Open Mic Moon
It’s been over a month since I last set out a Moonlight post— I do appreciate your patience, though if anybody took note of the absence, I didn’t hear about it…. each of you no doubt were dealing with your own life’s disruptions, and I do hope those specific exigencies were resolved as favorably as my own. I am prompted to resume the weekly postings by the addition of a new out-of-the-blue subscriber (Thanks, skyyywall!), and now we’ll see what level of consistency I can manage to maintain for this next stretch of editions.
This January week was a fine mix of townies and travelers, locals and long-runners— we heard the twang of Texas and Tennessee from earnest visitors who get their mail in those provinces, and sterling performances by several whom we call our neighbors. In each case, a room full of listeners headed home at the end of an evening during which their spirits were measurably lifted, and we could bundle up another weekend as “Mission Accomplished.”
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January 19, 2011
Friends of The Moonlight--
Had a BIG time on the 17th with our first Open Mic Playoff--- house was full to bustin', eleven of the 2010 bi-weekly winners went at it in a two-hour cavalcade, & we were reminded of why they all were chosen the best of their own Mondays. Judges Jason Bailey and Lolly Lee had to make some hard decisions, and finally totaled points that gave Jacob Bryant and John Davidson--- known together as AEREOPHONICS ATLAS--- the first-place designation. They were awarded $500 worth of recording/mixing time at Higher Ground Studios, compliments of our benefactor Bud Brown. So now we begin again--- our next Open Mic is set for February 7th, with the Playoff happening on June 20-- you can come twice a month to see the pieces fall into place---
Jacob Bryant, John Davidson, and Bud Brown, Janaury 17 2011, 112 present
THIS WEEK AT THE MOONLIGHT--->
Thursday the 20th-- DAVID NEWBOULD, and KEVIN GORDON, $12
Folk-rockers both-- David comes to Tennessee pretty recently from his home in Austin TX, that's a well-worn trail these days-- but he's no starry-eyed neophyte, yet to hear the thunder of applause. Have a look at the video in the link below, you'll see him in charge of a stageful of the best Lone Star players in the biz, all wishing him well in a send-off show everybody's still talking about.
www.davidnewbould.com
Sharing the night with him is our friend Kevin Gordon, headed south on his way to some Gulf Coast gigs--- besides being known for his unique Jimmy Reed-inflected country blues, he's got a master's degree in poetry, and a going business as a respected Southern folk art dealer. Also, he's had his songs picked up and recorded by Keith Richards--- you know, that guy who wrote the book--- 7:30pm
http://kg.kevingordon.net/
David Newbould, January 20 2011, 9 present
Kevin Gordon, January 20 2011
Friday the 21st-- JASON BAILEY, LOLLY LEE, & MARK KIMBRELL, $12
If you know anything about homegrown live music in this town, you are very familiar with these three players-- each of whose gifts are plenteous enough that they move effortlessly among a half-dozen of their own different bands (and styles of music). Jason has achieved regional repute as a mandolin master, Lolly as a vocalist and songwriter in the folk-rock-Americana domain, and Mark as a lifelong guitarist with flawless taste and style.
The combination might be intimidating, if they weren't all so damn warm and friendly--- the vibe is laid back and witty, the music sublime--- we're lucky these folks live here. 7:30pm
www.baileyjason.com
www.myspace.com/lollylee4free
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Kimbrell
Jason Bailey, Lolly Lee, and Mark Kimbrell, January 21 2011, 72 present
Saturday the 22nd-- JESSE TERRY, MICHAEL LOGEN, $12
Two more of Nashville's best up-and-comers, this time a younger breed with the first flushes of Music City success fresh in recent memory--- Jesse's a world traveler, having worked his songs in Australia and the South Pacific last year, and doing a good enough job of it to find himself a darlin' wife in New Zealand.... love tunes, we betcha, but some road rhymes as well, no doubt-- he's just back from some strong appearances last weekend at the 30A Songwriters Festival on the Gulf Coast.
www.jesseterrymusic.com
In ten years of back-stroking the industry waters of Nashville, Michael Logen has managed to get a few notations on his resume that should make him proud-- placement on co-writes with Mat Kearney, Will Hoge, and Jonny Lang, opening slots for John Legend and Sister Hazel, multiple awards in prestigious songwriting competitions, and an extended backpacking ramble through Old Europe that's given him tons of new material. Born a Mennonite in Pennsylvania, the boy has come a long, long way--- no doubt he'll share lots of what he's learned with us tonight. 7:30pm
www.myspace.com/michaellogen
Jesse Terry and Michael Logen, January 22 2011, 25 present
Sunday the 23rd-- MENEWA, $12
Relentlessly earnest in their prosecution of legitimate American music, the members of this Birmingham-based band still set the joy of playing front and center, like the hood ornament on a '51 Chevy. There's several guitars, drums, bass, harmonica, and even a flute, all employed in the business of rendering their ballads, war stories, mournful laments, and Dylan covers in a voice as authentic as any 21st-century suburbanites can exhibit.
Legacy and literacy mingle here with the scents of farm and factory--- all those things we heard about in 10th grade American History suddenly seem very real and immediate. This is how our music began, and this is why we still have it--- because wherever you turn, there's a small knot of dedicated pickers who invoke the songs that went before, and invent those that go from here. 7:30pm
Menewa, January 23 2011, 20 present
WE FINISH OUT JANUARY WITH THE BEST OF NORTH CAROLINA--->
Thursday 27th-- MALCOLM HOLCOMBE, Erskine Caldwell disguised as Ernest T. Bass-- intense, indescribable, unforgettable
Friday the 28th-- DANA & SUSAN ROBINSON, Asheville new folk, tireless cross-country ramblers, picker and singers of the 1st order
Sunday the 30th-- MICHAEL RENO HARRELL, songwriter and storyteller, tales and tunes from a modern Appalachian
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