This past month, I was fortunate to see Jim James, India Aire, Shakey Graves, the Kendall Street company in Charlotte, the Happy Together tour (The Turtles, Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett, the Cowsills, the Buckinghams and the Classics IV), and two shows produced by Awendaw Green. Awendaw brought the Mike Fruend band, Pluff Mud String band and Fleming Moore to Summerville for an outdoor show and the Bluestone Ramblers, Marshgrass Mamas and the Red Cedar Review at the Music Hall.

I want to give kudos to India Aire and Shakey Graves and the Grass in the Hall artists listed above. In their own genre, they are at the top of their game. India Aire has a fabulous voice and delivers a positive message and motivation to her fans through her lyrics. Shakey Graves is a former street artist who found his way to the big stage, performing solo as well as with a supporting band. The bluegrass performers, Bluestone Ramblers, Marshgrass Mamas and the Red Cedar review all could tour nationally especially during the summer festival season.

Rising to the top this month was the Jim James show, which served as his national tour opener. If you’re unfamiliar with the name, Jim is the creative spark behind My Morning Jacket. With MMJ taking a break from touring, Jim assembled a back-up band to showcase his latest solo offering “Uniform Distortion”. His singing style is unique, with soaring vocals and a sound that fills the crevices in any room he plays. He refuses to be pigeonholed as having one style of music. He can rock as hard as anyone relevant today and then strap on an acoustic guitar and play tender songs to an appreciative, attentive audience. He offered up several Morning Jackets favorite, sprinkling the set with his new solo material as well as songs from previous solo offerings.  If you’re not familiar with his music, check him and My Morning Jacket out on your favorite music sharing service.

#JimJames #IndiaAire #ShakeyGraves #AwendawGreen #BluestoneRamblers #MarshgrassMamas #RedCedarReview #MikeFruendBand #PluffMudStringband #FlemingMoore #HappyTogether