Release the hounds...

We couldn't pass up the chance to be part of history tonight as a long-vacant vaudeville and movie house took its first breaths as Richmond's newest and most elaborate music hall. Having toured the place last summer when it was stripped back to the bare walls in painstaking restoration, it was stunning to see the TLC that brought The National back to its former grandeur with all the modern bells and whistles one could imagine. The Radiators had the honor of playing the first notes on opening night, a veteran band of guys my age playing solid New Orleans-style rock & roll. They of course ended up as the opening act for Dead disciples, the Dark Star Orchestra, bumped from last Friday's scheduled startup since things weren't quite properly permitted as far as the city fathers were concerned. There's still a lot of punch list stuff to complete at 7th and Broad but those who were part of the packed 1st night crowd were treated to elegant surroundings, a liquor license which eluded Toad's Place for a couple of its early months, a generous abundance of bars and restrooms making the place very user friendly and the excitement palpable. The VIP areas weren't quite ready and the adjacent corner restaurant will be a few months in opening but all in all, The National is good to go and whatever your musical tastes are, there's a new reason for heading downtown. We all owe a lot to Bill Reid, Brad Wells, Lorin Willis, David Peterson and their entire team for saving this diamond in the rough for all of us to enjoy. Check the schedule, pick a couple of acts you like and get your tickets. Let's make sure this labor of love stays around to be a part of Richmond's cultural frontline for years to come.



And I do need to mention our fine old time at the center of the universe Saturday night. We somehow missed the memo about it being prom night, but Old School Freight Train chugged in wearing non-matching formal wear that I might have worn at my prom back in the sixties. Once we adjusted to the new look, we settled in for a few old favorites including a hot take on Pete Frostic's Celtic-flavored "Mr. Parshif's Jig" and Randy Newman's haunting "Louisiana." The boys just finished a new cd which we got a good sampling of along with the tasteful percussion of the band's latest addition, Nick Falk. He played Jesse Harper's red American Tourister with respect and taste. Jesse's solo project is also due out this spring...look for an all-star release party you'll not want to miss.



And it's back to Ashland for Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein on Friday night...two guys too good to pass up. Trust me.



And I hope you'll forgive the less-than-ideal phone camera shots I post occasionally when I don't feel like (or am not allowed to use) my SLR. I figure sometimes at least something's better than nothing.



Thanks for the visit, as always...TT

A fond farewell....

No Depression magazine, which has been a beacon of light to all who follow and participate in what could be called alt-country or as Page would put it, American mongrel music, has announced its next issue will be its last. A victim of record labels' shrinking ad budgets, the publishers who have never been in it for the money in the first place are having to face the changing music industry realities and shut it down. They promise a continued Web presence, but it's not the same as having a brand new issue, full of familiar and fresh new faces as well, arrive in the mail every couple of months. You might want to order that last edition on their Website and maybe listen to a recent NPR interview with the founders. A lamentable sign of the times.

Hope to see a bunch of you tonight at AC&T for another snapshot of the ever-evolving Old School Freight Train. We haven't missed many of the band's semi-regular "homecoming" visits and this one will be especially poignant for D & me as daughter Em, who's been with us for just about every one, will be making her last trip south from Fredericksburg to meet us, as Mary Wash commencement is coming in May. Time is a runaway freight train...

Will we ever have a real snow again? Or frozen ponds to skate on? It seems winters in this part of the world are now only frosty memories...TT

Finding a way...

I've been working my learning curve to post audio here on the journal and I hope this first effort is successful. One of my favorite bands, King Wilkie is in what one could call reassessment phase these days after critical raves and the prestigious IBMA Emerging Artist award in the fall of 2004. I spoke with Reid Burgess and John McDonald in Nashville the day after they won.
Click here and it'll take you to the interview. If this works, we'll have more down the road...old and new. Let me know how it goes, or if I can streamline the process.
Thanks as always for your interest.
TT

Blown away...

It was one of those rare days when the normally placid James River was whipped into white caps as the cold front rolled in and the high winds ahead of an overdue return to winter temperatures threatened to knock out the power for Grammy night. I'll confess to being somewhat of a sucker for award shows, especially the big one for the music industry, despite its hype and self-indulgence. We even checked out the pre-show Webcast when they give out the trophies that don't make the prime-time cut...especially the bluegrass album Grammy. We were pulling for the Seldom Scene while kinda expecting Tony Trischka to win, when lo and behold Jim Lauderdale walked away with it for his album The Bluegrass Diaries. An emotional Lauderdale and producer/dobro man Randy Kohrs took the stage to accept...and Jim somehow forgot to say that he'll be joining the Waybacks here in Richmond for the annual Music For Massey benefit on June 13. So he had a few other things on his mind. We'll let you know when tickets go on sale for that one.

And how about former Old School Freight Train fiddler fatale Ann Marie Calhoun who was the hands-down winner of the national My Grammy Moment competition to play with Foo Fighters as the featured instrumentalist on the orchestral take on "The Pretender." Zeppelin's John Paul Jones led the symphonic contingent made up of the other young finalists in the voting. Sadly Ann Marie's playing wasn't really featured at all but she did get a good bit of camera time and another big boost to her already soaring career.

Old School makes its way back to Ashland Coffee & Tea on the 23rd of this month to be followed on the 29th by half of the dynamic Seldom Scene spinoff Chesapeake. That of course would be Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein who will reprise some of the old Chesapeake chesnuts and some nifty instrumentals as well. After hearing their upcoming Rebel Records release 2:10 Train, I must say it's great to have Moondi back where he belongs...on stage and on record sharing that one-of-a-kind voice. And Jimmy joins Randy Waller, Eddie Adcock and Tom Gray as the Country Gentlemen Reunion Band in a JAMinc/Virginia Historical Society presentation on March 20th. Details still coming together.



Also hope to see you in Ashland for a musical Valentine from the refreshingly eclectic retro trio The Wiyos. Former Richmonder Parrish Ellis along with Joe DeJarnette and Michael Farkas comprise this Brooklyn-based band that takes us back to the vaudeville, ragtime, hillbilly blues of the 20's and 30's with a thoroughly modern and energetic enthusiasm. I heard them at FloydFest for the first time last summer and have been looking forward to a second chance ever since. Get your squeeze a few chocolate coffee beans and join the fun this Thursday in the "Center of the Universe." These cats can swing!





