login | Register

Midnight in the Garden of Good Southern Rock: Late Night Tea & TV

I love it when things like this happen.

I was sitting up late tonight writing, as I often do. Beside me a nice hot cup of ralaxation tea that tasted as good as it smelled. My wife had brewed it up for me before she headed off to bed. She's good that way. What would I do without her?

I had the boob tube on while I was working, and Conan O'Brien was going through his usual sctick, when he caught my ear, announcing that tonight he would feature The Drive By Truckers. How cool.

I was so proud of them, up there on national TV. Then it dawned on me, these cats are no longer the underdogs. They are big ol' stars. My old friend Brad Morgan who used to play drums  here in Greenville with The Dog Killers was big time. I love it.

As an added treat, Muscle Shoals songwriting legend Spooner Oldham was on the keyboard. They sounded great. Patterson Hood sang his heart out, performing a tune from their latest album. They rocked baby.

I followed up my hot tea with a bottle of ice cold Aqua Fina. My preferred water. When I get my big deal, I want an Aqua Fina endorsement. Better than beer.

I was still writing when The Carson Dailey Show came on. I was still trying to get over the image of new age pianist John Tesh hooting and hollerin' and clapping for The Truckers, when Dailey announced Shooter Jennings would be on tonight.

I suffered through the first Andrew Dice Clay interview in ten years, thinking to myself, this guy hasn't changed a bit. He still ain't funny. Give me the real deal, Don Rickles.

Shooter was playing live with his band The 357's, doing "The Wheel" from his latest album The Wolf. Another killer performance. Shooter was scorching some lead on his Telecaster and wah-wah pedal. Ol' Waylon's son is a Southern Rocker if ever there was one. He kicks ass. I am stoked that he is on Charlie's Volunteer Jam Tour this summer. I can't wait. I wish they'd come to Greenville, but it looks like Myrtle Beach is as close as they are coming. Five hours away, but well worth it, provided any of us can still afford gas this summer.

Two in the morning. I am starting to nod off, but it was totally worth it. I'll do almost anything for the love of Southern Rock. Even if it means sleeping 'til noon the next day.

Keep it Real. Keep it Souhern.

Buffalo

related tags

Gritz,
Nashville,
Muscle Shoals,
Athens,
Tennessee,
South Carolina,
Alabama,
Music,

Related Dispatches