AmericanaFest: Artists Bring ‘Hallelujah and Amen’ at Annual Gospel Brunch

By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Gospel Brunch at City Winery

Sept. 13 (Saturday)

I always enjoy the Gospel Brunch; delicious chicken and waffles and a chance to see some new talent and a few old favorites.

Surprise guests, The McCrary Sisters, opened the brunch with a stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace.”  It was set to the melody of “House of the Rising Sun.”  Each sister took a verse, with Ann reaching deep down inside and crying out to God like I have never heard her before.  Amen!

Artists of note were:

 Uwade who is from West Africana and living in Charleston.  Her sweet vocals and persona endeared her to the audience.

Courtney Marie Andrews who sounded a lot like an early Joni Mitchell with her lilting vocals and folk fingerpicking. 

Jay Buchanan, who along with his band, put on quite a three-song show.  His soaring vocals and magnetic stage presence made a fan out of everyone.

Tigers co-owner David Macias told us there would be a set change before the last guest came out. Sarah Potenza was the only person on the program who had not performed, so I rightly assumed it would be her. She usually has just her husband on guitar as backup.  But out came the drums, bass, electric guitar and a baby grand, along with the talented Sista Strings on cello and violin.  As the strings began, Sarah made her grand entrance in a sequined gown and sumptuously uttered the first line to “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s “Turandot.” (For those of you who are old enough, think of Areatha Franklin filling in for Pavarotti on the Grammy’s in 1998.)  A stunning performance!  She ended with a gospel choir backing her up on “Hallelujah Amen.”  I’ve followed Sarah for 12 years and have been waiting for this moment; to have a company recognize her talent and give her the support she needs.  Hallelujah and Amen.

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AmericanaFest: Gospel Brunch Raises the Roof at City Winery

 Saturday Gospel Brunch presented by Thirty Tigers

By MCAU Correspondent Wil Comstock

It was refreshing to have Kimberly Kelly take over hosting responsibilities for this year’s Gospel Brunch.  She was prepared, entertaining and informative in her introductions.

The show opened with a sweet rendition of “Amazing Grace” by Clover County, followed by a stripped-down version of Lauren Hill’s “Tell Him” by Blessing.

Road warrior Melissa Carper of Wonderwoman of Country did a reworking of her “Christian Sister” song, presenting it as “Christian Brother.” I like her honesty and humor.

Legend Swamp Dog, who is a young 82, had everyone clapping on his “She’s All I Got.” He has some colorful players in his band that added to the excitement of his performance. 

I was taken to another place by the earthy bluegrass of Britt Taylor on “Unclouded Day.” Her husband, Adam Chaffins, accompanied her on guitar and harmony vocals on the beautiful “The Best You Can Do Is Love.”

Texan Country Pop artist Tyler Bryant is sure to lasso a couple of hits with his “Thinking Outside The Box of Wine” and “Stay Wild.”

Liverpudlian Robert Vincent was backed by Lauren Housley and The Northern Cowboys.  His melodic songs slowly grab you and take you to the harmonic stratosphere.  At least he did this for me on “Burden” and “Demons.”

Lauren Housley and The Northern Cowboys, hailing from Yorkshire, UK, treated us to the bluesy “High Time.”  What an intense storyteller.

Who can keep still when The McCrary Sisters take the stage? Their performance of “Run On” with their brother Allen had me dancing.  I was raising my hands with them on the soulful “Help Me.”

Gospel and Americana legends, The Oak Ridge Boys, took the stage singing “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” to a thunderous crowd.  Lead singer and spokesman Duane Allen said, “Up until Joe (Bosnal) died, the four of us (Duane, Joe, Richard, and William Lee) had been together for 50 years. We’ve experienced a lot of grief in the last year. I lost my wife, William Lee lost a son, and Richard lost a father in law.” 

He said their producer, Dave Cobb, suggested they do an album of songs inspired by things their mother taught them.  The result is the upcoming “Mama’s Boys” to be released next month. From the new album, the Oaks sang the Dottie Rambo-penned “Mama Teaching Angels How to Sing” and Willie Nelson’s “I Thought About You Lord.”  Newcomer Ben James more than proved himself on tenor vocals. He was always reverential, taking a step back when Duane was talking. He had big shoes to fill. Introducing the last song, 

Duane said, “A lot of people thought this wasn’t a gospel song, but tell it to our families who were able to pay the bills that year.” They closed with “Elvira.”  No wonder it was a huge hit. I was singing “Elvira” to myself all afternoon!