By Wil Comstock
Music City Arts Contributing Writer
Sunday, Sept.
25 -- Last day of Americana Music Fest
The Sixth Annual Gospel Brunch
11 a.m. -- City Winery
Hosted
by The McCrary Sisters. Featuring: Cece
Winans, Lori McKenna, Bonnie Bishop, Sons of Bill, and Luke
Bell.
I attended this
show last year and really enjoyed myself.
I guess word really got around. My
heart sunk as MCA Editor Chuck Whiting and I approached City Winery... The line extended
outside into the valet parking area. “They must be starting late like last
year”, I told Chuck, not yet giving up hope.
But once I heard music start up, I knew the seats were all taken. Soon a woman came out and told us they were
going to try to get us all in on Standing Room Only. But that wouldn’t be fun. I was hungry and
had skipped breakfast so I could enjoy the chicken and waffles they were
serving. I got out my Americana Fest
Guide and looked for plan B.
Sunday Morning Coming Down
12 p.m. -- Fond Object
Records
Featuring
JP Harris, Tim Easton, and Ariel Bui
Pulling up, we soon realized that this was not a
record company. It was a vinyl record
store with vintage clothes and antiques, housed in a vintage strip mall. This place was funky, and I liked it.
The music was out back in the yard. Things were just starting up. I grabbed a vodka cocktail and sat on a
cinder block to watch the first act who I had already determined was damn
good. Randolph, the guy behind me, said
this was “Tim Easton, had you ever heard of him?”
I replied, “No, why hadn’t I?".
Easton is a suburban blues artist.
Virtuoso guitar and killer vocals.
This is one of those guys that really should have made it big. He played a few more songs, and his set was
finished. I made a note to check this
guy out later online. At that moment, the
Mas Tacos
Por Favor food truck pulled up. I have
been hearing great things about Mas Tacos for years but have never sampled
their gastronomical delights. Here was my chance. I ordered a Cuban Carne for me and a Quinoa
Sweet Potato for Chuck. These tacos were
the bomb! But it was time to catch the
show in East Nashville that I had been waiting for…
Sunday School Hosted By Sarah
Potenza
2 p.m. -- The Family Wash
Featuring
Mary Gauthier, Christine Ohlman, Lilly Hiatt, Kimberly Nichole, Meghan Linsey, and Sarah Potenza paying tribute to the Staples
Singers, Mavis Staples, Mahalia Jackson, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
After being introduced to the incredible voice of
Sarah Potenza on Thursday, there was no way I was going to miss this show. We arrived 45 minutes early to find there
were no seats left. We got on the
waiting list, and just before the show started, got a seat behind a closed window
that looked across the room to the stage.
Not exactly what I had in mind! I
ordered a Yazoo Sour and a Camardo Sandwich, yum, and Chuck ordered the crispy
Catfish Sandwich. Once host Potenza
took the stage, I was on my feet elbowing through the crowd. What a voice this woman has, a sultry alto
that will make you weep. Back in my seat
finishing my sandwich and beer, I enjoyed the soulful Kimberly Nichole, followed
by the refreshing Lilly Hiatt. Unfortunately
I had lost my pen and was unable to jot down what songs were sung by whom, and
I can’t rely on my memory ; ). The great discovery, for me, of the show was
Meghan Linsey! All of these women were
incredible vocalists, but Meghan had us all in the palm of her hand. This woman drew water from the well and
poured it all over the thirsty crowd. Phenomenal! Back on my feet and inching my way to the
front, I could touch special guest,
veteran Christine Ohlman (the Beehive Queen) who brought a smile, a whoop , and
a holler to everyone in attendance. Christine began as a lead vocalist for the
Saturday Night Live band in 1991. She
has provided background vocals for the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Nils Lofgren
and a host of others in her long career. Inviting Potenza up to the stage to duet with her on the closing numbers
sent my soul into the stratosphere. Hallelujah!
Sunday School has never been better than this!
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