Saturday, First show at 3rd and Lindsley
The Musical World of ABC's "Nashville; Benefit
for Bonaparte's Retreat
Starring the cast of 'Nashville'
Report from MCAU Contributing Writer Wil Comstock
Leaving my part-time
Saturday job early, I raced downtown to get in line for this much-anticipated
show. Turning onto Lindsley, I immediately found a place to park. “Ahhh,
the gods must be with me!” On foot rounding the corner onto 3rd
Ave. my heart sinks. The line extends at least three quarters of the way
down the long office complex. MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting is saving a place
for me somewhere in that long line, and now it is beginning to move into the
now open venue! “Don’t panic, stay calm, you’ll get in”, I keep saying to
myself as I scan the crowd for Chuck’s familiar face. Found him... whew!
Soon inside, I run upstairs while Chuck looks for seats on the ground
floor. I quickly found a table in the corner, not a great view. I
texted my buddy and waited, and waited. With my jacket over the chair to secure
the table, I stepped to the balcony railing and began to search the crowd...
where is Chuck? Finally a text, “ I have a table.” But where? Eventually
looking down, I spot him just below me. He has a better view than I do, so I
grab my jacket and fly down the stairs.
Emcee Emmylou Harris, the founder of
Bonaparte’s Retreat, took the stage. (Bonaparte’s mission is to provide
nurturing care for dogs when their allotted time at a shelter has elapsed... with
the goal of placing the canines in the right home.) She welcomed
everyone and introduced the first act, singer-songwriter Janet Dryer, who placed nine songs to date on the show "Nashville". Dryer
opened with the haunting “This Town”, fueled by the ghostly chords of guitarist
Colin Linden. I am really liking this girl! Twisting a familiar
phrase, she said, “This is a song about love.” She then launched into “Love
Don’t Conquer All”. Janet said, “I and Loretta Lynn have the same hair
stylist. The stylist told me every time Loretta comes in, she sits down and
says, 'Honey, Jack it to Jesus and spray it to hell.'" I let those
words roll around for a while in my head and finally came up with a song for
Loretta.” The crowd cracked up listening to “Jack it to Jesus and Spray it
to Hell”!
 |
| Janet Dryer (Photo by Chuck Whiting) |
An explosion of shouts
and applause erupted as Emmylou introduced heartthrob Chis Carmack ("Nashville’s" Will Lexington). Wearing
a big smile and showing much appreciation, Chris rocked the house with “What If
I Was Willing”. As the cheers died down, he asked if there were any
bachelorette parties, and a few girls screamed. Carmack said, “My best
friend Adam is here with his bachelor party. This next song, which will be in
the 'Nashville' season finale, I wrote for his wedding.” Choking up, he continued,
“It’s called 'Brothers'." The women responded with “awww” as Chris
tenderly sang to his friend Adam, who was standing with friends at the
bar. The "Nashville" star asked if anyone liked the blues. There
were some whoops and hollers when he said he wanted to play his favorite B.B.
King song. He slowly ground into “Sweet Little Angel”, trading off guitar
solos with band leader Colin Linden. Who knew this guy was this talented?
 |
| Chris Carmack (Photo by Chuck Whiting) |
Chris introduced his ex
TV wife Aubry Peebles (Layla Grant),
who put a smile on all the guys' faces as she sweetly sang “She Don’t Have to
Know”.
Emmylou returned,
introducing "Nashville’s" music director, Colin Linden, who in turn
introduced the house band: Kevin
McKendree on keys, Greg Kaplan
on guitar and stringed instruments, Johnny
Hammond on bass, and Gary Craig
on drums. Colin picked up the ukulele and played “Knob and Tube”, the kick-off
song on his 12th album "Rich in Love". His voice
sounded familiar. Where have I heard bluesy, old-timey rock like this before...
hmmm? The crowd was swaying, I was swaying. I looked over at Chuck, and he
was swaying too, oh yeah! Linden, feeding off the audience, fired into the
title cut off his new album, “Rich in Love”. Closing my eyes, I felt like I am
sitting on the stoop outside an old country store on a hot Mississippi Delta
afternoon. Colin told us, “My favorite band in history recorded this next
song of mine... I was thrilled to meet Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and Levon Helm
when they cut 'Remedy'." Mystery solved. Colin is hugely influenced by
one of my favorites groups, The Band.
 |
| Colin Linden (Photo by Chuck Whiting) |
Emmylou entered with a
guitar to much applause. After her dog Bonaparte died in 2004, she went to
the animal shelter and asked, “What dog is next?” (to be euthanized). They
brought her Bella, who she adopted. Bella traveled with her all over the world
and was the inspiration for the song she treated us to, “Bella”. We met
three of the dogs now staying at Bonaparte’s, who are available for adoption.
 |
| Emmylou Harris introduces dogs rescued by Bonaparte's Retreat. (Photo by Chuck Whiting) |
A short-haired Clare Bowen (Scarlett O’Conner) and
fiancé Brandon Young appeared on
stage to much clapping and cheering. Their first song, “Long Runner”, brought
the house down. Clare said the next song was one she wrote for her
mother. I wasn't sure about the title, but it sure sounded great. It might
be called “I’m Rolling, I’m Moving, I’m Shaking”... then again, it may not! I
leaned over to Chuck and asked what the title was, but he shruged back at me.
 |
| Clare Bowen (Photo by Chuck Whiting) |
Clare introduced Jonathan Jackson (Avery Barkley), and
once again the women start shouting. Jackson flashed a big smile, and
strumed the opening chords to the rocker, “Don’t Ask Me Why”.
Clare returned, dedicating her last
song to all of the dogs at Bonaparte’s Retreat. With Colin Linden on
acoustic guitar, she closed the evening with “When the Right One Comes
Along”. Midway through, I ran out the door to get in line for the 9:30
show saying,"Burrr it’s cold out here!" But I didn't have any
complaints about the show I'd just seen.
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