By: Michael Bragg (Photo Gallery & Review) of MJBragg Photography
Columbia, SC (October 25th, 2018) – Tonight the All American Roadshow tour has rolled its way into Columbia, SC with Chris Stapleton headlining. Bringing along the legendary Marty Stuart and His Fabuous Superatives and opening act Brent Cobb & Them for an evening of great country music. Breaking todays standards of Nashville rules this tour has thrived on the basis of traditional country values. In excitement fans lined up early to make there way to the front of the stage to take in every moment.
With the lights low a flood of blended acapella voices filled the arena as the band came into view. Brent Cobb & Them has taken the stage opening the show with their song “Diggin’ Holes,” from the “Shine On Rainy Day” album, immediatley wowing the crowd. The long southern draw of the Georgia native accompanied by smooth flowing music of the band seemed to surprise many in attendance who had not previuosly heard of the group. Following up with a tribute to the late Wayne Mills was a tune from the May 2018 album release “Providence Canyon” titled “King of Alabama.” With a mix of layered funky drum beats and bass (Jason Kott) playing to some intense guitar licks by Mike “Fuzz” Harris and fancy keys work Brent Cobb and his band kept the early attendees thoroughly entertained. The crowd joined in singing on the cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s song “Swamp Music.” With other bluesy, southern rock tunes “If I Don’t See Ya,” “.30-06” and “Ain’t A Road Too Long” the groups set showcased whats missing from main stream radio these days…real music with lyrical content that has meaning that first time listeners are drawn too. Leaving the stage headed to the merch booth Brent went to greet new fans. As I made my way through the lobby to pick up a copy of the newest release myself I over heard many people talking about the opening act, “who was that?” “Where are they from?” “That was a great band” and so much more. Brent Cobb & Them sure seem to have done there job for the evening.
Next up came the legendary Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives featuring “Cousin” Kenny Vaughn on Guitar, “Professor” Chris Scruggs on bass and “Handsome” Harry Stinson on drums. With their nostalgic sequined suits the group played through a variety of classic Marty Stuart songs such as the popular “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin'” before each band member took their moment up. Kenny took lead vocals on a song he pinned called “Country Music Got A Hold On Me” while Harry approached the front with a snare drum slung over his shoulder to sing the Woody Guthrie tune “Pretty Boy Floyd.” During the set Marty engaged the crowd by seemingly allowing them to pick which Johnny Cash song the band would cover as they broke into a verison of “RIng of Fire” followed up by Merle Haggards “Mama Tried.” Mentioning that Chris was overcoming some sickness and couldn’t sing too much the “Professor” led the band in an instrumental jam of the surf music song “Wipe Out” before Marty did his on solo version of the bluegrass composition “Orange Blossom Special” where he featured his mandolin skills. Closing out their set with “TIme Don’t Wait” from the newest album release “Way Out West” the group had the crowd take over the chorus parts as they toe tapped to the upbeat tune. Marty took a brief momnet to thank the fans for supporting real country music before taking a bow as the band left the stage.
With a raunchy rocking guitar riff right into “Midnight Train From Memphis” the lights brightend and Chris Stapleton took to entertaining those in attendance for what would be a 21 song set. Following up with “Them Stems” and “Nobody To Blame” Stapleton and his band flowed from one song to the next flawlessly with an uptempo pace before slowing it down 6 tunes in for “Fire Away.” Along with his regular band tonight there were 2 guests sitting in as well, Morgan Stapleton who is Chris’s wife, could be heard with her powerful harmonizing voice throughout the show and also Mickey Raphael on harmonica who is known for being a member of Willie Nelson’s band. Going on to play other favorites such as “Parachute,” “Broken Halos,” Traveller ” and “Tennessee Whiskey” Stapleton kept the hits rolling all night. Mid set opener Brent Cobb along with his guitarist Mike Harris were called back to the stage to join in on a rendition of “Might As Well Get Stoned” followed by Marty Stuart’s return for a collaboration of his song “Now That’s Country” as well as the Rodney Crowell cover of “I Ain’t Living Long Like This.” A intimate part of the night came when the band left the stage and Chris performed “Whiskey and You” solo acoustic. Straying from the set Stapleton took a moment to acknowledge Jameson Clark who was in attendance mentioning that since he is from right up the road in Greenville, SC and they wrote “Drunkard’s Prayer” together he should probably play it. All through the set there was a range of musical emotion from the gritty blues rock style songs to the soft and delicate. Never losing the crowds attention Stapleton closed out the night with a cover of Charlie Daniel’s “Was It 26” only to be called back out by the roaring cheers of a filled arena where he thanked the crowd and ended the evening with “Outlaw State Of Mind.”
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Copyright – Michael Bragg/MJBragg Photography
