Several months back, a friend sent a group text announcing that Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros. were touring and would be in Asheville on a Tuesday night in March. I scoured the schedule and saw that they would be at the Ryman on a Saturday night that same week! I have long wanted to take in a concert at the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. It looked like the perfect storm of a favorite musician performing in the cozy space that is the Ryman. The morning tickets went on sale, I was able to snag two tickets in the ‘Tapers,’ section (that’s what the tickets said!). I went for the chance to experience the Ryman Auditorium, but what I got was a whole lot more.

Next up for me was to find a friend who would want to go. My wife didn’t want to make the 10-hour drive to Nashville and the airfares were ridiculous. I didn’t have to strain my brain much; I offered the ticket to a friend of 45 years who was both a college roommate and the best man at my wedding. John is one who I have shared many great musical experiences with over the years. John lives in Atlanta, which is a perfect midway point between Charleston and Nashville.

I left for Atlanta on a rainy Thursday afternoon and made it in time for dinner and enough rest to prepare me for the weekend. Driving from Atlanta to Nashville on Friday, we gained an hour by crossing into the central time zone. After finding our hotel, we hit Broadway in downtown Nashville for an evening of honky tonking!

We arrived at the Ryman about 45 minutes before the show to allow me time to make my way around the auditorium and one-time church. The stained glass is still in many of the windows at the venue with the majority seen from the balcony. My seats were downstairs in row S, less than twenty rows from the stage. Our seats were an old pew as were all of the others in this grand building. The low ceilings of the balcony above and the proximity to the stage created an intimate setting for a musician who can pack twenty thousand fans into most indoor venues and outdoor amphitheaters around the country.  The setting was more than I had imagined and I proceeded to settle in and enjoy the show.

The The band came on about twenty minutes later than advertised but went right into, “The Music Never Stopped,” a Grateful Dead favorite from the 70’s. The band was stripped down and built for an intimate showcase such as the Ryman Auditorium; fronted by Bob Weir, rhythm guitarist from the Grateful Dead and their offspring bands. Joining him on stand-up bass was Don Was, musician and record producer along with Jay Laine, longtime drummer in Bob Weir’s last band, Ratdog.

The band weaved an old Bob Weir song, “Easy Answers,” around the show opener and then Bob Weir pulled out an acoustic guitar for, “Friend of the Devil,” in his self-proclaimed ‘Cowboy Swagger.’ Next up in the show, Weir introduced the first of many guests of the evening with pedal steel virtuoso, Russ Pahl. Russ fit in well with the trio and added depth of country bravado with Bob Dylan’s, “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” This was followed by the country-tinged, “Loser.” The highlight of the first set was the pedal steel on an acoustic, “Dark Star.” This tune is an ace from the ’60s, a brooding, spacey tune. The inclusion of the pedal steel guitar was a great fit for this and other songs.

After an hour, the band left the stage so the masses could indulge in a beer or two. Personally, I roamed the hallways of the balcony, getting a different look at this understated listening room. Back in our seats with beer in hand, we discussed what we heard and who we are hoping to hear in the second set. Since the circumstances surrounding the tornado earlier in the week, this show evolved into a relief fundraiser and all were encouraged to donate. I purchased raffle tickets for a D’Angelo acoustic guitar autographed by all of the evening’s performers! I’m here to report that I didn’t win.

The second set began with the band inviting Katie Pruitt on stage to reprise Wynonna’s vocals on, “Ramble on Rose,” a tune that she and her band recorded on her latest record. She showed off her pipes on this tune and appeared to be enjoying the hell out of her evening. The next song and artist set the tone for this set. Weir brought Frankie Ballard on for a different take on Johnny Cash’s, “Big River.” Bob said it would be different from his own version and one that he enjoys!  Next up was an old Grateful Dead tune, “New, New Minglewood Blues,” with Jimmy Hall on harmonica. Hall then remained on stage, joining Jamey Johnson for a song that Weir hadn’t played live for about twenty years, “Bye and Bye.” Our next guest was rising country singer Margo Price, who’s performed with Weir in the past. Along with Russ Pahl, they gave us a lively rendition of, “Scarlet Begonias,” followed by the Dylan ballad, “Hard Rain (gonna fall).” Pahl remained on stage for the remainder of the show, adding the plaintive wails of his pedal steel to the tunes of some great musicians. Nowhere was his playing a better fit than the “Dark Star,” reprise from the first set. This bled into, “Black Muddy River,” and brought Buddy Miller to the stage. He added vocals and electric guitar to the ballad. Buddy is a sought-after studio musician and has played with Robert Plant’s Band of Joy for the last decade.

