A Look Back: That Time I Played the Ryman Auditorium

A recent conversation with a colleague re: the legendary Ryman Auditorium reminded me of -- not only the host of shows that I experienced there over my 16 years in Nashville, but -- the Sunday that I played on that hallowed stage with Israel Houghton, of Israel & New Breed.  At the time, I was a member of Bethel World Outreach Center, as well as a member of its worship team.  After a stint as an alto in the fantastic choir, I opted to play percussion with the band.  Houghton was no stranger to BWOC and served as a guest worship leader from time to time.  At one point, the church held a monthly city-wide service at the Ryman.  One day, I was thrilled to find out that -- not only was I offered the opportunity to play one of those services, but -- Houghton was leading that night.  Boy, do I wish that my primitive cell phone had had a camera feature in those days!

A Look Back: Bands My Bands Played With

I was a member of four different bands in my 20s.  I sang lead and harmony vocals, played a bit of percussion and rudimentary guitar, and wrote a number of songs during my tenure with One Bright Son, MR. levi (originally Hope for the Flowers; formerly Eccentric Mr. Levi), Doris, and Milk & Honey.  I became acquainted with several indie bands and a handful of singer/songwriters who shared venues and bills with my band mates and me over the years.  I shared the stage with Ananzao (Java Bean in Grandville, Mich.), Annie's Apology (Hope College), Carolyn Arends (Muskegon County Fair), Wendy Bailey (festival in Grand Haven, Mich.), Big Fil (Grand Valley State University), Carson So Sorry (Soul Centre Cafe in Grand Rapids, Mich.), and Everyday Einstein (Jumpin' Java, as well as the armory, in Grand Haven, Mich.), among others.  Years later -- as a poet, sans the music -- I shared a bill with Lauren Farrah in Nashville, Tenn. (East Side Storytellin' 62).

Music Makers

Last night, I watched part two of jazz pianist Beegie Adair's happy hour with Bill Samuels, Jr.  She and Samuels -- along with co-host Monica Ramey and bassist Roger Spencer -- swapped all manner of stories.  The former president and CEO of Maker’s Mark and son of its founder, Samuels shared his memories of Rosemary Clooney and Little Richard, among others.

A Look Back: My First Cassette

The very first album that I ever owned was given to me by my mom on my eighth birthday, if I remember correctly.  She gifted me actress Lisa Whelchel's 1984 record, All Because of You, on cassette tape. 

A Look Back: Autographed dc Talk Memorabilia

As I've mentioned previously, as a member of dc Talk's fan club, the Vibe Tribe, I was afforded the opportunity to meet the trio twice at concerts.  The mementos pictured above -- with the exception of the Supernatural album -- were signed on those two occasions, in 1993 and 1994.  I met dcT a third time, between 1998 and 2000, at a bookstore in Grand Rapids, Mich.  They signed my Supernatural CD and a member of my own band, MR. levi, gave them a copy of our own demo recording, albeit with absolutely none of our contact information attached to it.

A Look Back: Crowdfunded Recording Projects

Over the years, I have contributed to a number of singer/songwriters' crowdfunding projects.  Through PledgeMusic, I supported Shelly Fairchild's Buffalo and Jennifer Knapp's Set Me Free albums.  I backed Fleming & John's still-unreleased 2015 record and Julie Lee's Till & Mule via Kickstarter.  I also patronized Indiegogo efforts to launch Josh Schicker's Faith, the Poor & Politics, A Stranger & a Friend's Nashville and Atlanta, and Chely Wright's documentary, Wish Me Away.

Duffy Jackson: 1953-2021

Yesterday, I watched the Nashville Jazz Workshop's Duffy Jackson Memorial Tribute.  The jazz drummer played with Count Basie, Lena Horne, Milt Jackson, Sammy Davis, Jr., Artie Shaw and Manhattan Transfer, among many others, and died on Mar. 3.

The Jordan VanHemert Quintet in Concert

Last night, I experienced a Jordan VanHemert Quintet concert, albeit virtually, during which the saxophonist/band leader sought to bring attention to the anti-Asian discrimination, violence and sentiment that has tragically resurfaced with a vengeance, as of late.  The five-piece jazz ensemble played tunes off of its Mar. 12 release, I Am Not a Virus.  Proceeds from the associated fundraising drive will be donated to the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum.

A Look Back: Fleming & John and Skillet in Concert

Although I have previously posted about witnessing the bands Fleming & John (on either Oct. 14 or 15 in 1999 at the Riviera Theatre) and Skillet (at ResLife Church sometime between Sept. 29, 2000 and Aug. 28, 2001) in concert, I have not yet produced the CD booklets that the rockers signed at those shows (until now).

A Look Back: Partnering with Over the Rhine

It has been my pleasure to partner with powerhouse singer/songwriter duo Over the Rhine over the course of the past 10 years or so, each time OtR offered the opportunity to help fund one of their last four albums.  My name -- along with a host of other patrons' -- literally appears in the liner notes of The Long Surrender, Meet Me at the Edge of the World, Blood Oranges in the Snow, and Love & Revelation.

A Look Back: Meeting Beegie Adair

After hearing about her -- and hearing her music -- on the (now-former) Nashville-area jazz station for years, I was thrilled to both experience the Beegie Adair Trio live on Oct. 21, 2017 and meet Ms. Adair afterward, when she signed the booklet above.  She has since become my favorite jazz pianist.

A Look Back: Tait on dc Talk's Solo Tour

In 2001, pop-rock-hip-hop trifecta dc Talk released a Solo EP, featuring each member of the trio's solo endeavors, and hosted a "Solo" tour to bring the music of Solo to life.  I saw the Solo tour on Oct. 27, 2001 in Grand Rapids, Mich. (although, according to this online tour diary, the show was rescheduled for Jan. 25, 2002) and asked the members of Tait sign the Solo booklet thereafter.

A Look Back: "Meeting" Robert Calmes

I became acquainted with acoustic guitarist Robert Calmes' 1999 album Spirit of Evergreen while working at Castle Technology in 2003, when the album was playing in the background at the office.  I loved the instrumental record immediately and -- because, to our knowledge, there was no way to contact Calmes to purchase a copy of the recording -- my boss allowed me to burn a copy of the CD for myself.  Fast forward to 2019: I did my best to locate Calmes online and took a chance with an email address that I hoped belonged to him.  Thankfully, my sleuthing was successful.  Although the album is out of print, Calmes generously offered to burn a copy for me -- or send me the sound files -- for free.  I was pleased to select SoE as the family Thanksgiving meal soundtrack that year and remain grateful to Calmes for his artistry and generosity.

Happy Hour with Peggy Lee's Granddaughter

I thoroughly enjoyed parts one and two of jazz pianist Beegie Adair's latest Happy Hour with Beggie sessions featuring iconic vocalist Peggy Lee's granddaughter and president of Peggy Lee Associates, Holly Foster Wells (center).