What you need to know about music festivals and series in Knoxville - All in one blog post!

Slow Blind Hill, Jr, Jaimie Cameron and Henry Perry, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

There are so many series and festivals running around town that you may have a hard time keeping them all straight. That's where I can help. We have a new series, a returning series, an ongoing series an old festival and a new one. Let's sort it all out.

I've written in the past about the marvelous "Homegrown" series hosted by WFIV and Preservation Pub. I used to make it out to Disc Exchange on occasion to hear the show when it broadcast from there, but honestly, as much as I love Disc Exchange, it was not a comfortable place to see a live show.

Jaimie Cameron, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

Henry Perry, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

The Speakeasy at the Preservation Pub is comfortable, smoke-free(ish) and has an excellent stage. The show features interviews and songs from local artists each Wednesday night from 7:00 to 8:00. It's a great slot for people who want to hear music during the week, but have to get up for work the next morning. It is also free, which is my favorite price.

Slow Blind Hill, Jr, Jaimie Cameron and Henry Perry, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

The photographs you are seeing on this post of Slow Blind Hill, Jr. are from a recent Homegrown show. Slow Blind Hill, Jr. features Jaimie Cameron on guitar and vocals and Henry Perry on harmonica and backing vocals. They are half of the full band, Slow Blind Hill and you can most often catch them playing their brand of blues at the Crown and Goose. I've enjoyed their music for many years and I suspect you would, too.

Tennessee Shines is a series sponsored  by WDVX which had its original run as a monthly show in the Bijou and was both broadcast live on the radio and was filmed for television. The series eventually went on a hiatus from which it appeared likely to never return. Then it returned - though in a drastically altered form. It now happens every Monday night, features more local talent, and is broadcast from the Knoxville Welcome Center via WDVX. The cost is $10. The photographs you are seeing of R.B. Morris and Greg Horne are from this series earlier this week. Megan McCormick (who is not local) will be featured next week, along with others.

R. B. Morris with Greg Horne, Tennessee Shines, Knoxville, March 2012

R. B. Morris with Greg Horne, Tennessee Shines, Knoxville, March 2012 

So, you've got your Monday night and your Wednesday night covered, but once a month you'll need to throw in a Thursday night for Scruffy City Roots. The concept here is actually closer to the original Tennessee Shines than is the current Tennessee Shines. Scott Miller, who, thankfully, can't seem to ever leave Knoxville will host the show and Jack Neely will interview guests between sets.

It will broadcast live over WUTK from the Square Room and will be viewable on the website as it is filmed for possible broadcast at a later time (I'm pretty sure about the last part). The cost is $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show. The series holds its inaugural episode this coming Thursday night, March 22.

R. B. Morris with Greg Horne, Tennessee Shines, Knoxville, March 2012 

Earthbeats is a festival focusing on Earth Day and taking place on April 21 on the World's Fair Park. It includes artists such as two of my favorites: Theorzt and Jodi Manross.

Finally, the Rhythm N Blooms festival returns this year as a part of the Dogwood Arts Festival and includes local, regional and national artists such as Amos Lee, Citizen Cope, the Black Lillies and Darrell Scott playing venues all around downtown over a three day period from April 20 - 22. Tickets for the entire weekend are $55 and single-day tickets are $25.

R. B. Morris with Greg Horne, Tennessee Shines, Knoxville, March 2012 

So, there you go, all laid out for you to mark up your calendar and save your money. Again, Knoxville is overwhelmed with great music. Are we the capital of Americana music? That's a good possibility to ponder. In the meantime, just get out and enjoy it.

Fred Eaglesmith Amazes the Blue Plate Audience - Plus, Waynestock starts tonight!

Fred Eaglesmith, Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 2012

I'm publishing blog posts as fast as I'm able, but I seem to keep falling behind on writing about some of the great shows I've seen lately. One of the reasons is that so much great music has blown through in a very short time. I wrote a couple of days ago about seeing Jenna and Her Cool Friends' phenomenal show at KMA and that same weekend I saw Fred Eaglesmith at the Blue Plate. And then I saw Blue Mother Tupelo (later post) at Boyd's Jig and Reel.

And the music will keep on rolling this week. The second (annual?) Waynestock will be held at the Relix Theater. The Relix is locate in Happy Holler, just outside of downtown proper on Central. It's a really cool venue which has been crafted from an old White's Grocery Store. Most importantly, for only $5 a night, you can enjoy some of the very best local music and see more local bands in one stop than at any other time during the year. All money goes to benefit former Band of Humans' front-man Phil Pollard's family. Phil died this past fall and is being honored in this year's event.

