Two Stick hosts a benefit for jazz legend, Herman Green tonight who will perform with Willie Waldman. Herman was involved with the evolution of modern jazz touring and recording with Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

One of my favorite new blogs, folo, has a great explanation of the show.

This should be an amazing show, and it’s for a good cause.

I had forgotten how great Caroline Herring is.  I was reminded tonight.

I had a plan to start the evening.  The basketball Rebels were playing West Virginia and the game started at 8:00.  Caroline started at 8:30 at Larry’s.  My plan was to catch the first half of the game (my first foray to the Tad Pad this season) and head over to the square for Caroline at half time.  A work emergency (it ended up ok) kept me from making it to the game, but I caught the first half on the tube as I worked at home.  I finished putting out the fire and headed to Proud Larry’s at half time of the game, with the intention of keeping up with the game while listening to Caroline.

From the moment I walked in the door, I was captivated.  As I said, I had forgotten how amazing Caroline Herring is.  I won’t forget again.  The audience was completely focused on her with no talking.  And I mean NO talking.  That is a rarity these days, but it was well deserved.

One thing Caroline inspired me to do is read Fay again.  Larry Brown’s Fay has been my favorite book for a while now and will probably remain so for a while. Caroline has a tune called “Song for Fay” that she wrote about the book.  When I recommend the book and someone asks me what makes it so great, I say, “It’s the character.  She sticks with me to the point that I’ll be walking down the sidewalk and meet a girl and she’ll remind me of Fay.”

One thing I don’t do enough of is re-read books that I love.  I’ll be reading Fay again for the next few days and enjoying every minute of it.  Maybe I’ll be inspired to start writing again too. 

Thanks Caroline.

Go to Caroline Herring’s web site >>

Go to Caroline Herring’s Myspace >>

Tonight’s Caroline Herring show at Proud Larry’s has an early start at 8:30.  It should be a cool show and would make a great late dinner setting.

Thursday

Moon Pie Curtis (he of Nafoom fame)  - Proud Larry’s

Friday

There are really two main choices.  Rocket 88 (roots rock and roll) is at Proud Larry’s (Disposable Faces opening) and Mayhem String Band (bluegrass) plays Parrish’s.  I will be back and forth between the two, and I suggest you do the same.

Saturday

Again a night with two really good choices.  Balance (jazz, great energy) will be at Two Stick and Tyler Keith and the Apostles (rock) will be at Blind Pig.

Robert Earl Keen is sick and can not perform tonight at The Lyric.  He is rescheduling the show for the spring.

REK will be at The Lyric tonight!

Go to video details at Youtube >>

Go to Robert Earl Keen’s web site >>

Today’s Thacker Mountain Radio should be a great one.  It’s at The Lyric and starts at 5:00 instead of the usual 6:00.

Author: Roy Blount Jr.
Author: John Hodgman
Musical Guest: Milton
Musical Guest: Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele
Writer: Jack Pendarvis

More upcoming shows…

Thurs 11/20

Shannon McNally w/ Cary Hudson - Proud Larry’s
Reggae Night w/ Hi-Grade - Two Stick
Gaylord - Parrish’s
Kirk Smithhart Band - Rooster’s
The Withdrawals w/ Dirty Johnny & The Maple Leafs - Jubilee

Fri 11/21

Robert Earl Keen - The Lyric

Sat 11/22

John Barrett’s Bass Drum of Death w/ The Howlies - Proud Larry’s
Big Jack Johnson - Rooster’s

Mon 11/24

Rosamond & Gin Gin - Parrish’s

Fri 11/28

Rocket 88 w/ Disposable Faces - Proud Larry’s
Mayhem String Band - Parrish’s

Wed 12/3

Caroline Herring - Proud Larry’s

I’ve heard good things recently about Mike Dunn and the Kings of New England.  I checked out their Myspace, and it does sound like this could be a great show at Parrish’s tonight.

Check them out here >>

This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #67 (November 13, 2008 ).

Looking back on the last two weeks…

Bluegrass was the theme for the past two weeks. The Del McCoury Band at The Lyric was a show and a night I’ll remember for quite some time. Del has one of those voices, one so great that if he had chosen another profession, it would be a slap in the face of his Maker. Surrounded by a truly professional and at times awe-inspiring band, Del (69) just keeps on going, having mastered his craft to the point of perfection.

A couple of Mayhem String Band shows got us warmed up for Del and his boys. Mayhem brings an energetic twist to bluegrass, one that appeals to a broad audience. They opened for Del at The Lyric after wowing an intimate crowd across the street at the debut of Music in the Hall. MITH is a small gathering of friends and music fans. Those interested in checking it out should go to OxfordMusicSnob.com and drop me a line.

The following night saw another debut, that of George McConnell’s new band and his series of Virtual 45s. This was a rocking show, as expected from a band comprised of McConnell (vocals, guitar), Daniel Karlish (vocals, guitar, lap steel), Tommy Turan (bass), and Kenny Graeber (drums). I continue to be amazed by Karlish, a former Oxford resident now calling Nashville home. When McConnell and Karlish are on stage together, there are many moments when my friends and I turn to each other with a look of disbelief. They are simply masters of the guitar. Turan and Graeber, also two of the best at what they do, give them a great foundation to work with.