We'd been hearing good things about The White Hawk Music Cafe in Goochland so we made our way across the river and west on Rt. 6 to the year-old venue run by musician Terry Hazelton. No beer, no smoking, just tasty sandwiches and some fine live music thanks to Good Natured Riot. I'd enjoyed Nick Harlow's banjo and Andy Burns' mando for years with the Slack Family but they're moonlighting with this acoustic quintet that includes lead vocalist Jeslyn Vaughan, vocalist/percussionist Summer Gentry and bassist John Dacey. These guys take the bluegrass ball and run with it, out into Gillian Welch territory and beyond. They did some well-crafted originals too, including a solid instrumental Andy wrote to vent his frustration at missing Sam Bush at Toad's Place last summer, thanks to a tardy wife. The tune's perfectly entitled "Bushwhacked." It's always fun to find a new band out there worth a listen...and a new music-based venue. They give lessons out there too.


And if you haven't heard, the Del McCoury Band plays the soon-to-open National Theater downtown on March 15th...book it.

(Full disclosure: all photos on this post except Lauderdale at MerleFest are from artists' Websites)

Back To School...

The veteran bandleader and mandolinist Doyle Lawson has been a professor of perfect harmony since he started his band Quicksilver back in 1979. He'd honed his skills and his ear during stints with Jimmy Martin, J. D. Crowe, the Country Gentlemen and the Bluegrass Album Band. Since then, Quicksilver has been a potent proving ground for some of bluegrass music's most gifted players and singers...names like Jim Mills, Scott Vestal, Jim Van Cleve, Barry Abernathy, Terry Baucom, Steve Gulley, and Russell Moore not to mention Barry Scott and Jamie Dailey who've left the group in the last year or so to do their own thing. (Can't wait to hear Dailey & Vincent!) Doyle and his ever-evolving cast have brought home the IBMA's Vocal Group of the Year honors consecutively since 2001. And if you think Jamie Dailey's departure might have robbed Doyle of his comic foil, wait 'til you get a load of Carl White. JAMinc is proud to bring DL&QS back to Richmond for the ninth consecutive year for bluegrass gospel at its inspired and entertaining best. See you at WEAG on Friday night. Come audit the class.

Speaking of gospel, Richmond's Rockin' Robbin Thompson (a fellow JAMinc board member) is getting all mellow and sensitive these days, having married off both his lovely daughters and having snagged a national Independent Music Award in the gospel category for his tune "Movin' On Down The Line." That's the same song that got him invited to Cambodia to help develop a campaign to combat human trafficking. That's the same Robbin Thompson who with In Your Ear partner Carlos Chafin is now composing music for PBS' iconic Sesame Street. Can we now anticipate Bert & Ernie singing "Sweet Virginia Breeze?" Not that there would be anything wrong with that. Anyway, you can catch Robbin rolling out his extensive repertoire Saturday at Ashland Coffee & Tea.

The other option would be to visit Bogart's, the venerable venue that's closing soon, to catch the Mills Family Band. I've been knocked out by young Samson Trinh's virtuosity and versatility since I first heard his amazing CD Very Strange Night produced during his last year in jazz studies at VCU. It features a number of Richmond's jazz standouts in large and small configurations, including his impressive Upper East Side Big Band. According to Doug Richards, "Samson Trinh and the Upper East Side Big Band's vibrant collective spirit captures the essence of the American jazz orchestra." High praise indeed from Richmond's master of jazz. Samson is trying a new sidestreet in his journey with the Mills Family, an acoustic string band featuring the vocals of Allyson Mills with Samson providing sax-based seasoning. You can check out a few of their live tracks on their MySpace page or you can get it first hand Saturday night in Bogart's good ol' smoky back room. While you can...

Early the next day, we might catch a glimpse of favorite son Daniel Clarke on keys with k.d. lang on CBS Sunday Morning sometime between 9 and 11am. Worth starting Super Sunday off with a song, eh?

And if you're looking for a classy Valentine's warmup this Thursday night, check out Richmond's newest and coolest (literally) nightspot Infuzion in Scott's Addition. Last week, my squeeze and I enjoyed some tasty tapas-style eats in the comfy lounge to the swingin' strings of Gypsy Roots, Thomas Wakefield's excellent homage to guitarist Django Reinhardt. And if it's open by then, put your coat back on and spend a little quality time in Infuzion's Ice Bar...a whole room made of ice from floor to ceiling just for sipping designer vodka. Is this town happening or what?

A heads up for March 20th: JAMinc and the Virginia Historical Society present the Country Gentlemen Reunion Band with Tom Gray, Eddie Adcock, Jimmy Gaudreau and Randy Waller in the Robins Family Forum, their new auditorium on The Boulevard. Watch this space for ticket info.

And a closing thanks to the fabulous Farr brothers for last weekend's most excellent comestibles and camaraderie on Gwynn's Island. If you've never tasted sandhill crane, the ribeye of the sky, you haven't lived. The music wasn't half-bad either.

Go Giants...TT

Without A Net...

At the risk of of exposing my somewhat shallow knowledge of classical music, I'll confess to being completely overwhelmed by Richmond Symphony music director Mark Russell Smith at tonight's "Unfinished Business" concert at First Baptist Church. He took us on an emotionally breathtaking ride through incomplete works by Schubert, Mozart and Bruckner...two full hours of some of the most dynamic and uplifting music I've ever heard and the conductor had no score. Some sixty gifted and well-rehearsed symphony musicians, all with their sheet music in front of them and their fearless leader with none. Is that unusual? If it's the norm, I don't want to know because I choose to stand in awe of someone who can keep the ebb and flow of music of that complexity, and all the parts that the various sections of the orchestra are playing at every turn, completely in his head. One normally thinks of a maestro conducting with the hand that holds the baton, but I found myself fascinated by Smith's other hand and its graceful ability to express the unspoken nuance and subtlety he was seeking from his charges at any given moment. To hear that many musicians playing in such inspired unity led by someone so utterly in command of his craft was thrilling. Mark Russell Smith departs for Minneapolis after this 50th anniversary season, leaving the Richmond Symphony a cultural treasure that has benefited immeasurably from his tenure. Don't miss a chance to experience music that soars beyond any burden of time or genre. Bravo Mark and Godspeed.

So we were waitlisted for tickets to see k.d. lang and her new keyboard guy, Richmond's own Daniel Clarke at UNC Chapel Hill on March 5th...waited a little too long, hoping I guess that the tour might come a little closer to home. But sometimes, procrastination can work in one's favor as about a week after being told it was sold out, I get a call from a nice kid at the box office saying he had a cancellation on a couple of tickets in the orchestra PIT...that's in front of what would normally be the closest seats in the house! So we lucked out big time. Daniel's just finished rehearsals today and will have a few days off before embarking on the big world tour. Catch him if you can.

I do want to make sure you know about our annual JAMinc gospel concert featuring the latest evolution of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. If you missed them at the National Folk Festival back in October, or if you've never experienced the powerful harmonies and showmanship of this award-winning group, please join us at the West End Assembly of God on Parham Road on Friday, February 1st. I promise it'll help you get 2008 off to a proper spiritual start. Click here for ticket info.