Here's the schedule:
Thursday (starting at 7:00 PM) - Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle, Greg Horne, Kevin Abernathy and Jay Clark, Jack Rentfro and the Apocalypso Quartet, Ian Thomas and Christabel and the Jons
Friday (starting at 8:00 PM) - Sara Schwabe and Her Yankee Jass Band, The Lonetones, RB Morris, Tim Lee 3, King Super and the Excellents
Saturday (starting at 8:00) - The French, The Theorizt, Todd Steed and the Suns of Phere, Senryu and an All-Star Tribute to Phil Pollard featuring members of the Band of Humans

Unbelievable. You just can't miss this. Drinks and food available, but wouldn't you do without both just to hear this? I'm serious. If you'd like to get a feel of how it plays out, you might enjoy reading my blogs about last year which you can find here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3. But enough of that - you'll get all the details later - let's talk about Fred Eaglesmith.

Fred Eaglesmith, Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 2012

Fred Eaglesmith, Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 2012

Fred and his traveling show took over the Blue Plate at WDVX recently. Playing a show at the Shed later that night, they pulled their "special" bus into the parking lot beside the station, propped a piece of cement under the wheel and came inside to set the house on fire. Bill Poss did a couple of songs, followed by the Fabulous Ginn Sisters doing a few and then Fred took the stage.

He's got a funny stage presence, part comedian, part icon, both wry and corny in the same story. His weathered voice, tasteful guitar work and always, the excellent songs he writes combine to form a perfect union. His band is just right for what he is doing and they are each very talented. Always joining him center stage, the Ginn sisters have a very unique vocal blend that twangs as hard as any Nashville vocalists.

Fred Eaglesmith, Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 2012

Fred Eaglesmith, Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 2012

He's promoting his new album, "6 Volts," which I bought that day and it is excellent. My favorite song has to be "Johnny Cash," which is great on the album, but is even better live with Fred staring down the crowd spitting out lyrics like "You sure do like Johnny Cash, now. Now that he's dead and in the ground . . . and where were you in 1989 when it looked like Johnny was on the decline. His career was fading, his shows weren't selling and you were listening to heavy metal, but you sure do like Johnny Cash, now."

When he sings "I'm dangerous to myself," it's believable. Sometimes he sounds as if he might be dangerous to anyone. Then he tells a joke or gives a wink and you aren't sure if he's dangerous or if he's more like your mischievous uncle. He patiently signed everything handed to him after the show and posed for a picture with me when he certainly didn't have to, so I'm thinking maybe on the not-so-dangerous end.

Fred Eaglesmith, Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 2012

Fred Eaglesmith, Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 2012

The room was packed when I arrived a half hour before the show and the crowd got what they had hoped for. We all need to be very appreciative of the great music we get to hear at WDVX. It's a great radio station that distinguishes our city from any other. And on this particular Saturday they gave us a great musician and a great band. Thank you Tony and thank you Fred.

I'll end with Fred performing "Johnny Cash." See you guys at the Waynestock shows.

The Special

Just Old Men Passin' Through: Fred Eaglesmith and Urban Guy

Amy Black and Jailbox on the Blue Plate Special

Amy Black, WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, July 2011

I got a chance to attend the Blue Plate Special recently and listen to great music by Amy Black and Jailbox in a double bill. As always, listening to a live broadcast of music on WDVX at noon in downtown Knoxville is always a treat and one of the things that is very unique about our little city.

Amy Black, Knoxville, July 2011

Amy Black with Nick Nguyen, Knoxville, July 2011

Amy Black is a soulful young singer whose blues-infused country music is informed by her powerful vocals. Currently based in New England, Amy spent her childhood in Alabama, so she comes by her country roots honestly. While her music may sound more similar to alt-country performers such as Kasey Chambers, she's not afraid to pull out a little Loretta Lynn, which she did to great effect during the show. Backed by Bonepony guitarist Nick Nguyen, Amy's usual full-band set was softened a bit and it was the ballads that really got me, like Whiskey and Wine from her most recent album One Time which is featured in the video below.

