…THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED…a timeline for lovers of Live Music

1971-1972 15 shows

Alvin Lee and Ten Years After/Mylon…Madison Square Garden…Nov. 1971
Beach Boys…Carnegie Hall…March 21.1972
Brewer and Shipley…Brooklyn College…April 22.1972
Melanie/ Janie and Dennis…Wollman Skating Rink(WSR)Central Park…June 24,1972…first of many shows in Central Park,New York, NY
Allman Brothers Band(w/ Berry Oakley)/Captain Beyond…Gaelic Park, Bronx,NY…July 10, 1972…”Mountain Jam ”(Donavan tune) encore with Garcia and Weir
Four Seasons/Jay and the Americans…WSR/CP…July 21,1972
Sha Na Na/Tiny Alice/Captain Beyond…WSR/CP…July 30, 1972
Savoy Brown/Malo…WSR/CP…August 7,1972
Jefferson Airplane/Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen…Gaelic Park, Bronx,NY…August 14,1972
George Carlin/Jim Dawson/Kenny Rankin…WSR/CP…August 18,1972
Beach Boys/the Kinks/Casey Kelley…Nassau Coliseum…August 21,1972
Ginger Baker/Buddy Guy…WSR/CP…September 2, 1972
“Rock and Roll Spectacular”…Chuck Berry/Bo Diddly/Chubby Checkers/Gary U.S. Bonds/Five Satins/the Crystals/Dobells/Bobby Comstock and Band…Madison Square Garden…October 13,1972
The Kenny Loggins Band with Jim Messina/Casey Kelly…Philharmonic Hall, NYC…October 29, 1972

1973 16 shows

Carole King/David T. Walker…the Great Lawn in Central Park…May 26…free concert
Chicago/Bruce Springsteen…Madison Square Garden…June 15
The Allman Brothers Band/Wet Willie…Madison Square Garden…July 21
Judy Collins/Leo Kotkee…WSR/CP…July 27
Cheech and Chong/Melissa Manchester…WSR/CP…July 28
BB King/James Cotton Blues Band…WSR/CP…July 30
John Sebastian(Lovin’ Spoonful)/Eagles/Melissa Manchester/Sly and the Family Stone…welcome from Mayor John Lindsay…WSR/CP…August 2
America/Jackson Browne…WSR/CP…August 3
Ace Trucking Company/Stories…the Bitter End…August ??
Helen Reddy/Robert Klein/Buzzy Linhart…WSR/CP…August 8
Beach Boys/Jonathan Edwards…Nassau Coliseum…August 19
Big Wheelie and the Hubcaps…SUNY Oneonta…September ??
Edmonds and Curley…SUNY Oneonta…September ??
Larry Coryell and Eleventh Hour…SUNY Oneonta…October ??
Buzzy Linhart/David Bromberg band…SUNY Oneonta…November ??
Muledeer and Moondog Medicine Show…SUNY Oneonta…November ??

1974 19 shows

YES/John Martin…Barton Hall, Cornell University…February 24…First Birthday show
New Riders of the Purple Sage/David Bromberg Band…Academy of Music, NYC…April 14
Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee/Ellen Kearney…SUNY Oneonta…April 19
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention/Dion…Broome County Arena…May 1
The Who/Golden Earring…Madison Square Garden…June 10…opening night of stand…scalped tickets with Ed Coglianese
Chris Rush(comedian)/Michael Sansone…Metro Club, NYC…June 21
Eric Clapton/Ross…Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, NJ, July 7
David Bowie…Madison Square Garden…July 20
Dave Mason/ ??…WSR/CP…July 29
The Grateful Dead…Roosevelt Stadium…August 6…first Dead show…Wall of Sound!
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young…Roosevelt Stadium…August 8
Earl Scruggs Band/David Bromberg band/Charlie Daniels band…WSR/CP…August 10
Marshall Tucker band/John Hammond/Grinder Switch…WSR/CP…August 12
Peter Frampton/SNAFU…WSR/CP…August 23
New Riders of the Purple Sage/Doug Sahm band…Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY…September 26
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band/Jae Mason…SUNY Oneonta…September 28
Brewer and Shipley/Jonathan Edwards…SUNY Oneonta…October 18
Garcia/Saunders Band/James Cotton Blues band…Capital Theatre, Passaic, NJ…November 9
Aztec Two Step/ Jayne Alderman…SUNY Oneonta…December ??

1975 20 shows

Chris Rhodes band/John Payne quartet…SUNY Oneonta…January 31
Marshall Tucker band/Elvin Bishop band…Palace Theatre, Albany, NY…February 21
Jethro Tull/Carmen…Syracuse War Memorial…February 24 …second annual birthday concert!
Mission Mountain Wood band/ Road Apple…SUNY Oneonta…March 17
David Bromberg band/B. Altman(Uncle Dirty, comedian)/Gee Whiz(Juggler)…SUNY Oneonta…April 27…outdoor show
Hot Tuna/Journey…SUNY New Paltz…April 29
Hot Tuna/David Bromberg band…SUNY Binghampton/Harpur College…May 2
Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen/Freddie King Band/Jerry Jeff Walker…SUNY Albany…May 11
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band/Myles and Lenny…the Bottom Line, NYC…June 4
The Rolling Stones…Madison Square Garden…June 23
Peter Frampton/the James Gang…WSR/CP…June 27
Dave Mason/ Pursett Dart band…WSR/CP…July 2
Hot Tuna*…WSR/CP…July 23
Elvin Bishop band*/John Shine…the Bottom Line, NYC…July 23 …*two shows in one night!
Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen/Charlie Daniels band…WSR/CP…August 16
Rod Stewart and the Faces/Ten Years After with Alvin Lee/Lynard Skynard…Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, NJ…August 22
Hot Tuna…SUNY Oneonta…October 10
Jerry Garcia Band with Nicky Hopkins…Bailey Hall at Cornell University…October 27 !!!
Kingfish (Bob Weir)/Keith and Donna Godchaux band with Bill Kreutzman…Beacon Theatre (Manhattan)…Nov. 7
Renaissance…SUNY Oneonta…December 3

1976 18 shows

Doc and Merle Watson…The Bottom Line…January 9
Peter Frampton/ David Sancious…Palace Theatre (Albany, NY)…February 6
Chuck Mangione Quartet…SUNY Oneonta…February 7
Joni Mitchell/Tom Scott and the LA Express(back up band)…Syracuse War Memorial…Feb. 24…3^rd consecutive birthday show
Pure Prairie League/ Aztec Two Step…SUNY Oneonta…April 4
Chris Rush(comedian)/Joey Bananas and his bunch…SUNY Oneonta…April 27…my first show as promoter /”Cultural chairman”
The Grateful Dead…Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City…August 4…makeup date from a rainout that past June
Loggins and Messina/Heart…Saratoga PAC…August 23
CTI Summer Jazz Festival featuring Grover Washington, Jr./Ron Carter/Grant Greene/Idris Muhammed/Bob James/Hank Crawford/Joe Farrell/Patti Austin…WSR/CP…August 27
Kutztown Good Time Music and Arts Festival- Bottle Hill/Jay Unger and Lynn Hardy/Red Clay Ramblers/New Grass Revival/Donna Fargo/Liv Taylor/Bonnie Raitt/John Hartford/Eric Anderson/Emmy Lou Harris…Kutztown State Fair…Sept. 4(camped out with Karen,Carlynne and Joe Carpo)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band/ Chris Rush…SUNY Oneonta…Sept. 7@ 7 PM
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band/Chris Rush…SUNY Oneonta…Sept. 7@10 PM
Jerry Garcia Band w/ Keith Godchaux, John Kahn and Ron Tutt…Ben Light Gym, Ithica College…Sept. 18
The Grateful Dead…Onondaga County War Memorial, Syracuse, NY…September 27
Billy Joel/Deadly Nightshade…SUNY Oneonta…October 17
Nektar/Albert King…SUNY Delhi…October 22
Judy Collins…SUNY Oneonta…December 5
Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention…Palladium, NYC…December 26

1977 13 shows

Outlaws/Winters Brothers Band…SUNY Oneonta…February 4
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street band…Broome County Arena…March 9
Charlie Daniels Band/James Cotton Blues band…SUNY Oneonta…April 7
David Bromberg band/Mission Mountain Wood band/Edmonds and Curley/Zippy the Chimp…SUNY Oneonta outdoors…April 30
Grateful Dead…Barton Hall, Cornell University…May 8 !!!
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young…Saratoga PAC…June 20…second row seats!!!
Chick Corea /Gary Burton…Saratoga PAC…August 5…Newport Jazz Festival
Oscar Peterson/McCoy Tyner…Saratoga PAC…August 6…Newport Jazz
Joe Pass/Charlie Byrd trio…Saratoga PAC…August 7…Newport Jazz
New Riders of the Purple Sage/Jonathan Edwards…SUNY Oneonta…October 2
Grateful Dead…Broome County Arena…November 6
Jerry Garcia band…Harpur College, Binghampton, NY…Nov. 20
Jerry Garcia band…SUNY Oneonta…December 3

1978 7 shows

Taj Mahal…Hartwick College…March 6
Papa John Creach…La Casa Blanca(?)…March ??
Sea Level/Pousette Dark band/Alex Harris band…SUNY Oneonta…May 6
Grateful Dead…Syracuse Auditorium…May 9
Saratoga/Newport Jazz Festival-George Benson/Chick Corea/Herbie Hancock/Dexter Gordon/Sonny Rollins/Dizzy Gillespie/Gary Burton/Larry Coryell/Tony Williams/Jean-Luc Ponty/Al Jarreau/Dee Dee Bridgewater…Saratoga PAC…July 1
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young…Saratoga PAC…July 24
Bruce Springsteen & E Street band…Utica Auditorium…November 12

1979 8 shows

The Dillards/Mission Mountain Wood band/Mike Cross…April 14…Great Southeast Music Hall, Atlanta, Ga.
Asleep at the Wheel( w/ Eric Clapton and Alvin Lee for encore)/Easy Rider…Capri Ballroom, Atlanta, Ga…April 21
New Barbarians(Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Stanley Clarke, Ian Mc Lagan, BobbyKeys ,Joe Modeliste)/Piano Red…the Omni, Atlanta, Ga…May 10
Sonny Rollins…Great Southeast Music Hall…May 11
YES…the Omni, Atlanta…June 25
“Champagne Jam, 1979-Aerosmith/Atlanta Rythem Section/the Cars/Mother’s Finest/Whiteface…Grant Field, Georgia Tech campus…July 7
Asleep at the Wheel/Eric Quincy Tate…Capri Ballroom, Atlanta, Ga…October 5
Santana…Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Ga…December 2(first show at the Fox)

1980 6 shows

Grateful Dead…Fox Theatre, Atlanta…April 29
Kenny Loggins band/ Tom Chapin…Fox Theatre…July 20
The Kinks/John Cougar Mellancamp and the Zone…Fox Theatre…Oct. 21
Talking Heads/Kid Creole and the Coconuts…Agora Ballroom, Atlanta, Ga….November ??
Allman Brothers band…Fox Theatre…November 24
Grateful Dead…Fox Theatre…November 30

