Howdy, I am so dang far behind in reading posts I am wondering if I should even attempt to read the 634 unread posts filtered into my P2 mailbox. While I ponder that decision, let me share with you a tale of the legendary bluegrass boys from Ohio known as One Riot One Ranger and their debut in East Tennessee. This also includes a bonus O'Henry short story-type moment about Knoxville's musical past, but don't worry, I won't charge you extra for that. It was great to meet the rest of the band (I'd met Mark about five years ago at a hotel in Owensboro where we transacted some business...) and to chat about various trivia. I will admit that the Thursday night crowd at the Birds Eye View was disappointing. Okay, for a while there, it looked like *I* was the crowd. (Hey, I'm a big fella, but really, that's putting a lot of pressure on one person.) So, while waiting for the audience, the Ranger boys entertained me with jokes in the bar. How's that for personalized service? After a while, though, the guys jumped on stage and decided to play anyway. I suppose, if nothing else, the show would be a good warm-up for what I hope was a well-received appearance at NEA. Let me say, that at that point, I was immensely impressed...before they'd even played a note. If I were a musician and saw an audience of one geek-boy like me, I'd probably decide it wasn't even worth the effort. But low and behold, the music was great fun and yea and verily it drew an audience to the venue like moths to a flame. Before the first few songs were completed, we (the audience) almost out-numbered the band. A few songs later, we had the makings of a very small crowd. If nothing else, we were an enthusiastic bunch and I think (I hope) the Rangers began to enjoy the experience of playing in Knoxville. I will digress a bit here to say that I am proud to note that a few people had come to the show based purely on hearing 1R1R perform live on WDVX earlier in the afternoon. Word from station manager Tony is that the guys sounded fantastic broadcasting from Studio C. I, unfortunately, was in a meeting and unable to hear the performance. A couple of notes about the set list. I enjoyed the inclusion of the cowboy classic, Cool Water, but was really pleased to hear some of the new Ranger songs. (Coming to mind right away is the song about Little Rock -- that's a sure-fire country classic waiting to happen, if you ask me.) I can't say enough how much I admire the guys for putting up with what could easily have been a nightmare evening. Some quick reasons why I'd never want to be a professional musician (beyond my lack of talent): small or non-existent crowds, violently broken guitar strings, the sound guy who keeps knocking over drinks, sound systems that don't apparently work too well unless there's "20 or 30 people in the place to help dampen the noise," people who keep yelling for "Rocky Top," long drives to places like Knoxville, Tennessee. Some quick reasons why the Rangers make me want to live that kind of life... getting to play the music you love, playing to a small crowd that wants to be entertained and is genuinely happy to hear your stuff, long drives to exotic locales like Knoxville, Tennessee. When the 1R1R set was over, the audience more than made up for in enthusiasm what it lacked in size. I hope the Ranger boys know that the folks who did get to see the show, enjoyed the hell out of it. I hope they enjoyed it, too, and I sincerely hope that NEA was successful enough for them to make their first extended Tennessee tour at least a bit worthwhile. Of course, the problem for me now is that the Rangers are able to "out" me. It's true, I have no friends. I had no one to turn to help me build an audience. I resolve to make friends before the Rangers return to the mountains of East Tennessee and plant them in the audience (guaranteeing that they'll quit being my friends pretty quickly...<g>) All in all though, I wish more people got a chance to hear 1R1R in their Knoxville debut (I promoted it on my show, honest, but I told you I only have two listeners and mom doesn't like to drive at night.). I was reminded of another country music act that debuted in Knoxville at a bar called Ella Guru's. It was just a block down the street from the Bird's Eye View, where 1R1R played. At Ella Guru's that night, the fellow singing and playing stuff from his album was able to generate an audience of 6 people. (1R1R had that beat...) The singer said he didn't mind and he'd be happy to go on with the show. The six people who were there apparently got quite a treat, because like Woodstock, a whole lot more than six people claim to have been there. The bar owner, though disappointed with the turnout, was rumored to have loved the show quite a bit, too. Flash forward to the next time the guy showed up in town... at a sold-out Thompson-Boling Arena. After playing a few of his hit songs, he decided to play a favorite from his first album. He mentioned that he'd played it here before to a smaller crowd. Garth Brooks leaned into the microphone and asked the crowd, "Where were y'all that night?" Here's hoping that 1R1R can ask a packed house that question, next time they're in town. Take care, Shane Rhyne Knoxville, TN [EMAIL PROTECTED] NP: Jeff Black, Birmingham Road NPIMH: Garth Brooks, "When the Old Stuff was New"