Jailbox, WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, July 2011

Jailbox, Knoxville, July 2011

Jailbox is a two-man group from Missouri. They are currently on a tour that will continue as long as their van survives (or so they said). Their music is delicate, acoustic and reminiscent to me of the Civil Wars. Their website mentions Iron and Wine and Ryan Adams: both influences shine through. Built on harmonies and subtle melodies, the duo is at their best when singing counter-harmonies. Their latest EP is Empty Rooms. I particularly like the song below.

WDVX Fund Drive, James McMurtry and a Big City Wedding

Big Country's Empty Bottle, WDVX Spring Fundraiser, Knoxville, 2011

I recently attended an extended, Saturday version of the Blue Plate Special in conjunction with WDVX and their spring fund drive. If you don't know, WDVX is a non-profit radio station heard at 89.9 FM outside of downtown and 102.1 FM inside the city. It's also available as a live stream at http://www.wdvx.com/.

Paleface, WDVX Spring Fundraiser, Knoxville, Spring 2011

This is no ordinary radio station. It is important to East Tennessee and, arguably, the country and world. It carries on a great tradition of live radio broadcasts from Gay Street in Knoxville, which was started by WNOX (originally WNAV) broadcasting the Mid-Day Merry-Go-Round. WDVX also preserves music forms indigenous to our area which might otherwise fall further into obscurity. Playing many forms of music, the focus is on bluegrass every morning, Americana every afternoon and a mix of blues, singer-songwriter, classic country and other music forms at other times. Broadcasting all over the world via the World Wide Web, it gives Knoxville an international presence.

Ferd Moyse, Morgan O'Kane and friends, WDVX Spring Fund Drive

Twice each year they ask for listeners to make pledges to keep the music and the idea alive. This particular Saturday featured several artists (pictured) including local artists, regional artists and national recording star James McMurtry who was in town to play at the shed in Maryville. You might check out his latest album,  Just Us Kids. He's the son of novelist Larry McMurtry who wrote Lonesome Dove among many other works.

The free show ran for hours and was great fun. The highlight of the day had to be the Wedding performed by Ferd Moyse, who recently became ordained in some manner or another and is now licensed to perform weddings. The young couple seemed delighted with his execution of the ceremony which included much laughter and phrases like, "this is where you say that stuff about forever" and "do ya'll have anything else to say?" He pronounced them married and more music and the first dance commenced.

Ferd scratches his head and everyone is happy as the wedding stumbles along. Knoxville, 2011.

Ferd and the happy couple - just about hitched at this point. Knoxville, 2011

The official fund drive is over, but if you'd like to support the spirit of this enterprise, I'd encourage you to do so. They need and deserve your help. You can pledge your support by calling 865-544-1029 or visiting WDVX's website at www.wdvx.com.

First dance - on the radio. WDVX studios, Knoxville, 2011

Everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day! I'm not sure why.

Image via Wikipedia

Are you? I mean, I'm happy for the Irish and I suspect I have a little Irish back in my own ancestry, but why do we all wear the green and go for the day with such gusto? I also have a little Creek Indian in me, but I haven't noticed any celebrations breaking out on their behalf. How about we pick a day and dress like these guys?

Cocoa Moon - the Latin restaurant - dressed up for St. Patrick's Day

Really, no other group causes us all to act as if we are all related. I know it's all in good fun and I really don't mind. I enjoy celebrating different cultures, it's just that I don't understand how this one captured the imagination of so many. We're even chided if we don't participate - "Where's your green?"

Latitude shows the green and snags a media interview.

Jack Neely, who wrote a great article on the subject last week, suggested that perhaps our identification with the Irish reflects our American inclination to support the underdog and the defeated. Again, I submit to you my Creek ancestors. You'd be hard-pressed to find a bigger underdog or a group more thoroughly defeated.

Junior League Band, Blueplate Special, Knoxville

Ah well, might as well join in. Knoxville goes for it to a small degree. We have Irish music and green is abundant, though mostly for commercial reasons. There is no parade. I caught the Blueplate Special that day at WDVX. The first artist, the Junior League Band was not Irish, nor did Lissy Rosemont and her band play Irish music. Their website describes them as an "old time inspired rock band." That's probably a fitting description.

Lissy Rosemont sings and Irish Ballad

She played banjo and every song featured an electric rock guitar. Their music and particularly her vocals reminded me greatly of Hilary Hawke who I wrote about a while back. One hails from Georgia and the other from New York, but they have arrived at similar musical styles, at least to my ears. Lissy did end with an old Irish ballad in honor of the day.