1981,1983 5 shows

The Busboys/ the Shocks…Agora Ballroom…January,1981
Bruce Springsteen & E Street band…the Omni…February 23, 1981
The Moody Blues…Philadelphia Spectrum…October 21, 1983
Hot Tuna/Bobby(Weir) and the Midnites…Philadelphia Spectrum…October 26, 1983
Jerry Garcia band…Tower Theatre, Philadelphia …December 2,1983

1984, 1985 8 shows

Grateful Dead…Philadelphia Civic Center…April 19, 1984
The Band/ Al Stewart…Mann Music Center, Philadelphia…July 28, 1984
Elvis Costello and the Attractions/Nick Lowe and his Cowboy Outfit…the Spectrum…August 11, 1984
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band…Philadelphia Spectrum…September 19, 1984
Joe Piscipo (comedian/Saturday Night Live)…Caeser’s Hotel & Casino, Atlanta, NJ…October ??, 1984
Hall and Oates/Till Tuesday…the Spectrum…March 11, 1985
Eric Clapton/Graham Parker and the Shot…the Spectrum…April 29, 1985
Grateful Dead…Fox Theatre, Atlanta…October 28, 1985

1986-1988 15 shows

Oscar Peterson w/ Atlanta Symphony Orchestra…Chastain Park, Atlanta…June 1986
The Matt “Guitar” Murphy band…Blues Harbor, Atlanta…August, 1986
Neil Young and Crazy Horse…the Omni…October 25, 1986
Genesis (with Phil Collins)…the Omni…February 26, 1987
Temptations with the Atlanta Symphony…Chastain Park…June 19,1987…Karen’s birthday
Dan Fogelberg/Wendy Waldeman…Chastain Park…July 6, 1987
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers/Georgia Satellites/Del Fuegos…the Omni…July 2, 1987
Ray Charles with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra…Chastain Park…August 14, 1987
Warren Zevon…the Fox Theatre…October 28, 1987
The Grand Old Opry variety show… Nashville,Tenn…February, 1988
Grateful Dead…the Omni, Atlanta…March 24, 1988(w/John O and Ed C)
Bob Dylan/The Alarm…Chastain Park, Atlanta…July 26, 1988
The Roches…Center Stage Theatre, Atlanta…August 21, 1988
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble/the Fabulous Thunderbirds…Chastain Park…August 28, 1988
Little Feat/Collin James…Fox Theatre…November 23, 1988

1989 7 shows

Grateful Dead…the Omni…March 27(with Karen)
Grateful Dead…the Omni…March 28(with John)
The Turtles…Piedmont Park, Atlanta…April 16
Bonnie Raitt/Richard Thompson…Center Stage Theatre…May 31
The Allman Brothers Band…King Street Palace, Charleston, SC…October 12…free concert for Charleston Hurricane relief fund…Berry Oakley, Jr. played bass for one song
Rolling Stones/Living Colour…Death Valley Stadium, Clemson University…November 26…tickets courtesy of Pearlstine Dist.
Jimmy Buffet with Mac McAnnally <solo acoustic show>…

King Street Palace…Hurricane Hugo Relief Fund concert …December ??

1990-1991 8 shows

“Taste of the Blues”-Albert King/Shirley Brown/Bobby Blue Bland/Johnny Taylor…King Street Palace…April 20, 1990
Little Feat…King Street Palace…May 6, 1990
Jackson Browne/Macheval…King Street Palace…May, 1990
Hank Williams, Jr./Lacy J. Dalton…Exchange Park, Ladson, SC…August 5, 1990
The Judds/Pirates of the Mississippi…King Street Palace…November 30, 1990
Bob Dylan…King Street Palace…April 1,1991
Diana Ross…Stono Ferry Plantation, Hollywood, SC…October, 1991
Willie Nelson/Waylon Jennings…Exchange Park, Ladson…November, 1991

1993-1999 10 shows

Vince Gill/Mary Chapin Carpenter…No. Charleston Coliseum…April 3, 1993…my first show at the NC Coliseum
“WaveFest”-Hootie and the Blowfish/Meat Puppets/Freedy Johnston…Brittlbank Park, Charleston…October 15?, 1994
Trisha Yearwood…Exchange Park, Ladson…November, 1994
Grateful Dead…the Omni, Atlanta…March 27, 1995…last show, w/Ed & John
REM…NC Coliseum…November 16, 1995
Steely Dan…NC Coliseum…July 5, 1996
Elton John…NC Coliseum…October 14, 1997
Jimmy Page and Robert Plant…NC Coliseum…May 17, 1998
Sonny Rollins (Spoletto Festival)…NC Coliseum…June 12, 1999
Hootie and the Blowfish/Shawn Mullins…Joe Riley Stadium, Charleston, SC…July 22, 1999

2000 3 shows

Grand Ole Opry show…Nashville, TN. …March, 2000…with the family
Jump Little Children…the Music Farm<first show>…sometime in 2000
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band…Charlotte Coliseum…April 21, 2000…(Connor’s first concert!… with Steve and Jodie)

2002-2004 8 shows

Bob Dylan and his band…N. Charleston Coliseum…Feb. 6,2002
Bob Weir and Ratdog…Music Farm…March 13,2002
Bob Weir and Ratdog/Phil Lesh and friends/Dickey Betts band…Verizon Ampitheatre, Charlotte, NC…July 26,2002
Bob Dylan and band/the Waifs…NC Coliseum…May 6, 2003…with Connor
Dark Star Orchestra…the Music Farm…November 14, 2003
Eric Clapton/ Jimmy Vaughn and the Tilt-a-Whirl band…Bi-Lo Centre, Greenville, SC…June 19, 2004…Karen’s birthday show
Bob Dylan and band/Willie Nelson and family…Joe Riley Stadium, Charleston, SC…August 17, 2004…with Connor and Madison
The Dead with Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring…Verizon Ampitheatre, Charlotte, NC…August 18, 2004

2005 2 shows

Government Mule/John Popper project with DJ Logic…NC PAC…April 17
Crosby, Stills and Nash…NC Coliseum…August 19

2006 4 shows

Bob Weir and Ratdog…the Plex, N Charleston, SC…March 16

Bob and Tom Comedy tour with Bob Zany/ Donny Baker/Tim Vedor/Chris Bliss/Mike Anderson/Greg Warren/Drew Hastings/Chick McGee,host…NC PAC…July 14
Hootie and the Blowfish Homegrown Concert/Gin Blossoms…Daniel Island Tennis Center…August 18…with family
Charlie Daniels band…Coastal Carolina Fair, Ladson, SC…November 2

2007 6 shows

Tea Leaf Green…the Pour House<first show>…March 15
Cosmic Charlie…the Pour House…May ??
Bob Weir and Ratdog/Keller Williams…Chastain Park, Atlanta, Ga…July 7…with Ed C.
Hot Tuna… the Windjammer…July 30…2 sets…small crowd… ‘Water Song’ for encore
ChazzFest(0nly show)…Kool and the Gang/Sun Volt/ Uncle Mingo/Toots and the Maytalls/Branford Marsalis/the Seldom Scene/Galactic with an appearance from Sam’s Funky Nation(horns) and JJ Gray(vocals)…DITC…Sept. 22…with Karen, Steve and Jodie
Marshall Tucker band…Coastal Carolina fair, Ladson…October 29

2008 6 shows

Leon Russell and band/ Cary Ann Hearst and the Gunslinger Girls…the Pour House…February 15
Bob Weir and Ratdog…NC PAC…April 11
Col. Bruce Hampton (Ret.) with the Quark Alliance/the Grist from Burlington, VT.,…the Pour House…May 16
Toby Keith with Micah Roberts & the Easy Money band /Montgomery Gentry /Carter’s Chord/ Trailer Choir…NC Coliseum…June 29…with Connor
Hootie and the Blowfish/Drew Davis band…DITC…August 15… with the family
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band…NC Coliseum…August 16 …Anniversary concert…back to back concerts

2009 12 shows

The Dead(with Warren Hayes)…Greensboro Coliseum, NC…April 14 …Easter Sunday… opening night of Spring tour(“The Music Never Stopped” opener)
Big Head Todd and the Monsters/Jane Jones…the Music Farm…May 1
The Blue Dogs…private graduation party @ Pinewood Prep football field…May 16…Kyle Smith, Joe Sweet and Alex Gore
BK 3( Bill Kreutzman,”Hutch” Hutchinson and Tara Nevins)…the Music Farm…June 5…sparce attendance
Moxie…Montreaux Bar and Grill, Summerville…July 10
Mystic Vibrations…Montreaux Bar and Grill…July 31
New Riders of the Purple Sage…the Pour House…August
Darius Rucker…DITC…August 17… (heard it but never saw it)…rained all night
Robin Trower…the Music Farm…Oct.13
Jake Owen…Coastal Carolina Fair…November 6
Roger Daltry with Simon Townsend (“Use it or lose it tour”)…NC PAC…November 24
Moxie…Montreaux Bar and Grill…December

2010 11 shows

“The Usual Suspects”(Quentin Baxter, Tommy Gill ,Mark Sternbank)…Charleston Music and Wine Festival kick off party…March 4
Keller Williams <solo,2 sets>…the Music Farm…April 9
Boz Scaggs/ David Jacobs-Strain…NC PAC…July 11
Peter Frampton…NC PAC… August 3
Black Crowes <Acoustic and Electric sets>…DITC…September 10… with Gary Ricozzi
PHISH…NC Coliseum…October 15…with Kenzie and Bryan Williams
Peter Rowan Bluegrass band…the Pour House…October 17
Jon Reep, comedian (Metro Jethro)…Coastal Carolina Fair, Ladson…October 22
The Doobie Brothers/Hank Futch{Blue Dogs}..NC PAC..Nov. 14
Alan Jackson/ the Band Perry…NC Coliseum…November 18
The Bob and Tom Comedy tour with Greg Warren/Bob Zany/Donnie Baker/Greg Hahn with Kristi Lee, hostess…NC PAC…December 3

2011 14 shows

The Mark Sternbank Jazz Group “Hymns and Spirituals …… ……… Lightsey Chapel, Charleston Southern University…January 16
Robin Trower…the Music Farm…February 5
Quentin Baxter Ensemble…Chas. Food & Wine opening party …………March 3
Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir…NC Coliseum…April 3
Asleep at the Wheel/ Mac Leaphart and Charlie Thompson…the Pour House…April 20
Acoustic Alchemy…the Music Farm…June 16
Elvis Costello and the Imposters/ Larkin Poe…NC PAC…July 18
Furthur…Raleigh Ampitheatre ,NC…July 28 with Gary Ricozzi
Furthur…Charter Ampitheatre, Simponville, SC…July 29
Furthur…Verizon Ampitheatre, Alpharetta,GA…July 31w/ John O
Hootie and the Blowfish/Foster and Lloyd…DITC…August 13
Lowcountry Jazz Festival featuring Michael Franks/ Charleton Singleton band…NC PAC…Sept. 2
Southern Ground Music Festival-My Morning Jacket/Zac Brown band/Warren Haynes band/Blackberry Smoke/The Whigs / Dangermuffin/ Cornmeal…Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island…October 21 (Zac Brown does cover tunes set including ‘Comfortably Numb’ with Warren Haynes performing a killer solo)
Jorma Kaukonan and Barry Mittendorf…the Pour House November 20…”Embryonic Journey” encore

