Friday night @ Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

Hosting the Cameo stage was wonderful. What a beautiful venue.

First act: Jason Isbell Duo, which consisted of Jason Isbell and Browan Lawler from Jason Isbell and the 400 unit. All I can say is absolutely AMAZING! Great way to start off the night. Please see the video below ( forgive me for my bad filming, I missed their heads for about 30 secs of the video...hey, you got audio at least)

Next up was Eliza Lynn Band. Her tunes were great, and her harmonica player rocked the house. I must admit, I saw half of her set, because I had to run next door to see some of my good friend Sam Quinns set. So I didn't get a video, or picture. I know...I suck.

Pete Kartsounes was third up, and I will say, do not pronounce his name like it looks...it is Cartsoonesss. Just in case you ever happen to introduce him on stage. I caught half of his set as well, and he did really well, great songwriter. During his set, I hopped over to the Piedmont stage to catch the beginning of Holy Ghost Tent Revivals set...what great guys! They have a very eclectic sound that could make me dance for hours, and I hate dancing. Video below.

Lastly, Corey Harris and the 5x5 bands was up. I had a chance to sit and speak to these guys for a while backstage, and they are so chill and easy to talk to. My friend Sean, who was helping me host the stage, was so nice to take over the cameo stage and let me venture to Machiavellis during Corey's set, because the band I manage had arrived and needed to load in for their 11:00 set. This venue is smaller, but it was a ton of fun. The band did great, and there was some dancing going on...by the lead singers boyfriend. Quite a show. He was actually dancing w/ a lady who ...looks to me, had a broken leg. Go Mike!




Headed back to the hotel around 12:30 a.m to some jamming in the parking lot. I was able to dance and drink some beers, and talk to some musically inclined folks. Unfortunately, my camera had escaped me at this point.

Bands @ Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

Part of the fun of going to festivals for me, is seeing all my favorite bands that I have become friends with over the years in one place, and being introduced to new tunes from bands I wouldn't normally listen to unless someone forced a cd in my cd player. Im sort of a music snob. I admit.

This was my first year going to Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, and I must say it is quite an experience ( Thanks to my friend Dave Stallard). Bristol R&R is on State street in Bristol Va, and Bristol TN. You stand on one side of the street and you are in Tennessee, you look across the street, and that is Virginia. Wicked Crazy right?

Opening the schedule for BRR was like opening a present at Christmas time. There were so many bands, ( I didn't even count them...), starting at 5:00 on Friday afternoon through Sunday, there were at least two bands that I wanted to see at the same time, every hour. Such a hard choice, but so well planned. I got my little notebook out, and started writing down the bands I wanted to see at what times, I did NOT want to miss any bands that I have been waiting to see. Plus, I had to schedule my time around the band I manage who was also playing at Bristol R&R ( The Junior League Band), and I was also hosting the Cameo stage on Friday night.

Friday I arrived to check into our hotel. Much to our surprise.. the hotel we were staying at was completely booked for bands. Lots of the bands have been friends of mine for a while, and a lot of them, I have been wanting to meet. So this worked out Perfectly!! The New Familiars, Paleface, Ian Thomas, And the Moneynotes, Eliza Lynn, Corey Harris and the 5x5 band, Chris Volpe & Cheyenne Mize...and many many more.

Arrived at Bristol R&R to host the Cameo stage with my friend Sean Phipps. I must say, this was good for me, because I was able to see bands that I have not seen before. This kind of opened up new doors to my ears pursay. Shoot on over to the the blog about fridays acts...