances from Clay Hess on guitar and Randy Kohrs on Dobro. The latter two had me shaking my head in disbelief all night over how cleanly and creatively they supported the vocals and ripped their breaks. They both are solid lead vocalists as well. A select few took advantage of one-on-one workshops with Clay and Randy, arranged by JAMinc at AC&T this past Saturday. I hope we'll see a bunch of you at the 15th annual Graves Mountain Festival of Music May31-June 2. Mark, Sonny Ludlam and Jimmy Graves have built this event into one of the nation's finest small festivals. Check the potent lineup at http://gravesmountain.com/bluegrass.htm I haven't missed a one and we might see you the Wednesday night before at the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Start fasting now.

And I have to pass along heartfelt thanks to our favorite balladeer George Turman for drawing another memorable evening of homemade music from the Among Friends well. What a treat for me and daughter Emily to share the stage with the likes of Frank Coleman, Libby Dunton, Jackie Frost, Sheryl Warner, Richard Ward and the inimitable Uncle George. Conspicuous in their absence were Daniel Clarke, Chris Fuller, Danny Hughes, Billy Lux and Jim Skelding. (Daniel was on the road with Mandy Moore, the rest were doing a Big Boss Combo/Johnson Brothers gig at a fancy Kentucky Derby party) So they were missed but the Shady Grove Coffee House crowd seemed to indicate they got their money's worth. They sure made us feel welcome at any rate. Big fun.

Just a heads up for late this year or early next...Deveron and I were treated to hard hat tour of the National Theater this morning, downtown at 7th and Broad. I haven't been as excited about something coming to our city for as long as I can remember. It is a true diamond in the rough at this stage but it promises to be an incredible music venue for audiences and artists alike when it's done. Harry Kollatz, Jr. did a great piece on the work-in-progress in this month's Richmond Magazine. Go to www.richmondmagazine.com and click on the Center Stage link.

And we just heard that Nickel Creek's farewell tour along with Fiona Apple will stop in Richmond at Innsbrook on August 3rd.

Last word...join us at Chippokes State Park this Saturday evening across the river from Jamestown, as Steve Bassett "blows the dust off' in an acoustic concert backed by bluegrassers Michelle Nixon and Drive. Rumor has it there'll be a fine jam in the campground afterwards...happy birthday America!

TT

History made...

Well, the 20th MerleFest is now a fading memory or should I say a boxcar load of memories, and trying to sort through and recount them is a daunting task. I've been on the tech staff at this festival for all but two of those twenty years and it's become such an important part of my year every April that I can easily get choked up talking about it with folks who understand how music and those who make it can enrich your life. It's a warm reunion for the team that runs things, so many of whom return every year and pick up where they left off. It's really impossible to convey the MerleFest experience in words or even pictures. But do check the Website (www.merlefest.org) and consider joining the 80, 000 who journey to Wilkesboro from all over the world. It might change your life...it has mine.

The stars converged this year to produce an event that many of us had pretty much given up on...a New Grass Revival reunion. The band went its separate ways after opening for The Grateful Dead on new year's eve of 1989 and until last Saturday, had not been seen together, save for backing up Garth Brooks on Conan O'Brien's late night show four or five years ago.
The four, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Bela Fleck and Pat Flynn injected an amazing new power and sophistication to bluegrass that captivated fans and influenced bands all over the world. All have moved on to successful careers of their own, but legions have been waiting for a chance to see and hear them together again. Patience was rewarded during the 20th Anniversary Jam Saturday afternoon on the Watson Stage. The cool thing was, it wasn't really planned...Doc had requested that it happen, since NGR was present at the very first MerleFest, but nothing was agreed to. Sam had brought Pat on stage to play with Jam guest Pam Tillis. The Dirt Band's John McEuen was actually holding down the banjo slot until Bela entered from stage right and there they were. Although not on the set list, Sam seized the moment and lit into Townes Van Zandt's White Freight Liner Blues, and thousands were overcome with the great sense of joy and relief that the impossible is indeed possible and we might look forward to more of this down the road.

The other highlight was an emotional and loving Saturday night tribute to the music of Tony Rice by Alison Krauss and Union Station with Jerry Douglas. Sadly Tony's not singing any more but as he joined AKUS for a nearly two hour closing set, it was clear that he's still very much the impeccable guitar stylist who's become synonymous with taste and tone. Alison and Dan Tyminski rendered the lyrics to songs Tony put into the acoustic mainstream with tender loving care. Streets of London and Winter's Night were particularly haunting. As they closed with Freeborn Man, we were treated to a slideshow of Tony's life on the big video screen. Lots of moist eyes in the house, and what a wonderful thing to do for someone like Tony Rice, who's meant so much to so many musicians and fans over the years...to give him his props while he's still around to savor them. God bless you Tony.

And I haven't even mentioned Elvis Costello, and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones...you'll just have to imagine the possibilities. I'll try to post some more photos soon.

