The night the show found its voice and its soul
Maybe the holiday spirit was in the air or maybe the chemistry among the bands was just right, but from Jessi Alexander’s opening notes of “Late Night Ramble” with the phenomenal 18 South, something felt elevated about tonight’s Music City Roots. As good as it’s been since we launched in October, we may look back on this as the night the show found its voice and its soul. The crowd, our biggest yet, was keyed up from the top. The music flowed, song to song, act to act. The vocals from every act were just spot on. It sent everyone off to the Thanksgiving weekend in the best possible way.
After 18 South got their well-deserved standing ovation for their set of roots rocking, New Orleans-meets-Nashville country soul, we heard from Green On The Vyne, the very young but very talented bluegrass band who played the emerging artist segment. I loved hearing them powerhouse through Blue Highway’s “In The Gravel Yard,” and they offered a nice take on “Summertime.” We’ll be hearing more from them for sure.
Shawn Camp has long been one of my favorite songwriters, but tonight’s show with a tight acoustic band proved he’s come into his own as a performer too. The unassuming Camp now has a confidence that brings his amazing deep country vocals to a new level, and of course the songs are always there. We heard “Sis Draper,” which he co-wrote with Guy Clark and the now widely covered “My Love Will Not Change.” He told me in our interview segment that a new album has begun to take shape. Yee haw.
Our closer tonight, John Cowan, always brings it with his music, but he also came through spiritually, with a set built around songs from his new Christmas album and gospel material. Though he didn’t disappoint his long-time fans from the New Grass Revival Days with a strong “Calling Baton Rouge.” He got the whole crowd singing at the top of their lungs, and one couldn’t help but wonder how great that sounded on the radio. And to cap things off, he led a stage full of musicians (including surprise guests Mary Gauthier and Mickey Raphael) in a slow rocking rendition of “Go Tell It On The Mountain.”
Tell it they did.
Craig H
Incredible show!
This might well have been one of the best shows I've EVER seen, period! The acoustics at The Loveless Barn bring out the nuances of the vocals like I haven't heard anywhere in a long time. The show was like getting a big, warm hug, and the audience was so responsive I couldn't believe I was still in Nashville. It was a great night and a delightful way to ring in the holidays. 18 South was a huge surprise--some of my favorite Nashville musicians joining their incredible talents--can't wait for their CD and their New Year's eve performance at The Station Inn. Shawn Camp was his usual brilliant self, and Green on the Vyne are definitely a young band that we'll see much more of in the future. John Cowan was so warm and gracious and with his huge heart seemed to wrap the entire audience and all the performers in his embrace and infuse us all with his beautiful spirit--I saw tears, heard people singing who could rarely be persuaded to open up, and joined in at least 3 well deserved standing ovations. His band was superb, and he kept augmenting it with friends and fellow musicians including Jason Carter, Mickey Raphael, Mary Gauthier, Charlie Cushman, and the entire audience. It was truly a night to remember! I hope that those listening in on WSM were able to feel the specialness.Well said
Craig, Terrific comments here and right on interviews on stage. From the forth row a wash of reality vibes filled the soon to be famous Loveless Barn. We can hardly wait for next week! WallyAdd your comment