Energy management is crucial when balancing the rigors of fulltime work and performing on a school night. (Ok, maybe this is only true if you’re 42, it’s Monday, and it’s raining dogs, cats, but hey). Getting through the work day without letting its gravity suck every ounce of life from you can be challenging if you’re just going home to watch movies, let alone taking a second shower, packing up guitars, and singing deep into what is typically downtime. The second winds in this lifestyle don’t come when you’re about to take stage at 8:30. No, those winds come fourth or fifth in the batting order, and can make Tuesday mornings creep.

I digress. Last night’s show at the Red Door in Portsmouth, NH with friends Courtney Brocks and Jeff “JHawk” Hawkinson was worth the extra energy. We opened for old friend Rod Picott (who played with Amanda Shires from Lubbock, TX on fiddle and harmonies), and the joint was hopping, despite the torrential rains and foggy landscapes.

For those who don’t know, Rod’s a South Berwick, Maine native who transplanted to Nashville years back. He’s made a wonderful life for himself, touring the country and making amazing records. Our bands used to open for one another back in the 80’s. Things were much different then, especially in terms of musical styles, but they’re certainly not so far away from one another now. In fact, our sets tonight complimented each other quite nicely.

My cubicle neighbor Jason Boucher books the Red Door, and I have to admit, after my last showing there two years ago (where I felt like a complete outsider), I wasn’t exactly donkey kicking at the thought of returning. But Jay kept at me over the last year or so. When he told me Rod was coming to town, I was sold.

Our set was solid if not a bit raw, but playing with Courtney and JHawk is more about character than polish (at least for now), a trade-off I’ll take any day of the week. We’ve rehearsed only a handful of times (most recently last Saturday), and it amazes me how quickly the plans comes back together, this after a two-month hiatus. The three part harmonies were especially sharp. According to T-Rex Traegor, our set was “really fucking dark man” content-wise, so admittedly we’ll most likely lighten it up next time we play together (May 1 at Elysium Arts), but the songs seem to fit the collective mood and the venue itself.

Highlights included JHawk’s new song “Wolves Clothes,” just the second song he’s written, and in my opinion, an absolute roots rock masterpiece. Courtney added harmony vocals to “Highway Ghosts” which really adds to the song’s bluegrass roots (even if most folks may think of it as one of PJudd’s heavier tunes).

I only got to see Rod and Amanda play a few songs (waking at 6:15 AM ain’t easy), but I can tell you, it was incredible. I really dig the levity fiddle adds to his songs, and their harmonies are impenetrable. Rod’s storytelling ability is also a real treat; I loved the one about his Dad getting their Ford F-150 stuck in the driveway during mud season.

Thanks to everyone who came out tonight. It was great to see you all, and I truly appreciate you making it out, despite the weather and day of week.

 

 

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