Today's amazing internet and satellite technology enabled folks to enjoy the festival online and on XM Radio...you can still hear many live performances in the archives at www.radiofreemerlefest.org. Very cool and convenient, but no substitute for sitting there with like-minded music lovers and witnessing it before your own eyes and ears when it's actually created. Music is such a blessing.

Here at home this week, join us at Ashland Coffee and Tea Thursday night for The Mark Newton Band performing some great tunes from Mark's Carl Jackson-produced new CD Hillbilly Hemingway.

And a bunch of us are joining old pal George Turman this Saturday night at the Shady Grove Coffee House for something close to an Among Friends show. www.shadygrovecoffeehouse.com
Come on out.

Thanks for checking in...and please forward a link to those who might be interested...TT

Day one...

The first day of MerleFest's 20th is done and a little late afternoon/evening rain did little to dampen spirits. Asheville's Steep Canyon Rangers playing nearly a home game, kicked things off on the Watson Stage followed by the beloved Waybacks (coming to Richmond's Science Museum on June 16th), and then John Cowan, sporting a new banjo player and a close-cropped new do. The remarkable (they're not a novelty act anymore) Cherryholmes put in a finely polished hour of favorites and some new stuff too. The Cow returned to host the Kickoff Jam with his own great band and a serious guest list including Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, The Dirt Band's John McEuen, dobro pioneer Tut Taylor, Pete Wernick, Uncle Earl, John's step son Luke Bulla, Stringdusters Chris Eldridge and Jesse Cobb, and young mando master Sierra Hull. An impressive number sat through cool, light drizzle to soak it all up.

And then, to top it off, we made it back to the motel to in time to catch Tony Trischka, Bela Fleck and Steve Martin close out the Letterman show with Steve's original instrumental The Crow. They got a huge ovation and Dave did something I'd never seen him do. He was so genuinely impressed, he came over to personally thank Tony, Bela and Steve by name, and then asked to be introduced to the rest of the band, whom he proceeded to also thank personally by name. It was probably the same band that accompanied Tony at AC&T earlier this month including the amazing Michael Daves on guitar. In decades of watching Letterman, I've never seen him do that. What a great night for this music!

It's crazy late...more to come....TT

The Big One...

I knew this would happen...I'd commit to making a few musical notes from time to time and I end up putting things off until I have such a backlog that I procrastinate even longer. A quick recap though...

Tony Trischka put on a killer show at AC&T which I sadly missed. Friends who were there were particularly impressed with Greg Liszt's innovative and complementary banjo work, and the incredible vocal stylings of Michael Daves. We'd caught him guesting with Chris Thile at The Living Room in NYC last year and knew we hadn't heard the last of him. Just wait! Our JAMinc non-profit was able to arrange an early same-day performance for Tony at St. Christopher's School senior assembly. He had them in the palm of his hand or at least in the middle of his resonator. Don't forget his Letterman appearance Thursday night with Bela Fleck and Steve Martin.

My loyal bluegrass partner and I headed straight to Ashland Saturday after a couple of glorious days near Afton, VA to catch the Infamously Amazing Stringdusters again. They continue to blow us away as they set the bar ever higher for their musicianship. They're so good and tight one can't imagine much room for improvement. But past is prologue and they'll find a way. Ben Eldridge and John Starling were among the supportive fans in the crowd. Don't miss these guys live...check their schedule at www.thestringdusters.com.

The nation's biggest and best (IMHO) festival gets underway tomorrow in Wilkesboro, NC...the mighty MerleFest...thirteen stages of musical pleasure over four days in the foothills. www.merlefest.org I've been Cabin Stage manager for the last fifteen years and it's a grand experience for artists and audience alike. There have been some rumblings of change afoot this year...I'll do my best to keep you posted as to whether bigger is indeed better. Until then...

TT

Back and forth...

A quick look back at Saturday's solo debut by Jesse Harper at AC&T...Daniel Clarke had set our expectations high for this outing from Old School Freight Train's lead singer/guitarist. Daniel's credibility was more than reinforced as we were treated to a compelling set of tunes Jesse's worked up for his upcoming album. His growth as a vocal stylist, guitarist and songwriter has been impressive since the early days of OSFT and his good taste to invite such a strong supporting cast added significantly to the wide-ranging set list. It was great to see Ann Marie Calhoun, fresh from her Jethro Tull star turn, back on the trackside stage along with Richmond jazz stalwarts John Winn on clarinet and the aforementioned Mr. Clarke on keys. The band was rounded out by two terrific musicians who were part of opener Jake Armerding's group, Zach Hickman on bass and Neil Cleary on drums. Jesse and these potent players ran through a strong list of songs drawn from Randy Newman, Sam Cooke, Lennon & McCartney and his own growing vault of originals. I can't overstate what a vicarious thrill it is to watch these folks evolve into such compelling musicians since we've known them for so long. It underscores what talent and hard work can mean. Jesse's excursion is short-lived, at least for now, as OSFT has a busy spring and summer booked, including an Ashland date on May 25.

And speaking of opener Jake Armerding, he and his two-man crew (see above) set the bar pretty high Saturday night with some fine original material delivered to his own guitar and fiddle accompaniment. Check out the title track of his new CD "Walk On This World" and "Keep The River On Your Right." http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=48691665 We're working on getting him into In Your Ear for one of our JAMinc Studio Concerts...stay tuned.

