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Generally speaking, my knowledge of Nashville's music communities began with the rock scene in the 1980s - Jason and the Scorchers, Walk the West, The Questionnaires, Raging Fire, The Movement, In Pursuit, Bill Lloyd, Webb Wilder, Shadow 15, Royal Court of China and others. I was aware of Waylon, Willie, and Kris and their music, but I did not know the story of their early days in Nashville. A couple of years ago, for my birthday, my friends Pat and Kelsey bought me two books. One was "Outlaw: Waylon, Willie, Kris and the Renegades of Nashville" by Michael Streissguth. It is a great book and very informative about how this songwriters defied the conventions of the country music establishment and made it work. I was a fascinating peek into a moment of Nashville music history, and I was also able to draw parallels to the East Nashville songwriting community today.
Last night, in East Nashville, I had the joy of seeing Kris Kristofferson perform - at The Basement East (Night 2 of his sold out 3 night stand). Backed by Merle Haggard's band The Strangers (with Ben and Noel Haggard performing some of their late father's music). The band sounded great and the younger Haggards are talented and engaging. Kristofferson is 83 years old. The joy he showed performing was palpable. His songs were as powerful as ever. "Sunday Morning Coming Down", "Me and Bobby McGee", "The Pilgram" - it was incredible hearing this songs live done by the man who wrote them. Being so close to the stage, and the realization of the history and the stories...
Moving into Year 8 of E2TG - we have our usual "Wild Wednesday" shuffle- where you never know what you might hear... Off we go!