Next up was John Prine’s, “Angel from Montgomery,” and onstage emerges EmmyLou Harris, who owns this song! Along with Buddy, Russ, Bob and the Wolf Brothers they gave a beautiful performance and captured the audience’s hearts. The guests departed so that Bob and the Wolf Brothers with Russ Pahl on pedal steel could deliver a plaintive, “Days Between.”

The band invited all of this evening’s participants back on the stage for the show closer, “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad.”  They went through a number of verses in order to give many a few lines to sing. The crowd brought the band and guests on stage until there were 13 people on stage for a rendition of the Band’s, “The Weight.” After they sang the final words, Bob tried to get everyone lined up on stage for a group bow to thank the audience.

As we ambled out of the auditorium and on to the street, I couldn’t help but think of the wonderful three-hour performance my friend and I had just experienced. Having had this musical journey at the home of country music was truly a blessing. One or the other would have been great, but to catch a great variety of songs and musicians in a legendary venue which lived up to reputation was just wonderful.

#rymanauditorium   #BobWeirandtheWolfBrothers  #DonWas #JayLaine #RussPahl  #KatiePruitt #FrankieBallard #JimmyHall #JameyJohnson #MargoPrice #BuddyMiller #EmmyLouHarris #DaveCobb   #MichaelGrimey #BucketList

In today’s live music scene, it is common for bands to cover songs by artists who were influences on their careers. How great is it to hear a favorite artist cover another of your favorite singers or bands? Today, there’s no shortage of tribute bands delivering the classic tunes of a favorite artist who may no longer touring. When you consider how many bands have celebrated 25, 30, 50 years or more with a handful of original members recreating the sound and feel of their glory days, I am perplexed there aren’t tribute bands and why more artists don’t choose to cover a tune from the discography of the Doors!

For a band that needs no introduction, let me introduce the band. The Doors began their career in Los Angeles in 1965 and released their debut album, The Doors on January 4, 1967. Over the next four years, they released five more studio albums and one live album before Jim Morrison’s untimely death in 1971. Those albums include Strange Days (Sept. 25, 1967), Waiting for the Sun (July 3, 1968), The Soft Parade, (July 21, 1969), Morrison Hotel (Feb. 9, 1970), Absolutely Live (July 20, 1970) and LA Woman (April 19, 1971). During this time, the albums sold very well commercially and the band drew large crowds wherever they played. The band was not without their controversies due to the flamboyant presence of lead singer, Jim Morrison. They gave us huge hits such as, “Light My Fire,” “Hello, I Love You,” “Touch Me,” “Love Her Madly,” “Riders on the Storm,” “Break On Through,” ”People Are Strange,” “Love Me Two Times,”  “Wishful, Sinful,” “Running Blue,” and “You Make Me Real.” My personal favorite is “The Soft Parade”, a tune with many shifts of style and tempo in what was,at that time, a loooonng song. They are great songs and could be adaptable to everything from bluegrass to rock and blues bands.

So why don’t we hear one of their songs covered by bands today? I do recall hearing a recording of Government Mule/Warren Haynes covering a Doors tune. A group of local musicians in Charleston performed the music of the Doors recently at the Pourhouse but outside of these, I don’t recall hearing a band cover any of the Doors songs in the nearly fifty years I have been going to concerts.

For those of us who were around during these times, Jim Morrison was a great showman and singer. His stage presence and command of the audience is a trait only possessed by the best in rock and roll. There has got to be a lot of fledgling singers who believe that they have what Jagger, Steven Tyler, Roger Daltry and Jim Morrison have. It would certainly get them noticed, especially if they surround themselves with good musicians to replicate this music with its raw energy. Several of their tunes could lend themselves to a long jam in the middle of, “Riders on the Storm,” or “People Are Strange.” Blues artists could have fun with, “Break On Through,” or, “Love Me Two Times.”  I can hear the banjo and mandolin replacing the guitar and organ on, “Running Blue,” and “Hello, I Love You.”

Why has such a popular, unique sound like that the Doors created not been replicated in concert and on a recording? Why aren’t there more singers channeling their inner Jim Morrison on the stage so they get noticed? If one was to create a viable stage presence, I believe that they will get noticed and Boomers would flock to revel in the music of Morrison and company.

Just because I haven’t heard and seen the Doors get their due, perhaps you have. I would hope that in reading this, you might share your experience about a band who covered the Doors. We would love to hear about it! Add your comments at the end of this blog and share your experiences with our readers.