Looking forward to the next two weeks…

One band that I had never heard, but am intrigued by after hearing their online material, is The Bridges. They will be at Proud Larry’s on November 18. Larry’s has a few more shows that I want to see: Alvin Youngblood Hart (11/15), Shannon McNally (11/20), and John Barrett’s Bass Drum of Death with The Howlies (11/22).

The Lyric has a couple of great shows approaching as well, on back-to-back Fridays. Jimbo Mathus’s Hillbilly Hayride with Mayhem String Band opening (11/14) will be an amazing night. Jimbo has always been one of my favorites. He just has that edge, something special that’s needed to be a great musician. He has assembled an impressive band that mixes a little bit of a country and western sound with the bluesy style I’ve always identified with him.

A week later, Robert Earl Keen will take the same stage. Keen is one of the truly great Texan singer-songwriters. He is what a lot of the pretenders wish they could be.  This will be Keen’s first time back in Oxford since he played the Larry Brown Tribute Concert in 2007. It’s sure to be a great return.

This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #67 (November 13, 2008 ).

Download and read The Local Voice issue no. 67 PDF >

This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #66 (October 30, 2008 ).

Looking back on the last two weeks…

The Felice Brothers show at Proud Larry’s on October 15 was everything I expected and more. I would drive a couple hours any day of the week to go see those guys. Such great energy (my neck was sore for a couple of days). The biggest surprise of the night was the opener, Deer Tick (what a name). Really cool vocals and music. I had their album on repeat for a solid week after the show.

One unexpected treat was an impromptu show from some of Oxford’s best on a Monday night at Proud Larry’s. Austin Marshall, Will Freeman, Eric Carlton, Nathan Robbins, Kell Kellum, Tim Burkhead, and Jamie Posie gave us a great show. They were joined for a couple of songs by Gants great Johnny Freeman. My favorite part of the night was actually on the patio as a few of the guys, including Freeman, did a rousing rendition of Van Morrison’s “Gloria.”

Another cool evening featured my man Cary Hudson in the cozy corner of The Jubilee, doing a low-key solo show; the kind of show that he is so good at but we don’t get to see much of anymore since Blue Mountain reunited. Laurie joined him for a couple of songs to close the night, and what a night it was.

Some hubbub has arisen over the DM’s “O-Scene” article that previewed that weekend. While the article did make me laugh out loud, I give the author at least a couple of points for curiosity. I will say though, that if she wants to write about local music, MySpace profiles should not be where the research ends. I don’t consider my opinion of music any more significant than the next person’s, but I do believe that to write about something and make recommendations on the subject, personal experience is the most important thing.

Looking forward to the next two weeks…

A very strong couple weeks of music starts with The Hemptones tonight (10/30) at Proud Larry’s; Telefunken U-47 at Jubilee, and the United Way Fundraiser at Two Stick featuring The Sleepwalkers, Tyler Keith, and St. Andrew of the Blood & Guts are also good options. This will be the first time I’ve seen The Hemptones on the Larry’s stage in a while, and I’m really looking forward to it. Their last show there blew me away. Fans of great horns shouldn’t miss it.

On Halloween, I plan to spend most of my night with Blue Mountain and Avenue Hearts at Proud Larry’s. This is the best night in Oxford to bounce around to all the bars, checking out the music and the costumes. The Cooters with Megacooter at Jubilee, Balance at The Rib Cage, Zoogma at Two Stick, and Bobby Joyner at Rooster’s are all great Halloween night destinations.

Following the Rebel victory over Auburn (11/1), there’s really only one destination to consider, in my opinion: Mayhem String Band at Proud Larry’s. They are one of Oxford’s best bands, without a doubt.

The following week, on Wednesday (11/5), Sound Tribe Sector 9 at The Lyric and Jesse Coppenbanger with John Barrett at Proud Larry’s will both be good shows.

On Friday (11/7), George McConnell unveils his new band and recording project. George (of Beanland, Kudzu King, and Widespread Panic fame) is one of the Oxford greats, and I’m really excited to see him back on stage after some time in the studio.

The show I’ve had marked on my calendar for quite some time is the Del McCoury Band at The Lyric on Thursday, November 6. These guys are the quintessential bluegrass band. Del has been recording since 1968, and the list of awards is a mile long. The list of bands that have been influenced by this band and collaborated with them is also long and more diverse than expected. I was introduced to them a few years ago when they headlined Double Decker and have been a big fan since that show. This is a world-class act that is not to be missed.

Looking a little farther ahead, a couple of other Double Decker veterans will be in Oxford soon. Robert Earl Keen comes to The Lyric on November 21 and Caroline Herring will play Proud Larry’s on December 3.

This column originally appeared in The Local Voice #66 (October 30, 2008 ).

Download and read The Local Voice issue no. 66 PDF >