Chris Janson @ 12th & Porter 8-7-09

The first time I saw Chris Janson was @ Tootsies back in about 2005. He wasn't even 21 yet & he was performing on the main stage @ the most well known honky tonk on Broadway. His version of White Lightning w/ his harmonica playin' won me & my friend over right then & there.

Ever since then, I have seen him many times in town & also saw him open for Shooter Jennings in Birmingham & Chattanooga. Chris used to play @ 3rd & Lindsley monthly & these were some of my favorite shows of his. He still does play monthly @ Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant in Leiper's Fork, which I believe is the area he lives. I have heard that the Puckett's shows are acoustic & he may have people join him onstage to swap some songs, but I have yet to make it to a show of his there. His concerts are some of the most entertaining that I have ever witnessed. I believe Chris has the stage presence & talent to eventually make it big...& I'm not sure why he hasn't yet.

This time @ 12th & Porter was the first time I had seen Chris in a while. He has been touring w/ The Davisson Brothers Band in the West Virginia area alot this year. It seemed to me that he did more slower songs @ this show, whereas he used to play more rockin' ones. I don't remember hearing "Freak", which is one of my favorites of his harder edge tunes...& believe me it has plenty edge.

I enjoyed most all of the new songs I heard, however I missed not hearing the old ones that I expected to be jammin' to...."Shoot Off The Locks" & "Tight Jeans". In addition, I do believe I missed out on his usual 15-minute plus harmonica solo & "follow my lead" w/ his guitar player this time around. Chris, if you happen to read this.....bring 'em all back buddy!

As usual, I look forward to the next time he is playing in town & I am definitely going to make it out to a Puckett's show in Leiper's Fork. Go here to get a taste & check his tour dates:

http://www.myspace.com/chrisjanson

Drive-By Truckers @ Cannery Ballroom 8-6-09

First of all, I'll have to say that I enjoyed DBT much more this time than the first time I saw them. The first time I saw them was @ The Tennessee Theater in 2006 & I'm not sure if I didn't dig them because I was on the very front row & that shit was LOUD (& I love loud music)....or if it was because I didn't know any songs @ all. Either way, it had to do with not being able to hear the lyrics. I enjoy going to see bands live that I've never heard a whole album of before, but their first live show didn't win me over. Since that show, I have become a big fan of Isbell's solo work & listened to more of DBT's songs.

I'd have to say my favorite songs would have to be Carl Perkins Cadillac & 3 Dimes Down...& I just happened to get some video of both of these songs.

In short, I came away from this show with a new appreciation for DBT & will more than likely attend again.

Since I don't know too much about the ol' DBTs, I asked Skinny Cheese to add a lil' & he said, "4 times seeing the Truckers...first time hearing Carl Perkins' Cadillac live...well worth it!".

Set List:

Feb 14

Women Without whiskey

George Jones Talkin' cellphone blues

Carl Perkins Caddy

Great Car Dealer War

Sinkhole

Self D Zones

Hell No I ain't Happy

Marry Me

Houston

Opening Act

Checkout time in Vegas

A World of Hurt

Ghost to Most

Home Field Advantage

Daddy Learned to Fly

Lookout Mtn.

E--3 dimes down

E--Buttholeville

E--Shut up and get your ass on the plane

E--Puttin' people on the moon

E--People who died

Kill Nashville Pop @ Douglas Corner Cafe 8-6-09

I heard from a friend that Ray Scott & Daryle Singletary were going to be playing @ Douglas Corner Cafe & I had another show to go to later that night (Drive-By Truckers @ Cannery) & it was also on 8th Ave. ..... so why not double down?!?

As I walk in the entrance, a girl was telling me that the show was free, but they were selling stickers (see picture @ top of this blog) that she was holding. Of course, I bought a couple because of many reasons - I liked the slogan & agree, they got Ray & Daryle to play a free show for them, & I liked the slogan & agree (yeah, that was my main reason, ha). Teresa Farris was onstage as I walked to the bar & I saw Ray in the back by the bar also. After getting a beer, I grabbed a table & got settled in to enjoy the show. Teresa did a couple classic country covers. Ray Scott took the stage next & was introduced by the event organizer Larry "The Rev" Shell.

Ray did a mix of his old & newer songs & seemed to have a pretty good crowd there to see him & they sported their Ray shirts for the event & sang along with all songs.

I've liked Ray Scott & his music from the first time I saw his video for "My Kind of Music". That song is so true & I can relate to it very well. However, I also felt that his whole first album was great. I have his second album, but have not listened to it as much because it didn't grab me like his first one did. With that said, I believe that Ray Scott was a great selection for the first meeting for the movement called Kill Nashville Pop.

Daryle Singletary was another good decision to have perform. Former WSM DJ & Grand Ole Opry announcer Keith Bilbrey introduced Daryle.

Daryle also did mostly classic country covers. Jim Ed Brown joined Dayle onstage for "Pop a Top".