If you aren't committed to finishing up all the milk and bread you bought Friday to see you through this weekend's typically lame, what now passes for a snowstorm around here, you might want to show up at Legend Brewery tomorrow and see what all the Johnson Boys have been up to lately, musically and otherwise. Rusty, Slim, Harry, Tiny and Big Red will be holding forth and most likely what's left of a fifth starting around 6:30. They're big and they're boss...don't be scared.

TT

Front Page...

He's been our musical front man for so long now we may be in danger of taking him for granted. As a roving minstrel, radio host and tireless proponent of his beloved American mongrel music, Page Wilson has made our town a much richer place. From his salad days at Sam Miller's when the Slip was just getting started, to his triumphant Out O' The Blue Orchestral Revues with the Richmond Symphony, Page has put his mark on this town like few others. The good part is, he's still at it, from 8 to 10 every Saturday night on WCVE-FM (and streaming world-wide on the Web) from the Chickahominy Swamp and live on stage with Reckless Abandon. The bad part is, he's had some pretty serious medical issues over the past year that most don't know about since he's not a complainer. If you've had any healthcare dealings lately you know what a financial drain they can be. I hated to have to miss today's Party For Page at the Canal Club featuring a stable-full of our town's strongest musical horses. It was organized by bluesman Terry Garland to give Mr. Wilson a monetary leg up if you will and I hope folks turned out in numbers befitting the occasion. He's a Richmond original and if you missed the party like me and would like to send him a little token of your esteem, just put it in the mail to

P. O. Box 1117, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Thanks Page...for everything.

Done...

The long holiday hustle has kept me away from this keyboard for a while and now that we're in our last few hours of 2007, I want to belatedly wish you and those you care about the best of the season. I hope you found some warm moments and made some special memories...and that you didn't completely burn out on Christmas music or on the endless plays of Dan Fogelberg's "Auld Lang Syne." I lament his passing too but I resent now being tired of a seasonal selection that I used to really like. The Christmas season is much like the other four seasons to me...we really look forward to them but by the time they're over, we're really ready for the next one.

My last post on December 11th encouraged you to take in Adrienne Young's appearance at Ashland Coffee and Tea on the 13th. If you did, I hope you share our appreciation for this earnest and engaging singer/songwriter/human being. Her passion for this planet and its life forces shines through her music in such a compelling way and the current edition of her band Little Sadie, a touch under-rehearsed but instinctively solid, made the evening feel like a living room jam session rather than a perfectly-polished performance...which was just right somehow. There were some strong individual contributions, including a couple of great original tunes from guitarist Landon Fishburne. Adrienne's lastest CD "Room To Grow" was just named a top-5 album from singer-songwriters in The Nashville Scene, no small feat given the level of competition out there. I think a lot more folks will be hearing about this former MerleFest songwriting winner in the coming year.

I'd have to say my musical highlight of this 12th month has been savoring a preview of Jesse Harper's upcoming solo project. Old School Freight Train is still very much a band, judging by their 2008 tour schedule but Jesse, with encouragement and support from an A-list group of players just couldn't help but try his wings on some new air. There are some new takes on OSFT favorites like "Run", "Porch Swing" and "Let Me Go" along with some powerful new ballads like "Falling" and "Old And Broken." Jesse's playing and vocal style keep getting more confident and sophisticated and the almost George Martin-like arrangements on many of the cuts bring a more pop approach to things. All dozen tunes are originals, save for the gospel standard "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" and Sam Cooke's moving "Nothing Can Change This Love." Regarding the supporting cast...familiar names include former and current bandmates Ann Marie Calhoun and Darrell Muller, along with Daniel Clarke, Curtis Fye, Robby Sinclair, Zack Hickman and Colin Killilea. Word is Daniel submitted a few tracks from this project to land his gig with k.d. lang. Not sure when this baby will hit the streets, but it will surely be worth the wait.


By the way, the closest stop to here (so far) of the k.d. lang/Danny C roadshow is March 5th at UNC's Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill. Word to the wise..don't wait if you think you might want tickets.

Bringing home the notion that advancing age speeds up the clock, it's a bit scary to me that I've been doing this journal for just about a year now and as hard as it is sometimes to sit down and get started on a post, I'm so very grateful that so many of you take the time to read it and even find value in it. I hereby resolve to more consistent and comprehensive in the coming year, which I hope holds more meaningful musical moments for us all. Have a blessed 2008, and thanks to all the musicians who've enriched my life in 2007...TT

The Godson

Another reminder that there's so much music out there and so little time. Sunday night we were among a sadly undersized crowd to witness a young man on the front edge of what should be a stellar career. His pedigree is enough to suffocate a lesser talent given that he's Steve Earle's son and the late Texas legend Townes Van Zandt was his godfather. So this wiry, way over six-foot-tall, twenty-something cowboy has something to prove and his 90-minute set at Barksdale's "Stretchin'" series offered all the proof any skeptic could want that Justin Townes Earle is the real deal.

Along with his sidekick Cory Yountes on mandolin and harmony vocals, Justin ran through a rich and varied set list of mostly original tunes that made me feel like I could've been in a time machine watching Hank Williams when he first started out of the gate. Fun, up tempo stuff like "Chitlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County" and achingly dark ballads like "Yuma" that told a haunting story of loneliness gone unchecked. Accompanying himself on guitar, occasional harmonica and a good helping of boot heel percussion, Earle the younger displayed a confidence and charisma that can't be faked and made believers of this appreciative audience, most of us hearing him for the first time. You can hear "Yuma" on his MySpace page, which is also the title of a six-song EP that he's selling until his full-length album "The Good Life" comes out on Bloodshot Records this coming spring. I for one, can't wait.

Thanks to BJ Kocen for sticking his neck out for the sake of good music and creating another wonderful listening space in town. And to Susan Greenbaum for her sweet opening set. I love surprises and Sunday provided a really good one.

TT

Critter...

So December's just arrived and we've already had a little teaser snowfall and even some havoc-wreaking black ice around central Virginia...very exciting for one who loves all that winter can bring. Reading the e-posts this week revealed a Grammy nomination for the durable and delightful Seldom Scene and their latest CD Scenechronicity. Congrats to all. I passed along high-fives to founding father Ben Eldridge and asked him what his prodigious progeny had been up to lately. He replied..."I can't keep up with that boy these days. He just got back two weeks ago from traveling around Europe with Uncle Earl for three weeks. He's going back to England on the 8th to go to a Zeppelin reunion concert. He's gotten to be pals with John Paul Jones, so he and Kristan will have backstage passes and all that kind of good stuff. This week he, along with Andy Falco and Josh Williams, are going around doing guitar concerts. They call them Guitarmageddon. He's heading to LA after he gets back from England to rehearse with the Punch Brothers for a few days and then back to the Burg for a week at home over Christmas - then on to Chicago for a new year's eve gig with the Punch boys.Whew! Oh to be young again."