#theDoors #JimMorrison #RayManzarek #RobbyKrieger #JohnDensmore #WarrenHaynes  #GovernmentMule #DoYouBelieveInMagic #Pourhouse

If you’re reading this, you are a fan of live music. If you’re a fan of live music, you like to go to concerts and you want to share the good news with friends about a musician you’ve seen. Some of us get to see more shows than others and we want others to enjoy what we have heard and seen. This blog is my recollection of a record year of performances. All in all, I took in 63 shows at 16 locations in Charleston and two more shows in Charlotte, NC, and Atlanta, Ga. Come along for the journey of a lifetime!

Now, I’m not a rich person nor am I retired. However, I do work as an usher at the Charleston Music Hall which is a 965-seat intimate theatre in historic downtown Charleston. Working there I took in 34 shows , occasionally as a patron. I also enjoyed multiple shows at the Pourhouse, the Performing Arts Center and Coastal Coffee Roasters, to highlight a few venues.

If there was a theme to this year’s collection of shows, it was that the overwhelming number of shows were first time experiences of their talents. This was made easier for me by the fact that I get to select the shows I work at the Hall and I often take a chance on a band whose reputation I have heard about or admired. I also will take a chance and buy a ticket to see a band that’s been on my radar. There are lots of shows in various venues around this town where you can spend $25 or less and see a great band or two perform.

Early in the year, I took in a double bill of the Traveling McCoury’s and the Jeff Austin Band at the Pourhouse and in June I saw Yonder Mountain String Band on the beach at the Isle of Palms(SC). What’s the big deal here? Jeff Austin was a founding member of YMSB but left the band a few years back. He was a giant in the new Grass revival that has introduced a new generation or two to the joys of string band music. When he returned to touring, he often hooked up with the Traveling McCourys’ for tours. Fortunately for me, I have seen Jeff with his own band before and as part of YMSB. In August, Jeff passed away quite unexpectedly. I’ve heard many people, when thinking of an upcoming show, back off and tell themselves that they will see the act the next time they come to town. But the future is not promised to anyone and many are left with regrets. I am one of the fortunate people who will have no regrets for having seen Jeff Austin live. Don’t let this happen to you!

 You likely live somewhere other than Charleston (SC) and your population may be larger than ours. You probably have more venues to choose from and your city may get the bigger tours making the circuit. However, the bigger acts are commanding even larger ticket prices. There’s a finite budget for live music in most of our lives and for every $100 ticket to see a premier artist, you could see four or five shows in smaller venues from excellent artists. 

My first-timers this year included Neko Case, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, the Infamous Stringdusters, Greensky Bluegrass, Tyler Childers, Jim James (I saw him as a member of My Morning Jacket about eight years ago), Sugar Lime Blue, country artists Joe Pardi, Waterloo Revival and Runaway June on one country showcase, Mercy Me, Crowder and Micah Tyler at a Christian music show, India Aire, Kendall St. Company, the Marsh Grass Mamas, Jamie Johnson and Natalie Stovall, Blue Sphere, Perpetual Groove (acoustic), Slightly Stoopid, Matisyahu, Tribal Seeds and HIRIE in a reggae show outdoors, Terence Young Band, Josh Butler, Wynonna(Judd), Gavin De Graw, Toad the Wet Sprocket, KISS, Richard Marx, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, ZZ Top and Cheap Trick celebrating 50 years of ZZT, Chris Botti, the Indigo Girls, the Allman Betts Band, Spafford with the Movement, Robotrio, Voodoo Visionary and Heather Gillis at the Woodlands Festival, and Aaron Neville.

When you like a band, you want to see them again and bring friends along for the experience. This past year I was able to see Dead and Company twice on a weekend road trip. The first night in Charlotte, I brought my 24-year-old daughter with me for her first Grateful Dead family experience. I think she’ll be back for more. One of my local favorites, Forty Mile Detour plays all over Charleston and I saw them a half dozen times for $10 or less and most shows were free. There was ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro, Dawes, the Everyone Orchestra, Experience Hendrix, Hootie and the Blowfish, the Mavericks, Dark Star Orchestra, Shakey Graves, the Red Cedar Revue, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, the SC Blues Alliance, Tedeschi Trucks Band with Blackberry Smoke and Shovels and Rope in an outdoor show, Keller Williams, Melvin Seals and the JGB featuring John Kadlisack, Umphrey’s McGee, Alice Cooper and local favorites the Blue Dogs.

