Will Kimbrough » 2011

Americana-itis

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

It was a pretty amazing Americana Conference Week. Started out playing with Marshall Chapman at Station Inn.

Also on the bill were The Wronglers (with Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Robbie Gjersoe, Heidi Clare and Warren Hellman) and Peter Rowan!

Thursday was busy busy busy. Did some fun radio and press tapings and interviews, including this one for Freight Train Boogie (video footage courtesy of the lovely and talented Stacie Huckeba):

The Americana Awards show was Thursday night. There were great performances, especially by The Civil Wars (John Paul White is from Alabama, y’all) and Gregg Allman, whose “Melissa” was a real treat. By the way, I was nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year. Congratulations to Buddy Miller, who more than deserves the kudos!

Did a fun taping with Brigitte Demeyer and Chris Donohue for Bob Harris. Bob recieved a lifetime achievement award for broadcasting and gave a charming and heartfelt acceptance speech.

Played the Southern Festival of Books—-Nashville had a LOT going on last week—with Brigitte and Chris Friday afternoon, then took a break to have dinner with friends (Frothy Monkey is doing great dinner now…) and then rushed over to the Basement to see Ian McLagan’s set. It was amazing! He was everything I hoped for—funny as hell, soulful, rocking and rolling and swinging. John Notar Thomas played some excellent bass and nylon string guitar too. I got a big sweaty hug from Mac, too…

Kimbrough’s wife’s husband’s wife’s favorite band, The Bottle Rockets, were on the bill with us Friday night, so we headed straight over from the Basement to the Rutledge. Frank Sass was waiting to make it all sound right. Bottle Rockets were great.

My set was a blast. Nuff said.

Got up bright and early, with a few hours’ kip and drove to Northport, Alabama (across the Black Warrior River from Tuscaloosa) to play the Kentuck Festival of the Arts. It was a good one. Had a good time playing and saw some dear friends.

Drove back to Nashvegas after the Kentuck gig. It was 500 mile day. Dropped by the house for a cup of tea and a shower. Then headed back out for my midnight gig with Brigitte Demeyer. We had a great rhythm section: Chris Donohue and Brady Blade. What a thrill to play in that band. Got some sweet comments after from fans and heroes (Buddy Miller, Greg Leisz). Nice one!