2012 18 shows

Tommy Emanuel… Charleston Music Hall…February 24…birthday show…First show at the Music Hall!
Dark Star Orchestra…the Music Farm…February 27
“Experience Hendrix”-Buddy Guy/ Billy Cox/Kenny Wayne Shepherd/Johnny Lang/Robert Randloph/Dweezil Zappa/Eric Gales/the Slide Brothers/Brad Whitford (Aerosmith) /Chris Layton (SRV band)/Mato Nanji…NC PAC…March 11
Big Head Todd and the Monsters/Van Ghost…the Music Farm…March 15
Warren Haynes band…Charleston Music Hall…April 19…front row seats with Arnold, Gary and Ray
Ketch and Critter(Old Crow Medicine Show)…College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard…May 24…1^st night of(5) Spoletto outdoor concert series viewed while bartending
Cecile Mc Lorin and trio <Jazz standards>…the Cistern…May 26
Jake Shimabukuro <Hawaiian Ukelele>…the Cistern..June 3
Rebirth Brass band <New Orleans jazz>..the Cistern..June 8
Rebirth Brass band …the Cistern…June 9
Alice Cooper/Venrez…NC PAC…June 11
Furthur…Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre,Alpharetta, Ga….July 10 (with Gary Ricozzi and John Oechsner)
Furthur…Koka Booth Ampitheatre, Raleigh,NC…July 11 (with Gary Ricozzi and Dave Bathurst)
“Last Summer on Earth” tour- Cracker/Big Head Todd and the Monsters/Blues Traveler/Bare Naked Ladies…Family Circle Stadium, Daniel Island…July 14 ( with Dave B., Craig F., Steve and Jodie March, Madison and Morgan)
The Killer Whales/Johnny Mac and the Booty Band/Free Mountain Standstill…the Windjammer,IOP…July 21(with Dave Bathurst)
Hootie and the Blowfish Annual Homegrown Concert/Collective Soul Daniel Island Tennis Center…August 18

Southern Ground Music and Food Festival/Zac Brown Band with performances by John Mayer,Greg Allman,the Avett Bros. and Darius Rucker/the Avett Bros. band/Grace Potter and the Nocturnals/Charlie Daniels band/Levi Lowery/the Wood Brothers band/Dugas/the James Arthur band…Blackbaud Stadium…October 20
The Marshall Tucker band…Coastal Carolina Fair, Ladson, S.C….October 26…got picture backstage with the band at their “Meet and Greet”

2013 9 shows

Yonder Mountain String Band/Lake Street Dive…the Music Farm January 29
Dweezil ZAPPA plays (Frank) ZAPPA…the Music Farm, February 4
Graham Worley<solo acoustic>…Mex 1 Cantina …West Ashley … March 23
Government Mule, The Revivalists…NCPAC, April 23
Graham Worley<solo acoustic>…Mex 1 Cantina/West Ashley August 9
Homegrown Saturday free concert…A Fragile Tomorrow/Atlas Road Crew/Adalya…Great Lawn @ Family Circle Cup, Daniel Island, Charleston…August 24
Widespread Panic /Umphrey’s McGee…Family Circle Stadium, Daniel Island, SC…October 5…with Gary Ricozzi
Southern Ground Music Festival…Zac Brown band with sit in performances by Kenny Rogers and Jason Mraz/Frank Oliver ,Illusionist/Comedian/Kacey Musgraves/Band of Horses/Levi Lowery/Willie Nelson and family/Niko Moon/the Head and the Heart/Clay Cook/Freddy Clarke…Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island…October 20
Edwin McCain…Coastal Carolina Fair…Ladson, SC…November 1(with Steve and Jodi)

2014 16 shows

Rusted Root/Donna the Buffalo…Music Farm…Jan. 15
Homemade Wine…Wild Wing café…Raleigh,NC…January 25
.moe…Music Farm…January 29 {Jimmy Herring and the Ringers were the opening act and cancelled due to weather issues
Yonder Mountain String band/the Traveling McCourys…the Music Farm…Feb. 5
Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia band/the Other People(GD cover band)/Big John Belly…Music Farm…March 13
Plane Jane…Pinewood Prep’s Blue Jean ball…Summerville Airport…March 15
Dirty Dozen Brass Band/the Last Waltz Ensemble…Pour House…April 18
Willie Nelson and family/Alison Krause and Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas on Slide Dobro/The Devil makes Three (heard outside the Stadium)…Family Circle Tennis Stadium…May 8
First Flush Festival with the Avett Brothers/Stop Light Observations/The Executives/Luke Cunningham band/Tyler Boone band/Atlas Road Crew/Uncle Mingo/ Mike Pinto/McKenna Andrews Charleston Tea Plantation…May 24
Jack White/Kelly Stoltz…The Fillmore, Charlotte, NC( with Dr. Eric Weinstein)…June 5…’miracle’ ticket
Reckoning playing Europe ’72 and celebrating Jerry Garcia’s birthday…the Pour House…August 1
Crosby, Stills and Nash…NC PAC, August 12…with Gary…’miracle’ ticket
Leon Russell/the Butterneck Trio…the Pourhouse…August 21…with Gary, Arnold, Ray and Bill Murray
Southern Ground Music and Food Festival…Zac Brown band with sit in performances by Bela Fleck and Warren Haynes& Gov’t. Mule, Preservation Hall Jazz band, Clay Cook band, Bela Fleck and Abagail Washburn, Boy and Bear(Australia),The Wailers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Old 97’s…with Karen and Carlynne…Blackbaud Stadium…October 12
Blessed Offerings tour…Big Daddy Weave/Group 1 Crew…Coastal Carolina fair…November 7
James Taylor and His All-Star band…No. Charleston Coliseum…November 21…with Madison

2015 33 shows

Shovels and Rope/Caroline Rose…NC PAC, SC…January 17
Yonder Mtn. String band/Horsefeathers…Music Farm…Feb. 11
Gordon Lightfoot and band…Music Hall…Feb.18
Tedeschi-Trucks band/Spirit Family Reunion…NC PAC…Feb. 25
Santana/…NC PAC…March 10
Ides of March with guests Rick Emmitt(Triumph),Carmen Appice (Vanilla Fudge),Chuck Negron (3 Dog Night ) and John Densmore(Doors).. No. Charleston Convention Center private party for Floyd and Taylor Publishing…March 16 (Bartender at event}
Shakey Graves/Nikki Lane…Music Hall…March 22<1st Usher Gig>
Parachute/Judah and the Lion/Mat Kearney{didn’t stay to see him as headliner}…Music Hall…March 31…<Usher>
Bluegrass Jam featuring the Hungry Monks, Yeehaw Junction and Flatt City…Music Hall…April 8<Usher>
Government Mule…Music Hall…April 19…with Connor
Government Mule…Music Hall…April 20…<Usher>
Town Mountain/Barefoot Movement/Bottom Dollar String band Music Hall …May 7<Usher>
Cane Creek String band/Dallas baker and Friends/Blue Stone Ramblers (Bluegrass Piccolo Spoletto)…Music Hall…May 28<Usher>
Mike Gordon band (PHISH bassist)…Music Hal…June 5…<Usher>
Gary Clark, Jr./Black Pistol Fire…Music Farm…June 15
Grateful Dead<Fare Thee Well>…Soldier Field…July 3 w/John Oechsner, Gary Ricozzi and Donna Halloran
Grateful Dead<Fare Thee Well>…Soldier Field…July 4
Grateful Dead<Fare Thee Well>…Soldier Field…July 5
Reckoning playing 8/1/1973 Roosevelt Stadium show…Pour House…August 1
Jorma Kaukanon…the Pour House…August 13
Keb Mo band…Music Hall…<Usher>…August 30
Umphrey’s McGee’s Chucktown Ball…Music Farm…Sept. 24
Rusted Root/Dirty Dozen Brass band…Music Hall…Oct.11<Usher>
Warren Haynes with Jeff Sipe and Chessboxer/Justin Townes Earle/Chessboxer…Music Hall…October 20…<Usher>
Mark Knofler…NC PAC…October 25…
Little River band…Coastal Carolina Fair…October 29
Home Free…(Acapella group)…Music Hall…Nov.11…<Usher>
Robert Cray band…Music Hall…Nov. 13
Tommy Emanuel/The Lowhills…Music Hall…Nov. 15
Chris Thile…solo Mandolin…Music Hall…Nov.19…<Usher>
John Kadlecik band…Pour House…Nov. 30
Andy McGee…Music Hall…December 9…<Usher>
The Blue Dogs 3rdAnnual Homecoming concert with special guests Sadler Vadan (Jason Isbell band),Charlie Thompson on Pedal Steel, Josh Roberts, John Wesley Satterfield, Reed Stone (Guilt Ridden Troubadors),Dan Lotti (Dangermuffin), Drivin’ and Cryin’, Doug Jones (Cravin’ Melon), Taylor Richardson(Atlas Road Crew), Danielle Howe and June Thorn…Music Hall…December 27…<Usher>

