Waynestock 2012: For the Love of Phil, Day One, Special Weekend Edition

Relix Theater, Knoxville, February 2012

Those of you who read my blog daily know that I don't usually publish on Saturday and Sunday. This time I need to make an exception. There is so much to talk about and cover that waiting until next week to jump into Waynestock seems untimely. I'll start with night one. There are so many pictures to work through that I'll have to break it up that way. Sadly, my night one pictures were a disaster which is what happens when you are comfortable with one setting on your camera and you mess up that particular setting. More on photography in a later post. Changes are coming on that front.

Red Hickey of WDVX, Relix Theater, February 2012

Sarah Pirkle, Jeff Barbra, Jay Clark, Greg Horne and Kevin Abernathy

The first Waynestock occurred last year around this time in the Relix Theater. The untimely death of Drew Bledsoe, a local musician and the son of Wayne Bledsoe, the beloved local music critic, led a group of artists to organize the event as a fund raiser. No artists were paid for their work and the event became a celebration of the local community of musical artists with much help from many people, but particularly Tim and Susan Lee of the Tim Lee Three. I blogged about the three day event here, here and here.

Sarah Pirkle plays a waltz, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Jeff Barbra at the Relix Theater, Knoxville

This year's event is held in honor of Phil Pollard who died recently at a very young age. He was intimately connected to many of the artists who are playing in this year's concert. He is best known for his work in the Band of Humans, but he also played with Sara Schwabe and her Yankee Jass Band, as well as drumming for many other artists. As much as anything he was known for his sense of the absurd, tender concern for children and simply as a bon vivant. Proceeds from raffles, food sales, admission and all other sales go to the Pollard family to help with his three daughter's college expenses.

Jay Clark with Greg Horne, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Greg Horne, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Kevin Abernathy, Relix Theater, Knoxville

This year's event started much as last year's with a singer/songwriter showcase. The line up across the stage this year included Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle (who would later cut quite the dancing figure!), Jay Clark, Greg Horne and Kevin Abernathy. Highlights for me included Sarah's beautiful waltz, Jeff's Tom T. Hall and Jay's "Bringin' Home the Bacon." Greg and Kevin's songs were also excellent and each of them added nice guitar support to the others. I'm really getting to like Kevin playing acoustic, although he can wail on an electric guitar.

Young Girl takes photographs with her Ipod

Jack Rentfro and the Apocalypso Quartet, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Red Hicky hosted the event and kept the music flowing and the raffle packages moving, adding her charm and grace to the transitions and leading the crowd with a toast to Phil every time she took the stage. There would prove to be many, many toasts to Phil as well as to Ed Corts and Rocky Wynder who were also part of Knoxville's music family and who died recently.

Jack Rentfro and the Apocalypso Quartet, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Jack Rentfro and the Apocalypso Quartet, Relix Theater, Knoxville

While I enjoyed the entire evening filled with musicians on my Ipod, I have to say one of the very few not on my Ipod took the spot for my favorite of the night. Jack Rentfro and the Apoclalypso Quartet were incredible. The are not a quartet - or at least they weren't last night - and you will hear no calypso music if you are fortunate enough to hear them play. What you will hear are powerful poems recited by Mr. Rentfro over a persistent jazzy jam. Beatniks? Yes, with a good bit of gloom and depression. While you won't hear calypso, you will hear apocalypse. The best moment was when he dedicated the next piece to Stacey Campfield and repeated the refrain throughout, (something like), "Isn't it hard to hate the thing you love?" I'll just let it say what it says.

Ian Thomas, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Ian Thomas, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Ian Thomas was next up and his set was very good. I haven't heard him in a while and I think he's really grown as an artist. His singing and presence both seemed more mature than that last concert or CD. Maybe it's time for him to record again. His voice was easily the draw for his set and it's hard not to think when listening to him, "Why can't this guy be a country star?" Of course, a couple of minutes listening to contemporary country music radio and that question is answered. If I could give him one suggestion, it would be: lose the kazoo. Cute? Yes. And annoying to me after a very short time. Fortunately he didn't play it much.

Christabel and the Jons, Relix Theater, Knoxville, February 2012

Christabel and the Jons, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Christabel and the Jons closed out the evening and, as always, gave an interesting, though mellow show. Her soft swing had couples on the dance floor, as had Ian Thomas before her. Highlights for me included her versions of a couple of Hank Williams songs as well as a Webb Pierce song. Now that's real country music. In that universe maybe Ian could be a star, as well as Christabel.

Christabel and the Jons, Relix Theater, Knoxville

It all ended around eleven and the crowd went home happy. I think a number of us were excited to think about night two. I'll cover it in another post.

