Hey there friends, heres that year in review I promised you. I have been quite blessed in 2014, both by your support and in playing some really great shows throughout the year. (101 of them in fact, counting the upcoming NYE show with Pine Creek SK, and 2 as an honorary member of The J. Miller Band) Ive logged way too many miles on my old Subaru Loyale to count...and they have all been driven without a radio...but she keeps on a rollin, and as long as that continues to happen (and the creeks dont rise) I imagine Ill be seen even more often in 2015. I hope to see you even more often as well friends. Of those 100 shows to this point in 2014, all of which were unique and highly enjoyable in their own ways, here are my 10 favorites. Cary Hudson Music, was there for 3 of em. 10) 9/28- The Forge, Ft. Collins (w/ Zachary Lucky) They didnt know we were coming and had closed off the area that had music. Somehow very little word had gotten out about the show as well so there was barely any crowd outside of a few friends. We didnt even set up his band. Instead he and I just sat on the couch and played heart breakers back and forth to each other for an hour or 2, then went to my pals house for the night. Drank too much with those Canadian boys after the show and fed some potato chips to a deer. Yep, thats gotta make the list... 9) 8/29- Ancient Mariner, Manitou (Creating a Newsense Swan Song) If you were there, you know. Pure magic. Actually, this should probably be way higher on the list. 8) 5/16- Walnut Room, Denver (opening for Junior Brown) Legendary performer and really nice fella. Walnut Room was packed to the walls too! 7) 9/6- SMITH, Corinth MS & 9/7- Old Taylor Grocery, Taylor MS. These 2 tied as best nights of Fall tour. The folks in Corinth were so awesome that I really cant wait to get back there. Sweet historic town as well. Thanks too Scott Chism for the hook up on this one. Taylor Grocery with Cary was unforgettable. It included a guest spot from my son, an impromptu couple of songs from Blue Mountain, and some of the best Catfish Ive ever eaten. Then, to top it off the owner of the joint got up for a couple of Jimmy Rodgers songs! 6) 3/1- Swirl, Manitou (Carnivale) Great show with the band. Great to return to Manitou Carnivale action and you all were an awesome crowd to play for. Folks were all up in my face dancing! Hope to do that again in 2015. 5) 8/16- Bohemian Nights New West Fest, Ft. Collins (Songwriters Stage) Its really hard to get a nice vibe going in a festival set, but we had a great one that day. Never mind that they treat their artists like royals, the crowd was awesome. I was joined by my ol pal Grant Sabin at the end of my set. 4) 7/26- Stargazers, Colorado Springs (opening for Ray Wylie Hubbard) At first glance back through the year, I thought this might be number one. the crowd that night was great and Ray is an awesome cat. He introduced himself before sound check, watched my whole set, then invited me out for the encore. Plus, I dig his tunes a whole bunch for a lot of years. I will never forget that night. 3) 12/6- Stargazers (TESSA Benefit) Great night of music, with Barrel House String Band opening up and Conor Bourgal coming out for a couple with the band. I debuted 3 new songs that evening, one of which I showed the boys during sound check. They nailed it! This one only tops the previous Stargazers show though because of the tribute we did for my pal Squirrel, a legendary Hobo Americana original and dear friend who passed away earlier this year. The tribute included: Where the Earth Meets the Sky, The Dyin Hobo (Little Stream of Whiskey), and Unclouded Day with a choir of my friends and musical family. 2) 5/27- Ivywild School, Colorado Springs (2 Room Tour w/ Cary Hudson & Willy Tea and The Good Luck Boys) An amazing night of songs with some of my best friends in the world. Ended the night with a big on stage jam session! 1) 8/23- Concerts @539, Louisville (Mississippi Night) Myself with Sean and Jake, Scott Chism & the Better Half, and Cary Hudson! I dont know how anything could top this one. All the sit-ins with each other, outside in JRs backyard which was packed with what I think are some of the best fans of songwriters in all of Colorado. It really felt like a porch party in Hattiesburg Mississippi had been convened on a deck in Louisville Colorado, and all the spirits were just right. This will go down as one of my favorite all-time. Leave it to JR Ketelson and crew to top every honky tonk, bar room, venue, coffee shop, street corner, theater, or festival Ive played all year. I have to throw honorable mention to a couple of nights worth noting. 12/12 me and Jake played 2 of the most fun sets I played all year at Swirl, hitting on some old stuff of mine as well as covers from Hank and Willie to Velvet Underground. The next night, 12/13, me and Jake and the Fannings played a wonderful evening in Beulah at the Songbird. (Those 2 tied for number 11.) Thanks for tagging along with me this year friends. Hope to see you New Years Eve at Kinfolks in Manitou Springs, or New Years Day at Ivywild to kick off 2015!
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:07:53 +0000
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