2016 42 shows

“Women and Young”…a celebration of the music of Neil Young as performed by Lindsay Holler, Jordan Igoe, McKenzie Eddy, Ann Caldwell, Hazel Ketchum, Aisha Kenyatta, Delia Chariker, Lauren Bevins Cahill, Boonie Bevins, Camille Rhoden and Regina Roupoli backed by the Western Polaroids and the Hungry Monks…The Music Hall…January 9
Jackson Browne solo …NC PAC…January 13…with Madison
Shovels and Rope/SUSTO…Music Hall…January 15…with Connor
Shovels and Rope/Indianola…Music Hall…January 16…<Usher>
Arlo Guthrie/Sara Lee Guthrie…50^th anniversary of Alice’s Restaurant debut…Music Hall…January 26…<Usher>
Billy Gibbons and the BFG’s/Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown…Music Hall…January 27…<Usher> only played an hour
Dr. John/Avi Jacobs…Music Hall…February 12…<Usher>
Dark Star Orchestra…Music Hall…February 17…<Usher>
Experience Hendrix with Guitarists: Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Mato Nanji, Zakk Wyld, Johnny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Buddy Guy. Drummers: Chris Layton and ? ,Bass: Billy Cox and Scott Nelson ,Vocals: Henri Brown and Noah Hunt…Gaillard Center…February 28
Black Jacket Symphony performing “Dark side of the Moon” and greatest hits…Music Hall…March 4…<Usher>
Nikki Lane/She returned for more…’Rocks and Roll’ part of the Charleston Food and Wine festival…March 5,Noisette St., No. Charleston…bartender
Dell and Dawg…Dell McCoury and David Grisman… Charleston Music Hall…April 2…freebie
Greg Allman/Gabriel Kelley…Music Hall…April 14<Usher>
Forty Mile Detour…Oak Road Brewery in Summerville…April 15
Southern Ground Music Festival…Zac Brown Band joined by Sam Bush and Michael Franti, *Marshall Tucker band, Thomas Rhett, Coy Bowles and the Fellowship, Michael Franti & Spearhead, *Old Dominion, Sam Bush,*Drake White and the Big Fire, Cam, John Driskell Hopkins, Jamestown Revival…(*heard but didn’t see)…April 16
Southern Ground Music Festival…Zac Brown Band joined by Kacey Musgraves, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Hunter Hayes/*Hunter Hayes/Tedeschi Trucks band/A Thousand Horses/Kacey Musgraves/Clay Cook/Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers/The Packway Handle band/Muddy Magnolias/*the Archetypes…April 17
Pat Benatar and Neal Giraldo/Luke Cunningham…May 5…Music Hall <Usher>
Cyndi Lauper/The Peach Kings…June 2…Music Hall <Usher>
Dead and Company…PNC Arena, Charlotte, NC…June 10…opening night of the summer tour with Jimmy,Dave, Matt,Gary, Jeff and Chris
Steely Dan/Steve Winwood…PNC Arena, Charlotte…July 2…with Dave Bathurst and Caroline Khan
Robert Earl Keen/The Lowhills…Music Hall…July 14…<Usher>
Chris Robinson Project…Music Farm…July 15
Graham Worley and friends/Reckoning…The Pourhouse…July 20
Dave Matthews band…NC Coliseum…July 2?
Sam Bush band…Music Hall…August 5…<Usher>
Reckoning plays “Cornell show” from May 8,1977 …Pourhouse…August 6… ‘the Days Between’
2^nd annual New Music Confab featuring Stop Light Observations, Death Valley dreams, A Fragile Tomorrow, Falling through April and June Divided…August 26…Music Hall <Usher>
CMH Live featuring Dallas Baker and Friends, Honeysmoke and the Traveling Kine…September 3…Music Hall…<Usher>
Phall Ball in the Hall, attribute to the Grateful Dead and Phish…Runaway Gin(Phish) and Holly Bowling (Grateful Dead)…Music Hall…September 9…<Usher>
Women and Dylan featuring Lindsay Holler, Hazel Ketchum, Danielle Howe, Lauren Cahill, Jordan Igoe, Samantha Church, Faline, Hunter Park, Alva Anderson and Ann Caldwell backed up by the Western Polaroids and the Hungry Monks…Music Hall…September 10
Peter Frampton’s Raw Acoustic tour/Julian Frampton and Ben Sheridan…Music Hall…Sept. 20 <Usher>
Phish…No. Charleston Coliseum…October 15,,,with Chris White, Jeff Holt and Gary Ricozzi
An Evening with the Maverick ….Music Hall…October 21<Usher>
Louis CK/Sam Morrell/Grier Barnes/Tom List…Gaillard Center…October 26
Old Dominion…Coastal Carolina Fair, Ladson…October 27
Women and Radiohead featuring Lindsay Holler, Hazel Ketchum, Zandrina Dunning, Jordan Igoe, McKenzie Eddy and the Entropy Ensemble…November 1…Music Hall<Usher>

An Evening with Eric Johnson, acoustic guitar and piano…Music Hall…November 11 <Usher>
Drivin’ and Cryin’/Patrick Davis and the Midnight Choir…Music Hall(filming of Live at the CMH)…November 18 <Usher>
Blues Traveler/The Hibachi Heroes…Music Hall…November 21<Usher>
An Evening with Steve Vai…Music Hall…Nov. 22…<Usher>
4^th Annual Homecoming 28^th Anniversary of the Blue Dogs featuring Daren Shumaker, Jaime Harper, Charlie Thompson, Travis Allison and Jason Moore with special guests Shawn Camp(Nashville songwriter),Cary Hudson of Blue Mountain, Phillip Lammonds, Pappa Futch, Danielle Howe, Doug Jones (Cravin’ Melon),Wallace Mullinax and Finnegan Bell…Music Hall …December 28…with family and Marchs’

2017 53 shows

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead…the Music Farm…January 13…got shut out with Dave Melsopp and Chris White…only time that has happened!
Marcus King band/Eric Krasno band…Pourhouse…January 31 with Grateful Dave and Jim Garvey
Dave Chappell with 2 other comedians…Music Hall… February 1<Usher>
An evening with Al DiMeola …Music Hall…February 8…<Usher>
Elise Testone:for the Love of Legends, featuring songs by Janis, Garcia, Alain Touisant,Hendrix,Amy Winehouse,Bob Marley,James Brown,Ray Charles,and others…Music Hall…February 10
Rufus Wainwright/Joel Hamilton…Music Hall…February17…<Usher>…left after 30 minutes of RW’s set
Women and the Rolling Stones featuring Hazel Ketchum, Lindsay Holler, Zandrina Dunning, Samantha Church, Sarah Cole, Eden Fontvaile Lily Slay and others…Music Hall…February 24
An evening with Los Lonely Boys…Music Hall…March 3 <Usher>
Celtic Night featuring Derek Warfield and the Young Wolftones/The Hungry Monks…Music Hall…March 4…<Usher>
Ryan Adams/Phoebe… NC PAC…March 9…w/Bob Cuddy
John Waters-The Dirtier, Filthier Tour(Actor and Comedian)…Music Hall…March 10…<Usher>
Everyone Orchestra( Oteil Burbage, Ian Neville, Holly Bowling, Claude Coleman, Jr.<Ween>,Natalie Cressman <Trey Anastasio band>Mike Quinn, Rev. Jeff Mosier<Blueground Undergrass, Matt Butler, Wallace Mullinax <Dead 27’s)/Dead 27’s…Pourhouse…March. 10
Robert Earl Keen/Ryan Bonner (Sideshow Americans)…Music Hall… March 15…<Usher>
St. Paul and the Broken Bones/Los Colognes…Music Hall…March 16 …<Usher>
An evening with Ann Wilson of HEART…Music Hall…March 22…<Usher>
Jazzed up in the Holy City-the Charleston Jazz Orchestra…March 29 ..Music Hall…<Usher>
40 Mile Detour…Bummerville Ampitheatre…March 31
The Nitty Gritty Dirt band, 50 years of Dirt/Cross Atlantic…Music Hall…April 1
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers…Music Hall…April 9 <Usher>
Forty Mile Detour…Coastal Coffee Roasters…April 14
Dark Star Orchestra…Music Hall…April 18…<Usher>
Christopher Cross…Music Hall…May 2…<Usher>
Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives/Sean McConnell…Music Hall…May 3…<Usher>
Post Modern Jukebox…Music Hall…May 8…<Usher>
Rick Springfield-Stripped Down/Jennie Lynn Simpson…Music Hall…May 11…<Usher>
An Evening with Bela Fleck and Chris Thile…Music Hall…May 23<Usher>
“Grass in the Hall”(Piccolo Spoleto) featuring The Bluestone Ramblers, River Boy and Southern Flavor Bluegrass…Music Hall…June 1…<Usher>
Cody Jinks and the Tone Deaf Hippies/Ray Cauthern band…Music Hall…July 12…<Usher>
Steve Earle band/The Masterdons…Music Hall…July 13…<Usher>
Forty Mile Detour…Coastal Coffee Roasters…July 14
Sol Driven Train/Graham Worley…Windjammer…July 21 with usher buddies Steve Morse and Michael Turner
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit/Strands of Oaks…NC PAC…July 23 with Bob Cuddy(freebie)
An evening with Lee Ann Womack and Patty Griffin… Music Hall…July 30…<Usher>
Government Mule/Galactic…Volvo Car Stadium…August 4…with Connor
Mary Chapin-Carpenter/Emily Barker(Australian)…Music Hall… August 9…<Usher>
Homegrown concert with Hootie and the Blowfish/Stop Light Observations…Volvo Car Stadium…August 12… a family affair!
The Grateful Ball featuring The Traveling McCourys and the Jeff Austin band…3 sets of Bluegrass…Pourhouse..Sept. 8
Marie Bamford/Jackie Kashian (Comediennes)…Music Hall…Sept.20…<Usher>
Grass is Dead /David Gans/ Hungry Monks…Pourhouse…Sept. 21
An Evening with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood…Music Hall…Sept. 28…<Usher>
An evening with the Robert Cray band…Music Hall…Oct. 10 <Usher>
An evening with the Jerry Douglas band…Music Hall… Oct.11 <Usher>
The Foo Fighters/The Strutts…Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC…Oct. 17…with Connor
Phil Lesh and the Terrapin family band (Graham Lesh, Alex Koford, Ross James and Jason Crosby)with special guests Robert Randolph and Nikki Bluhm and the Preservation Hall Jazz band…Asbury Park Convention Center…October 26, 2017
Oteil and Friends >John Kadlecik, Eric Krasno, Melvin Seals, Jay Lane, Alfreda Gerald and Weedie Braimah…Pourhouse…Nov. 1
An Evening with Randy Newman…Nov. 10…Music Hall..<Usher>
An Evening with Judy Collins…Nov.17…Music Hall…<Usher>
CGP and Dawg-Tommy Emanuel and David Grisman/Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes…Nov. 18…Music Hall
Drivin’ and Cryin’/ Aaron Tasjian…Nov. 24…Music Hall…<Usher>
Dead and Company…Spectrum Centre,…Charlotte, NC…Nov. 28…with Chris White and Brian Reed
Seacoast Christmas Collective/Robert Williams and friends( Christmas tunes, jazz interpretation)…December 11…Music Hall<Usher>
Blue Dogs 5^th annual Homecomings show featuring the Killer Whales, the Connels, Finnegan Bell and others…Music Hall…December 29…with Karen, Bob Cuddy, Kacey Milligan, Dave Bathurst and Caroline Kahn
Jump Little Children with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra…Music Hall…December 30…<Usher>

2018 51 shows

Travis Tritt, solo acoustic…Music Hall…Jan.4…<Usher>
Women and the Grateful Dead…Lindsay Holler, Hazel Ketchum, Adele Tobin, Alva Anderson, Clare Elich, Whitney Hanna, Aisha Kenyatta, Leah Suarez, Christian Smalls, Jess Pennel with the Western Polaroids and the Hungry Monks…Music Hall…Jan. 12
Yonder Mountain String band/The Southern Belles…Music Farm Jan. 20
An evening with They Might be Giants…Music Hall…Jan.23… freebie!
An evening with Del McCoury band…Music Hall…Jan. 26…<Usher>
Black Jacket Symphony performing Tom Petty’s, ”Damn the Torpedos”…Music Hall…Feb. 1…<Usher>
An evening with Bela Fleck and the Flecktone trio…Music Hall…Feb. 6…<Usher>
An evening with Arlo Guthrie and Sarah Lee and Adam G:Re-Generations tour…Music Hall…Feb. 7…<Usher>
Eric Johnson ‘Au Via Musicom’ 40 year anniversary tour/Arielle … Music Hall…Feb. 27
An evening with Graham Nash…Music Hall…March 4…<Usher>
An evening with the Dixie Dregs 40 year celebration…March 5…Music Hall…<Usher>
Forty Mile Detour/the Curry Circus…James Dean Theatre, Summerville, SC…March 9…benefit
An evening with Travis Tritt…Music Hall…March 18 … <Usher>…stayed for an hour
David Bromberg Quintet/The Harrows…Pourhouse…March 24