And speaking of JAMinc, we've set up an early in-school performance at St. Christopher's School for five-string wizard Tony Trischka this Wednesday, preliminary to his AC&T gig that night.
Lucky kids. Hope to see you on the tracks at 8pm. www.ashlandcoffeeandtea.com

Let's warm it up around here...it's the second week of April for Pete's sake...TT

Busy April...

A quick update on a musically meaty month folks, and much of it focuses on the "Center of the Universe." Legendary guitarist David Lindley (Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor) plays Ashland Coffee and Tea tomorrow night with our own Charles Arthur opening. Friday, it's venerable balladeer Page Wilson with his always Reckless Abandon. It'll be worth showing up just to see his new buzz cut alone! And don't forget about Jesse Harper's big night at AC&T this Saturday; the buzz is loud and clear. Our favorite tavern on the tracks also has banjo master Tony Trischka on tap for April 11 to showcase his Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular CD. www.ashlandcoffeeandtea.com The other banjo guy at the Ashland gig will be former Charlottesvillian Greg Liszt, a young and gifted five-string pioneer in his own right. And a related tube tip: Tony will have his a-list collaborators along for the ride as TT, Bela Fleck and Steve Martin do the Letterman show in NY on April 26. And if you haven't heard The Greencards yet...they're an engaging acoustic band that's toured with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. They play Ashland on April 12th. We've already mentioned the Infamous Stringdusters, same time, same place on April 21.

Bluegrass music's reigning royal family, the Del McCoury Band will play the Canal Club on Saturday, April 14. www.thecanalclub.com We need to encourage the promoters who bring top-drawer acts like this to town by showing up. Spread the word...

Ah spring...

Hope you made it through April Fool's Day unscathed...having it fall on Palm Sunday takes most of the mischief factor away don't you think? To share a few musical highlights of the wonderful week just passed...

We are so blessed to have as potent a musical presence here in River City as the VCU Jazz program. We caught the Jazz Orchestra II under Taylor Barnett's skillful guidance roll through an engaging program of Duke Ellington and Thad Jones material with special guest (and Taylor's mentor) John D'Earth, Charlottesville's highly-pedigreed trumpet legend. He even brought his talented mate Dawn Thompson down this way for some of her soaring and often surreal vocal stylings. Anthony Garcia heads up the nationally-renowned VCU Jazz machine...shoot Tony an email and ask to be placed on his busting-at-the-seams VCU Jazz E-News list (ajgarcia@vcu.edu). Speaking of VCU, their guitar program led by John Patykula is offering up another Guitar and Other Strings series this summer, with local faves The Jackie Frost Ensemble opening up on July 7th. After that, the venerable Mike Seeger on July 13th.
http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/artweb/Music/concerts/other_guitar.html

I do want to acknowledge the high level of improvisational musicianship we enjoyed last Friday night during Harmonica Crossroads at In Your Ear Recording during our most recent JAMinc/Studio A concert. What a treat to hear Phil Wiggins stretch his wings with fellow harpist (and former student) Allen Holmes to the tastefully solid accompaniment of Daniel Clarke at the grand and Brian Jones on percussion.
Very cool to watch the camaraderie develop among players who'd just met the afternoon before, especially Wiggins & Clarke. The cats were killin' as Daniel might say. And kudos to Allen's wife Alison for her haunting guest vocals, Roddy Barnes who took a fine turn at the piano, Robbin Thompson for in imprompt blues wail, and to JAMinc's own Andy Garrigue for some solid harp work and for putting the whole evening together. As one of Andy's, Robbin's and Daniel's fellow JAMinc board members, let me encourage you to get on our email list so you'll be the first to know about future Studio Concerts at In Your Ear. www.JAMinc.org

This is a most gratifying time to be living in Virginia and witnessing Nature's stunning rebirth all around us. With apologies to those suffering the effects of wind-blown allergens, this time of year, with its visuals and the increasingly rich soundtrack of live music...more of it outdoors...stirs the soul. Do take advantage of at least some of the tempting offerings just ahead.
Including...Old School Freight Train's Jesse Harper sharing some of his new work with some old friends like former bandmate/fiddler Ann Marie Calhoun and the aforementioned Daniel Clarke on keys. That's this Saturday at Ashland Coffee & Tea. Daniel is giving it double thumbs up. www.ashlandcoffeeandtea.com

And Emmylou Harris on Brown's Island on May 19th...how about that?
http://www.showtimetickets.com/eventInstance.do?method=load&id=748684

And a tube tip...Alison Krauss & Union Station will be joining Don Imus on MSNBC Tuesday morning to debut her new CD "A Hundred Miles or More...A Collection" the day of its release. There's a lot of her movie stuff and earlier duets (James Taylor and Brad Paisley) on there but also 4 or 5 new ones too. Very nice.
You can preview it at http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/krauss_alison/1487164/album.jhtml

Thanks for the encouragement...no foolin'. Have a great week...TT