So if you haven't heard, the Punch Brothers are the latest moniker for Chris Thile's string band and they'll be ringing in the new year in the Windy City. Both of the Chris boys seem to have the world by the tail these days. What a ride!

Here at home, it's a chance to hear both Steve Earle's sister Stacey (with Mark Stuart) at Ashland Coffee and Tea on Saturday night and Steve's son Justin Townes Earle at Barksdale's "Stretchin" concert series on Sunday. Both are more than worthy of your musical dollars.

And might I heartily recommend a new seasonal CD from the amazing singer-songwriter Mindy Smith. Some heart-rending new originals and some creative takes on old favorites. We can't get enough of Mindy.

Enjoy the last month of the year...TT

Mais oui!

I don't think I've ever been to a more elegant soiree in this town than the annual Bon Secours holiday celebration at the Virginia Museum Friday night. Since this is a music journal, I won't get into the amazing French-themed decor that transformed the Marble Hall, other than asking Natalie Easterly to take a bow for the unprecedented profusion of fresh flowers...I've never seen anything like it. But the piece de resistance was the stellar quintet of musicians who took their charge far beyond obligatory background and created a classy energy the room may have never felt before. Richmond treasure John Winn gathered the cream of Richmond's crop of seasoned players for the gig...Curtis Fye on bass, Brian Jones on drums, Adam Larrabee on guitar and Daniel Clarke on the grand piano. What a treat to hear these young lions playing their butts off despite the fact that most of the crowd was immersed in party chatter. Those of us who were drawn in to their musical corner, and the numbers grew as the hour grew later, were afforded some of the finest ensemble playing anywhere. John's a serious double threat of course, for when he's not squeezing the most out of his tenor and soprano saxophones, he's singing like a young and hip Mel Torme...it was simply sublime stuff. Old School Freight Train's Jesse Harper even crashed the party in the guise of a "critic" to soak up the ample inspiration these guys were serving up and rendered a soulful lead vocal on Stevie Wonder's "Superstition." Jesse's long-awaited solo project is due out early in 08 by the way. As I write this, the aforementioned Mr. Clarke is probably seated at his keyboard as the sole accompanist for one k d lang at a private function in the City of Angels. The Atlee boy is flying high indeed. A grateful tip of the beret to Bon Secours' CEO Peter Bernard who knows how to do things right. Tres bien!

The night before afforded us a much more intimate musical experience at In Your Ear's studio A as JAMinc welcomed Irish harmonica marvel Rick Epping back to town. With just his box of harps and accompanying himself on concertina, Rick cast his spell for the appreciative audience, skillfully weaving traditional jigs and reels together and sharing his softly evocative vocals. IYE partner Robbin Thompson joined Rick for a couple of numbers including one with Robbin playing his Chinese zhong ruan. If you don't know what that is, you should've been there. He even attracted veteran Richmond rocker and chief Offender Bruce Olsen to the show, who's recorded Rick in his northside studio in recent years. It's a real privilege to hear a musician of Rick's caliber in such a setting...JAMinc and IYE are working on a compilation CD so you can hear some of the remarkable performances we've witnessed over the past few years. And for a very well-written account of a singular life adventure, check out Robbin's Cambodia journal. Powerful and provocative.

A couple of strong entries ahead on Ashland Coffee & Tea's December calendar: incredible blues guitarist Kelly Joe Phelps on the 5th, Stacey Earle on the 8th and Adrienne Young on the 13th. All worthy of your ear and support of AC&T's continuing efforts to bring quality acoustic music to the area in a wonderful listening room setting. Not to nag, but if you want all this to continue, you just have to get out and go the the shows. There's no substitute for "live."

Enjoy your Sunday...and hats off the the Hokies!

TT

Holiday happenings...

If I didn't gain a working dose of the holiday spirit at St. Paul's Cathedral in London last week during the annual Thanksgiving service, I surely accomplished it tonight back home here at Toads' Place thanks to the Blind Boys of Alabama. Imagine if you will first of all the security assembled to ward off any potential trouble with all those dang Americans in one place on such a symbolic day. And then consider the grandeur of the Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece that's seen everything from the funeral of Winston Churchill to the wedding of Charles and Diana.

Add the U.S. Marine color guard reverently delivering the stars and bars up the aisle and the full congregation singing "Come Ye Thankful People Come," and you have have a the makings of one terminal lump in the throat. As exciting as it was to spend Thanksgiving week in the venerable capital of the UK, we missed the traditional kickoff here at home. The lights are on at Lewis Ginter and it seems like all the neighborhoods are way ahead of past years in Christmas extravagance. Maybe we're more ready than usual for the comfort zone.

Tonight's Christmas show with the Blind Boys of Alabama at Toad's Place proved to be a much-needed fast-forward as early on these four-time Grammy winners (who aren't all blind or all Alabama boys for that matter) took flight with a harmonically lush arrangement of "White Christmas." How cool is that? When they sang 'Amazing Grace' to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun" and reached "was blind but now I see" the irony came full circle. Continued kudos to Jeff and the Toad's gang who've worked to improve acoustics and continue to keep open minds about who'll play this important canal-side venue.

I hope to see some of you at In Your Ear Recording on East Broad for a return engagement of harmonica master Rick Epping tomorrow (Thursday) night. He was here two and a half years ago before moving to Ireland and I promise you an riveting evening of music if you'll just check him out at http://www.jaminc.org/ and reserve your seat.

My Bon Secours connection will afford me the privilege of taking in a few sets of the John Winntet (aka/Neighborliness) on Friday night at the Virginia Museum with Mandy Moore's favorite piano player Daniel Clarke back in position on the evening Pollack Award winners Modern Groove Syndicate debut their new CD Ms. Popular at Cary Street Cafe. Danny C might miss the Cary Street gig to rest up for a red-eye flight to L.A. on Saturday morning to begin his year with the tunefully torchy k d lang. Word is their first show is is a duet...no pressure Daniel.

Watch this space for news of when k d and d c will pass this way.

And a final heads up for Sunday, December 9th at Barksdale Theater in Willow Lawn for their BJ Kocen's Stretchin' concert series. Steve Earle's very talented son Justin Townes Earle is coming to town and I'm sold after checking him out on his MySpace page.. Do we have live musical options here in River City now or what?

Thanks for spending some time here...and pass it on.

Three Musketeers...