Forty Mile Detour quintet…The Southern bar…Mt. Pleasant…April 7…first show for Scott Tucker on drums
Manny Houston: a tribute to famed piano singers…April 8…Music hall…<Usher>
“Choice cuts” with Dweezil Zappa…Music Hall… April 10…<Usher>
Dark Star Orchestra(JGB show Pittsburg 1978)…April 12…<Usher>
Rhiannon Giddons/Amethyst Kiah…Music Hall…April 25 <Usher>
Brian Culbertson ‘Color of Love’ tour…Music Hall…May 2…<Usher>
TRONDOSSA Music and Art Festival featuring Widespread Panic, Sturgill Simpson, Margot Price and Big Something…Riverfront Park, N. Charleston…May 5, 2018
An Evening with David Crosby and friends..Sky Trail Tour..May 29. ..Music Hall<Usher>
Umphreys McGee/Perpetual Groove(3 songs)…The Grove @ Patriots Pont…May 31
Dead and Company…Lakewood Ampitheatre,, Atlanta, Ga.…(with John O, Lou, Chrissy and Chris) June 8
Dead and Company…Walnut Creek Ampitheatre, Raleigh, NC… (with Lou, Chrissy and Chris) June 9
Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot/Miss MaryAnn & the Ragtime Wranglers…Music Hall….June 18…<Usher>
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers/The Wood Brothers…Gaillard Auditorium…June 27…
River Craft 2018…Forty Mile Detour, Paul Storm, Mikey from the Howard Stern show and Josh Jarman…Black Water on the Ashley…July 1
Lake Street Dive/Madisen Ward and Momma Bear…Music Hall…July 10…<Usher>
Grass in the Hall featuring the Marshgrass Mamas/The Lowhills/Zoe’s child…Music Hall…July 13…<Usher>
What’s going on? The music of Marvin Gaye by Brian Owens…Music Hall…July 14…<Usher>
Boy George and Culture Club/the B-52’s/Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins…Volvo Car Stadium…July 20
Rodney Carrington…Music Hall…August 16…<Usher>
New Music Confab featuring Chase Bryant, Austin Burke, Lauren Hall, Beam ,Blue Pickups…Music Hal…August 31…<Usher>
Holly Bowling/Reckoning…Pourhouse…Sept. 5…
Women and Beatles…Lindsay Holler, Hazel Ketchum, Exavia Baxter, Erin Johns, Whitney Hanna, Lindsay Holler ,Zandrina Dunning ,Jordan Igoe, Amber Grace Joyner, Aisha Kenyatta with the Western Polaroids and the Hungry Monks…Music Hall…Sept.6
Forty Mile Detour…Coastal Coffee Roasters… Summerville Sept. 7
Outlaw Music Festival…Van Morrison/Tedeschi-Trucks band…the Pavillion at Montage Mountain, Scranton,Pa., Sept.14…with Steven Morse
Outlaw Music Festival…Willie Nelson and family/the Tedeschi-Trucks band/Sturgill Simpson/Lucas Nelson and the promise of the real/Greensky Bluegrass…PNC Ampitheatre…Holmdel, NJ…Sept. 16
An evening with the Squirrel Nut Zippers…Sept. 29…Music Hall…<Usher>
Johnny Lang/Zeke Carney…Oct. 9…Music Hall…<Usher>
Blues Traveler/Animals Ear(didn’t see)…October 17…Music Hall…<Usher>
An evening with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood…October 21…Music Hall
An evening with Collective Soul…Oct.28…Music Hall…<Usher>
Adam Devine/Comedian #1/Comedian #2…October29…Music Hall<Usher>
Wrennstock 2018…The Bullets/Haley Mae Campbell/Ray Wrenn/…Nov. 10…The Channel Apartments, Hanahan… bartender
Big Head Todd and the Monsters/Los Colognes…Nov. 14…Music Hall…<Usher>
Dwight Yoakum/Drew Parker…Nov. 15…Music Hall…<Usher>
Drivin’ and Cryin/High Divers…Nov. 23…Music Hall…<Usher>
.moe…Nov. 28…Music Hall…<Usher>
Reckoning plays “From the Mars Hotel”… Dec.21…the Pourhouse
Jump Little Children with the New Oblivion Orchestra…Dec. 28…Music hall…<Usher>

2019

40 Mile Detour…Coastal Coffee Roasters…Jan.11
An Evening with Bela Fleck and Abagail Washburn…Jan. 13…Music Hall…<Usher>
Black Jacket Symphony presents QUEEN’S “A Night at the Opera…Jan 17…Music Hall…<Usher>
The Grateful Ball featuring the Traveling McCoury’s/The Jeff Austin Band…Jan. 19…Pourhouse
Greensky Bluegrass/Chris Jacobs band…Jan 23…Music hall…<Usher>
Neko Case/Jennifer Castle…Jan. 30…Music Hall…<Usher>
Pigeons playing Ping Pong/the Fritz/Wallace Mullinax, Campbell Brown, Matty Thompson and Jonathan Peace…Feb. 5…the Pourhouse
Sugar Lime Blue…CommonHouse Ale Works…N. Chas…Feb 8
Jon Pardi, Waterloo Revival, Runaway June…”Concert for the Kids/MUSC”…Feb. 12…Music Hall…<Usher>
Women and Led Zepplin featuring Lindsay Holler, Stephanie Underhill, Heather Emrick, Hazel Ketchum, Alva Anderson, Erin Johns…Feb. 17…Music Hall
Jake Shimabukuro trio…Feb.18…Music Hall…<Usher>
An evening with Dawes: the Passport tour…Feb. 20…Music Hall…<Usher>
Everyone’s Dead featuring John Kadlicek,Jeremy Schon (4P),Aaron Metzger (Disco Biscuits),George Kelas(Revivalists), Jeff Mosier (Aquarium Rescue Unit) and Matt Butler on drums…Pour House…February 28
Experience Hendrix featuring Joe Satriani,Dave Mustain,Johnny Lang, Zakk Wylde,Eric Johnson, Dweezil Zappa,Mato Nanji (Indigenous) and Ana Popovic on lead guitar. They were followed by Chris Layton (S.Ray Vaughn) and Kenny Aaronoff on drums, Billy Cox, Doug Pinnick (King’s X) and Kevin McCormack on Bass. “The Slide Bothers” Calvin Cooke and Chuck Campbell on lap steel guitars and Henri Brown on vocals…No.Chas PAC…March 8 ***An evening with Mike Gordon at the Music Hall ,March 12,was supposed to be #478…a friend had a medical emergency and we left for the hospital after two songs

Imagine Nation featuring Mercy Me/Crowder/Micah Tyler…N.C Coliseum…March 14,,,courtesy of Jeff Holt
An Evening with Hootie and the Blowfish…Music Hall…March 23…<Usher>
An evening with the Mavericks…Music Hall…March 24…<Usher>
Charleston Bluegrass festival…Red Cedar Review/The Lowhills/Judson McKinney Orchestra/Fox Pond Bakery/Admiral Radio/Forty Mile Detour/Carolina Drive Bluegrass band…Charleston Woodlands…March 29
Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros….No. Chas PAC…March 30
A*E*W* the Infamous Stringdusters…Music Hall…April 3
A*E*W* Dark Star Orchestra…Music Hall…April 4
Jamey Johnson/Natalie Stovall…Music Hall…April 17 …<Usher>
Tyler Childers…Music Hall…April 23…<Usher>
Jim James and Uniformed Distortion/Amo Amo (didn’t see)…Music Hall…May 1…<Usher>
India Arie/Jamison(didn’t see)…Music Hall…May 6…<Usher>
Shakey Graves/Illiterate Light(didn’t see)Music Hall…May 8…<Usher>
40 Mile Detour… Coastal Coffee Roasters..May 10.
Kendall Street Company…US Whitewater training facility, Charlotte,NC…May 11
Awendaw Green in Summerville featuring the Mike Gruend band, Pluff Mud String band and Fleming Moore…Carnes Crossroads Green Barn, Summerville, SC…May 19
Piccolo Spoletto’s Grass in the Hall …Bluestone Ramblers,Marsh Grass Mamas and Red Cedar review…May 29…Music Hall…May 29…<usher>
Happy Together tour featuring the Turtles,Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett, the Buckinghams, the Classics IV and the Cowsills…Music Hall…May 31…<Usher>
Yonder Mountain String band on the beach…the Windjammer, IOP, SC…June 2
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers/Sam Abidon…Music Hall…June 18
Slightly Stoopid/Matisyahu/Tribal Seeds/Hirie…Riverfront Park ~Old Charleston Naval Base…June 23
An evening with Wynonna and the Big Noise…Music Hall… June 27…<Usher>
Dead and Company…PNC Arena, Charlotte, N.C…June 28
Dead and Company…Lakewood Ampitheatre, Atlanta, GA.

June 29

501. #doyoubelieveinmagic #loversoflivemusic #aJamGoodTime

THE FIRST FIVE HUNDRED

I was 14 when Woodstock took place. It was 1969 and I was a freshman in high school back in Brooklyn, NY. I recall the posters on buses in Brooklyn advertising the festival and it’s lineup. Did I go? HELL NO!! As I said, I was 14 and my parents weren’t going to let me leave their sight. But when I was 16, they did let me and a group of high school friends take the subway into Manhattan for our first concert. And so it began…

My first show was Alvin Lee and Ten Years After at Madison Square Garden in November of 1971. Alvin Lee was huge at that time, having ridden his performance at Woodstock into a successful career. I quickly followed that with the Beach Boys at Carnegie Hall, Brewer and Shipley at Brooklyn College, Melaine in Central Park and the Allman Brothers at Gaelic Park (an old rugby stadium) in the Bronx, with an encore that included Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir. Five shows within eight months and I was off and running! What could be more fun than getting together with your friends and experiencing some live music in unique locations? We were history in the making and were having a good time to boot! Where do I start?

As it turns out, the music never stopped (a nod to the Grateful Dead) and my life has been on a roller coaster called Rock and Roll since then. Less than 50 years have led me to my 500^th performance and a chance to reflect on these experiences. When I look back on it all, I realize how lucky I was to have been born in New York City. There were iconic venues for live music everywhere! If you were going to make it big, you had to play New York. When you did, you know you made it.

I was fortunate to grow up where I did and at that time in music history. I had access to all sorts of artist and dozens of venues to see them in. I saw eight shows during this time at the venerable Madison Square Garden and more than twenty shows in Central Park at the seasonally vacated Wollman Skating Rink. Shows in Central Park took place up to three times per week and I often took in two or three shows in a week. More than thirty shows were seen on my college campus and several more in upstate New York. Some of my best memories include shows at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Barton Hall on the Cornell campus, the Bottom Line in Manhattan and several grand old theatres in Manhattan and the surrounding environs. That is in addition to the venues previously mentioned here. The artists that I have been fortunate enough to see are too numerous to mention here. I would only wind up leaving off a memorable performance or two. Check out the document attached to this blog (The Music Never Stopped) for a complete list of artists, venues and dates to back all this up. Six years after I got the bug, I logged in more than one hundred (100) shows and was able to graduate high school and college.

