chuckography

One Bourbon, one Scotch, one beer...

George Thorogood and the Destroyers came to the Charleston Music Hall Monday night.

He blew the place away!

The crowd stood most of the show and sang the lyrics along with a smiling, grimacing, gyrating, grinning George.

He knew just when to stop singing and let the fans finish the rest of the song.

We all knew the story of "One 
bourbon, one Scotch, one beer" and we belted out the chorus.

I remembered the song featured his landlady who wanted "the back rent." He laughed and sang, "she'd be lucky to see the FRONT rent."

I fit right in with the older crowd and did my version of dancin' with his music.

He had finished singing about "the old clock on the wall," but the fancy lighting that travels with him on tour spelled out "B-B-B-Bad to the Bone" just as he hit the first chords.

This was another chance for the joyful audience to chime in and
raise our voices.

I mentioned the extravagant lights and lasers.

The Music Hall has great acoustics and lighting but a professional tour leaves nothing to chance.

Six metal columns of lights replaced the familiar star-studded back curtain and a second complete sound board was set up close to the usual one.

It was a colorful show and George came to the edge of the stage often, making eye contact with his loyal fans.

There was a lot of Mick Jagger swagger and hip motions throughout the show.

Glad I had seen the Rolling Stones a few months ago and could catch that.

One thing I did not catch right away was, before his encore, George had switched black t-shirts and now was wearing  a Music Hall one.

That was a good marketing move by the staff to offer him a nice clean shirt before he returned to the stage.

George said it was his first time in Charleston and he appreciated what a great venue we had and hoped it was the beginning of many trips here.

He thanked us several times for coming to his show.

Heck, I was having a great time and wanted to say "Thanks" to him!

A nice touch was at the end, he came up to the edge of the stage, took the hands of several ladies and thanked them for coming and said he hoped they had had a good time.

I think it's safe to say they certainly did enjoy themselves and have a good time.

I've seen Delbert McClinton do this extra step of thanking his fans at the end of a performance.

As we all started shuffling toward the exits, I glanced up and saw his sax player drape a warm robe over George's shoulders, as he followed him backstage.

A James Brown moment.

(Click on the photos and the links for more details.)

It was a busy Monday night. I now was on my way to the Pour House to see Rev. Peyton and the Big Famn Damily Band.

I really support live music. Hope you do too.

Labels: Bad To The Bone, CMH t-shirt, Delbert McClinton, George Thorogood & the Delaware Destroyers, James Brown, Mick Jagger, One Bourbon..., Rev. Peyton & Big Damn Band

posted by chuckography @ 10:57 PM 0 Comments

Open Containers in Savannah...

It's been a while since I've been in Savannah which is silly.

Hey, it's an easy drive. The Lowcountry scenic marshes of the ACE Basin are delightful and apparently there are very few police cars on the highways.

The two we did see ticketing someone were driving unmarked cars.

One was a bright red Mustang, festooned with discreetly-placed flashing blue lights.

Not behind me fortunately.

I had forgotten that - just like in  New Orleans - you can walk around with a plastic cup filled with adult beverages.

I recall carrying around wine during the art walks in the (other) French Quarter in Charleston a few years ago.

It was soon banned outdoors but you could still have wine inside a gallery.

Last week I did a Brewery Crawl up in Charlotte and have had a lot of craft beer experiences so, this time I stopped for a cold "normal" one in World Of Beer.

Literally saw bottles from Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Czech Republic.

The large bottle of Chimay Ale towered over the others and poked its neck up through the next level.

 As soon as we got to the room on the 6th floor of the Hyatt, we looked out and saw a very large container ship, cruising past the River walk, headed for the port.

As they passed, crew members were waving, laughing and anticipating shore leave after crossing the Atlantic.

A ship from Shanghai takes only about 13 - 15 days to reach a West Coast port.

Checking this out, I found that arriving at an East Coast port, like Charleston and Savannah, goes on and on for 30 to 40 days, depending on where it leaves from, what's being shipped, the type of vessel and, of course, the weather.

The large ships average  about 480 miles a day when at sea.

So these crewmen were ready for some dry land and wet beverages.

The Market Square area - and all of the Historic District -  was packed. The streets were filled with crowds milling around and moving in clusters. Sidewalks were filled. I almost spilled some of my beer.

Proud parents with their new graduates sons and daughters.
A few young men were sporting black, square, tasseled mortar boards, while relaxing in t-shirts and shorts.

Bachelorette parties, people pedaling hard on a movable bicycle-powered bar, singing as loud as they could.

Speaking of singing, that was what drew me to Savannah this Saturday before Mother's Day.

Years ago, back around 2002, I went to a Lyle Lovett concert and he brought out a Blues singer named Francine Reed.

He later appeared on one of her records as did Delbert McClinton.