Three of acoustic music's most heroic figures took us on a magical musical adventure Saturday night at the University of Richmond's Camp Concert Hall in the Modlin Center. We'd seen them many times before, individually and in such notable groupings as New Grass Revival and Alison Krauss + Union Station. And we've seen them onstage together, often with other icons like Fleck, O'Connor and Rice. But this was the first tour for the trio of Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Edgar Meyer. Of course we expected a lot. And a lot we got.

The pure acoustics of the room and the appreciative full house combined to energize the players...Jerry raved more than once how much fun it was to play in this kind of setting. Much insight into how remarkable compositions like "Glide", "The Emphysema Two-Step", "Aboriginal Ambition", "Green Slime" and "Monkey Let The Hogs Out" came to be, was gained during their light-hearted exchanges between tunes. Like how Edgar's 15-year-old son George turned his dad on to Sam's 30-year-old composition, "Foster's Reel." Or how one of the the two Strength In Numbers pieces they played, "Duke and Cookie" was written by Sam & Jerry in five minutes as an homage to John Wayne and Walter Brennan. Stuff like that. Mr. Bush was sporting a full cast on his left foot, and until I know what really happened, I'm gonna say he apparently lost a vigorous butt-kicking contest.

We mere mortals may never experience the joy that musicians of this lofty caliber achieve when they're afforded the opportunity to converse in this way, but at least we can listen in on the conversation. And what a privilege. The ultimate vicarious thrill.

And now for something completely different...
Sunday night I was invited back by director Joe Simpkins to emcee the Richmond Pops Band's fall concert at the Landmark. I've worked with the band in this capacity off and on for many years, dating back to the elegant Christmas performances in the Jefferson's rotunda and I continue to be moved be their power and professionalism. They took on some challenging material for this outing, including Cole Porter's "Begin The Beguine" and Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" and pulled it off nicely. And the distinguished U.S. Army Chorus, in a rare, outside-the-beltway appearance provided some lump-in-the-throat moments during "Muddy Water" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." And the clincher is that this band's concerts are absolutely free, but you better get your tickets well ahead of time. The Christmas show benefiting the Salvation Army is on December 18th at the Landmark. See you there.

I'll wrap with one more reminder about our JAMinc/In Your Ear studio concert this Friday night with the versatile singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Jake Armerding...a great young artist on the rise and a perfect place to hear live music...and the byol and hors d'oeuvre swap make the pre-show and intermission extra special. Click here to reserve your place.

Oh, and if you've never heard John Jorgenson before, do yourself a major favor and head for Ashland Coffee and Tea on Saturday to witness this versatile and wide-open guitarist. He's played with biggies like Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, and Bonnie Raitt and was a co-founder of the Desert Rose Band with Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson back in the day. Now he's sharing his penchant for the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt. You'll be blown away, I promise.

The Americana Music Awards were handed out at the Ryman in Nashville last week and you can check out the winners here. And hearty congrats to Robbin Thompson and Samson Trinh, both finalists in the Independent Music Awards competition (gospel and jazz respectively). Make sure you support 'em with your vote here.

TT

What a week...

Another apology for the silence over the last week or so but let me try to bring things up to date after a pretty good stretch of stuff worth sharing. A week ago tonight D & I had an unusually late night after watching Katie McCall nail her role as a liberal-arts college dean dealing with racism at The Firehouse Theatre. Katie's a fellow voice talent in town and it was our first time seeing her on stage and she owned it. Energized, we'd heard that Richmond's amazing James Brown Tribute Band, The Big Payback was playing that night in Bogart's Back Room so to Lombardy we went and we ended up helping close up at 2am. The BP is a ten-piece churning urn of burning funk led by vocalist Kelli Strawbridge that serves up an incredibly authentic and true list of The Godfather's tunes, familiar and non-, big and brassy, with a vise-like hold on James' signature rhythm. I saw Soul Brother Number One at the National Guard Armory in Staunton when I was in high school and it's so cool that his unforgettable energy and presence can still be experienced right here at home. Don't miss these guys next time they fire it up. Only negative is seeing so many young folks smoking at Bogart's and having to smell like you do when you get home.

The next day we set up for our JAMinc/In Your Ear studio concert with Colorado's Mike Lille. Mike spent some time around here before making the move to Nashville and then farther west.
As always, the CD's can't really prepare you for how good an artist can sound in that intimate, acoustically pristine setting and Mike did not disappoint...his talent as a tunesmith, warm resonant vocalist and ever so tasteful guitarist matched his formidable 6 foot 6 frame. His pal Robbin Thompson joined him for a couple of songs they'd co-written and it was a treat. If you missed it, at least we have a gorgeous 5.1 surround sound recording of the whole thing we hope to get out one day. Thanks to Carlos Chafin and Jan Williams for that. Mike wore his size-16 Chuck Taylor-style clown shoes for his in-school performance the next morning at Mary Munford Elementary. He was a big hit...literally.

Robbin's off to Cambodia on a major life adventure...we'll keep you posted. Our next IYE show is on Friday, November 9th and features another great singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Jake Armerding. All we can say about these JAMinc house-style concerts is, trust us. They're worth your time and a few bucks. Click here for reservations to Jake's concert.

A lot of love goes out to the fabulous Farr Brothers who threw together another big musical feedbag for the fortunate few who had directions to the Powhatan hideout last Saturday. A very special surprise this year was an opening set by the always outstanding Honky Tonk Experience with big Brad Spivey. Multiple servings of the world's best hors d'oeuvre, The Big Boss Combo, and a magnificent moon-lit October evening sealed the deal. We're not worthy.

Tuesday night, my clandestine date Valerie Plame and I ventured downtown to Toad's Place for Style Weekly's 25th anniversary soiree and if I were a name dropper, this would be a very long journal entry. My evening's highlight though was getting to welcome Daniel Clarke back home from his big tour with Mandy Moore only to learn that 2008 will find him all over the planet as keyboardist/vocalist with none other than k d lang! The boy's hot. And he so deserves it. Daniel will be doing some Modern Groove Syndicate and other gigs around here in the next few months, so be watching.

So have you made your decision between Ricky Skaggs at Toad's and Meyer, Bush & Douglas at UofR on Saturday night? I finally have...we'll compare notes next week. Hope you survived Halloween. Enjoy this dreamy weather...TT

In Good Keeping...

Before the National Folk Festival becomes an all too distant memory, I want to acknowledge and acquaint you with the wonderful new book by Virginia folklorist Jon Lohman. It's entitled In Good Keeping and it celebrates the first five years of the Master/Apprentice program sponsored by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. It "pairs an experienced master artist with an eager apprentice for a one-on-one, nine month learning experience, in order to help ensure that a particular art form is passed on in ways that are conscious of history and faithful to tradition." At the Folk Festival just past, the traditional area around Tredegar featured performances, demonstrations and workshops by all this year's teacher/student partners ranging from all sorts of musical instrument building (and playing) to brewing up the definitive kettle of Brunswick Stew, to properly pinstriping a stylish pink sedan.

