Review of the new Listening Room show last night...

Remember, band show next Tuesday (9/23) at 3rd & Lindsley at 6:00 PM!!

About last night...the long and short of it: we had a blast! The new place kicks some major butt so you'll definitely have to check it out when you can. My next appearance there is on Friday 10/10 so mark that down to get your fix on...

It didn't hurt last night that we had some crazysexycool talent onstage - Cory Batten, Shelby Merchant, and Craig Monday (and myself, of course) were prepped and ready for our usual shananigans. In between a slight mishap of a falling curtain rod (and subsequent curtain), things started off quite quickly with Cory knocking out "For The Girls" first thing. Now this is almost like Billy Joel opening a show with "Piano Man" but it was strongly requested so, hey, why the heck not. We also got to hear his Blake Shelton cut "She Wouldn't Be Gone" and some "Get A Hero Home" action.

Craig brought up the sophomore position with his incredible voice and soft-spoken demeanor which usually ends up being the most powerful energy in the room by the end of the night. Speak soft and carry and stick as big as Craig Monday's and you'll get along just fine. Craig got all the ladies wiggling with "Mama Was Right", "Stuff Like That" and the fan favorite "Elephino", to name a few. Love that stuff, if I do say so...make sure you request "Slept Right Thru It All" the next time you're at a Craig Monday show.

Shelby took us on a little trip to his neck of the woods with his distiguished style of awesomeness. If you're anywhere near the internet, check out www.ShelbyMerchant.com to see what I'm talking about. Shelby's got a couple of albums out there that I know you'll dig if you give them a listen. We got a little taste of them last night with "It Ain't The Preachin'", "Lonely", and everybody's #1 request, "Slow Row". Vivo El Hunky Tonks.

I tried to switch things up a little...I put a brand new one out there that Cory and I finished a few weeks ago called "Would You Stand". Maybe I'll get a guitar/vocal down and post it - we'll definitely be doing it again at the band show next week so check it out. Also did some "Goodbye Woman", "My Wild Heart", and a trecherous version of "Big Bad Wolf" that was in some serious need of lead guitar rehearsal. But we survived...

And we had a great time. The venue is GREAT - make sure you check it out ASAP. The food is still right on par and they've even added some menu items...the view is pretty sweet with the cityscape behind the stage...a great beer and wine selection...an incomparable atmosphere (candles by the stage!). It was just cool - I hope to see you down at the next one! 10/10! Rock on...

Mason