2008 concert update, half a year in review...

wow, it's hard to believe that the year is half over! so far i feel like i'm a little behind schedule with only 15 shows under my belt this year.

what i may lack in quantity, i guess i have made up for in quality...the first show of the year kicked it off properly, cat power @ the vic in chicago on february 2nd. it was -2f
(-42f w/windchill) and that is cold, very cold, numbingly cold. it's hard to describe the enigma that is this woman. she is natural beauty with a voice like no other. indescribable. (imnsho) she, OtR and ryan adams are "the best" out there making music right now, i'm glad i finally got the chance to see her peform live. she and her band were simply amazing. the second the show was over, i wanted more, and i still do. i can't wait for the next time.

alejandro escovedo (with carrie rodriguez) and kathleen edwards both rocked @ headliner's (kathleen rocked louisville so hard she may have triggered the earthquake that still had us shakin' the next morning after her show). and there was a couple of brilliant opening sets by the local phenom, ben sollee (f/OtR & alejandro) and mary gauthier (OtR & cowboy junkies). plus, a great set and a nice opportunity to chat with justin and tasha golden of ellery at the rudyard kipling.

i feel fortunate to have been introduced this year to the rockin', kick-ass blues of grace potter and the nocturnals (also @ headliner's) and the good vibes and beautiful voice of julie lee (accompanied by jake bradley) opening for OtR @ CST. i saw great sets delivered by both and i hope to see them again soon.

i've also been lucky enough to see my favorites; i've had eight over the rhine shows (so far). i was blessed with opportunity to walk the stage and backstage area of the ryman with K&L. "i" stood where johnny, hank, willie, patsy and virtually every legend of american music has stood and peformed, on the hallowed hardwood stage of the ryman auditorium, then watch them, along with jake perform a great set of music on that same hallowed ground (and walk off to a standing ovation). it was an honor to be there that night. a stage and venue that has been graced and revered by the greatest of music legends, artists that helped create and form the art of "american" music as we know it. oh what a night, not only was this the highlight of my year, it is one of the highlights of my life. thank you karin and linford.

i also got to see them with the closest of friends in the intimacy of the canal street tavern, a month later in the vastness of the brand spankin' new national city pavilion, sitting on the banks of the ohio, as they performed "ohio." followed a week later by a night in my hometown of atlanta. and a couple of weeks after that on an indescribable, beautiful night in the incredible, idyllic new harmony, indiana. as for the "other" favorites, i got to see cowboy junkies, who delivered a great set @ the clifton center only about 10 minutes from my home in louisville.

this weekend, over the 4th of july holiday, i get to start off the second half of the year on the right foot too, with tom waits at the fox theatre in atlanta. one of the best ever, in one of the best venues in the country.

and i get to see my mom and dad too.

a good start to the "back nine" of '08, i'd say...

02.10 - cat power @ the vic
02.23 - OtR (w/ben sollee) @ the bomhard
03.07 – tift merritt @ ear x-tacy
03.11 - grace potter and the nocturnals @ headliner's
03.14 - OtR @ the ryman* (w/ani)
03.27 - cowboy junkies (w/mary gauthier) @ the clifton center
04.17 - kathleen edwards @ headliner's
04.25 - OtR (w/julie lee) @ CST
04.26 - OtR (w/julie lee) @ CST
05.25 - OtR @ the national city pavilion
05.31 - OtR (w/mary gauther) @ the variety playhouse
06.09 - OtR @ woodsongs
06.11 - alejandro escovedo (w/ben sollee) @ headliner’s
06.13 - ellery (w/garrison starr) @ the rudyard kipling
06.14 - OtR @ new harmony, in
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07.05 - tom waits @ the fox
07.23 – OtR @ the fraze pavilion