Then I got a JOB and everything changed. For the next thirty years until 2008 I could only partake in the fun another hundred times. However, during this stretch I witnessed Eric Clapton and Alvin Lee take the stage with Asleep at the Wheel for some good old fashioned Texas swing! My first music festival was most likely the, “Champagne Jam,” of 1979 in Atlanta. Hosted by the Atlantic Rythem Section and headlined by Aerosmith, the show also included The Cars, Mothers Finest and Whiteface. This period ushered in my appreciation for the Fox Theatre on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. During two separate stints living in Atlanta during the eighties I was able to enjoy Rock royalty at the Fox. Some of the artists included Santana, the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers band, Kenny Loggins, Warren Zevon, the Kinks with John ‘Cougar’ Mellencamp opening and Little Feat. I saw shows at the old Philadelphia Spectrum during my stint working in Philly and have fond memories of shows at Chastain Park in midtown Atlanta.

About ten years ago, it appears that things were headed in my favor, allowing me to spend more time experiencing live music. I was now a Charleston area resident for twenty years and had been living in our dream home for about five of those years. I developed a group of friends with similar interests and circumstances and the North of Fifty gang was born. North of Fifty was the moniker I used to describe my concert going friends. I could always count on going with or meeting up with a friend or five at most of the shows. Truth be told, if I want to see someone bad enough, it matters little if anyone goes with me. I was logging in more than a dozen shows each year.

It was in 2014 when a friend posed the question, knowing my love of live music, why I wasn’t an usher at the Charleston Music Hall? My response was that I didn’t know such an option existed. She put me in contact with the right people and my tenure as a volunteer at the Music Hall began. It was a life changing moment which opened the doors to experience as many shows as my schedule allows. I now average a show a week over the course of the year. By being part of the staff at the Music Hall, artists whom I had anything from a curiosity of to being an ardent fan, were on my calendar!

Show number Three hundred came in Chicago on the Fourth of July weekend in 2015. It was the opening night of the Grateful Dead’s celebration of fifty years together, Fare Thee Well. The performances would be the last time that the four remaining members of the band performed together. Now a day, Phil Lesh leads bands bearing his name and the remaining three members tour as Dead and Company.

It is that band, Dead and Company, that I saw at the Lakewood Ampitheatre in Atlanta, Georiga on June 29th celebrating my Five Hundredth show! Sports fans, that makes two hundred (200) shows experienced in the last four years. While most of these have been viewed at the Charleston Music Hall, we have several eclectic places to experience a band live in Charleston! In the last four years, I’ve traveled out of state to see Dead and Company (Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh), Van Morrison and the Tedeschi Trucks band in Scranton, Pennsylvania (home of the Peach Festival), Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival in Holmdel, New Jersey, and Phil Lesh and Friends at the ancient Asbury Park Convention center in New Jersey.

I want to go on record as saying that while it’s a lot of shows generally speaking, I have fellow ushers at the Music Hall who take in 70-100 shows a year if they want. And then there are some of my DeadHead buddies; these road warriors have seen more Dead shows than I have seen shows. Once I posed the question to several of them if they would like to venture a guess as to the number of concerts seen. To a man, they couldn’t tell. Too many shows, not too many drugs!

Reflecting on the great times I have experienced in the last 48 years, I marvel that 40% of the shows have taken place in less than 10% of those years (Two hundred in four years). If I can keep up with the pace, and there’s no reason I can’t, I could take in one thousand shows before my 75^th birthday. Now that’s a new year’s resolution I can get behind!

Allow me to shed some light on the next blog post/spreadsheet, “The Music Never Stopped.” When I was 17, I had the foresight to write down some data about the shows I was seeing. These musical memories were being recorded for my future review and admiration. I’ve had countless conversations with old and new friends for which I had to refer to this musical diary for confirmation of my memory. Old friends have reminded me of shows that we saw together in times past. I have kept up with the list after all these years, for which I am grateful. This post will likely be posted by the time you read this. If I could go back in time, I would have collected the show tickets for the ones I attended. Personally, I have a good friend who has a big basket of tickets for shows he was able to say that he was there!

With this blog, I am celebrating the Third anniversary of this blog. My first blog was posted on July 17, 2016 as it introduced the blog and laid out the “Why” that this blog was created. That first post was “How did we get here”? I encourage you to peruse the different blogs and let us know what you think.

We would love to hear about your concert habits, the great performances you saw and the great venues you’ve been to. We want to encourage you to comment on this or any blog I have published. We want to know what you like and what you don’t. Please LIKE our FB page, Do You Believe In Magic! You will receive an email when a new blog is posted and no spam! What’s stopping you?

#theFirstFiveHundred #MadisonSquareGarden #CentralPark #TheMusicNeverStopped #CharlestonMusicHall

BAND OUT OF TIME: A WHOLE NEW GENERATION DISCOVERS YOUR FAVORITE BAND

There’s a packed crowd at the movie theatre for the premiere of, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the Queen biopic. The crowd ranges in age from 12 to 88 or so. It’s a good bet that several in the audience will have their minds blown tonight watching the sheer stage presence of Freddie Mercury and his bandmates in Queen. While many, if not most of the audience have heard Queen on the radio or through their headphones, not many in the audience have ever seen them live.

What ensues is the discovery by many of a band they would have followed had they lived ‘in the day.’ The combination of seeing the live performance of the band along with their story being told on the big screen exposes the band to a new world of fans. New generations are discovering what others got to experience firsthand in the band’s heyday. Queen t-shirts are cool to wear in high school and college. Some are even buying their vinyl records. While there is a band touring as Queen fronted by Adam Lambert, Brian May and Roger Taylor, the movie is credited with making a new generation of fans. Queen is a distinct example of a band out of time in 2019!

A similar situation exists with the collaboration between Paul McCartney and Kanye West back in 2015. The Beatle worked with the rapper on Kanye’s singles, “Only One,” “All Day,” and “FourFive Seconds.” It was reported by several news sources, such as AXS, that many of the rapper’s fans have no idea who Paul McCartney is, referring to the Beatle as an unknown artist. “I don’t know who Paul McCartney is, but Kanye is going to give this man a career with this new song,” tweeted a Kanye follower. Another wrote, “Kanye has a great ear for talent. This Paul McCartney guy is going to be huge,”(AXS.com). For fans of the rapper, in 2015 Paul McCartney became a Band out of time to his many followers.

And then there is Dead and Company. They formed in the fall of 2015 after the Grateful Dead’s 50-year celebration shows, “Fare the Well.” Three original members of the Grateful Dead team up with guitarist/singer John Mayer, Allman Brothers bassist Oteil Burbage and longtime pianist Jeff Chimenti to form D&C. The Dead rise like a phoenix from the ashes. There is a new generation or two anxious to sport their tye dye shirt and play the music of the Dead. In addition, there are legions of John Mayer fans anxious to find out what their favorite musician is all wrapped up in. Grateful Dead cover bands are very popular, carrying on the band’s music to generations of fans and a new audience. Dead and Company’s summer tour is projected to be one of the Top Ten grossing tours on the road in 2019. To many who were too young to have been to a Grateful Dead show, Dead and Company is a Band out of Time to them. Here you have a band that had only one “hit” in Touch of Grey in 1987 and they are bigger now than at any time in the past.

This phenomena, the band out of time, can likely be credited to other bands. My hope is that by sharing these stories, I will hear from the audience about other examples of musicians and bands that are shining examples of a Band out of time! Could Elton John be next? We welcome your feedback!

#bandoutoftime #PaulMcCartneyand KanyeWest #Queen #DeadandCompany #doyoubelieveinmagic

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So Many Shows: the March Concert Review

This past month brought a host of unique and great concerts to Charleston. In order, I took in the 2019 version of Experience Hendrix, Hootie and the Blowfish, the Mavericks, day one of the Charleston Bluegrass festival, and Bob Weir and the Wood Bros. Since they were great and unique performances, it seems unfair to highlight just one or two. I decided that I have something to say about each show. I hope that these artists come to your corner of the country soon as each show was worth seeing

First up was the latest Experience Hendrix offering. I first saw this production back in 2012 at the Performing Arts Center here in North Charleston and was blown away by the quality and quantity of great performers assembled on one stage. This program brings together great artists, paying homage to the musical influence of Jimi’s amazing guitar playing, for more than three hours.

This year saw regulars Billy Cox (Jimi’s original bassist), Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Mato Najii, Zakk Wyld and Johnny Lang joined by Dave Mustane and Joe Satriani. The Slide Brothers added lap steel along with drummers Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughn) and Kenny Aaronoff (Mellencamp among others) with Henri Brown on vocals. They performed two sets of popular Hendrix hits and rarities along with and a few cover tunes that Jimi performed in his own unique style. The highlight of this show, for me, was Zakk Wylde’s performance. He is a monster heavy metal guitarist and is known to leave the stage, performing in the audience to an appreciative crowd. We sat in the fourth row of the upper area of this 2300 seat arena and Zakk’s chord was able to reach us! He wailed on the guitar as an appreciative audience caught it live on their phones, feet away from the action. Having now seen three performances over the last seven years, I can heartily endorse this show if it comes anywhere near you.

Hootie and the Blowfish are preparing for their first full-scale tour in 20 years and took the stage at the intimate Charleston Music Hall for a 90-minute private performance for a group of collegiate golfers and supporters. Hootie has been sponsoring a collegiate golf tournament at nearby private Bulls Bay Golf course for years. Tickets were distributed to all of the participating teams and supporters along with friends of the band. The Blowfish sounded great and are prepared for this summer’s cross-country tour. If your plans are to see them this summer with the Barenaked Ladies, you won’t be disappointed.

The next night, the Mavericks returned to the Music Hall for their third visit in the last four years. These guys have been performing for the last thirty years and they always bring the party with them. I wrote about them back in October 2017 in a blog titled, “There’s a Party Going on at the Mavericks Show.” For my money, they are one of the greatest acts I have witnessed, consistently giving the audience their money’s worth. If you are not familiar with their music, check them out on your favorite streaming service and dial up this band. You too will be a convert.

The fifth annual Charleston Bluegrass festival was held at the Charleston Woodlands, a pristine patch of land surrounded by lakes in the heart of the Plantation district of Charleston. There were two dozen bands over two days, headlined by Town Mountain on the second night and well represented by local bands. Dr. Eddie White, the founder of Awendaw Green, is the Bill Graham of Bluegrass music in this area. There are lots of Bluegrass Festivals around the country and are worth looking into; but this one was inexpensive ($15-20 daily tickets), in a pleasant setting and offered up a varied lineup each day. Bottom line, support local music. It gives back way more than it costs.

That brings me to the last show of the month, Bob Weir (Grateful Dead/Dead and Company) and the Wolf Bros. This ensemble consisted of Weir on acoustic and electric rhythm guitar, Don Was on bass and Jay Lane on the drums. This side project made North Charleston the final stop of their spring tour. We were treated to a two and one-half hour, two set show. The band featured classic Grateful Dead tunes, a few Bob Weir classics, and several well-chosen covers. Just when a Deadhead believes that they have heard it all, here comes the Wolf Bros. The three instrument arrangement gave us novel interpretations of the songs most Deadheads cherish. The sparse arrangements were designed to showcase the vulnerability of each musician while the songs themselves challenged the trio to explore new ways to say what has been said countless times before by the Grateful Dead family of musicians. This act won’t be seen much this year but would be well worth catching them if they’re anywhere near where you live.

