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The Tedeschi Trucks band performs at Wolf Trap on July 17, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
The Tedeschi Trucks Band had a stroke of good luck in the form of an early evening thunderstorm recently. The pouring rain cooled down what was a sweltering hot day, making the atmosphere at Wolf Trap for their performance decidedly comfortable.
Chuck Mead (Photo by Joshua Moon Wilkins)
In the ’90s through the mid ’00s, Chuck Mead led the (alt-)country band BR5-49, which placed several albums into the country charts, despite minimal radio airplay. Following the band’s hiatus, Chuck became the musical director for the Broadway show Million Dollar Quartet and its TV spin-off, Sun Records. Chuck has also released four solo records including, just this June, Close to Home.
This coming Tuesday, July 23, Chuck will appear in the Cosmic Honky Tonky Revue at The Hamilton Live with Jason Ringenberg and Jim Lauderdale. Mark Engleson of Parklife DC caught up with him before the show.
Weird Al (Photo courtesy Al Yankovic)
Some people view Weird Al Yankovic as “uncool,” as meant for geeks and nerds — for the weird kids. And while I certainly was one of those growing up, there were enough of us odd ducks at Wolf Trap to pack the place recently. And we got one of heck of a show.
Will Scheff fronts Okkervil River at The Hamilton Live on July 15, 2019. (Photo by David LaMason)
A reverent crowd sat in hushed admiration for the songs composed by Okkervil River founder and frontman Will Scheff, who praised The Hamilton Live for its feeling of openness and its listening room environment, during a recent stop on the band’s Rarities & Requests Tour.
Eilen Jewell (Photo by Joanna Chattman)
Eilen (pronounced ee-len) Jewell’s appearance with her band at Mason District Park on Friday evening was a family affair. Her husband, Jason, plays drums and provides backing vocals. Their darling five-year-old daughter Mavis frolicked amidst the greenery and even joined in the music-making.
Randy Rogers Band performs at Lone Star Jam on May 3, 2015. (Photo by Maggie Boyd)
Powerhouse Americana sextet the Randy Rogers Band put on a Texas-sized spectacular recently at the 9:30 Club.
Randy and company took the stage as Lone Star State icon and Outlaw troubadour Ray Wylie’s “Snake Farm” played, with Randy front and center, slinging an acoustic guitar, dressed in a button-down shirt washed out by the spotlight, black jeans, white pointed leather shoes, and a white cowboy hat.
Radney Foster (Photo courtesy IVPR)
At least on a per capita basis, the DC metro area must offer one of the highest levels of arts and cultural programming in the country. Remarkably, many of these can be enjoyed completely for free. Fairfax County sponsors the Spotlight by Starlight concert series at Mason District Park, with performances by both local and national touring artists. Not only are these concerts completely free, they are funded entirely by private donations.
My latest delightful journey there took me to see Americana songwriter Radney Foster.
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