Duck Soup Moon
This may be kind of a reach, but gimme a minute here— reflecting on the week of presentations described below, I see three strong personalities as separate headliners, each one of whom brought their own vibe in catering to an audience. Classic show-biz trios abound— The Rat Pack, Stooges, Kingston, PP&M, Musketeers, Charlie’s Angels, The Three Bears— but if we were to put these artists together as a unit, they’d perhaps be more like The Marx Brothers. That would be Walt as Groucho, steering the action swiftly with a confident and witty agenda; Mairtin as Chico, the fast-talking schemer with a charming accent; and Mr. Lee as Harpo, a playful and lascivious prankster, driven by manic energy, working without a net. One at a time, they cheerfully left their mark in The Moonlight’s chronicles, two of them returning on later dates to carve their initials even deeper.
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August 17, 2010
Friends of the Moonlight---
Just finished our sixth Open Mic Night of the summer, grateful that it's become a hit--- we're drawing a surprising number of gifted players among the parade of non-professional songwriters who come in for a shot at the weekly prize money. The crowd's good, too--- for five little bucks you get a two-hour show, with a dozen unknowns delivering two songs each, three judges awarding points, and a handful of money going to the best of 'em at the end of the night. First and third Mondays every month--- at the end of the year we'll have a Winner's Show, awarding a Grand Prize to the ultimate Open Mic champion... come on out and see who it might be!
In the meantime, check out our shows this week--->
*** Friday 20th, PHIL LEE, $10
Some of our favorite songwriters are those who start out a little scary, then prove to be really friendly and funny under their quirky exterior--- kinda like the Addams Family. We don't know if PHIL "You Can't Be Serious" LEE would appreciate that comparison, but we do recognize him as one of the more memorable characters to darken our door since we opened. Word around Nashville is that he just might be the best songwriter in town--- guess that judgment depends on your appreciation for somewhat ragged, irreverent roots-rock that barrels through standard convention and winds up grinning on the other side.
Phil knows the world from the low-down and losers' viewpoint--- former truck driver, roadie, huckster, now a serious knife-thrower--- his recent release "So Long, It's Been Good to Know You" has charmed countless radio programmers, and new fans across the country. With his sideman Tom Mason providing guitar support and outlandish dance moves, Phil will definitely give you yer dime's worth, several times over. 7:30pm
www.phillee1.com
Phil Lee, August 20, 2010, 17 present
*** Saturday 21st, WALT ALDRIDGE, $10
More sedate, but no less satisfying, is this unusual appearance by one of Music City's most respected functionaries--- WALT ALDRIDGE rounded first base by penning one of the most performed songs in ASCAP's Contemporary Country catalogue, "No Getting Over Me", and then piled dozens of other hits on top of that singular achievement. Since 1977, Walt has constructed a little blueblood empire in Nashville's upper echelons, as a writer, producer, engineer, session player, and straight-out performer--- even a partial list of the projects that bear his imprint would take you all afternoon to examine.
We can claim him as one of Alabama's own, too--- The Florence native stays busy directing the progress of those who would emulate his success. Part of staying sharp, though, is taking charge of a stage to give an audience a living sample of his skills--- he's got plenty of friends hereabouts, so be sure to bring your own chair to the show. 7:30pm
www.waltaldridge.com
Walt Aldrige, August 21 2010, 89 present
Sunday 22nd, THE FUCHSIA BAND, $15
While the original Moonlight featured a good bit of Irish music on its schedule, we haven't had a chance to bring it to you since our relocation... all that changes in a big way on Sunday with the arrival of THE FUCHSIA BAND, a gaggle of truly authentic hooley-hounds straight from County Cork. Under the leadership of the magnetic Mairtin de Cogain, these four players regularly barnstorm the world in a
mad desire to throw off some of their endless energy... the traditional instruments are employed, of course, but the yips and yodels of four voices, and an impressive display of demented dancing take this presentation far from the textbook.
The Alabama Celtic Association is all a-dither in support of this show...but there should be plenty of room for you to be part of this afternoon Fleadh!
www.fuchsiaband.com
The Fuchsia Band, August 22 2010, 31 present
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A PEEK AT NEXT WEEK'S SCHEDULE---->
Thursday 26th-- JILL JACK, songwriter/entertainer from where? Detroit? Not at all what you'd expect... come for a surprise! $12
Friday 27th--- THE JASON BAILEY BAND, with crackerjack guest fiddler Shad Cobb--- jazzgrass of first quality! $10
Saturday 28th--- JARROD DICKERSON and HOPE CASSITY, two original artists of the new generation, & they've never even met! $12
Sunday 29th--- DAVE'S HIGHWAY, young (REALLY young) gospel/pop trio, the definition of blood harmony... 25,000 Facebook fans!