Charon decided his ferry rides needed some onboard entertainment as he guided us across the river Styx and into Hades. It was hot. It was humid. It was a lot, and I forgot my sweet blue headband! Surprisingly, the crowd was nearly as thick as the air. Not that it was surprising that they would come out to support Shawn Woodward after his blowout performance with Zombo earlier this year, but that heat was something to endure. Those who showed up were also surprised again with a multi-member solo act!
Shawn aptly started with "Hurts so good." For sure, a few folks were sitting in their bag chairs wondering if they had made a cataclysmic error in judgment, blindly showing up to Amp week after week with nary a care for who the band actually is. Thanks to folks like Shawn, I've watched that group grow and grow year after year. I appreciate their trust in our ability to provide a show performed by artists worth leaving the house for. Performances like this one only solidify that trust. Despite the oppressive heat that laid on you like a wet steamy blanket, people came out and they stayed. It hurt... but it "Hurt So Good.
Shawn has a voice like silky sandpaper, which served all of us well as he delivered the rest of his set, alongside his son Ian on keys, Brad Hawkins on guitar, and surprise surprise guest and front runner in the pursuit of Keith Petersen's record of performances on the Bud Light Stage, providing percussion Chip Herring and his bongos. They cruised through some of the best chill rock: "She Drives Me Crazy", "Love Hurts", "Summer of 69", and "Kiss."
Next year I'll need to find some additional business partners so that we can make Chip the official mascot and get him a sweet costume. [scratches note on sticky note]
It is hard in a South Carolina Summer to find the motivation to leave the house. There have been many a summer where I've contemplated if I really needed friends, a job, or groceries. Some of you may have decided to forego some of those very options on that Thursday. A great thing about our small town with a huge community is the community tends to prevail against all odds. It helps that you can avoid the grocery store by going downtown and find an abundance of delicious meals, cold drinks, great friends, and top tier entertainment. The next set Shawn delivered Mr. Big, though unlikely, I will take credit for that with last week's blog. It was a huge credit to his talent that he hasn't lost a step from that older video. He continued to lull the sweaty crowd into forgetting about nature's sauna and finding solace in a cold draft of Mich Ultra, a hot slice of Mellow Pizza, and a classic love song from the 3 decades of smile-inducing music. A little "Margaritaville" is the perfect recipe for enjoying a hot day. Some folks may have even "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" with their tropical outing listening to "Raspberry Beret", "Addicted to Love", "Brown Eye Girl", "Faith", and the ultimate closer - "Purple Rain." By the end, the band looked like they had played the halftime show in the rain like Prince, the best halftime performance ever, but they were the only source of precipitation.
It was a tough day for everything living outside of a domicile, but Shawn and company managed to make everyone enjoy themselves. Maybe it's because Shawn is just so cool, whatever that is. He's got that Keanu Reeves thing going on, where one may expect his talent and swagger to make him snooty, but then he is just the nicest, calmest guy. Anyone can enjoy themselves when everything is going right, but what defines greatness is delivering despite the obstacles. If they are willing to show up and entertain on a day like that, Downtown Aiken must be a pretty awesome place to hang out. Catch Shawn with local supergroup Radio Fade this Friday at Southbound Smokehouse Riverside, where he will be joined by Kenny George, Jason Sabo, Ian Woodward, Brian Gibson, and Dr. J!
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This Week on the Bud Light Stage - Ruskin Yeargain
Ruskin Yeargain is back and flying solo on the Bud Light Stage bringing the very best of his gentle rock set list. Cool rock hits from the 80's, 90's and some from either side of those decades. Ruskin has rocked the stage twice already this year as the front man for Impulse Ride and Ruskin and Cam, while playing soud guy for Black Dawgs thunderous debut. Later this season, he will be back with King Size. Some of you may even remember Ruskin rocking the Hotel years back with Jar!
King Size "Every Monday"
I managed to find a full band clip, so it will be more subdued, but you get the idea.
A note from Moose
This tropical storm has proven to be a real Debby Drowner! I'm not sure exactly what's happening yet, but I'll be sure to spread the word as quickly as possible. If you get a text from us tomorrow, do me a favor and tell as many folks as you know - I can only send 100 the first time as I am still transferring between texting systems. I of course will be posting to social as well, but we will, as always, do whatever we can to make the show go on. Sometimes life happens, but so far, even Mother Nature has seems to enjoy our little concert series. Stay tuned!
Super Cool words and video !