« Unlock the Mind, Then Approach the Voting Booth | Main | Explain to me why I live here again.. »
November 03, 2006
SHG at Tennessee Valley Theatre Tonight
Who: Shani Hedden Group
What: Sweet Dreams - A Tribute to Patsy Cline
Where: Tennessee Valley Theatre, 184 W Jackson St, Spring City, TN 37381
When: Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm EST; Sunday, 2:00pm EST
How much: Call 423-365-7529 (the Saturday night show includes dinner at 6:30)
If you, like me, aren't sure where Spring City, TN is, exactly, then you can find out with me either Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Gracious folks there have a place called the Tennessee Valley Theatre, and that is where the Shani Hedden Group will be performing a special tribute to Patsy Cline for the weekend.
Joining the Shani Hedden Group for the first time is Mark Van Allen, a Georgia-based pedal steel guitarist whose expert skill keeps him in high demand all over the region. You may remember him, as do I, from an earlier incarnation of Blueground Undergrass, but "jamgrass" isn't the only trick up Mark's sleeve by any means.
We rehearsed yesterday, and the sound really came together. Shani Hedden Palmer is one of the best singers I've heard. Period. She can without doubt perform many styles, but her homage to Patsy is so similar to the original that it borders on eery. Whenever we perform, people that remember hearing Patsy Cline on the radio or in person come up and exclaim that they have been transported back to those earlier times.
Shani (pronounced SHAY-nee) is backed by her hubby, Kenny Palmer, on bass guitar, and Kenny ably serves in the band's leader role as well. I first heard Kenny play in an R&B band, and have since experienced just about every musical style with him, so his versatility and extreme musical knowledge have no trouble occupying the driver's seat in the classic country/western swing genre.
Years ago, I briefly played with Kenny and a drummer named Steve Wyatt in a rock outfit, and it's fun to have this rhythm section back together in a very different context. Steve brings a boundless energy and enthusiasm for playing that helps us all get through those long practice nights.
Then there's me, and I'm the luckiest one. I don't have the experience that these brilliant performers around me do, nor do I have a lot of time in the schedule for music, so I stand grateful and humbled every time we do play out. I'll be playing six-string and baritone electric guitars.
As Patsy would say, "Come on in, and sit right down, and make yourself at home!"
I'm off to change strings; enjoy the blogosphere while I'm out.
Guitar Blogging | By joe lance | 09:11 AM