I spent an inspiring day on Friday taking master steel drum builder and player Elton Williams (above) and his apprentice Earl Sawyer to school appearances at Henderson Middle and Woodville Elementary. Mr. Williams brought his craft to tidewater Virginia from Trinidad where it originated, and it was fascinating to learn how the quest for musical self-expression meant countless hours pounding or "sinking" an oil drum into a fully chromatic, two-octave musical instrument (correctly called a steelpan) that instantly evokes island breezes. Jon Lohman has not only gathered these masterful mentors for the past five years, he has told their varied stories eloquently in this book, illustrated by Morgan Miller's rich photography. For those who found the most compelling component of this year's festival in the Virginia Folklife area around the New Market Stage, you'll want a copy of this book. For those who spent most of their time on Brown's Island, you'll want a copy too, to find out what you missed. Order yours here. And a grateful nod to Jon for all he's done to promote and preserve some of our Commonwealth's most worthy treasures.

Our next JAMinc/In Your Ear Concert is coming up this Thursday evening and features worldly-wise singer/guitarist Mike Lille (like the flower) in an intimate performance in IYE's acoustically and aesthetically perfect Studio A. Everyone's invited to bring a covered dish/snack of some sort (even if it's just a small KFC) and a favorite beverage and enjoy the hour pre-show social. That starts at 6:30. Our goal in presenting these "house" type concerts is to bring artists to town who our group feels are worthy of your ear. Maybe you've never heard of Mike Lille, or Jake Armerding (our next guest on November 9th) but we have a hunch you'll like them and probably like them a whole lot. So head to our Website, click on "Events", read up on what makes Mike tick and reserve yourself a seat. We'd love to have you.

And if we weren't headed for the woodsy wilds of Powhatan Saturday night for some serious home-made music and well-marinated meats, we'd be with Kay & George at Ashland Coffee & Tea for an increasingly rare appearance by Old School Freight Train. I hope someone will report back to me on how far down the tracks these talented guys are these days...it's been too long.

Pray for rain, here and especially in southern California...TT

Come and Gone...

Richmond's three years as host to the National Folk Festival are now a glowing memory. Those of you who witnessed some part of it, and especially those who were involved in making it happen are no doubt pleased with how things turned out, and that's likely an understatement. It's truly a great achievement that something as uplifting and down-to-earth important as this made such a postive impact on our community, rising above the familiar cynicism and lines that divide us. I hope you spent at least a few sun-washed or star-struck hours on our stunning riverfront and were entertained and inspired by the artistry you witnessed, knowing the years of dedication and hard work that prefaced each wonderful performance.

The only regret one could reasonably take from such an experience is that we were always missing something worth seeing or hearing. Too many choices, too many things to learn, too many ways to find fulfillment. For me, it was the breathtaking common ground found by dancers Jason Samuels Smith and Pancrit Chitresh Das...the dusty western swing kicked up by fiddler Elana James and bassist Jake Erwin, and the deep emotional impact of a mortal angel named Maggie Ingram who at last found the long-overdue adulation of her own hometown. A lump grows in my throat just thinking about them and their purely and powerfully expressed faith. If you were there, you had your own special moments, I know. Those of us who were invested in the planning and execution of NFF 07 are surely dealing with mixed emotions, glad to take a deep breath but wistful that it'll be another whole year before the next one. And there will be a next one, with a new name but with the same focus on the brilliance and diversity of human creativity in whatever form it may take.

As a team leader for the last three years, I'd like to express my deep gratitude to the artist buddies, all 38 of you, who made sure everyone was where they needed to be at the right time, and were such good ambassadors for our city. Your contribution can't be overstated. And a hearty high five to Wheeler Wood and Elizabeth Roark who had the stressful task of jockeying the shuttle buses between the hotel and the festival stages against impossible odds, and they never got to enjoy a single moment on site. Thanks to Josh, Danna, Becki, Mike and Dennis of the National Council for the Traditional Arts who brought their experience and savvy to our city and showed us how to think big and pull it off. Thank goodness you'll still be around to hold our hand as we strike out on our own in 2008. Kudos to festival manger Stephen Lecky for extreme grace under fire.

And finally, a slightly self-serving salute to my fellow JAMinc partners who put seven NFF artists and groups into 14 public and private schools last Friday and who set up four up-close and personal encounters in the Festival's Family Area Saturday and Sunday with the likes of Todd Hallawell and Robin Kessinger, The Sargent Family, The Company Store and Frank Coleman & Chris Fuller. You guys were great. So as they say, all good things must come to an end, but at least for this happy happening, it's only temporary. The wheels are already turning to bring it all back in the fall of next year...new name...same heady experience. It'll be here before we know it. Spread the word...it's the best thing that we've done. And with your help, it's here to stay.

TT

A tough act to follow...

So the group that captured the lion's share of buzz at last year's National Folk Festival here in town was AltaiKai, the other-worldly Siberian throat singers. Who will it be this year? There are many contenders as we anticipate another perfect weekend of fall weather and more people the capital city's seen for a single event save the Nextel Cup. This is the last year the National graces Richmond...in 2008 it's off to higher, dryer Butte, Montana. But this time next year, the Richmond Folk Festival will take root and grow with lessons learned and fresh ideas combined. Please don't miss this opportunity to take in at least some of the sights and sounds of this three-day cultural extravaganza...it's absolutely free and I promise you'll be very proud something this big and this good could happen in your hometown.

The NFF Website is extensive and a highly-recommended primer to learn what acts you'd be interested in, but be open to surprises as the weekend holds many. The Virginia Folk Life area this year focuses on the remarkable master/apprentice program in diverse pursuits covering instrument making, hot-rod building, snake cane carving and country ham curing And do come hungry..the food vendor list is extensive with far more exotic fare than funnel cakes and corn dogs.

Our JAMinc group will be taking a number of artists and performers into Richmond public and private schools on Friday, including Piedmont blues duo Cephas & Wiggins/, the Kotchegna Dance Company and Punch & Judy puppeteer John Styles. And JAMinc is partnering again with the Children's Museum of Richmond to sponsor local artists The Company Store, The Sargent Family, Frank Coleman & Chris Fuller and Todd Hallawell & Robin Kessinger to give informal workshop performances in the Family Area. Something for kids of all ages. Hope to see you on-site sometime over the weekend...I'll have on a purple t-shirt.

And an advisory to fans of Adrienne Young, one of the freshest, most earnest singer/songwriters out there: she'll be at The Loft in Fredericksburg Thursday (tonight) for a concert benefitting the Spotsylvania supervisor candidate Tom Beals. Nice to have that kind of artistic support. Tom and his brother Jonas are better known around here as the promoters for Lewis Ginter's deligtful and varied Groovin' In The Garden series. Are you sure you want to get into politics Tom? My bride and I will be voting with our cover/contributions.