The musical landscape is alive and well here and I hope it is where you live too. We have a vibrant local music scene with something for everyone’s tastes. To that, you offer clubs and theatres that range from a few hundred patrons to the Coliseum that could hold upwards of 10,000 fans. I would be remiss if I didn’t factor in that Charleston is a vacation destination for tourists worldwide. It all adds up to growth in the quality of the artists that we might be able to get tickets to see live. It’s nicer when the bands come to your town before you contemplate a road trip.

Favorite show? Probably the next one. This year I don’t recall witnessing a “stinker,” at all this year. I saw so many great artists and musicians that I would be doing a disservice to those I leave off the list. If you’ve read my concert reviews this past year, you will see which acts stood out and why.  If you’re still reading this, I thank you for taking a few minutes to learn about music that you might want to see soon! I would love to hear from my readers about artists and shows that blew you away last year! Please reply and share with all your best concert experiences this past year. In the end, do you believe in magic?

#charlestonmusichall #jeffaustin #yondermountainstringband #pourhouse #fortymiledetour #coastalcoffeeroasters #deadandcompany

The Rock and roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio, announced their class of 2020 inductees this week and many fans of Rock and Roll are pissed, myself included! This year’s inductees are The Doobie Brothers, Whitney Houston, Depeche Mode, T-Rex, Nine Inch Nails and the Notorious B.I.G., along with industry veterans Irving Azoff and Jon Landau. On the surface, there are some very deserving artists making it in to the Hall (Doobie Brothers, T-Rex, Nine Inch Nails).

The Hall offers fans the chance to cast a vote for five nominees once a day during the open voting leading up to the announcement by the Board. More than 8 million votes were cast and the top five vote getters were the Dave Matthews band, Pat Benatar, the Doobie Brothers, Soundgarden and Judas Priest. Whitney was sixth (6), Depeche Mode was seventh (7), Nine Inch Nails were eleventh (11), T-Rex was twelfth (12) and B.I.G was thirteenth…out of sixteen (16)!

While I recognize that Whitney had a great voice and sold lots of records, in my opinion she is Pop and not Rock. Nor is she as great an impact on Rock and Roll as Pat Benatar. Dave Matthews was snubbed big time. He took the greatest number of fan votes but was overshadowed by others who barely registered with voters. While B.I.G. was huge in the Rap world, he was not a major influence on the world of Rock and Roll. If the Hall wants to recognize industry veterans such as Azoff and Landau, why not create a special category for different types of music. I object to Whitney Houston, Depeche Mode and B.I.G.  getting in ahead of and instead of the likes of Dave Matthews, Pat Benatar and Judas Priest. It was noted in Rolling Stone magazine online newsletter (1/15/20) that the majority of inductees this year “built their legacies with more synthetic, machine-made rhythms than any traditional means of providing a back beat”. The author, Kory Grow, notes that only the Doobies and T-Rex had a live drummer anchoring the rhythm section. Originality should count for something!

There has long been criticism of the Hall for ignoring Heavy Metal bands and it is tough to argue with that history. There is major disagreement in the fan world about who the Hall is letting in and who they are ignoring. Why not have categories that would represent the best in that genre/style, allowing the Hall to recognize more rock and roll artists. Fans are always going to gripe about someone, in their mind, who was left off the list or someone who got in undeserving. If the Hall is going to open the voting to the fans, then the actual inductees need to place greater emphasis on the votes of those who buy the tickets, the music and the merchandise!!

 Rock and Roll came about as a rebellion of the musical landscape that preceded it.  If you’re going to play it safe and PC, then it’s no longer the Rock Hall! Come on, R&RHOF, grow a set!

#DaveMatthewsBand #DoobieBrothers #WhitneyHouston #DepecheMode #T-Rex #NineInchNails #PatBenetar #Soundgarden #JudasPriest #RockHall #RockandRollHallofFame

September brought a unique experience that I haven’t had in years. What was it, you ask? Due to circumstances, I took in just one show all month. That took place at the Music Hall for the Indigo Girls and Heather McIntyre. Things changed a lot in October as I was able to see Drew Holcomb with the Neighbors and opener Birdtalker, George Thorogood, Shovels and Rope with Majic Dust, ZZ Top and Cheap Trick outdoors with opener Frankie and the Witch Fingers, Chris Botti, the Allman Betts Band with Jo Ann Taylor, J D Simo and finished up the month with Melvin Seals and the JGB along with John Kadlicek. One performance all month followed by seven the next month, it’s crazy.

It was my first time seeing Indigo Girls and they did not disappoint. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers sang with a passion and performed with a purpose. They have a very loyal and supportive fan base that appreciates their talents. October brought with it one great show after another. There wasn’t a bad show all month.

