I keep saying that Amp gets better every year, but of course, I get more involved every year - so why wouldn't I think that? No, seriously, I'm always afraid it's not enough. Lucky for me, even when I feel like I want to provide more, the artists always make me look awesome. Insecurities are just goals when you look at them right. I've got a lot of goals and ideas for the future, so fingers crossed I'm right at that it keeps getting better. The proof I rely on lately is the Doppler Radar. We dodged a tropical storm that previously identified as a hurricane. Talk about a lucky break. Mother Nature has proven to be a fan this season, and thankfully she allowed for an awesome show this past week that I was certain would be canceled.
Ruskin Yeargain, dawned in Chucks and hair blowing in the breeze, brought decades of experience to the Bud Light Stage. If you are an avid Amp attendee, you've seen the many sides of Ruskin: playing with his buddy and bassist Cam Ball, fronting King Size, and fronting Impulse Ride. He likes to rock and he likes to chill. He has no problem throwing down Alice in Chains or Rick Springfield and left to his own devices he did both.
It is hard to claim that The Alley is an intimate venue, but Ruskin was able to command it as if it were. With his mastery of the loop pedal, he also gives you the feeling there are more people on stage playing full and rich versions of Cold War Kids, Lyndard Skynard, Tears for Fears, and Pink Floyd. On the very same stage with King Size, playing September 19th, he would have you believe you are in the most expensive seats of an Amphitheater show, but last week was more like a storyteller's backyard session. In a single set he'll hit you with a timeless favorite like "Benny and the Jets" or a stripped-down acoustic version of Greenday's "Longview" filled with harmonics I'd never heard anyone add to the alternative pop punk rock song before.
There's a fearlessness that makes Ruskin so enjoyable to listen to. That intrepid spirit allows him to ignore any insecurities and casually drop Brittney Spears in a set with Otis Redding - and no one bats an eye because it works. It's easy to forget that you are watching and listening to a singular guy plucking on a singular guitar while he simultaneously plucks songs from every decade and genre out of the deep recesses of his mind. He works the crowd like a master of comedy - one of my other great loves.
It's not that you want to laugh at him, although admittedly, "hit me baby one more time" makes me giggle. It is his neverending pursuit of greatness in his art. We all know the greats of comedy, because we have probably have seen their Netflix special, or maybe we even remember when their special came out on Comedy Central or even on one of those lost and ancient forms of communication - a VHS or Cassette. To get to that special night of taping, the greats of comedy spend years running through small clubs and bars trying things out on the audience because they have the final say on whether something is up to snuff or not. Song requests are like open-minded comedians willing to riff and be creative to impress the crowd. It takes some serious huevos to try something new in front of folks staring at you expecting a quality worth the trip out of their house.
Malcom Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours to be an expert in any given thing. It's that dedication that keeps them sharp. It keeps them honest. There's something to that honesty that resonates in both music and comedy for me. Whether it is watching Shane Gillis, also sponsored by Bud Light, at the Township in Columbia stumble through some new material he's working on or watching Rusking Yeargain at Amp the Alley admit he's only got the first verse down on this new song he's working on - there is an open trust and honesty with the crowd. Ruskin ran through the first verse of "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra and genuinely looked giddy to have nailed the first verse while simultaneously unphased that he didn't finish the song that Guardians of the Galaxy had inspired him to try. I looked the same when I finally strung together my first G C D during my freshmen year at Coastal Carolina University. Hell, thinking back, I'm not sure I ever learned the chorus of ANY song. I knocked out the verse and was on to the next song, or I just kept strumming the same verse pattern through the verse, the pre-chorus, the chorus, the bridge, back to some verses, the solo, and the outro. I guess that's why these days I hold my Fujifilm more than my Fender.
I've seen some bands so many times that I can nearly quote you their set list like 10-year-old me quoting every line of dialogue of the Lion King. It never changes. It's comfortable for the band and it's comfortable for the audience. I'd wager that at some point it runs the risk of growing stale for either or both parties. I can also see where trying new things runs a parallel risk of creating a sucky experience for the crowd and the artist, and that makes it so much more badass when the artist with skill and confidence pulls it off. It creates an oxymoronic juxtaposition of the pro who looks like a novice who looks like a pro. It's the willingness to risk looking like a novice that makes Ruskin a pro. Let that sink in. It's taken me a while to find the words that I'm not even sure make sense to explain what I'm feeling. I can't wait until he has the rest of the song figured out. Maybe we will get the full version with King Size in September. I'm impressed by live performers who never let ego or complacency impede their evolution as an artist - comedians and musicians alike. To be clear, I'm not calling Ruskin a comedian, I'm calling him an admiration for up-and-coming and seasoned musicians. Not only is he an amazing performer, but a constant reminder to try. Try for the first time. Try for the 50th time. For the folks starting, or for folks like Ruskin who is a bonafide artist that gets showered with compliments by fans and myself - just keep trying.
Catch more of Ruskin - Ruskin and Cam at Mellow Mushroom in Evans, GA - 8/15 @ 6:30pm Ruskin and Cam at Fox's Lair in Augusta, GA - 8/16 @9pm Ruskin and Cam at undisclosed location for a private event on Saturday... you definitely shouldn't crash it... King Size at Amp the Alley on Sept 19th.
Check Out The Gallery
This Week on the Bud Light Stage - Tom Reed
Tom Reed is a true Amp Vet. He's performed with Will McCranie as a duo, in their band Bodega Cat and has commanded the stage solo before.
Tom brings a warm and comforting experience that channels introspective poets and timeless icon storytellers like Neil Diamond, James Taylor, and Jim Croce. The weather is chilling out and it's going to be a great night to grab a Mich Ultra, sit back, and relax.
Tom Reed Original - Since That Girl Came Around
Check out this video from Drop The Dis of Tom Reed performing and original song.
Moose's Dinner Suggestion
Ok, in fairness, I didn't eat all of this for dinner, but I did have the opportunity to photograph all of these dishes at Whiskey Alley before Amp. Whiskey Alley has been known for its constantly changing menu, so these exact dishes may or may not be there this week - but they might be! Here are 3 hand-crafted dishes by Chef Katie Jajczyk. Even if you don't get these exact dishes, I hope this helps express the spirit of this Chef-Centric Restaurant. Little French Devils -
8 Minute Eggs, Caviar, House Bacon Crumbles, Chives, Smoked Maple, Fried Garlic, Aioli Home Made Ricotta Gnocchi
Fennel Braised Calamari, Sweet English Peas, Brown Butter and Lemon Broth, Sharp Provolone Grilled Swordfish
Rustic Stewed Black Bean With Potatoes and Tomato, Poached Mussels, Olive Oil, Smoked Paprika Whiskey Alley can get busy so don't forget to visit whiskeyalley.com to view the menus for the day and to make reservations.
Live Music During Brunch at Whiskey Alley
Whiskey Alley is proud to present Thompson Faulk this Sunday the 18th during Brunch. Thompson will be performing from 10:30 am until 1:30 pm. Whiskey Alley's versatile seating including inside, the covered side patio, and the covered and open back patio will give Whiskey Alley options according to the weather as to where to stage the music. Visit whiskeyalley.com to make a reservation for brunch.
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