Tim Lee with Surprise Guests Kevin Abernathy and Greg Horne at the Pilot Light

Tim Lee 3 at Pilot Light, Knoxville, January 2012

This post has been slow in coming, but the night was so good, I can't let it pass without a post and a glimpse at some of the pictures. It goes all the way back to First Friday this month. Urban Woman and I had delicious appetizers and beverages at 31 Bistro for a nice low price and then walked to the 100 block where my friend Mustapha was holding his official Grand Opening. We had mini-cupcakes and two great cups of Americano.

Urban Woman decided beauty rest was in order for her, so I walked her home and then went to the KMA for Alive After Five for the Streamliners with RB Morris. It ends early, so around 8:30 I walked over to Morelock Music on Gay street and listened to a little Old Time music for about an hour before walking to the Pilot Light.


Tim Lee, Susan Lee, Greg Horne and Kevin Abernathy

 My plan was to see the Tim Lee Three at 9:00 and then make it to Preservation Pub to hear Hudson K around 10:30. I'd seen nothing to indicate that Tim had an opening act and I knew Hudson K did, and so would be later taking the stage. The first indication that my schedule might not work out was that at 9:00 no one was close to getting on stage. I learned the show would start at 9:30, which I still figured would work out OK. I'd noticed Kevin Abernathy and Greg Horne were hanging out with Tim and Susan Lee, so I figured they would sit in for part of the show.

I talked with Kevin for a bit and learned, among other things, that he and his wife operate a kennel in south Knox County. He and everyone else were kind enough to put up with me while we waited for the show to begin. Of course, they were the show, and I realized Kevin was opening, which was cool, but I sensed Hudson K slipping off my list of possibilities for the evening. Still, it was pleasant watching the crowd slowly build. Most people seemed to have gotten the memo I missed about a later starting time, but the seats are comfortable and the waiting wasn't unpleasant.



Kevin Abernathy, Pilot Light, Knoxville

 

Kevin Abernathy, Pilot Light, Knoxville, January 2012


Sometime after 9:30 Kevin took the stage and, as anyone who has heard him would expect, he was as good as ever - and this time with a twist, for me - he played solo acoustic. I'd heard him once before, at the Relix Theater last year, and he played with his band. As you might expect, his acoustic slot really highlighted the songs and the songwriting and I realized both were excellent. His guitar work is always going to be good, but maybe some of these songs get buried behind the band and might benefit from this sort of treatment more often.



Kevin Abernathy with Tim Lee at the Pilot Light



Tim Lee, Kevin Abernathy and Greg Horne, Pilot Light, Knoxville



As his set wound down he invited Greg Horne to sing harmony on a song and he added his great vocal touch. Greg seems to be the guy that all the guys want to sing with. He's also an excellent musician and songwriter, of course. Tim Lee joined in, also, and the three of them finished Kevin's set in great style.

Once Susan and Bill Van Vleet joined Tim on stage, the music turned to serious blues-based rock and roll - with a little punk element, I think, but they might disagree. The thing that rings true through every song is that this is a band with real soul. This is no manufactured, auto-tuned sterile money machine, this is a collection of people who want to play honest rock and roll and they know how to do it.



Tim Lee 3, Pilot Light, Knoxville, 2012



Time Lee 3, Pilot Light, Knoxville, January 2012



One of the highlights for me was a slow blues jam that I just could not get enough of. I kept thinking it sounded like some band, but the night was getting late and my poor memory mingled with fatigue and I couldn't put my finger on it. Until the next day. I had my ipod on shuffle and hit a Zepplin song from, I think, their second album and realized that was it: Tim was channeling Jimmy Page. That might not sound possible if you haven't heard Tim live. I'm telling you, I've heard Jimmy Page live and while I'm not saying Tim is as good as Jimmy Page - and I'm not sure anybody alive is - I'm saying Tim has the chops to bring Jimmy to mind.



Mobile Art Sales in the Old City after midnight



Around midnight I had absorbed all I could take in. I realized I had worked eight hours and then walked or stood for the next seven listening to music all around town. As I walked home I passed Preservation Pub and realized Hudson K was still playing. Maybe if I was sure they would have played a while longer I would have stopped in, but it was late, I was exhausted and I just didn't have any more fun in me for that night. But it was a great night of music in the city and I went to bed a very happy Urban Guy.

Waynestock: For the Love of Drew, Night Two

Relix Theater in former White Store, N. Central, Knoxville

Fortunately for us working types, the second night of the festival was a Friday night, so sleeping in figured into the possibility of another late night. With a great line-up including several bands I've wanted to hear, I planned to stay to the conclusion.

Art in Action, Relix Theater, Waynestock, Knoxville, Tennessee

The people watching wasn't as good as the music turned out to be, but it was fun in its own right. The music legends of Knoxville, past and present, circulated through the crowd, including Opry member Con Hunley, Cruz Contreras fresh off the Black Lillies' fabulous concert at the Bijou, Hector Quirko and Scott Miller back in town for the event, members of the Lonetones and the bands from each of the nights. A local artist named Gillian (I believe) painted through the show. The painting was ultimately auctioned for the cause and brought $300. Madeline Rogero also hung out in the crowd seeming to really enjoy herself. I was impressed that she stayed until the end. That's a potential mayor with taste and stamina.

