A MemDay Weekend
Newer readers to this account will take note of the disjuncture in seasonal commentary—- the first sentences below highlight the difference in publication dates of the original email and this re-release of the archived newsletters. Nope, it’s not actually summer now, today is Halloween, but that kinda hop across the calendar is typically part of visiting old memories. There’s also a time lapse of thirteen years and five months since the dates of the shows described— and because these re-posts will copy the weekly cadence of their original writing, each one you see from here out will be almost precisely that age.
Three of the artists listed below would return to Moonlight several times— Kira in a new and improved solo format, Kelli at an ever-higher level of accomplishment, and Jason— well, JB had already defined the top-end quality of our presentations at the original Vestavia venue, and continued his habit of herding a wide variety of the industry’s very best pickers across our little stage, time and breathtaking time again. Jason and his bandmates set the bar for excellence at Moonlight, and we are deeply obliged to him for his years of loyalty and support.
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May 26, 2010
Friends of the Moonlight--
Yes, it means summer is finally here--- judging from the color sell sheets crammed in the Sunday paper, it's all about barbecue sauce, bug spray, and a big blue bladder pool with five kids and a hot mom splashing around in it... Lowest Price of the Season!!! No doubt, we welcome the leisure time and indolent activities afforded us by late sunsets and the suspension of schoolwork--- but just like another annual holiday now morphed into a retail orgy unrelated to its original purpose, we'd best take a moment to remember why the day is different from all the others--- it's because somebody offered to trade in their own life in order to make all of ours a little bit better. Though it's hard to say "Thank You" as loudly as that gift deserves, at least once a year we set aside time to try.... and we hope you'll find a few minutes this weekend to reflect on that.
We also hope you'll treat yourself--- and whatever friends have come to town to visit---- to one of the three shows we've scheduled for you. More details and photos can be found on our website's Calendar page, but here's a quick sketch of what you didn't know you could expect--->
***Thursday, May 27--- KIRA SMALL and BRYAN BELLER
If you can't find something about these two that isn't delightful, you are hard to please indeed... Kira makes the party happen just by walking in the room, her wit and whimsy well in gear even before she gets behind the keyboards, to unleash a soulful stream of R&B, jazz, and jump tunes. Her husband Bryan partners her on bass guitar, turning it into a separate sideshow of its own... together, they lead the audience in a conga line of originals and covers that span every genre they've mastered. ALSO-- to begin the night, young Macey Rowland reveals her stunning voice in a brief opener that will make you doubt she's only twelve years old. This show is only $10, and starts at 7:30pm
www.kirasmall.com
Macey Rowland, May 27 2010
Kira Small and Bryan Beller, May 27 2010, 12 present
***Saturday, May 29--- BRET MOSLEY
He looks like Russell Crowe, he dresses like Jack Sparrow, and he tours you through funky folk/blues territory like you're riding a freight train out of the Delta. Critics struggle to describe his style, regularly employing hybrids such as "Chris Whitley meets Marvin Gaye"--- "somewhere between Son House and Leonard Cohen"--- "dead center between Hank Williams and The Ohio Players"-- "as if Van Morrison had come from a sharecropper's farm." Whoa--- all this to explain a guy with a dobro on his lap, a wink in his eye, and little beaded ribbons in his bad-ass ponytail. We couldn't hand you anything more memorable for a holiday Saturday night.... 7:30pm, only $10
www.bretmosley.com
Bret Mosley, May 29 2010, 45 present
***Sunday, May 30--- KARISA NOWAK, and KELLI JOHNSON with JASON BAILEY
Karisa started singing early in Winter Haven FL, got shuttled to Nashville as a directionless musical commodity, and finally found her voice and identity through the strength of her own songwriting skills. A quick visual appraisal will lead you to believe she's a Hollywood starlet--- two minutes later you'll know she's as honest, candid, and authentic as the country-pop originals she so ably offers. She shares the night with our own Kelli Johnson, who's carved out a reputation for herself as a figurehead in east Alabama country/grass circles--- Kelli's driven by the fire of her own songwriting as well, and she brings her Sweetwater Road bandmate Jason Bailey to season her set with his stunning mandolin work. 7:30, $12
www.karisanowak.com
www.myspace.com/kellijohnsonmusic
Kelli Johnson and Jason Bailey, May 30 2010, 27 present
Karisa Nowak, May 30 2010
Coming soon--- Dana Cooper, Act of Congress, Steve Young, and Moonlight Open Mike! Check the Calendar on the website:
www.moonlightonthemtn.com
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