What shows that you attended this past March was memorable for you? We would love if you would share your experiences with our audience. Give us the details in the reply box below.

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An Unlikely Pairing: the February Concert Review

Talk about having a tough choice to make for a show to highlight! This past month I took in performances by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Jake Shimbakuro, Dawes, the Everyone Orchestra performing a Grateful Dead tribute and the local series Women and…Led Zepplin.

Being blown away by performances at either end of the calendar, I’m highlighting Pigeons Playing Ping Pong on the 5^th and the Everyone Orchestra on the 28^th, both at the Charleston Pourhouse. Neither are household names but both are extraordinary performers. Pigeons (4P) are from Baltimore, Maryland and have been together for a decade, gaining an ever-larger audience as they constantly tour and move up the lineup at summer festivals. Their music is funk and rock with such an infectious beat and high energy level it makes you dance! They gave the audience two and one-half hours of originals mixed with a few covers- and leave you exhausted but happy. Vocal duties are aptly handled by Greg Durmont and they have an amazing young guitarist, Jeremy Schon. Along with Alex P on drums and Ben Carrey on bass, this quartet is fun to listen to and dance with! Check out their latest album, “Pizazz,” or previous releases, “Pleasure, Psychology and the Funk EP.” All were self-released, including the live album, “The Great Outdoors.” If you hear that they are playing in your town, I would get a ticket before they sell out as they have here in Charleston twice in the last seven months.

Everyone’s Dead at the Charleston Pourhouse, stage left

The other show that moved the needle for me and many of my friends in attendance was the Everyone Orchestra. The title is given to an ever-changing lineup of musicians selected from the jam band and funk world and is led by conductor Matt Butler. This is the kind of show that falls under the radar as the name of the band escapes most concertgoers. I have seen this tour in Charleston twice in the last two years and only the conductor/MC remains a constant. Even if they come to your town next week, chances are the lineup will be somewhat different than it was the week before. Musicians come and go, but the spirit of improvisational rock remains the main thread of any performance. On this visit to Charleston, they decided to give us an evening of Grateful Dead classics on the opening night, hence the name Everyone Dead. Led by John Kadlicek, former lead guitarist and vocalist from Furthur, they perform energetic versions of the Dead’s music. Along for the ride, this night was Aron Magner, keyboardist of the Disco Biscuits, Jeremy Schon of the 4P (above), George Kekas, bassist of the Revivalists, Jeff Mosier, electric banjo from the Aquarium Rescue Unit and Matt Butler on the drums.

When you’ve heard one GD cover band, you want to hear the others, too! For me, the first set highlights were renditions of They Love Each Other, Althea, Bertha, New Minglewood Blues and the set closer Dear Mr. Fantasy>I Know You Rider. During their second high energy set, they gave us Deal, Black Muddy River, Friend of the Devil, Me and my Uncle, He’s Gone and Brown-eyed Women. Rather than an encore, after band introductions, they closed with Franklin’s Tower. If you’re not a Deadhead, the song list won’t matter much. Great performances of favorite tunes have always proved to be the difference between a good and great show. On this Thursday night in an intimate setting, we were treated to a great performance. I highly recommend taking in this troupe if they come to your own in the future. You just might become a fan!

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#PigeonsplayingPingPong #EveryoneOrchestra #EveryonesDead #CharlestonPourHouse

Greensky Bluegrass at the Music Hall: the January Concert Review

One of my New Year’s resolutions that has been tough to keep, is to post a review of a favorite show each month. I think the bar is set at 6 monthly reviews. Let’s see if I can top that this year. It’s not for a lack of shows to choose from. No more excuses so here goes.

I was fortunate to take in six performances this past month. Among the shows were local faves Forty Mile Detour, the Traveling McCourys’ and the Jeff Austin Band, Bela Fleck and Abagail Washburn, Black Jacket Symphony’s performance of Queen’s, Night at the Opera and Neko Case. This was a month of stellar performances that are tough to separate. But the best of the best to my soul was Greensky Bluegrass at the Charleston Music Hall. If you’re not familiar with the band, here’s what you want to know. The band originates from Kalamazoo, MI, forming in 2000. They just released their seventh album of original music, “About the Money.” The band is a prodigious performer, doing up to 175 shows annually. The lineup includes Michael Bont (banjo and vocals), Anders Beck (Dobro), Paul Hoffman (mandolin and vocals), Mike Devol (bass and vocals), and Dave Bruzza (guitar and vocals). It was nice to have a band who can sell out Red Rocks in Colorado perform in the intimate setting of the Music Hall (965 seats).

The band makes a mighty sound with bluegrass instruments. Yes, they can sound like a bluegrass band at the Grand Ole Opry for a few tunes; then they put the instruments in overdrive and can soar high and wide, as loud as any rock band. The vocals blend well and are enjoyable to listen to. Song titles mean little when introducing a band to a varied audience, but suffice is to say that the songs are well-crafted, the lyrics are fun, and the sound runs the gamut from blue to sonic grass. This band loves to perform and it showed. They gave the sold-out audience two one hour plus performances and an encore! Two and one-half hours of high energy rock and bluegrass is what awaits you. If this band comes to your town, be there…and buckle up!

#GreenskyBluegrass #CharlestonMusicHall #Januaryconcertreview

THE KIDS ARE ALLRIGHT: How the Next Generation of Rock’s Royalty is Making Their Mark in the Entertainment Industry

When I was growing up, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were amongst the biggest stars in the entertainment industry. They were stars of music and movies and they had family that wanted to follow in their footsteps. As it turned out, both of Frank Sinatra’s children (Nancy and Frank Jr.) had some success as singers. Dino, Desi and Billy were popular from 1964-1969. Dino was Dean Martin’s son and Desi was the son of Desi Arnez (Ricky Ricardo) and Lucille Ball. Jerry Lewis’s son, Gary had success as Gary Lewis and the Playboys. There were other offspring from major stars that tried to make their mark in the entertainment industry from that time but few had any real success. This brings us to the subject of this blog…

Back in April (2018) I saw Dweezil Zappa in concert here in Charleston. Dweezil is the son of the late Frank Zappa and an accomplished, no, amazing guitarist in his own right. Born in 1969, he learned guitar from Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai and released his first single at age 12. In the late 1980’s, he was an MTV DJ. He played in various bands along the way and in 2006 he began touring as, “Zappa plays Zappa,” honoring his dad’s music while bringing it to a new generation of fans. Dweezil has appeared several times in the traveling All Star tribute, “Experience Hendrix.” While he’s not a chart topper, he continues to fill halls and clubs honoring the music of his late father and has a loyal and growing following.

This got me to thinking about the offspring of some of rock’s most famous musicians and where they are making their mark in the music and entertainment industry. Today’s blog is not to be all inclusive but I wanted to highlight what some of our favorite musicians’ children are up to these days. I will overlook some out of ignorance and others out of time restraint. However, I would welcome any info you may have that shines the light of the offspring of a favorite musician.

To begin with, John Lennon has two children and both have had some To begin with, John Lennon has two children and both have had some commercial success. In my opinion, his oldest son, Julian, has had more success than half-brother Sean. Julian is the son of Julia Lennon, born in 1963 in Liverpool. He was the inspiration of several Beatles’ tunes including, “Hey, Jude,” and, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”He began his solo career in 1984 and had a hit with, “Too Late for Goodbye,”where he sounds a lot like his father. His last album came out in 2014. He has had success in business outside of his music. Sean is the son of Yoko and was born in 1975 in NYC. He performed in the Plastic Ono Band with his parents and in a number of little known bands. He has released two albums, “Into the Sun,” (1998) and, “Friendly Fire,” (2006). His most recent project is the Claypool (Les) Lennon Delirium. Last October they released, “South of Reality,” which can be found on most music services.commercial success. In my opinion, his oldest son, Julian, has had more success than half-brother Sean. Julian is the son of Julia Lennon, born in 1963 in Liverpool. He was the inspiration of several Beatles’ tunes including, “Hey, Jude,” and, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”He began his solo career in 1984 and had a hit with, “Too Late for Goodbye,”where he sounds a lot like his father. His last album came out in 2014. He has had success in business outside of his music. Sean is the son of Yoko and was born in 1975 in NYC. He performed in the Plastic Ono Band with his parents and in a number of little known bands. He has released two albums, “Into the Sun,” (1998) and, “Friendly Fire,” (2006). His most recent project is the Claypool (Les) Lennon Delirium. Last October they released, “South of Reality,” which can be found on most music services.

Bob Dylan’s most famous family member has to be son, Jacob, who was born in 1969. He had critical and commercial success with The Wallflowers in 1992 with the hit, “One Headlight,” and other tunes from the album, “Bringing Down the House.” Here’s hoping that we hear more from him and that his voice doesn’t degenerate as his father’s has.

Fans of the Allman Brothers have a trio of the band’s offspring who have embraced their fathers’ legacies and are making their mark in the business. Devon Allman, son of Greg, was born in 1972. He is a multi-instrumentalist and has a fine singing voice. He toured for years with Devon Allman’s Honeytribe and is currently touring with Dickey Betts’ son, Duane, who was born in 1983. Their band, the Devon Allman Project, appear to have a bright future as musicians. Recently, they have welcomed Berry Oakley, Jr. (1973), son of original bassist Berry Oakley, on the stage to play with them. Stay tuned for what they have to offer lovers of live music.

The brightest light in the Allman Brothers’ universe belongs to Derek Trucks, nephew of original ABB drummer Butch Trucks. Derek was born in 1979 and impressed the Rock and Roll world as a teenager, sitting in with numerous artists and bands, he joined the Allman Brothers Band in 1999 and remained with them until the band called it quits in 2014. He started the Tedeschi-Trucks Band in 2010 with his wife Susan Tedeschi. She is an accomplished singer and guitar player. Their big band of 10 or more is a staple of the summer festival circuit. Their debut album, “Revelator,” won a Grammy award for Best Blues Album in 2012. Theirs’ is a performance not to be missed.

If you’re an Eagles fan, you have to be excited about the next generation. On their recent tour the band unveiled two new Eagles, Vince Gill and Deacon Frye. If the names are familiar, Deacon is the son of the late Glenn Frye. Born in 1993, he joined the band in 2017 and has been getting critical acclaim for his guitar playing and his voice. Check out a YouTube video of, “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” During the most recent tour, Will Henley, Don’s 20 year-old-son, played guitar out of the spotlight while waiting to enroll in college.

Another rising star is Lukas Nelson, son of American treasure, Willie Nelson. Born in 1989, he has toured with his father’s band as well as his own band, the Promise of the Real (POTR). On this summers’ traveling Outlaw Music Festival, Lukas played with his dad’s band as well as his own. He and POTR are also serving as the back-up band for Neil Young on his latest album and tour dates. Willie’s youngest son, Micah, born in 1990, has his own band Particle Kid. While Lukas is more in the vein of his father’s country roots, Micah is a visual artist with more of a jazzy, folk-a-delic edge to his music. Particle Kid released their latest album, “Everything is Bullshit,” in 2017.