I enjoyed ZZ Top and Cheap Trick a lot for the energy and enthusiasm they displayed. It’s amazing how rockers can perform at a high level into their seventies after all they have been through. My bitch is the fact that each headliner put in about 60 minutes for their set and I wish ZZ would have given all another 30 minutes to perform. I’ve seen Billy Gibbons with his own band before and they only played for an hour. I expect a ninety-minute performance by the headliner, especially at today’s ticket prices.

Chris Botti is a world-class horn player and was well received by those in attendance. He gave the audience all they could handle as he blended traditional jazz with romantic tunes, smooth jazz and rock-n-roll. His special guest artists included a wonderful young female violinist and a young man with an operatic voice. They gave inspired performances when they were spotlighted. Botti would be worth taking in if it fits your budget. I barely saw George Thorogood on a crazy night. What little I did hear confirmed that he still has a strong voice, tremendous guitar skills and he is still enjoying performing to audiences.

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors were a pleasant surprise, having only listened to them a few days earlier on Spotify. Drew is a talented songwriter and a good singer. His catchy tunes are upbeat and delivered with a smooth baritone sound. Take a listen to him on your favorite streaming service; you might just find yourself buying a ticket for an upcoming performance near you.

The biggest impression this month was delivered by the Allman Betts Band, touring in support of their debut album By the River. The son of Gregg Allman, Devon, has teamed up with the son of Dicky Betts, Duane, and Berry Oakley, Jr. whose dad was the first bass player in the Allman Brothers band. Their seven-piece band included touring veterans who provided solid support to the dreams/inspirations that this trio has in mind. They paid homage to their fathers on several ABB tunes including Blue Sky and Midnight Rambler. Along with playing most of the tunes off of their first CD and these selected tunes, they also threw in a cover of the Grateful Dead’s, “Shakedown Street,” and Prince’s, “Purple Rain.”These boys appear to be the heirs to the southern rock banner that their dads held a long time ago. Their CD is worth taking a listen to and adding copy for your collection.

Lastly, honorable mention goes out to Melvin Seals and the JGB for their show at the cozy confines of the Pourhouse in Charleston. Melvin played keyboards in Jerry Garcia’s band from 1980 until Jerry’s death in 1995. Since 2004, he has fronted the JGB on organ and keyboards, keeping the spirit of Jerry’s solo career alive. On this tour he featured John Kadlicek (Dark Star Orchestra/Furthur, Golden Gate Wingmen) who is an unabashed lover of all things Grateful Dead. John would have made Jerry proud of his renditions of songs like, “Tough Mama,” “How Sweet It Is,” and, “Mystery Train,” among the songs he took the lead on. You don’t have to be a Deadhead to enjoy the music of the Jerry Garcia band …but it can’t hurt!

#IndigoGirls #ZZTop #CheapTrick #Chris Botti #DrewHolcombandtheNeighbors #ShovelsandRope #AllmanBettsBand #MelvinSeals and the JGB #John Kadlicek #CharlestonMusicHall #CharlestonPourhouse #DoYouBeleiveInMagic #FallingforMusic

Every summer there are tours, performances and collaborations that are not to be missed if you love live music. Summertime is all about outdoor concerts and music festivals…unless you live in the South. Down here, it’s 90 degrees and 90% humidity every day. It’s hardly the weather for listening to a bunch of bands in the sun! Big time bands are crisscrossing the country, playing festivals week in and week out. So rather than going month by month, let’s talk about this summer’s gems that played in my neck of the woods and who might wind up in yours!

Although I didn’t attend a festival, I got to see my share of bands. To begin, June brought Yonder Mountain String Band for an outdoor show at the beach, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers at the Music Hall, Slightly Stoopid/ Matisyahu/Tribal Seeds/Hirie outdoors, Wynonna and the Big Noise and two nights with Dead and Company in Charlotte and Atlanta. Come July, it was Terence Young Band, Forty Mile Detour, the SC Blues Alliance, Perpetual Groove acoustic and John Butler trio- all indoor shows! Come August, I was able to take in Tedeschi-Trucks band, Blackberry Smoke and Shovels and Rope outdoors, KISS, Gavin DeGraw, Forty Mile Detour with Chance and Circumstance, Richard Marx, Toad the Wet Sprocket with Terra Lightfoot and Keller Williams!

While many know of my love for everything Grateful Dead, this won’t be all about Dead and Company. While my love for the band and music runs deep, there are many other shows that I saw that delivered memorable performances. What impressed me most this summer was acoustic Perpetual Groove, the John Butler Trio, the Wheels of Soul tour and Keller Williams!

