Songbirds offers a new venue choice

Normally, we only pay special attention to anniversaries every five or 10 years. The ones in between usually don’t rate more than a nice card. But when Michael Welch and Nick Honerkamp looked at the calendar and realized this year marks the 28th year since the two, along with fellow charter member David Cornwell, created The Pool, they noticed something else as well.

“We’re getting close to 70 years old, so we thought we’d better do these every year,” Welch laughed.

The reason this show is noteworthy, in addition to the anniversary, is that it is being done at Songbirds Guitar Museum. This gives musicians and fans a new, really cool venue for live music. Welch says the band is approaching the performance as more of a showcase than their usual dance party.

“We’ll be doing some rockers that we’ve reworked.”

Monte Coulter is t he band’s drummer and his son, Monte Coulter III, will sit in on clarinet and keyboards. Welch said Tommy Lifsey will also sit in on drums for some songs.

› Col. Bruce Hampton died this past week while performing onstage in Atlanta. It was at the end of a show celebrating his 70th birthday.

It occurred to me thinki ng about Hampton j ust how tied to the local music scene he has been. And, how much he represents it. He has been playing here since the days of Michelangelo’s and performed at The Sandbar, Rhythm & Brews and Barking Legs Theater over the years.

Hampton was known as the Granddaddy of the Ja m Scene, and while jam Barry Courter music might not be your bag, you likely know at least a couple of the musicians who have played with him and /or called him an inspiration over the years. Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, John Popper, Dave Schools and Chuck Leavell are just some of the folks who were onstage with him Monday at the show.

Local music advocates have been pleading with fans to get out and check out the live shows that are happening all over town because of people like Col. Bruce Hampton. The chances of hearing his music on local radio were always pretty slim, and that seems to have always been a big driver for what gets people out. But, it shouldn’t be.

Seeing a guy like Hampton at a place like Barking Legs is an amazing opportunity. Take a chance. Go see an act you’ve never heard of. You’ll be glad you did.

› Jim Reynolds is being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame this weekend and the honor is well- earned. JR has been at WGOW since 1980, and has been the Voice of UTC football and basketball, calling more than 400 football games and 1,100 basketball games over that time.