Pickin' on the Patio Returns!

Warner Music Nashville is bringing back its monthly free concert series again this year, and it's open to the public. It looks like this event is 21+, and there will be beer & refreshments served. Word on the street is both are FREE! The kick-off artist is Mandy Barnett, known for her recurring role as Patsy Cline in Always... Patsy Cline at its recurring run at the Ryman Auditorium.

Pickin' on the Patio will run the last Thursday of every month through September, 2011 on the patio at Warner Music Group (20 Music Sqaure E on Music Row).

I'm a huge fan of live music from any genre. Combine it with good, free libation and elbow-rubbing with music industry insiders? Lets just say I wouldn't miss it...

Hangout Musitc Festival 2011 - The Finest Moment

I just returned from the longest road trip ever to Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, AL. There were some great performances from Paul Simon, the Flaming Lips,  Grace Potter and the Avett Brothers, but the finest moment of the festival was also completely unexpected.

Cee-Lo was scheduled to perform an hour-long set at 3:30 on Saturday afternoon, but he and his band were stuck in NYC waiting on a plane delay. It's a good thing Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters happened to in the wings with a fist full of rock covers.

As an announcer yelled, "Cee-lo Green, forget you!", the Foo Fighters jumped onstage and launched into a set of pure, classic rock. "I guess we're playing two shows today," Dave Grohl exclaimed before kicking off with Alice Cooper's "School's Out," followed by "Tom Petty's "Breakdown," and Queen's "Tie Your Mother Down."

In the middle of the final song, a cover of Prince's raunchy "Darling Nikki," Cee-Lo finally showed up and took the mic with Grohl & Company playing backup. I wasn't the person who took this video, but I am glad someone caught it on tape. I was lucky enough to be about four rows back and just to the right of center stage.

Actual music on music television? The nerve...

I have VH1 on the TV most mornings as I make breakfast and gather the day's necessities. I usually end up turning it off after seeing the latest Lady GaGa/Bruno Mars/Miley Cyrus/Colbie Caillat video for the hundredth time. However, VH1 has been throwing some interesting choices in the mix lately.

 Raphael Saadiq - "Stone Rollin'"

 

I love throw-back musical styles with a modern twist, and this video hits it hard on the nose. The bass line is killer, and the groove could have been pulled from a mid-60's Stax Records backing track. 

I am also impressed - and a bit perplexed - by the massive Marshall amp stack that Saadiq seems to be plugged into. If the amp had actually been hot, I don't see how anyone could have been in that tiny basement club with wall of sound it would put produce. I've seem stadium acts with less amplification.

The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow

 

It's refreshing to hear something with an acoustic roots/country vibe on VH1 right after seeing Lady GaGa channel Madonna on "Born This Way" for the fiftieth time. The Civil Wars are even climbing the weekly Top 20.

 

Lissie - When I'm Alone

I cannot remember the last time I actually discovered new music I liked through VH1, but that's exactly how I discovered Lissie. Lissie and her band remind me of a hippier Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, but on a smaller budget. 

 

Could music television be taking a step back to the good ole' days of actually showing music? Maybe if you are an early riser like me.