Monthly Archives: March 2014
CLASSIC CONCERT: The Pretenders @ Austin Opera House / Austin, TX / September 15, 1981
In 1979, I became a fan of Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders when I first heard their delightful debut single. Their cover of a lesser-known 1964 Kinks album cut “Stop Your Sobbing” was a pure pop gem produced by Nick Lowe. Back in those days, I would buy songs like this on British import singles […]
Neutral Milk Hotel @ Ryman Auditorium / Nashville TN / February 4, 2014
In 1998 while I was apparently listening to a lot of other things instead, Athens, Georgia based Neutral Milk Hotel released their second album, In the Aeroplane over the Sea. A cult following developed around Aeroplane, and it wound up selling a lot of copies. Soon afterward, the band went on a long hiatus. They […]
CLASSIC CONCERT: Rachel Sweet @ El Mocambo / Toronto, Canada / July 17, 1979
In 1978 and 1979, former Akron, Ohio childhood star Rachel Sweet had a quick flash of musical stardom driven by the marketing genius of London’s Stiff Records. She started off strong riding the crest of the New Wave scene with her delightful blend of pop and country. Later in the 80s, she saw a few […]
Music City Landmarks #5—Walkin’ Nashville Tour
Location: see http://www.walkinnashville.com/ for tour info Although not a music landmark in itself, Bill DeMain’s Walkin’ Nashville tour has quickly become one of the best things that Music City has to offer. The respected singer-songwriter and music journalist has put together a captivating 2 hour tour through downtown Nashville. Several famous sites serve as a […]
Caitlin Rose @ Grand Ole Opry / Nashville, TN / March 21, 2014
My visiting relatives and I made a trip to see the always entertaining Grand Ole Opry out at the Grand Old Opry House. Can you believe that 40 years have passed since the Opry left the Ryman for their new bigger, modern home? Well, we had the pleasant surprise of seeing one of my favorite […]
BEYOND BELIEF: Rusty–A Duo with Declan in 1972: An Interview with Allan Mayes
This interview originally appeared in Beyond Belief #8 back in December 1996. “I used to do a gig in Liverpool. Me and my partner used to play this “lonely-hearts club” ‘cause it was the worst gig you could possibly have. Early in the evening, all the ladies sat on one side of the room and […]
Art Garfunkel @ Franklin Theatre / Franklin TN / January 30, 2014
The City of Franklin proudly served as the launching pad for a brief tour by Art Garfunkel. The 72 year-old singer and high vocal half of the famous musical duo returned to the stage after recovering from vocal cord issues. These struggles set him back considerably since 2010. Garfunkel limited himself to only 10 dates […]
CLASSIC CONCERT: The Everly Brothers @ Majestic Theatre / San Antonio, TX / September 24, 1993
During the 80’s and 90’s when I lived there, San Antonio offered some unique and exciting sounds of its own. In addition, many great Texas acts performed in town. There were serious dry spells, however, when it came to touring acts, or “road shows,” as Texans like to call them. Things improved in late 80’s […]
CLASSIC CONCERT: Rockpile @ The Palladium / New York, NY / August 20, 1979
In late 1976, Manhattan’s Academy of Music on East 14th Street changed its name to The Palladium. Throughout the 70’s, this former movie theater served as a prominent concert venue hosting many great shows under both names in the City. Sadly, the Palladium was converted to a nightclub in the 80’s and later demolished in […]
ON THE ROAD: Willie Nile @ Outpost in the Burbs / Montclair NJ / January 10, 2014
“Willie Nile is so good I can’t believe he’s not from New Jersey!” —Little Steven Van Zandt Since his 1980 self-titled debut, I have loosely followed and enjoyed East Coast singer-songwriter Willie Nile’s recorded output. Nineteen eighty was also the year I left Jersey. It took me over thirty years to finally see him live […]
Music City Mike 