Four Leaf Peat, Blueplate Special, WDVX, Knoxville, St. Patrick's Day 2011

There was no mistaking the Irishness of the next band. Hailed as "Knoxville's Premier Traditional Irish Band," and perhaps our only traditional Irish Band, Four Leaf Peat. I believe they said this represents their fifth consecutive St. Patrick's Day show on the Blueplate.

Four Leaf Peat, WDVX, Knoxville, March 2011

Four Leaf Peat, WDVX, Knoxville, St. Patrick's Day 2011

They are a talented group playing a wide range of traditional instruments and sticking very close to their tradtional Irish roots. I enjoyed them live, but I'm not so much a fan of the genre. Hearing that style music once a year is enough for me.

Now, if you want to talk about some Creek songs, that's another discussion altogether. Here's a little clip to get the movement started.

Fred Eaglesmith with High Kotton at the Blue Plate Special

How could you improve the live radio concerts hosted weekdays at noon on WDVX for several years now? Add a weekend show, that's how. Many of us can't be downtown at noon, but judging from the crowd in the visitor's center Saturday, virtually everyone can make it on a weekend. The room was packed nearly an hour before showtime and people kept coming. By the time the broadcast began, there was hardly room to breathe. Red Hickey said it was almost without doubt the biggest crowd in any visitor's center any where in the country that day. I'm not sure other visitor centers are as cool as ours to have regular concerts, but it was a very big crowd.

Fred Eaglesmith, WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 22,2011

As I said in the last post, I would not be able to see Fred Eaglesmith at the Shed, so I jumped at the chance to see him at WDVX on Saturday. I'm not as familiar with his work as I will be within the next few days (I'm buying in big), but I'd heard enough on WDVX to get me pretty excited. If he'd never written anything beyond Alcohol And Pills that would be enough reason to go down and listen.

High Kotton, WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 2011

The opening act was a local group, High Kotton, who told me they have only "been together since October" and, if I understood them correctly, they have "practiced seven times." Some of them have been friends for a longer time, but the group and vocalist Wendy Crowe found each other through Craigslist. This group, to have been together such a short time displays amazing potential. Wendy's face is set to default to "smile" and her charm as the front of the band combined with her great country voice and the rich harmony produced by her along with very talented multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Amanda Thomas and other band members will take the band far. It's hard to imagine how good they can be after they've put in the hours required to make a band tight.

Fred Eaglesmith, Knoxville, January 22, 2011

So it was a good opening for the main course of the noon concert: Fred Eaglesmith. I had no idea what to expect. His most recent album Cha Cha Cha features the sound from the David Letterman video below and it was this seductive groove that he brought to the Blue Plate. The sound is augmented and elevated tremendously by The Fabulous Ginn Sisters who are excellent recording artists in their own right. Filling out the band wasKori Heppner on drums, Justine Fischer on bass and Matty Simpson on banjo and guitar.

Fred Eaglesmith, WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 22, 2011

Matty's banjo playing provides another whole topic for conversation. The banjo looked about as beaten up and down as if it might have been one of the first banjos cobbled together somewhere in Africa. It alternately sounded vaguely like a banjo and entirely like a fuzzy guitar on a smoky night at 3 AM.

Fred Eaglesmith, WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 22,2011

The ragged backing vocals gave the performance almost a gospel feel. The distorted lead banjo and guitar gave the music an element of 60's garage rock. The rhythmic foundation keep the train on the track and Fred's gravely, but sure-voiced vocals seeped into the mix to produce a sound unlike anyone I could name. Steady throughout was the excellent song-writing. It was not country music, for the most part, it was what country music should have become. I could imagine Hank Williams being happy to walk the length of Gay Street from the Andrew Johnson Hotel to hear this music which is completely different from anything from his era, yet, I think he would recognize it immediately.

Fred Eaglesmith, WDVX Blue Plate Special, Knoxville, January 22, 2011

Fred played Thirty Years Of Farming which was a number one bluegrass hit for James King, but it was the sound of the new music that was so intoxicating on this day. Delivering the goods was a man who knows his place and feels good about it. He will never be a hit on contemporary country radio, but as he says on his web site, he can draw a hundred or two hundred people almost anywhere in the world who are willing to pay twenty bucks to see him and that suits him perfectly. He also told wry jokes and mentioned his fascinating oil paintings, which are for sale on his excellent web site.

I've found an artist I plan to enjoy getting to know very well. Thank you, one more time, WDVX.