Perpetual Groove or P-Groove to their followers, is a jam band favorite as they perform electronically as a quartet. This summer tour, making a stop at the Pourhouse (SC) I saw them as a trio of two guitars and bass. They delivered two sets of PG favorites and covers of George Michael, Paul Simon, David Bowie, Warren Zevon and the Butthole Surfers, “Peppers.” Their prowess on guitar combined with strong vocals made them an enjoyable performance.

The John Butler trio is popular with many half my age. Butler got his start as a street musician and his ability to command a crowd by himself is commendable. He played a twelve-string acoustic guitar, drawing a unique sound from this instrument. He demonstrated creative songwriting skills and a great voice to complement his lyrics. I knew nothing of his catalog of songs but found many to be delightful tales of life. With a strong ensemble of musicians to back him, he delivered a strong performance that convinced me that I needed to hear more from him! Check out his music on your favorite streaming device and hear for yourself why he is an artist to see if/when he comes to your town.

One outdoor show among my favorites was the Wheels of Soul tour featuring the Tedeschi-Trucks Band, Blackberry Smoke, and Shovels and Rope at the Volvo Car Stadium. This was the make-up show for a rainout in early July. If you’ve ever seen Tedeschi-Trucks, you know that they put on a satisfying show, showcasing every one of the twelve-piece band. With Susan Tedeschi’s sultry, bluesy voice and Derek Trucks’ slide guitar prowess, the show is guaranteed to rock…and get funky! With three back-up singers and a three-piece horn section surrounding Susan and Derek, you get the blues, funk and good old southern rock and roll. Blackberry Smoke is a polished group of musicians who started out as the saviors of southern rock and have matured to become a band of great harmonies and up-tempo rock and roll tunes. Shovels and Rope are local heroes here in Charleston. Michael Trent and Carrie Ann Hearst are rockabilly fans who craft original tunes with crafty lyrics and a rich sound. The duo both sing while playing guitar, drums and keyboards. Check out their music on your favorite streaming service to see why people who see them live become true fans of their sound.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight this solo performer and master of looping and layering sounds. Keller Williams, the artist not the real estate firm, is truly a one-man band. Keller brings infectious energy to every performance and his lyrics and witty and amusing. There are few musicians who can deliver in a solo setting like Keller. He layers bass lines with his acoustic guitar and an electronic percussion kit that lets him create sounds heretofore unheard on a concert stage. You will find him delivering his unique style in small clubs and on the stages of the biggest festivals!

If you aren’t familiar with any of these performers, I urge you to give them a serious listen. I’m going to bet that more often than not; you are going to find new musicians and their music to enjoy!

#PerpetualGroove #JohnButlerTrio #TedeschiTrucksBand #BlackberrySmoke #ShovelsandRope #KellerWilliams #DoYouBelieveInMagic #SummertimeandtheLivingisEasy

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     All across America, you can find musicians playing original music and putting their own spin on cover tunes by musicians who have influenced them. Perhaps you have a favorite band with a local, possibly regional following. I have discovered bands around town (Charleston, SC) over the years that caught my ear and my interest. Due to the far reaching effect of the internet, you don’t have to live in their town to enjoy a band.  Surf YouTube or your favorite streaming service and you can hear what a band is doing. In most cases, live is better but recordings provide a glimpse into their sound, hopefully getting you to want to hear more! I encourage you to read on and discover what I have found.

Three years ago, Forty Mile Detour (FMD) caught my ear and for good reason. FMD is the brainchild of Mark Yampolsky, singer and songwriter as well as guitar and mandolin player. They perform as anywhere from a trio to a sextet, depending on the size of the venue and the stage. They label their style as authentic American music. Most of the members have careers that support their love of playing live music around the Charleston, SC area. But how did this all start? Read on.

Mark was playing the coffee house circuit around town earlier in the decade, performing as part of the Mason-Dixon band; they started as a duo and then added a drummer. In 2010-11 Mark released a solo CD titled Forty Mile Detour, produced by Jay Clifford of Jump Little Children fame. Prior to this event, Mark was on a bicycle tour in Montana with others when they stopped for the night twenty miles south of the Canadian border. Most people would have had enough for the day but Mark was feeling a bit restless. He rode the twenty miles to the border and back, admiring the scenery of majestic Montana. On that ride, he came upon a pile of furniture, housewares and clothes apparently having been discarded by the resident of a nearby ranch. Perched atop this pile was a well-worn set of cowboy boots. Mark spent some time wondering why one would discard boots that still appeared to have some life left in them. He could only imagine the experiences those boots witnessed and the stories that they could tell. One of the songs on the Forty Mile Detour CD was called, “Boots,” which can be heard today on YouTube and iTunes. If you get to know Mark, you will learn that he is most comfortable working and playing in his cowboy boots.

