Marshall Chapman in Raleigh Last Night!

Marshall Chapman last night in Raleigh. I have to admit, I bought my tickets early, I rearranged my whole schedule for the week, and drove over two hours to see this lady. She opened for Todd Snider but honestly I would have driven to see her play by herself. Marshall is friends with many of the Coral Reefer band having toured with Jimmy Buffett during the 1990's. Mr. Utley, band leader for JB, produced her "Love Slave" disc which is one of my personal favorites. Is there anyone in the music business this lady doesn't know? I had some time to talk to Marshall during the Borders book signing and we talked a bit about that particular "Love Slave" disc. ( I really would love to interview this lady for radioplay) She has tons of cds available on her website http://www.tallgirl.com/ .....The latest cd which is in regular airplay on the internet and Sirius satelite radio on radiomargaritaville is called "Mellowicious! " It is quite a treat. Don't walk, run and buy it now! Marshall told several of the stories of the background behind several of the songs. Now I don't want to take away any enjoyment you might have of seeing her live but I will mention that her book plays very well into the show she puts on. The stories are great. This woman was the first female to front a rock n roll band. She is the real deal. Having written over 300 songs she has really touched a wide range of people. I have listened to her music for many years and last night was the first time I actually met her in person. The cool thing was I have spent many hours playing her music and putting digital radio shows together so I felt very at home listening to her talk. As I woke up this morning I started thinking about last nights show and how lucky I was to be there. I really get this special buzz from being around great singer / songwriters. Marshall is special in that she has this wonderful Southern accent that sort of spans a bridge from South Carolina to Tennesee. Awesome stuff. From my front row seat last night I walked over to her as she left the stage and told her how I was thrilled to finally meet her....She is such a great lady. Her show was so awesome and the last song just really perfect, the whole presentation, the vocals, "Leaving Loachapoka, Alabama behind...Leavin' Lochapoka behind." Damn life is good. Marshall I hope to see you again real soon. Thanks for an awesome day. I still have a smile on my face. Priceless.

Goodbye, Little Rock and Roller

Marshall Chapman reads from her book " Goodbye, Little Rock and Roller" last night in Raleigh. I have several stories to tell here. Months ago my Radiomargaritaville brother Steve Huntington sent me a signed copy in the mail. Talk about putting a smile on my face. I read the thing all the way through to about the last two chapters. Not that the book was bad mind you that is just a problem I have...finishing any book anymore. An outcome of a busy lifestyle! Hell I am not complaining, merely stating a fact. Well I have just finished the book finally and it is fabulous. A must have! Marshall is on a tour of the Borders Book stores so check her website to see where she may have left you a signed copy behind on the shelf! Even without a signature this book is a treasure as she delivers the stories of her life as a Rock n Roll Debutante growing up in Spartanburg, South Carolina and living in Nashville. Trust me. Buy the book. Read it. You will love it.

Todd Snider Rocks the Pour House Last Night!!!

Todd Snider last night at The Pour house in Raleigh. Man the crowd roared for this guy! A fabulous show that started with Marshall Chapman opening. Todd played all of his best songs along with a few from his just-released cd called "The Devil You Know" He told some really cool stories including the background behind "If Tomorrow Never Comes" a song about a guy who wrote the song "If Tomorrow Never Comes" and was the same guy who ripped-off his famous "Beer Run" song. ...a long and funny story...After hearing the story it really makes the song come alive on the new cd. Todd was "on" last night. I have seen him a few times in various settings, the most recent in Greensboro opening for John Prine where I was standing in front of the mike stand all night. This show as far better as he looked great, sounded really good, and threw those lyrics out like no one except Todd can. If you haven't seen him do a show you have really missed out, so get out there soon and see him. Here is a link to a site that has some extra pictures taken by Jim McKelvey http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=637060 from last night. I am such a Todd fan that I subscribe to his mail list and us rabid fans are very active at supplying setlists, tour dates, pictures, and cool stories. Thanks to Jim for the great pictures...I was down front with my small Canon camera and I really didn't do all that great with my photos! A great place - that Pour House. Great selections of Brew and the price is right. No smokin' ... Shhh signs everywhere, and really nice people. Right on Raleigh. 'Double Wide Blues, who who who who who...thanks Todd you rock.

Steely Dan in Charlotte Last Night!!!

I have been a fan of this band since I first say them in the 1970's on the TV show "Rock Concert." I still remember them doing "Reeling in the Years" on that show. I bought every album they produced since and I can actually remember the day several of the lps came out and how I went to the store to have a copy to listen to as soon as I could get it. I still do that today even though lately their cd production has slowed a bit. OK I have to admit. I just last week bought the SACD release of "Gaucho." I have all the Origional Master Recording Steely Dan discs you can buy......the SACD is very cool. Gotta' love that Dolby 5.1 Sound Surround.
Last night the band was missing my old pal, the late Cornelius Bumpas on sax. The background singers were looking good..Carolyn Leonhart...http://www.carolynleonhart.com/ What a dream...I still miss Victoria Cave! http://www.steelydan.com/2kband.html#cave I saw her perform live in Charlotte in 2000 and I still say that was one of Steely Dans best tours. She is also featured in the Steely Dan DVD which is a very cool thing to watch. Last night I saw the best drummer I have seen. I know there are great drummers and everyone has an opinion so I won't get into a debate about your favorite but this guy just really stood out. Most of the players got standing ovations through the performance as they are all great but this guy was a standout, and a young one at that.Keith Carlock. http://www.keithcarlock.com/bio.htm I have read about him but I have never heard him play live. I believe. He is the man. Remember the name you will hear it again if you haven't already. The best thing is he is a Mississippi boy from Clinton.
What a night. What a show. Go see Steely Dan, they are not to be missed. I am still feeling good. "Throw out your gold teeth and see how they roll, the answer they reveal, life is unreal, da dum da dum da dum da dum da dum dum."

No Static at All.

Steely Dan. This was another awesome experience for the "Dan" fan. The crowd was really into this show. Everyone was singing the lyrics to the songs. And they played them all...well a bunch of them... They came on promptly at Nine PM and played until eleven. One guy I met in the parking lot said his brother had called him recently after seeing a Steely Dan show and described the show in in one word on his phone recorder..."sublime." I have to agree.

Michael McDonald Last Night In Charlotte.

Michael McDonald and his band last night at the amplitheater in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was a great night as the temperatures here dropped into the low 80's. Perfect weather for an outdoor show. Michael was the opening act for Steely Dan. Those guys have played together for over 30 years! This was a very good performance as he went from Doobie Brothers era to the recent Motown covers he has put out on two cds. My daughter Alex was at my side for this show. Alex really enjoyed the drummer as she was very good and even did several numbers where she led the vocals.
This guy still rocks and the crowd showed their appreciation for his talent. It seemed everytime he launched into another Doobie Brothers song the crowd would jump up and roar their approval. Yes I was one of them. I have this cassette tape I made of 'Living on the Fault Line" in 1978 and I think I wore the thing out listening to it in my car back then...remember the Pioneer Supertuner Cassette Player and the 6X9 speakers in the rear deck? I forget how many times I have seen the Doobie Brothers in concert but it is so many that I know it is in double digits...
Michael later came out and closed the Steely Dan show on stage with them. Donald Fagen told the crowd that they dragged this guy from a gutter many years ago. ...Well last night he was kicking some serious ass on stage. Thanks Michael.