See you there or along the river this weekend...TT

Loose ends...

Making the most of one's precious time in the midst of the musical whirlwind that is the IBMA's annual Nashville gathering is challenging enough...sorting through the memories, the countless experiential snapshots is even tougher. If you're a fan of the music, it should be a destination, and if not next year, when? Words are too hard to come by after the long ride home, so a few visual highlights will have to be my retrospective, like the above shot of Father Earl at a surprise FanFest appearance Friday night. If you want more, just shoot me a post: mail@timtimberlake.com.

The Morning After...

The 18th IBMA Awards are history now and it was an exhilarating evening at the Opry House for many of the nominees who likely thought their chances were slim. It was a night for sentimental favorites, for influential artists who no doubt thought they might never see another crystal obelisk again. And for newcomers who were genuinely and pleasantly surprised that their time had already come. You can see all the victors listed here but I have to enthusiastically mention a few.

Tony Rice, Tony Trischka and Sam Bush, beloved masters of their respective instruments took their categories. Dale Ann Bradley finally claimed the Female Vocalist prize she'd earned long ago. And the cool and courageous Bradley Walker, who's stolen the hearts of fans everywhere over the last few years, stole the prestigious Male Vocalist of the Year trophy on his first try. It was also a big night for those Infamous Stringdusters who were voted Emerging Artists and also saw Fork In The Road win Song Of The Year and share Album Of The Year honors with J.D. Crowe and Lefty's Old Guitar. A rare tie.

The Grascals made it two in a row as Entertainers of the Year, Doyle Lawson added another car to his gospel train and also extended his six-year run as Vocal Group Of The Year. Rob Ickes brought his total of Dobro wins to an astounding nine and Missy Raines won her seventh upright bass title. Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper wrested the Instrumental Group title away from eight-time winners, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder. And he doubled his pleasure by capturing the distinction of Fiddle Player Of The Year.

Earlier in the day, Mike Auldridge or "Larry The Legend" from his Seldom Scene days was presented with a special Distinguished Service Award as a ruler of the resophonic. Chris Jones, already a successful bluegrass bandleader became Broadcaster Of The Year and Mark Newton's Hillbilly Hemingway scored a win for Don Bailey for Best Graphic Design. And congrats to John Lawless (remember when he played banjo for the Heights of Grass?) and Brance Gillihan for their Bluegrass Blog which has become a daily source of industry news...they became Print Media Persons Of The Year.

So as the celebrations continue down the hall at the Sugar Hill suite, I'd better fold my hand and get some z's to be fresh for my opening shift as FanFest emcee Friday morning...I get to bring on Cadillac Sky who continue to win my admiration for their dynamic energy and powerful songcrafting. And young mandolin whiz Sierra Hull too...she's really grown up.

Night all...TT

Bluegrass ant hill...

That's the way Tim O'Brien described the International Bluegrass Music Association's annual gathering when it was held along the Ohio River in Louisville in the documentary Bluegrass Journey from 2003. (highly recommended). We outgrew the funky old Galt House, our host hotel, so for the past three years we've been here in Nashville, which by most accounts gave birth to bluegrass in 1945 when Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys, then comprised of Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Wise and Cedric Rainwater gave bluegrass music its defining identity in performance at the Ryman Auditorium. The IBMA World of Bluegrass is a full week of all day and all night jam sessions, seminars for producers, record labels and artists, showcases for new bands and festival promoters...pretty much a full convergence of nearly everyone involved in the industry, culminating in the 3-day indoor FanFest featuring 60 of the genre's best bands all performing gratis to benefit the IBMA Foundation. The phone photo above was taken on the 21st floor of the Renaissance Nashville, the host hotel, where Mountain Heart did a 3o-minute unamplified performance for a fortunate few. Clay Hess has replaced Clay Jones on lead guitar by the way, and rumor has it that Adam Steffey will depart MH in '08 to join former Union Station bandmate Dan Tyminski on the road as Alison takes a year off. So we're off and running on a week that offers an unparalleled opportunity to absorb an overwhelming quantity of quality music and commune with the folks who make it. The focal point is the annual awards show now held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Opryland where the industry honors its best work or at least the most popular. The proceedings will be carried live at 9pm on XM Satellite Radio and results posted immediately on The Bluegrass Blog. I've never tried this before, except when filling out my ballot every year, but I'm going to take a stab at making some picks in the bigger categories, just for the heck of it. I'll be ready for a slice of humble pie in the wee hours of Friday morning.
Anyway, here goes:

Emerging Artist: Bradley Walker will be tough to beat...he's had a big year, but the buzz and votes will go to The Infamous Stringdusters.
Male Vocalist: A highly competitive category, but I have a hunch that young Bradley Walker will walk away with it this year.
Female Vocalist: I'd love to see Dale Ann Bradley get her due, but it's probably Rhonda's...again.
Vocal Group: It's a long shot but Doyle's well-deserved string might be broken this year by The Isaacs.
Instrumental Group: Skaggs & Company will most likely extend their ownership of this category but it's time to recognize Alison and Union Station for the pure elegance of their playing.
Song: (to the writer) It'll either be "The Last Suit You Wear" done by Larry Sparks and written by Larry Shell, Larry Williams and Kim Williams or "Fork In The Road" from the Stringdusters, written by Chris Jones & John Pennell...my guess is the latter. It should have been "Born Lonesome," Cadillac Sky's powerful piece penned by their own Bryan Simpson. Not even nominated.
Album: The Dusters' momentum might push them up the Opry steps to grab this one too for Fork In The Road but the safe bet would be Sparks' The Last Suit You Wear.
Recorded Event: Despite the highly-touted Skaggs/Hornsby collaboration, I'm going with Tony Trischka's Double Bluegrass Banjo Spectacular.

Guitar Player: I think it's Tony's turn again, especially in the wake of his moving tribute tour with AKUS.

Banjo Player: Crowe, Shelor and Mills are multiple past winners. Cia Cherryholmes likely won't win with her first nomination, so Tony Trischka should be recognized for his influence and imagination.
Mandolin Player: Except for Doyle Lawson, all the nominees are past winners and all are worthy, but let's reward the Award Show's host Sam Bush for his singular style and for keeping the music fresh for all these years.
Dobro Player: Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes have each won this like eight times, Phil Ledbetter once. That's it. Only three winners ever. Mike Auldridge will receive a Distinguished Service Award at the special Thursday luncheon. He should win that night too. Hands down.