Back in Charleston, Mark continued performing as FMD. A friend, Jodie March, told me about this group playing at a local coffee shop and I went to check them out. What I heard was a quartet performing original music and some interesting covers of artist that influenced Mark and company. Mark’s lyrics are creative and Eddie Phillips’s guitar licks drove these songs. Over the years there were band changes, with Krystal Halvorson joining the band and adding banjo, mandolin, and a female voice perfectly suited to the country/Americana lyrics that Mark was creating. Mike Sparks filled in at times on guitar and eventually took over lead guitar duties as Eddie decided to explore his love of the blues with the SC Blues Alliance. Mike plays the lead on an acoustic guitar and lays down some tasty licks; the band allows him to stretch out and show his mastery of the guitar. Scott Tucker joined the band in the last two years as drummer and along with John Auwaerter on the bass; they create a great rhythm section. Jig Wiggler plays keyboards and adds vocals from time to time. Ellie Jos is the latest Forty Miler, playing the fiddle and adding to the moniker of authentic American music.

The band has just released Ain’t No Devil, on the Spectra Music Group label. The collection contains eleven tunes written by Mark and one penned by Mark and his wife Ellen. Having seen the band every few months these last three years, these songs were becoming familiar and several are favorites of mine.                                                       

This CD has been in the works the last two years and has been worth the wait. Songs can be like your children, love them all but there may be a favorite or two. For Mark it’s, “Pour Me a Strong One,” a song co-written with Ellen. This song contains all of the elements of FMD and is a songwriter’s song. The collection contains a number of songs with strong references to the South. These include, “Following You South,” featuring Krystal on vocals and some very fine work by Mark on mandolin and Mike Spears on acoustic guitar. “Southbound,” and, “How Do You Want Me to Love You,” are excellent examples of Americana music with a southern twist. According to the Americana Music Association, Americana, “incorporates elements of various styles of acoustic country, roots, rock, folk, gospel and bluegrass music.”(*1)  Have a listen and tell me what you hear! “Rise Up on Wings,” has a spiritual feel, aided by the Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church Choir. It is an uplifting tune and could be a show stopper. The band concludes the CD with, “Fare Thee Well, Adios,” which I can see be their show closer for all the right reasons. You will find this CD on your favorite streaming services.

Mark is a devoted songwriter in his spare time. He is serious about his craft, as evidenced by the fact that he has been in attendance for the annual Songwriters Cruise called Cayamo, A Journey through Song, for the last eleven years. The next installment sets sail February 3-10, 2020 from Miami with Mark and Ellen aboard. Mark has been in the audience and on the stage, soaking in the ability to learn from the masters who have made their mark in the industry.  He’s played along with the likes of Steve Earle, Ed Roland of Collective Soul and Daniel Walker, keyboardist with the Ann Wilson (Heart) band.  

His goals for the band include gaining slots at music festivals locally, which are dotting the calendar. The band did appear at the Fifth Annual Charleston Bluegrass Festival at the Charleston Woodlands this past spring. Mark would also welcome an opportunity to open for a national act at the Charleston Music Hall and the Pour House.  He has begun writing songs on a second CD along with the band! Mark likes being around talented people and it shows. The band is capable of filling a listening room of paying customers and the venues will need to hold more people as their audience grows.

If you are in the Charleston area, the band will be performing at the Coastal Coffee Roasters in Summerville on Friday, Sept. 13 from 7 to 9. They will also be in Summerville on Sept. 21 for the Sweet Tea Festival and on October 17 for the Third Thursday celebration. If you are in Mt. Pleasant, they will perform at the Mainland Container Co. on Saturday, September 28 and The Southern Bar, Coleman Blvd on November 9. Come October they will perform at the Edisto River Blackwater Music Festival on October 12 and at the post-James Island Connector Run on October 26^th.  Check out their website, fortymiledetourmusic.com for a complete list of venues and dates. Like them on Facebook and listen to them on your favorite music service.  If you happen to hear them live, write us on this blog or at our Facebook page, Do You Believe In Magic.

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#FortyMileDetour  #Ain’tNoDevil #MarkYamopolsky #MikeSparks #ScottTucker #EllieJos

#KrystalHalverson #JohnAuwaerter #SCBluesAlliance #JigWiggler

 (*1) Pete Knapp (2008-10-06). “What is Americana Music?”. Peteknapp.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-26. Retrieved 2014-03-23.