She has a voice, born to sing the Blues.

Ms Reed plays close to Atlanta and seldom tours outside the state, so I was hungry to hear her again.

That night I would sit in the audience and enjoy her songs in Springfield, Georgia, at the totally restored Mars Theatre.

It was about a 25 mile drive there, and the sunset looked promising, but the sun would dip after her show started.

We were about 45 minutes early so we cruised along the Main Street, looking for a place to get a quick sandwich.

Got a beer and fries at a crowded, popular sports bar/diner called Gaffney's Cheap Seats and hurried back to the theatre.

As we parked, I was pretty sure I saw her and some band members standing off to the side, not quite ready to head in.

Obviously I am a shy person but we introduced ourselves as big fans and said we had driven down from Charleston to see her show.

She wanted to know how long it took us and I said about 2 1/2 hours. Ms. Reed smiled and said she would sing real nice for us.

Then she posed with us for a few pictures.

Inside we got popcorn and a beer (it was a theatre so naturally there was popcorn) and took our seats down front.

She was welcomed and introduced by Tommy Deadwyler, Director of Cultural Affairs for Springfield.

He referred to the restored Mars Theatre as "a big gem in a small town."
Opened in 1945, it flourished until 1957 when television diminished the audience.

It sat vacant until the City of Springfield, with a grant from the Fox Theatre Institute, spent 7 years restoring it and it opened again last year in April.

That added to my appreciation of the setting and the Trio opened with a few songs before Francine Reed took the stage.

It is so nice to hear talented people play and sing. The room was good and the sound was excellent.

Each of the band had their solo and was richly applauded.

She was in fine voice - a bit gravelly in just the right places -  as she sang stories of love and adapting to what life throws at you.

"One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" was a favorite I had liked from before. It was written by Bette Midler and Ms. Reed owns it.

"My baby jumped up this morning,
sat on the side of the bed.
He said, "I'm leaving you, baby."
And this is just what I said.
I said, "I can't make you stay if you want to go,
but it's high time , baby, that you should know,
One monkey don't stop no show,
One monkey don't stop no show.
So, if you still wanna go, go ahead, 
and I mean every word I said."
My baby thought I was jivin'
and he went right out the door.
He left me about three in the morning,
I got me a man at four."

She pleased us again with "Wild Women Don't Get The Blues, "Been There, Done That" and many others and the 2-hour show flew by.

At one point she said "I just love the smell of popcorn. Could I have some...and a beer?"

The next morning was Mother's Day and many ladies were treated to a lavish buffet in the atrium lobby of the Hyatt.

There were two carving stations and piles and piles of oysters and shrimp.

The streets were quiet and the parking garage that was packed to the gills the night before was now almost totally deserted.
As we were leaving. so was another container ship.

One had arrived when we did so another was heading out, down the channel toward the  broad Atlantic.

Hope the offshore tropical storm Ana did not cause them any grief.

We had sunshine and clouds but no rain.

Leaving Savannah on US 17 North, we quickly were back in South Carolina.

The first ubiquitous fireworks stand had a compelling reason to pull over to take a picture.

Actually two reasons. Shouldn't there be a donkey to have equal time?

But this trip was more about music than alcohol so I didn't worry seeing a pink elephant the morning after.

Enjoy in moderation.

And, do catch a show by Francine Reed. Most likely at Blind Willies in Atlanta.

Unless the Charleston Music Hall can get her to drop in.

I'd go again.

Labels: ACE Basin, Bette Midler, Charleston Music Hall, CMH, Delbert McClinton, Francine Reed, Hyatt Regency, Lyle Lovett, Mars Theatre in Springfield Georgia, open containers, pink elephant, World of Beer

posted by chuckography @ 1:20 AM 0 Comments

That's 1-800-DELBERT....

The good news is Delbert McClinton put on a birthday show for me in Myrtle Beach.

Well, he didn't know it was my birthday.

But if he had, he probably would have signed something for me.

The man works hard, appreciates his fans and loves to sign whatever they hand him at the end of the show.

I mean ANYTHING.

This night he signed a $20 bill, ticket stubs, bar napkins, a few t-shirts, several extended hands,a baseball cap and a big bra.

Yep, a lady handed it up and he placed a cup over his knee and signed his name.

He always makes eye contact as he hands items back to the crowd reaching up to him onstage.

I've seen him several times before and signing things for his fans is a regular feature.


He announced the dates for his next "Sandy Beaches Cruise" where fans are entertained on a ship with several ports of call and other entertainers.

Then he said it was the last cruise.

"So, call 1-800- DELBERT for all the information and get onboard."

Then, laughing, he added "For all your North Floridians, you better write that down...1-800-DELBERT."

I've described before how the House of Blues encourages you to have dinner there before the show.