Quartjar, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville, January 2011

But people watching wasn't what the night was about. Quartjar got everything moving with their hard-driving rock and roll. Built around simple riffs, smashing drums and heavy bass, the trio sounded different to me than their recorded output. I heard a sort of melodic metal, while the music on their site sounds more like late sixties rock ala Deep Purple. I guess there isn't that much difference between the two, but it seemed like it at the time.

Todd Steed and the Sons of Phere, Waynestock, Knoxville, January 2011

Todd Steed and the Sons of Phere stepped in next and provided their usual quirky brand of eccentric pop and rock. Todd is a talented veteran of the local music scene and a very witty person who does a great service to Knoxville in a number of ways. The music of the band, however, often wears thin for me. Many of the songs are built around a single clever conceit and once exploited, they lose their capacity to surprise. The melodies also seem to fall into a limited, repetitive range, but the fun lies in Todd's somewhat unpredictable personality. Other musicians seem to really love him, so I'm probably missing something. The inclusion of local favorite Dave Nichols on guitar is always a pleasure.

Kevin Abernathy Band, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville, January 2011

Around 9:00 the Kevin Abernathy Band started their set and the night really began to sparkle. The spectacular guitar work, crisp sound and excellent vocals by Abernathy, put to good use on well-crafted pop/rock songs made this a set to remember. The sound of this trio wasn't as over-powering as the first of the night, but the result was a much more focused sound that emphasized the songs. The backing vocals from the bass player and drummer were also pitch perfect for the music. Kevin has an excellent grasp of economic guitar playing, providing just enough fireworks in a solo to make the listener wish it could continue just a bit longer. The first complete high light of the evening for me came when Tim Lee joined the group on stage for a power guitar avalanche. His most recent recording is A Beautiful Thing and this is one of the two artists from the night most likely to wind up on my ipod.

Mic Harrison, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville, January 2011

Scott Miller joins Mic Harrison, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville, January 2011

Mic Harrison and the High Score followed Kevin Abernathywith their brand of straight-ahead rock and roll and Americana tinged songs. Wayne had their most recent release, Great Commotion, pegged as number eight of his top ten local releases last year. Mic has been a part of the Knoxville music scene for many years and was a founding member of the storied Viceroys along with Scott Miller. Mic made rock and roll look easy and the band provided a spirited set which culminated in the arrival of Scott Miller on the stage. This provided the second highlight of the evening, as the band and the house went through the roof. Wearing a "Bruce, WTF?" UT shirt, playing harmonica and singing, Scott accompanied the band on the final two songs of their set.

The Melungeons, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville, January 2011

Rus Harper of the Melungeons

Rus Harper, The Melungeons, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville

The Melungeons, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Next came the band, the Melungeons. This was the group I was most interested in hearing. Wayne placed their most recent album, Blackwater Swamp, as the third best local album of the past year.His description of their music as "gritty, nasty, and totally arresting," about sums it up. Lead vocalist Rus Harper struts and stumbles all over the stage, sometimes falling. He growls, howls, screams and occasionally sings between expletives hurled lovingly at the crowd that he deemed, "weirdos." Profane, sacrilegious on occasion and often monotonous musically, this strange amalgamation of musicians provided easily the most compelling spectacle of the event. The music sometimes elevated itself and often seemed on the verge of falling apart, only to fall together again in the hands of a front man who seems crazy and may be crazy, but despite his missing tooth and pot belly or maybe because of them, his stringy waist-length hair, black trench coat and black-painted nails he was completely captivating. Really, how could you not watch - you would be afraid to turn your back to the man.

The Melungeons, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville

The Melungeons, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Rus Harper, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville

Rus Harper: is this the face of a normal person?

The Drunk Uncles ended the show and provided a complete 180 degree shift from the dark nastiness that preceded it. Their country songs and upbeat vibe eased the crowd away from the precipice and out onto the dance floor. With the excellent song-writing of Jeff Barbra, perfect musicianship and excellent vocals - particularly from Mike McGill, who has a great country voice - this batch of fun will remind you of what real country music used to sound. I wondered as I listened if there couldn't be some small space for them on country music radio, but probably not unless they were overproduced beyond recognition. If you like country music, you can't go wrong with the Uncles. This is the other act from the evening most likely to wind up on my ipod.

The Drunk Uncles, Waynestock, Relix Theater, Knoxville, January 2011

I headed home exhausted from standing, dancing, sitting on church pews and a long week in general. Not that I would consider missing Saturday night's show for anything. I'll post on it, next.