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Ever seen the Brothers Robinson do their Southern rock thing on one of the grandest stages in music?  I have, and it was infreakingcredible.  If you get a chance to check out one of the greatest rock front men of this generation, see the Black Crowes tonight at The Ryman Auditorium.  Show starts around 7:30.

The facts:

• Ben Kweller headlined at the Exit/In last Friday night.
• Tim Fite opened.

The celebrity sightings:

• Again with the Brendan Benson!!! As I was pulling into the parking lot behind the Exit/In, I noticed ol’ Brendan parking his slick little scooter before hopping on to what I’m assuming was BK’s tour bus.

The observations:

• Tim Fite is another mad, mad man. Imagine Spanky (from Our Gang/The Little Rascals) in seersucker overalls, being backed by “his brother” (also in seersucker) on keyboard and himself (via a large video screen behind him) on a mean sounding resonator type instrument, rapping about “the system!” There was audience participation (eye exams!) and a power point introduction for each song by “the man with itchy legs.” Fite’s set was truly one of the strangest I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing. Very entertaining.

• It was hot in the ol’ Exit/In that night, but when BK took the stage, it only got hotter. The outstanding set included “Run,” “Penny on the Train Track” and “Sundress” as well as “Thirteen” and an incredible extended version of “Red Eye.” Brendan even got a shout out from his buddy before “Family Tree.” My only disappointment coming from the absence of “I Gotta Move” but BK totally made up for it by playing a new song called “Fight.” According to Ben, the tune will be appearing on his next album, one he called “country.” Check it out below. For more clips from the show (including a pretty sweet “Dueling Banjos” warm up, CLICK HERE.


The conclusion:

• Ben Kweller is a ultra-talented singer/songwriter who’s enthusiasm and passion for the music is so evident in his live show, it’s scary. I can’t wait until he comes back to Nashville. Long live BK.

The extra:

• After the show, I headed straight to my car that was parked right next to BK’s tour bus about 40 feet from the back door of the Exit/In. As I was getting into my car, I noticed Ben and his boys standing around the back door. I’ve never asked for an autograph in my entire life, but this was just too golden of an opportunity to pass up. I clicked my digital camera into the “on” position, sut my car door and headed towards Ben. As I approached him he looked up at me and I began my pitch: “Hey Ben, seriously, I’ve never done this in my entire life and I really hate to be ‘that guy’ (fully aware of the irony that’s taking shape) because I know you’re exhausted, but I’m a huge fan so is there any way I could get a quick picture with you?” Ben was extremely gracious but definitely let me know that it needed to be quick because he was indeed really tired. I handed the camera to lady who was hanging out with him and he put his arm around my shoulder. I saluted with the rock-common ‘devil horns’ (\../) as the lady raised my camera. “Say cheese!” she said right before she pushed the button down. It made a little noise and she quickly handed it back to me and said “Thanks a lot man. Have a good night.” I told Ben “Thanks” and headed to my car with a sick feeling in my stomach. I knew the picture hadn’t taken. No flash, no actual picture taking noises… just the very subtle noise that you hear when the camera is focusing. I prayed that somehow I was wrong and that the picture would miraculously be there despite my certainty that it wouldn’t. I got in my car and turned the camera on and… well, you know. It wasn’t there. He had been so gracious and I just didn’t have the heart to trouble him again. It’s totally my fault for assuming that all people know how to use my camera. Ben, if you happen to read this, please comment just to let people know that I’m not making this up. We shared a legit rock moment damnit!

The facts:

• Modest Mouse headlined at The Ryman yesterday evening.
• Love as Laughter and Band of Horses co-opened, in that order.
• I totally missed Love as Laughter’s set.