The Grateful Dead family has two rising stars in music and entertainment. Phil Lesh, the oldest member of the band, turns 79 in March. His son, Grahame, plays lead and rhythm guitar in his own band Midnight North and as part of the Terrapin Family Band (his dad’s band). He was born in 1987 in the latter days of the Grateful Dead. The Terrapin Family Band is the house band at Terrapin Crossroads, father Phil’s music venue in Marin County, Ca. Justin Kreutzman is the son of GD drummer Bill Kreutzman. Born in 1970, he ran around backstage during the heyday of the band’s rise to legendary status. Justin took a different path in life, embracing the art of movie making. As a filmmaker and documentarian, his credits include Executive Producer of, “The Other One: The Long Straight Trip of Bob Weir,” and co-producer with Martin Scorsese of the Grateful Dead documentary, “Long Straight Trip.” He has also been behind the camera for reality shows, “The Bachelor,” and, “The Bachelorette,” as well as many rock documentaries.

Now that you have reached the end of this blog chapter, it is my hope that you are saying, “How could he have left out…..?” I would love to hear about other siblings worth noting. Just let me know who I should research. This subject has the possibility of an encore.

#TheKidsAreAllright #DweezilZappa #FrankZappa #JohnLennon #JulianLennon #SeanLennon #BobDylan #JacobDylan #AllmanBrothersBand #GregAllman #DevonAllman #DickyBetts #DuaneBetts #BerryOakleyJr #DerekTrucks #Eagles #GlennFrye #DeaconFrye #DonHenley #WillHenley #WillieNelson #LucasNelson #MicahNelson #ParticleKid #GratefulDead #PhilLesh #GrahameLesh #BillKreutzman #JustinKreutzman #DoYouBelieveInMagic

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If Music is a Buffet, then I have an Eating Disorder-2018, My Year in Review

Well I have gone and done it again; attending more than 50 shows this year. Thirty-four of those shows took place at the Charleston Music Hall, my home away from home. This isn’t a list of the best performances in America this year, but the best I got to see. Most of these shows were spent as a volunteer, helping to run a smooth ship for all to enjoy. I have been privy to an amazing display of artists again this past year. There have been times that I have left a show thankful for the opportunity to see an artist who I didn’t have to pay for and may have never been motivated to see. I want to share my impression of artists who would be worth seeing when they come to your town.

There’s nothing that I would rather be doing than being in the audience of a live concert. Whether it’s supporting local artists or experiencing a superstar, the experience is one I look forward to at every opportunity! Charleston, South Carolina is not a big city and many artists choose to play Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte or Jacksonville instead. However, I did get to travel to Atlanta, Raleigh, Scranton, Pennsylvania and Holmdel, New Jersey to see shows I wanted to be part of!

One of the highlights of the year was getting to see Van Morrison (Bucket List!) in concert as part of Willie Nelson’s, “Outlaw Music Festival,” in Scranton this past September. I have heard tales of poor performances, disdain for the audience and a loss of the magic that made him one of the greatest performers of all time. I’m here to report that on that night, and during his short run of shows in the Northeast, Van was the Man! I not only got to witness a great performance, I was able to strike one from my Bucket list.

There were lots of first timers for me this past year. Amongst the artists were Travis Tritt, They Might Be Giants, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, The Dixie Dregs, Manny Houston, Rhiannon Giddons, Brian Culbertson, Sturgill Simpson (twice), Margot Price, Big Something, Perpetual Groove, Brian Setzer, Brian Owens plays Marvin Gaye, Boy George & Culture Club, the B-52’s, Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins, Chase Bryant, Rodney Carrington, Lucas Nelson & POTR, Greensky Bluegrass, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Collective Soul, Adam Devine(comedian), Haley Mae Campbell and Dwight Yoakum.

Among the myriad of shows, I experienced four of these artists two or more times this year. Leading the way was local Americana band, Forty Mile Detour, with four shows. This group performs their own music and some select covers. They are an excellent group of artists, with day jobs! I also saw Travis Tritt perform a solo acoustic twice to sell-out crowds at the Music Hall. He’s an entertaining musician on his own. The only criticism I heard was he could do less storytelling and more singing. In June, we took a road trip to Atlanta and Raleigh for back-to-back nights of the Dead and Company. As a lifelong Deadhead, I will keep going as long as they want to keep performing. Lastly, was two nights of the Tedeschi-Trucks Band as part of Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival. I was fortunate to see them and Van Morrison in Scranton, Pennsylvania on a Friday night and then two nights later in Holmdel, New Jersey.

There were an amazing number of performances from artists whom I’ve seen before in another time and place. In calendar order, I was fortunate enough to see Yonder Mountain String Band, Del McCoury Band, Black Jacket Symphony, Arlo Guthrie and Children, Eric Johnson, Graham Nash, David Bromberg, Dweezil Zappa, Dark Star Orchestra, Widespread Panic, David Crosby, Umphrey’s McGee, Lake Street Dive, Holly Bowling, Johnny Lang, Blues Traveler, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Drivin’ & Cryin’, .moe, Reckoning, and Jump Little Children.

What stood out for me was the fact that there were no stinkers among the shows I saw this past year. This was something that I couldn’t have said the last few years. Here, in calendar order are my bakers dozen of the best shows I saw this year and some comments on each:

** Yonder Mountain String Band, Music Farm- In their annual visit to Charleston, this quintet blended their vast resume of originals with seven excellent covers from a varied group of artists.

**Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Music Hall – I have seen Bela three times before, always with a different lineup. The Flecktones, brothers Victor and Future Man Wooten, combine with Bela to create spellbinding jazz music from the unlikeliest of sources, the banjo.

**An evening with Graham Nash, Music Hall – Comfort food for the 70’s soul. His stories and songs harken back to a simpler time.

**Dixie Dregs 40^th Anniversary, Music Hall- The original lineup performed for more than two hours without a sung word and no one noticed!

** “Choice cuts from Dweezil Zappa”, Music Hall- Along with a stellar support band, they cranked more Frank for three solid hours to the delight of all in attendance.

** Rhiannon Giddons (Carolina Chocolate Drops), Music Hall- She has the voice of an angel and the mastery of the fiddle that you need to experience for yourself.

**Trondossa Music Festival, Riverfront Park in North Charleston- Curated by Widespread Panic and featuring Sturgill Simpson, Margot Price and Big Something. Everyone got sixty to ninety minutes to stretch out and show us the breath of their talents. Panic got two full sets nightly.

**Dead and Company, Atlanta and Raleigh- A weekend of great music and memories… John Mayer brings new energy to the Dead’s music and has the three original members playing inspired performances.

**Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers/the Wood Brothers, Gaillard Auditorium in Charleston – These talented musicians combined on a twin bill to create music that inspires. Their talents as musicians are on a higher level than most artists touring today.

** Lake Street Dive, Music Hall- Rachel Price’s voice is truly one of todays most dynamic and commanding. She and bandmates from Boston blend rock and blues into tunes you want to hear again.

** Van Morrison, Tedeschi-Trucks Band, Montagne Mountain, Scranton, Pennsylvania- Both bands delivered 90 minute sets that had me smiling all night.

** Squirrel Nut Zippers, Music Hall- They made their mark in the 90’s blending jazz and swing with catchy lyrics to create a sound that survives well more than 25 years later

**.moe , Music Hall- Stalwarts of the jam scene for nearly 30 years, they are in fine shape after founding bassist Rob Dedham was diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

It’s a shame to have to have to limit the most memorable shows because there were others that left me with great memories! Del Mc Coury Band epitomizes traditional Bluegrass music; Arlo, Sarah Lee and Adam Guthrie are to be treasured while guitar wiz Eric Johnson is mesmerizing on the guitar. I saw David Bromberg for the first time in 40 years and jammed out to Umphrey’s McGee despite a near rain out. Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats is keeping Rockabilly alive for generations to enjoy. I went to see the triple bill of Boy George & CC, the B-52’s and Thompson Twin Tom Bailey because I wanted to see the “B”’s and left very impressed by George! If you love the piano, stream Holly Bowling on your favorite app. She is an incredible talent who is getting better all the time. October was a banner month including stellar performances by Johnny Lang, Blues Traveler, Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Collective Soul. Dwight Yoakum was a performer I longed to see and he was worth the wait.

So many artists, so little time. There’s a ton of touring musicians chasing your concert ticket money. It’s impossible to see every established artist due to today’s ticket prices. If you do your homework, there’s many up and coming artists and local musicians available for a fair price. Support local music and take a gamble on a new artist! Everyone had to start somewhere and build an audience.

Do You Believe In Magic would like to hear about your memorable shows and have you share them with our community of readers. Write your comments on this blog and I will share them with your fellow Lovers of Live Music. Here’s to hearing more great music in 2019!! Subscribe to this blog and you will get an email when a new blog is posted. We will not bombard your inbox and don’t sell our information. We just share news of good music!

#DoYouBelieveInMagic #IfMusicIsABuffetIhaveanEatingDisorder

VAN MORRISON AND MY BUCKET LIST: ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

Van-Morrison Several years ago, I developed a Live Music bucket list of musicians I still had not seen (“A Bucket List You Can fulfill”- July 30, 2016). While I have chipped away at the list, three artists remained from my original wish list. Van Morrison was right up there. When I heard of his involvement in Willie Nelson’s, ‘Outlaw Music Festival,’ I saw this as my best chance to get to hear Van. But once I shared the news with others, I heard numerous tales about the modern day Van Morrison. There were stories about his moodiness with audiences, sketchy performances and a voice that’s seen better days. Perhaps you have heard similar stories about his recent performances. I am here to say that rumors of his demise are premature!

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Joe Cocker:Greatest Cover Artist Ever

Photo of Joe COCKER

Today, many performing artists include covers of fellow musicians who have influenced their careers, in their live shows and recordings,. (I wrote about this in, “Cover Tunes: the Sincerest Form of Flattery,” in August 2016 in this blog). Joe Cocker, on the other hand, made a name for himself covering the tunes of others in a style distinctly different from the original. In fact, I believe that Joe Cocker is the greatest cover artist ever, crafting a career that spanned from 1961 until his death, at age 70, in 2014.

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Do You Believe in Magic

Do You Believe in Magic

…THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED…a timeline for lovers of Live Music

THE FIRST FIVE HUNDRED

BAND OUT OF TIME: A WHOLE NEW GENERATION DISCOVERS YOUR FAVORITE BAND

So Many Shows: the March Concert Review

An Unlikely Pairing: the February Concert Review

Greensky Bluegrass at the Music Hall: the January Concert Review

THE KIDS ARE ALLRIGHT: How the Next Generation of Rock’s Royalty is Making Their Mark in the Entertainment Industry

If Music is a Buffet, then I have an Eating Disorder-2018, My Year in Review

VAN MORRISON AND MY BUCKET LIST: ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

Joe Cocker:Greatest Cover Artist Ever

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