Recently, at least two new documentaries focused on “the greatest generation” of Rock and Roll have debuted and both are highly recommended! I was privileged to see both of these documentaries on the big screen at the Charleston Music Hall (SC), along with a great sound system. Since it is the Fiftieth Anniversary of Woodstock, allow me to start with the Woodstock doc.

Woodstock: Three days that defined a generation is a behind the scenes look into what it took to make the festival a reality. It also shone the light on the methods used to overcome the tremendous, unexpected challenges of putting on a festival at that time. The stories told dealt with the seemingly overwhelming crises’ that popped up and how they were overcome. One story that fascinated me was the monumental task of feeding everyone that weekend. I would imagine from observing the crowd that most did not plan to bring in enough food, water and similar provisions to take them through the three plus days of the festival. Although I knew the movie and albums well, it’s the story of how this idea was hatched, the hurdles they successfully jumped and those where they stumbled and fell that captured the audience’s attention.

I have seen the original Woodstock movie several times over the decades and remember the great musical moments that created careers for so many artists. This new doc puts the flesh on the bones, as the saying goes.  Once you have seen this movie, you will know ‘the rest of the story’, as Paul Harvey would lament.

Echo in the Canyon tells the story of the inhabitants of Laurel Canyon (CA) in the sixties and Seventies. The epicenter of the rock music scene was to be found in this picturesque valley, on the outskirts of Los Angeles.  The host for this movie is Jacob Dylan, Bob’s famous son. He assembled a band that also featured Beck, Fiona Apple, Norah Jones and introducing Jade Castrinos, they recreated the wonderful music that flowed from this canyon back in those days.

The movie intertwines the story of how the Laurel Canyon became the address for so many of rock’s greatest artists and musicians.  There is a treasure trove of film capturing the magical moments making this music while the producers interspersed these clips with present day interviews, telling the story from an eyewitness standpoint. If you enjoy the music of Tom Petty, the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, the Mamas and Papas, Beach Boys, Jackson Browne, the Eagles, Monkees, John Sebastian and more, this is your movie. There are great stories told in this movie. Some of my favorite memories include Tom Petty, Michelle Phillips, Ringo Starr, David Crosby and Jackson Browne, to name but a few. So if this sounds like the soundtrack to your youth, make sure you see it soon!

#echointhecanyon # Woodstock:threedaysthatdefinedageneration #charlestonmusichall  

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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

This past April I attended two shows as a patron (Infamous Stringdusters and Dark Star Orchestra)and   worked the Jamey Jameson and Tyler Childers shows. All four shows were sellouts.

If you’re reading this, you love the live music experience and look forward to the next show. There’s an excitement and anticipation as you get ready for “tonight’s concert”. Taking it in live is a special experience! It was with that excitement that I saw the infamous Stringdusters and then Dark Star Orchestra on successive nights. I have caught DSO on three previous occasions before but this was my first time seeing the Infamous Stringdusters. I was treated to a 2hr. 30 minute, two set show showcasing their musical prowess. This band is a modern crossover between bluegrass and jam band. The band consists of Travis Book on bass, Chris Pandolfi on banjo, Andy Falco on acoustic guitar, Andy Hall on dobro and Jeremy Garrett on fiddle. These guys played well to both ends of the spectrum, sounding like a traditional bluegrass band for some tunes and then stretching the sounds of their instruments with the fervor of the best jam band today. I loved their harmonies and the virtuoso skills that they brought to their instruments. Their energy and harmonies create a captivating sound. Check them out on YouTube for a great introduction.

The Charleston Music Hall has hosted an ever increasing number of Country artists, both newcomers and living legends. The shows are almost always a sell out and the fans are rabid! Jamey Johnson’s show was no exception. He is firmly entrenched as a Country Outlaw musician.  His deep and soothing voice sounded great whether he was showcasing one of the bands tunes or doing justice to covers of their favorite artists. He fronted an 11 piece band including several brass instruments, uncommon in a country band. Among the numerous covers he performed that night were such songs as “Willing” by Little Feat and Woody Guthrie’s. “This Land is Your Land”. His songwriting skills may be the most under-appreciated facet of his skills. If you listen to country music on terrestrial or satellite radio, you are familiar with his songs. If you’re not, may I encourage you to check him out on your favorite streaming service.

#InfamousStringdusters   #JameyJohnson #doyoubelieveinmagic   #CharlestonMusicHall