The celebrity sightings:

• Nikki Taylor with her twin boys in the balcony. Did I see one of the kids flipping through an autographed copy of the liner notes from Modest Mouse’s We Were Dead?
• Jack White’s fellow Raconteur Brendan Benson in the balcony trying to sit on some cute blonde’s lap. Oh behave Brendan.
• Bobby Bare Jr. and Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket guitarist) sitting together with their wives/better halves in the balcony. You know you’re in Nashville when the musicians in the audience don’t stand to watch the show. I love you Bobby, but get on your freaking feet son. Carl, if you’re reading this, we have a mutual friend so I really believe that entitles me to the opportunity of buying you a beer sometime in the not-so-distant future. Call me. We’ll be best friends. I just know it.

The observations:

• Ben Bridwell and his cowboy booted buddies have set the new standard for southeastern rock and roll. Their live sound is so tight and polished, and yet at the same time there is a raw energy that these guys play with that truly makes them a joy to watch. Ben is one hell of a front man too. Watching him reminds me of Chris Robinson, only with more talent. I’m a huge Chris Robinson/Black Crowes fan, so believe me, that’s saying something. Band of Horses played four tracks (I think) off of their upcoming album, and they were all excellent, especially the set closer. I didn’t catch the name of the song, so if anyone did, please chime in. I have a feeling they’ll be closing their next gig in Nashville with that one, and my bet is they’ll be headlining by that time. You could tell that the boys really appreciated the stage they were on, and it showed in their performance. Carl, I hope you were taking some notes, because as big a MMJ fan as I am, I have to say that the boys from South Carolina almost out-MMJed you on The Ryman hardwood last night.
• I’m not a huge Modest Mouse fan, although I am quite fond of their last two albums. That being said, Isaac Brock is truly a mad freaking genius, with an emphasis on mad. Seriously. Dude’s nuts. Sinister and nuts. I kept thinking Tom Peloso was going to slip in his cowboy boots (a tribute to Nashville maybe?); I’m glad he didn’t. Isaac’s screaming into his guitar pickups has to be one of the cooler rock and roll moves I’ve seen in a long time. Johnny Marr plays a mean guitar.

The conclusion:

• It was a good show, probably a great show if I were a hard core MM fan. The stage got stolen though, and I think the thieves were wearing western shirts and banging tambourines with drumsticks, kind of like this… (from an earlier BoH show this year)

• Slaughter, Quiet Riot and Vince Neil at the Wildhorse Saloon - 8.10.07 @ 6:00 pm
• 4th Annual Tomato Art Fest in historic East Nashville - 8.11.07
• Williamson County Fair at the Ag Expo Center - Last day is 8.11.07!!!

QUESTION: When was the last time a Quiet Riot / Slaughter show started at 6:00 pm????

I’ve had a serious music crush on Gillian Welch ever since I heard her voice on the Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. Since then I’ve considered myself cast under her spell, much like the effect the Sirens had on Pete, Everett and Delmar. I am truly mesmerized by her talent. The Grammy-winning Ms. Welch will be performing at Cannery Ballroom tonight. The show starts at 9:00.

The very subdued (sarcasm implied) Irishman Ted Leo is bringing his band of prescription drug-fillers to the Exit/In tonight for their special brand of smart-rock. Show starts at 8:00. Here’s to hoping Ted does a little “Since U Been Gone…”

Geez… I hope John Mayer’s not waiting on Nashville to change, because if he is, it looks like he might have to hang around until September 11.

The good news is that at least he’s already in town! Yeah, John Mayer is bringing his badass guitar chops (and his impressive blogging skills) to The Sommet Center tonight. (Former?) local boy Ben Folds is one of the opening acts, so it should be a good time.  The show starts at 7:00 and some tickets are still available.

News Channel 5 has the low down on the Metro Nashville Mayoral run-off set to go off on September 11.

This makes me wonder if the candidates ever plan for a run-off. Did Karl Dean or Bob Clement hold reserves back in anticipation of something like this happening? Will the ads continue to run? Maybe someone better versed in politics can offer an answer…

As of 8:39 pm, News Channel 5 is reporting that the Metro Nashville Mayoral race is within 45 actual votes!  I smell a runoff!

It’s time to get your vote on Nashville.  Click HERE to find out where you go vote, and then do it!