Bass Player: Union Station's Barry Bales hasn't won before...it's time.
Entertainer Of The Year: Doyle's never taken the big one before so this could be his year unless Cherryholmes takes it back from the Grascals.

Tune in on XM and keep score...having King Sammy in charge should make it one of the best shows ever. Good morning from Nashburg...TT

Twin Bill

I'll begin a look back at two big shows from the past week with a disclaimer: it's a phone camera. It's not unusual to be prohibited from having or using a camera in a concert, but you can ususally grab a shot with your phone, which is what I'm doing occasionally now just to have something to show you. Obviously the quality's not up to snuff but it's something. And I think I risked confiscation to grab the above shot in Charlottesville's deluxe new venue, the John Paul Jones Arena at UVA. It was our first time there and our first time to witness a performance by the durable Bob Dylan. I've seen the Beatles and the Stones live but I missed a chance to see Elvis when he was here in the 70's and have always regretted it. So seeing Dylan was a must, especially since I got to see Elvis too!

I'll admit I've never been a serious Dylan disciple...I liked his sixties stuff..."Like A Rolling Stone," "I Want You," "Just Like A Woman" and I enjoyed his latest somewhat mushy pop outing, Modern Times. Most of the material in between got past me, but you can't deny his influence and impact on our music and our culture. He cut quite a figure as he strode out to a retro-intro delivered by an invisible emcee, dressed in a Spanish-style dark suit with white collar and cuff accents and a powder-gray gaucho hat. His veteran six-piece band wore matching gray suits and black fedoras and provided a perfect visual and musical backdrop to the poet's 90-minute set. It would be a stretch to call the former Mr. Zimmerman a singer, especially since his trademark rasp is now delivered in short, stacatto bursts that left me wishing for lyric sheets. I did better with the more familiar ones like "Don't Think Twice," "Tangled Up In Blue" and his closer "All Along The Watchtower" which of course ended up as Jimi Hendrix' biggest hit back in '68. And Bob Dylan continues to let the music do the talking as the only words spoken during his set were "Hello friends" and a spare intro of his bandmates.

It may reveal some lack of depth on my part, but for my music money, the goods came early in the "opening" performances by r&b sensation Amos Lee and the charmingly unplugged Elvis Costello. First Amos Lee...we'd been told by a friend's daughter that he was worth the price of admission alone and she was right. Amazing voice, great material and one of the tightest bands you could ever hope to hear. His keyboard guy Michael Bellar had his rig sounding like a big, fat Hammond B-3 with Leslie and he just nailed it. Amos closed with an inspired rendering of Sam Cooke's anthemic "A Change Gonna Come," and it brought the house down.

After a brief intermission, Costello, bristling with energy and charisma, let forth with a non-stop, all-too-short set of his thought-provoking, well-crafted songs including "Alison," and "(The Angels Want To Wear My) Red Shoes." Armed only with his vintage Gibson dreadnought, Elvis revealed something I discovered during his well-received performance at MerleFest earlier this year...this guy can sing. With pitch and power. A fitting vehicle for his potent lyrics. The only disappointment was when he mentioned that his singing wife and their new twin boys were hangin' backstage, not saying she was none other than jazz stylist Diana Krall. Having her join him for just one number would have been a treat. Has anyone seen them perform together?
So the new home of the Hoos doubles well as a venue for music...the sound was terrific. We sprung for an extra twenty bucks for on-site parking and it was worth it; in and out via Rt. 29 was a breeze and we got a spot right next to the building. But the popcorn was chewy.

48 hours later we hit the Fan for the third Out O' The Blue Orchestral Revue, an occasional collaboration between Richmond troubador and radio host Page Wilson and the Richmond Symphony. These wonderful outings aired live on WCVE 88.9 FM have been a thrill for fans and friends of Page and his Reckless Abandon bandmates Jay Gillespie, Jim Skelding, Charles Arthur, Chris Fuller and Billy Lux. Hearing our ol' pickin' pals up there doing "Swim Nekkid In The Ocean" and Page's familiar theme song, "Virginia" with the nearly surreal backing of the Symphony was simply beautiful. And credit solid back-up vocals from Chris and Billy along with a great sound mix in the Landmark Theater for making the evening as memorable as its potential. Charles' gifted wife Sarah Arthur and her sweet band Piedmont Souprize along with Billy Ray Hatley & The Showdogs also had their turn, playing a few numbers on their own, only to be joined by Mark Russell Smith conducting our amazing orchestra with charts delivered by Richmond's gifted arranger and jazz guru Doug Richards. The results were a treat for the musicians and the audience alike. Kudos to Page for the 11th anniversary of those two Saturday night hours of music from the Chickahominy Swamp, and to the Richmond Symphony for 50 years of greatness. And a fond farewell to its dynamic conductor who has surely made his mark.

An evening like that makes one proud to call Richmond home, and so does what's on its way in less than two weeks...our third and last National Folk Festival. More on that and reports from bluegrass music's biggest week, the IBMA's in Nashville...coming up.

Come on back...TT

On track...

Last night served to underline all the reasons I love to go to Ashland Coffee and Tea. Part of it is the same reason one likes to be home...the familiar surroundings, old friends and comfortable routine. I'll just have the pita chips and hummus this time and forego the panini. That way I can justify an extra ice cold Yuengling. As a place to enjoy the joyously organic process of making music, it really couldn't be much better...great acoustics and sound system with someone at the controls who knows what it's supposed to sound like (Brian Hoffa was subbing for George and was superb). And then you're treated to a front-table seat to soak up every lick, every tasty fill, each well-crafted lyric and harmony from a band like North Carolina's Steep Canyon Rangers, and well, you have cause to give thanks for your many blessings.

I'd seen this young band a few times before but getting them up close and personal last night was a real treat. Lead singer/guitarist Woody Platt has the stature, stage presence and pipes to hold down the fort with conviction especially with expert backing from Mike Guggino, their tenor/mando man and Graham Sharp on banjo who sings baritone and bass. Founding member Charles Humphrey handles the upright bass and is a delightfully wry and dry emcee. But the kid who lit up the room was fiddle whiz Nicky Sanders. His technical skills were put to good use on some dazzling breaks and a killer take on Bill Monroe's "Tennessee Blues." His spot-on sound effects for their hilarious homage to The Intimidator, "Feelin' Just A Little Like Dale," almost forced a lap or two under yellow. And the karma was right for their encore number "Orange Blossom Special" as the ten-thirty freight rumbled through right on cue. It's scary how often that kind of thing happens at our favorite music room. Glad it happened to one of our favorite bands...don't miss these guys next time.
They've figured out how to make the bluegrass purists and the younger, more adventurous fans happy at the same time...not an easy thing to accomplish.

Autumn starts at 5:51 in the morning...not a minute too soon...my favorite season.
Hope you enjoy it too...TT

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