Waymore Moonlight
We hosted some of Nashville’s best as a hot July unfolded, stuffing the room with listeners for two special events, then were humbled by the trickle of attendees for shows immediately following. That experience finally nixed the idea of taking reservations as a common practice— most times the house had more empty seats than full, and the tedium of keeping track of who might be coming just didn’t carry the ring of priority. I ached at the prospect of having to tell ANYone who appeared at the door that we couldn’t accept their money or support… thankfully, almost every time I had to, I was met with good humor and a thumbs up for the night’s success.
A couple of random memories— the Chapman show brought out a very large audience who were mostly dressed in dry-cleaned clothes— button-down collars and pleated khakis— Yuppies, if you’ll forgive the term— I don’t believe we saw many of them ever again. The charm and craftsmanship of the Waymores evening delineated a definition of musical chemistry, with precision, inspiration, and humor in equal measure. And damn if that Eric Sommer didn’t just about rip the roof off with volume, I am sho’ glad that tiny wall of guitar amps weren’t full size. Sorry, I didn’t get that— say what?
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July 21, 2010
Friends of the Moonlight--->
We've been out of touch a couple of weeks, taking it easy, as the summer heat demands--- but also selling out two concerts last week, Thursday's evening with Kate Campbell, and then Saturday with a well-publicized Beth Nielsen Chapman show. Filled the house both times with about a hundred listeners, and had room for no more--- we actually took reservations for the Chapman event, something we only do when it's obvious there will be a strong response.
Kate Campbell, July 15 2010, 106 present
Beth Nielsen Chapman, July 17 2010, 96 present
Remember that MOST of our concerts are not so heavily attended, you can come hear the music, and bring several friends, with NO worries of not being admitted. But remember to bring your own chairs, so that you will always have a place to sit, in case ours are all occupied..... here's some upcoming shows that we hope will draw the crowds they deserve---->
Thursday, 7/22--- THE WAYMORES, $15
A triple-threat combo of three of the most respected Nashville songwriters working today--- each with their own special strengths and flavors, combining their instruments and voices in support of each others' best material. Tom Kimmel brings an author's eye to the many tunes he's provided for dozens of hits by well-known country and pop artists, Sally Barris gilds her many chart tunes with a pure angel soprano, and Don Henry lays waste to all seriousness with merry melodies and wicked humor. Together, they are the classic greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts outfit--- every moment will be memorable. 7:30pm
www.waymores.net
The Waymores, July 22, 2010, 34 present
Friday, 7/23--- BUTCH ROSS, then ERIC SOMMER, $12
Butch didn't listen to anybody who tried to tell him how to play the dulcimer--- he turned it upside down, put the strings on backwards, held it like a guitar, and learned to play things you'd never hear at a moldy old Appalachian Crafts festival--- Led Zeppelin tunes, for example. He's energetic, inventive, and a little inverted, but a surprising and satisfying performer all the same. Experienced guitar-wrangler Eric Sommer matches the challenge with eight or nine of his favorite axes and a bank of five little stage amps--- a lifetime of playing both here and abroad is distilled into his set of eye-opening 'lectric/acoustic fretwork. This night will wake you UP--- starts at 7:30pm
www.butchross.com
www.ericsommer.com
Butch Ross, July 23 2010, 13 present
Eric Sommer, July 23 2010
Sunday, 7/25-- SURTSEY, $10
Do you know anybody else from Cape Girardeau, Missouri? Didn't think so.... so this young band of folk/pop adherents tramps through Alabama on a lazy swing through the old Confederacy, searching for the source of the soulful, rootsy vibe that spawns most of their song list. Kids, really--- but jeez, they have a mature touch that you'd think comes from years and years of living it close to the bone. A bogus booking agent set up half the tour for them before dropping the rest of it in their laps--- their visit to Birmingham is a fortuitous fill date on a fractured route, we should show them a Deep South welcome! 7:30pm
www.myspace.com/surtsey
A LOOK AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK--->
Wednesday 28th--- FREDDY HALL, and YELLOWBIRDDD--- upper East Coast post-college alt-folk... check the websites for samples
Friday 30th--- KASSIE MILLER, and TREES LEAVE-- stinger country/soul vocalist and band, and jazz-grass Nashville duo... sharp!
Saturday 31st-- ANN RABSON, and NORA JANE STRUTHERS-- barrelhouse blues piano, then aching, silky hilltop country/folk... really!
As always, photos and sound samples are on The Moonlight website... spend a little time there, you'll be SO much smarter!
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