There’s some Nietzsche for ya to start your day. I was looking for something catchy to title this one so I GTS’d music quotes and it leapt off the screen right into my face. I’m feeling music-y because I’m heading out today to Greenville to see Brandi Carlile, btw, I have an extra ticket so if you can make it to Greenville, SC by showtime tonight, I’ll hook you up.
I’m heading into a really nice stretch of concerts. Actually, it started a couple of weekends ago when I met Tom and Mike in Chattanooga for the Moon River Music Festival. I wrote a little bit about that weekend in the last post, but didn’t really get into the music part of it. By the time we (and several thousand other attendees) made it through security and into the venue, the first band of the weekend was wrapping up. We walked across the park to catch, what would soon become obvious to us, their last song. I remember at one point Tom and I looked at each other with a kinda “wtf did we just miss?” look on our faces. Just really incredible energy from the band. The name of the band is Family and Friends and I was so intrigued by that small taste that when I saw they were playing in Chapel Hill, about an hour from me, I bought a ticket to the show. That’s coming up Saturday night and if the tidbit we caught at the MRF is any indication, it should be a great show. Then next week I’ve got a ticket to see Gillian Welch in Saxapahaw, also about an hour from me. Tbh, I’ve never really listened to a lot of her music, but I’ve always heard rave reviews so I decided to go check it out in person since live music, as we (h/t to the fabulous Amy) now know, is better live.
The highlight for October’s concert events is coming up on the 23rd. I’m going to Nashville with Tom to see Jason Isbell at the Ryman Auditorium. I hadn’t planned on seeing Isbell since I’ve seen him a bunch the last couple years but when I saw tickets go on sale for the Ryman I figured that was something I wanted to see. Such an amazing venue, filled with musical history, I couldn’t pass it up. Plus it gives me an excuse to eat at Monell’s so, win, right?
I hit a bit of a lull until the end of November, although I’ll keep scanning area concerts to see if anything interesting pops up. On the 30th I’m going to Durham to see Mike Cooley from the Drive By Truckers do a solo show and then five days later I go to Charlotte to see Patterson Hood, also from DBT, do his solo show. The band isn’t touring at that point in the year, so they bust out some one-man shows. Imma take advantage, cause that’s the kinda guy I am.
Tickets haven’t gone on sale yet, but Warren Haynes does an annual benefit show in Asheville called Christmas Jam with a star-studded lineup. Now, to be fair, I’ve put a bunch of links (sorry if you hit ads too) in this post, so if you don’t check them all out, well you’re missing some great tunes, but if you only click on one, make it that last one. It describes the reason for the Jam and it’ll warm the cockles of your heart and as I’ve said here before, who doesn’t like warmed cockles? I’d like to catch that one. Also, the aforementioned Drive By Truckers do an annual set of Homecoming shows in their hometown Athens, GA in February that I’d like get to. If any of you are interested/available, for either of the shows, let me know so I can get tickets once they go on sale. Also, I see the Avett Brothers have a New Years Eve gig in Charlotte, that’s a definite possibility as they were just outstanding at the MRF. That was the first time I’d ever seen them and they put on a great show. Their link fwiw goes to a song of theirs that just got added to the list I want played at my memorial service. Morbid thought? Maybe. But I decided I want go out with good music. So I’ve got that going for me… which is nice.
Ok, I just looked at the clock and I’m starting to get short on time. I’ve got to run a couple of errands before I hit the road for Greenville, including, but not limited to, taking #LillyNO for a walk downtown to socialize.
See you at the rock show.
Peace
Looks like retirement agrees with you. Enjoy the concert (s). Safe travels. Love you!