You present your receipt to the security guys and you queue up in a special line to be admitted first.


I used to do that so I could be in a spot right up at the front of the stage.

Lately though, I liked to get in first to grab one of the few stools scattered around and have a place to sit down during the show.

Worked out very good because you're admitted an hour before the performance. That's a lot of standing.

Uh oh. Looks like House of Blues wants to get every dollar they can so they've added a few more stools but the rush to get one now has a price tag.

While I was standing in line, I heard a fan behind me say she had just heard that Delbert was about 71 years old.

She was carrying a special purse he had signed for her on one of the fan cruises.

"I knew he has played for a long time, but had no idea he was that old."

I turned to her and said "I just hope I can do half what he does when I get to be 71."

She kept smiling as I added "Of course, I just turned 73 today so I guess I'd have to call him Junior."

Delbert and I both stood during the entire concert.

(Click on the pictures for more detail.)

HOB does seem to have backed off from prohibiting cameras.

No more signs warning you.

No reactions from security when a flash goes off.

Looks like cell phone cameras have made a big difference.

Labels: $30 VIP stools, ABC's Dancing With The Stars, cell phone cameras, Delbert McClinton, ert, HOB, Sandy Beaches Cruises

posted by chuckography @ 11:42 PM 1 Comments

A 99% Standing Ovation....

Had a great evening up in Myrtle Beach to see Delbert McClinton.

He is one of those "fan savvy" artists who allow photography so my trusty (new) Canon S90 camera was hanging on my belt.

We even scored bar stools again!

(There's probably only about 25 stools scattered around the House of Blues that holds close to 1,000 people.)

Standees all around us for hours mumbled about how "some people" are able to sit while others (about 974) are "forced to stand."

To gain this valued status, you simply have a meal in the House of Blues restaurant and your staff-signed receipt lets you line up to enter before the general admission.

Last night we arrived early, ate and went to the line starting point at 5:30 (doors scheduled to open at 7:00) so we were #1 and #2 in line. By 7:00, several hundred people stood behind us.

Being the first ones in, we moved quickly to an elevated area close to the stage with a great sight line where we had found several stools before. We plopped down with a sigh of relief. The opener wasn't due for an hour and then Delbert would perform until almost 11 pm.

So, as others crowded in around us and behind us, we were perched comfortably and a waitress brought us 24 ounce cans of cold Budweiser (2 for $19). She did that again during the evening.


A buxom blonde named Pam who had stood behind us in line said she lived nearby, was usually at the head of the line for many of Delbert's shows and had even taken a Delbert Cruise-For-Fans.

Pam added "I know exactly where his microphone will be placed so I'll be in the front row, waving. He'll recognize me and pose for my cellphone camera."

Sure enough, when the star came on, she was in the center, right down front and he DID seem to smile and shed some attention on his Number One Fan.

House of Blues usually is very strict and has signs posted saying no photography or recording devices allowed. In the past we have seen Security guys wade into the crowd and tell a person to NOT hold up their phone nor take any more pictures. Yikes. But, not tonight. I was very comfortable using my camera...and sitting down.

(Here's another chance to click on the photos to see more detail. These scenes are not often captured at HOB. They also could add more bar stools.)

Labels: bar stools, Delbert McClinton, HOB, Pam, Photography NOT allowed, security

posted by chucker @ 7:11 PM 0 Comments

A Preview Beats Hindsight....

Yeah, I don't have to show up at a job each day so I do go to a LOT of live music concerts.

Here was a Savannah Surprise... John Mellencamp chose to kick off his national tour last year here in the Civic Center and it was quite a production.

He has lots of friends in town - and maybe even owns a house - so I guess that's why he picked to start his tour down in Charleston Light.

But that's talking about a show that left here and went on the road. I prefer to see a review of somebody that I STILL can go and see. Don't just tell me "too bad, you missed a great evening."

Catch Drink Small, a SC blues legend I enjoyed one night at Cumberland's a few months ago. He'll be playing locally during February's Blues Bash so check out which venue and when.

Here's another star coming back to Charleston after being away a while....Keb' Mo' will be onstage at the Charleston Music Hall March 6.

He played outdoors in Columbia at the 3 Rivers Music Festival a few years ago.

Tickets are on sale right now through ETix so join me up front, close to the stage, for some fine entertainment.

Hope you got your tickets long ago for the Lyle Lovett Show this coming Friday and you'd better scramble if you want to see Delbert McClinton at The Plex Saturday February 3. He hasn't been here in a while.

It's an easy drive to Columbia on Valentine's Day for Billy Joel and that city already has banned indoor smoking so that adds to my enjoyment.

Man! This sure beats working.

Labels: Billy Joel, Delbert McClinton, John Cougar, Mellencamp, Music Hall, Savannah

posted by chucker @ 9:38 PM 0 Comments