JANUARY 14, 2010 ISSUE
Scene and Heard in 2009: A Musical Year in Review
After yet another super hectic holiday season, it’s nice to sit back, sip on an adult beverage of my choice and reflect on the last 12 months of musical happenings in the High Country. Incredible performances occurred. Venues opened. Venues closed. New bands emerged to take the places of those who split or moved away. It was a long and crazy year like any other, and it has again been my pleasure to chronicle the happenings in and around the High Country musical landscape.
Rising local bands like Do It To Julia and Doc Aquatic made a few waves before fleeing the scene for Asheville’s supposed greener pastures, while fans of more eclectic and alternative music styles rejoiced as 641rpm stepped up to fill the void left in the wake of Black Cat’s decision to cease hosting music.
Another promising sign arrived in a cloud of perfumed smoke as Koncepts Hookah Lounge quickly became a hot spot for young bands, as well as young fans. Aside from Legends, the room is just about the only place in town where people under 21 can enjoy live music without a fake ID.
The country’s poor economic climate hit locally as the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock was forced to close its doors after only a few short years of hosting not only theater productions, but also great live music. The beautiful facility played host in recent months to performances by John Cowan, The King Bees, Roy Roberts, Chris Brubeck, John McEuen, Livingston Taylor and the Lonesome River Band. With luck, the situation can be resolved in 2010 and the Hayes Center can resume bringing quality events to local patrons.
On a personal note, my musical year that was 2009 began and ended on stage, and I couldn’t ask for much more than that. Possum Jenkins took the Dragonfly Theater & Pub stage after midnight at what turned out to be an epic triple bill that also featuring Naked Gods and the Lost Ridge Band to ring in 2009, while Soul Benefactor rang in 2010 at Crestwood.
My fingers are crossed that 2010 will bring a whole new batch of transcendent musical moments both on stage and in the audience. Below are my thoughts on a few shows and events that I caught during the past 12 months that really stood out.
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Carolina Chocolate Drops @ Canyons
Sitting in the sea of green chairs that surrounds MerleFest’s Watson Stage and watching the Carolina Chocolate Drops is always a good time, but not nearly as fun as watching them deliver their unique, foot-stomping brand of old-time roots music up close and personal. Fans young and old braved thick November fog, packing Canyons to catch the Chocolate Drops, as well as a stellar opening set by Hobex and Dillon Fence founder Greg Humphreys. And while fans hoped and hollered for the music, their biggest applause was arguably reserved for a special clogging appearance by the one and only Arthur Grimes of Boone.
Naked Gods
Naked Gods (and friends) @ Boone Saloon
The hype that built to a fever pitch upon the release of their first full-length release followed Naked Gods into 2009, as the band packed numerous local performances throughout the year at Boone Saloon and other spots around town. Fortunately for local indie music fans, the Gods’ swapping with a number of up-and-coming acts from all over the East Coast provided for some of last year’s most exciting lineups. With any luck, bands such as Generationals, Floating Action, The Middelmen and The Holy Liars will return to the High Country and give the local scene the shot in the arm it so desperately needs.
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson & Asleep At The Wheel @ The Holmes Center
With his last local performance at An Appalachian Summer Festival a distant memory, music fans were pumped for the long awaited return of Willie Nelson to Boone. The Red Headed Stranger rolled into a frigid High Country last February, along with famed Texas cohorts Asleep At The Wheel, to support their recent aptly titled collaborative recording, Willie & The Wheel. Thousands of fans defied the blisteringly cold temperatures as Willie, Wheel guitarist Ray Benson and the band delivered a swinging set of jazzy Western swing that heated up the Holmes Center.
The Legendary JCs
The Legendary JCs @ Boone Saloon
For those of us who weren’t alive during the golden era of soul music, seeing the Legendary JCs live is about as close as we’ll ever get to Memphis or Mussel Shoals circa 1967. What makes the band’s jaw dropping local appearances even more special is the fact that the Florida-based septet doesn’t play very many live shows outside their home state. Fortunately, the band’s fondness for the High Country brought them to Boone Saloon three times in 2009 to play for an increasingly ravenous fan base that can’t seem to get enough of frontman Eugene Snowden’s boundless energy and undeniable soul power.
Donna The Buffalo performing at Daniel Boone Days Culture & Music Festival
Daniel Boone Days @ Horn In The West
Daniel Boone Days Culture & Music Festival returned to Horn In The West in 2009 with roots boogie kings Donna the Buffalo bringing their fans, loving referred to as “The Herd,” to dance the night away. Making their second appearance at the festival in as many years, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge ripped through a set of the band’s signature brand of blazing bluegrass. With any luck, people are starting to realize that we as a community have an incredible spot for live music at Horn In The West. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have the same outdoor drama EVERY SINGLE NIGHT of the summer, but…well…you know what I mean.
The Middlemen
The Middlemen @ Boone Saloon
There are plenty of bands out there that spend more time picking out the perfect vintage t-shirt than they do figuring out the nuts and bolts of how to play a rock show. But about 10 seconds after Tennessee rock trio The Middelmen hit the Boone Saloon stage last fall, it became readily apparent that it wasn’t their first rodeo. Churning out a sweaty and furious guitar-led assault, frontman Bobby Gray howled through a rousing set of growling country-tinged rockers that singed the hairs off anyone standing close to the stage. With luck, the High Country hasn’t seen the last of The Middlemen.
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