Gotta love these bright orange over 21 bracelets. Thank goodness it didn’t actually advertise my real age!
I’ve said many times that I have very eclectic taste in music and I think this post will probably prove it.
I attended a concert at The National in downtown Richmond, Virginia. It was The Fire In The Hole Tour by Blackberry Smoke, a Southern Rock musical group, who rocked the walls on Wednesday, January 15th, 2013.
Yeah, I could feel the vibrations of the pounding drum throughout my body during the whole concert. I love that feeling. You know the kind I’m talking about, don’t you? You can get the same effect by cranking up the music on the stereo so loud that the windows in the house shake. That boom, boom, boom just shakes your insides. THAT’s the feeling I love!
What Is Southern Rock?
According to Wikipedia, the following is a definition of Southern rock:
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music and a genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals. Although the origin of the term southern rock is unknown, “many people feel that these important contributors to the development of rock and roll have been minimized in rock’s history.” The most important figures of southern rock can be listed as The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Oak Arkansas, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, the Marshall Tucker Band, Outlaws and 38 Special.
Who Is Blackberry Smoke
I just gotta say, they have great hair.
From the Blackberry Smoke website:
The members of Southern Rock quintet Blackberry Smoke are no strangers to hard work. Playing up to 250 dates each year, the guys are on the road more often than not, and they’ve seen tangible results of their labor. The band has toured with and befriended idols such as The Marshall Tucker Band, ZZ Top (with Billy Gibbons jamming with the band on a Florida stop), Lynyrd Skynyrd and George Jones. The band was even asked to play for Jones on his 80th birthday, not long after the country legend turned in a guest appearance on the band’s sophomore album. They’ve toured Europe thrice over, and had their songs featured in video games (EA Sports’ NASCAR 08) and films (Swing Vote), as well.
Mixing elements of gospel, bluegrass, arena rock, soul and more than a touch of outlaw country, Blackberry Smoke has earned a passionate fanbase that continues to grow as the band itself evolves. The band is as blue collar as the bandanas its members wear.
Left to Right, Back:
Brit Turner – Drums
Brandon Still – Keys
Left to Right, Front:
Richard Turner – Bass/Vocals
Charlie Starr – Guitar/Vocals
Paul Jackson – Guitar/Vocals
The Southern Rock Sounds Of Blackberry Smoke
This first song below, Ain’t Much Left Of Me seems to resonate with most people. I know that I can relate to it especially with the words, “I’ve been knocked down, drug out and left for dead, Barely held together by a few old threads.” Yes, that line is quite applicable to most of us.
Ain’t Much Left Of Me Lyrics
(Verse)
Well my fall from grace was a sight to see
Good turned to bad and bad turned to misery
I found out what it is and what it’s not
And all I ask for sure ain’t what I got, no
(Chorus)
Well I’ve been rained on, rode hard and put up wet
Danced with the devil ’til I’m in debt
Took all I got and there ain’t much left of me
I’ve been knocked down, drug out and left for dead
Barely held together by a few old threads
And I’m still here there ain’t much left to see, no
Well I’m still holding on and there ain’t much left of me
(Verse)
Thought that I hit bottom but I ain’t there yet
‘Cause you’d be surprised of how low a man can get
I watched stolen dreams slip through my hands
And now I’m getting out of here still while I still can
(Chorus)
Well I’ve neen rained on, rode hard and put up wet
Danced with the devil ’til I’m in debt
Took all I got and there ain’t much left of me
I’ve been knocked down, drug out and left for dead
Barely held together by a few old threads
And I’m still here there ain’t much left to see, no
Well I’m still holding on and there ain’t much left of me
That’s right
(Verse)
Well my fall from grace was a sight to see
Nobody even cared what became of me
Do I have to get down on my knees
And ask the Lord, Lord have mercy on me
(Chorus)
Well I’ve been rained on, rode hard and put up wet
Danced with the devil ’til I’m in debt
Took all I got and there ain’t much left of me
I’ve been knocked down, drug out and left for dead
Barely held together by a few old threads
And I’m still here there ain’t much left to see, no
Well I’m still holding on and there ain’t much left of me
There ain’t much left of me
I said there ain’t much left of me, no
Yeah well there ain’t much left of me
Songwriters: Charles Gray, Charles Turner, Paul Jackson, Richard Turner, David Murphy
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
I know this music isn’t for everyone, but that is what makes living on this planet a wonderful place. There are so many choices and differences between us that nothing is ever boring.
While I sat in darkness of the comfortable venue, I recognized how far I’ve come in the past few years. I have so much gratitude. It’s true that “I’m still holding on and there ain’t much left of me,” but there’s enough to keep on going! Besides, somewhere deep inside my soul, something tells me that eventually everything will turn out okay. Feeling happiness will get easier in the future and I’m banking on that little piece of hope.
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