"Tom brings a warm and comforting experience that channels introspective poets and timeless icon storytellers like Neil Diamond, James Taylor, and Jim Croce."
That's what I wrote last week to describe Tom to anyone who hadn't seen him perform before.
Then he opened up with Toby Keith, "Should've Been a Cowboy" - and it was good.
Lucky for me, Tom Reed reads Amplified. So he followed up with Neil Diamond AND Jim Croce. I appreaciate that, bud. Nostradomoose I am not. Nice guy, that Tom is. I appreciate him connecting my writing from last week to his performance this week.
Tom's set continued to be an awesome mix of memorable mullets, regional superstars, and timeless storyteller icons. You may not expect to hear Joe Diffie, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Cindy Lauper, and Tom Jones in a single set, but you'll expect even less how much you enjoy it. It's not like sitting in a bar and enduring the drunken playlists of every dipsomaniac abusing the skip function on a TouchTunes jukebox during what has become a battle of the ballads that you didn't sign up for. Tom strings the performances along, connecting them with narratives from his life and psyche to guide you through a musical journey.
It is more akin to touring a wax museum. First, when they are good it really is astonishing, but if they are bad... well they are really bad. There really isn't a rhyme or reason for why each of the likenesses are there, short of they are flat out awesome. Tom has the ability to channel the emotions and essence of each song without making it a karaoke carbon copy. Each one draws you in by resembling the original, but there is definitely the artists signature on each. You may ask yourself at every exhibit of a song, "How did we get here?", but no matter the reason, you are glad that you are.
It's always tough to say who is more responsible for the dancing. Is it the carefully curated song list by the artist? Is it the Bud Light Draft Cart? Is it a full moon? Maybe it is a certain synergy that has to be attained for the magic to happen. Whatever it is -it happened. The seed was probably planted with Tom Jones, "It's Not Unusual", causing nearly everyone to fight their inner Carlton Banks and keep their hands by their side.
Nearly.
I let out a little swing and so did another spectator at the Mellow Mushroom Benches. Why not? It just feels so good, and is always hilarious to connect with someone over something so silly.
That planted seed germinated quickly with Chris Stapleton's "Tennesee Whiskey." Or was it George Jones's? Or David Allen Coe's? I guess it was Tom Reed's when you really think about it. Whoever gets the credit, the couples recognized the call for a slow dance. For Amp there are so many metrics to weigh the performance. Crowd size is for sure one. Trips to the tip jar are another. Crowd engagement certainly plays a role. Dancing is its own multifaceted category.
Some music reminds you to hold a loved one. Some music makes you sway like a willow in the wind. Some makes you shake what your momma gave you... or didn't give you. Tom's music had loved ones reaching for one another in the most public of displays. Dancing, not at an intimate wedding venue with only close friends and family, but in Downtown Aiken with varying degrees of close and distant folks, who are still arguably family even if they are strangers. Some music will make you sit and stay, but this music made you get up and move - and connect.
That's what makes Tom the Tour Guide so special. He reveals things to you that you may not have realized you would have ever cared about, and he's connecting with you and compelling you to connect with others. His stories aren't vague references or a boring, droning script. It's the excitement of an Elvis Presley album that you had to share with your friends when you discovered it as a kid. It's the feeling of loss that is hard to express when you hear a Toby Keith song. It's the honesty that "Pink Pony Club" isn't for everyone, but it is for someone. He shares feelings that we all share as people, and it connects. It connects us to him, the music, and to eachother. He smiles as he yells, "Wes, you're the man!", and you forget that they just met. Hell, you forgot that you just met Wes, and by met, I mean heard him yelling indiscernable praise and song request across The Alley at Tom - because we are all connected if but for a few hours.
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This Week on the Bud Light Stage - MUZ
Dave "MUZ" Mercer is back, for the 2nd time this year and I've lost count of how many times total he has appeared on the Bud Light Stage. It's a lot, I know that. You've seen him perform solo and with Chris Ndeti, as well as other bands over the years. You may have seen him with Josh Pierce as Guns 4 Hire around the CSRA. Muz is an incredible talent that is as likely to play hip hop as he is to play your favorite TV sitcom theme song - don't forget to clap (IYKYK). There really is no telling with him. What I can tell you is that you're going to love it. His powerful whispers and appreciation for all forms of music has something for everyone.
Dave Mercer - Rainy Days
Muz Performing on News Channel 12 - The Mix
Sometimes you just want a good burger
Have you had the Royale with Cheese at Whiskey Alley? There have been many things that contribute to their success, and it is arguable that the Royale with Cheese is one of those things. Even a classically trained Chef can appreciate a good burger. The hand made patties are topped with cheese, shredduce (shredded lettuce), pickles, and magic sauce and are paired with skinny hand cut fries. I'm not sure anyone truly knows what the magic is, but if you're hesitant, it's similar to a Russian dressing. If that sounds a bit much, think Big Mac Sauce. You may not know this, but almost every chef will tell you that American cheese is the best cheese for melting on a burger. You can grab a Royale with Cheese at lunch, dinner or brunch at Whiskey Alley. Order one before Amp, or get it to go and eat it paired with a draft Bud Light or Savannah River Brew while you watch the FREE SHOW.
Whiskey Alley can get busy so don't forget to visit whiskeyalley.com to view the menus for the day and to make reservations.
Nice piece !