Merle Tour 09 Ronaoke and Rocky Mnt. NC

Merle Haggard in Roanoke, Va and WWE Rasslin too.
Not a parking space to be found.

Waiting to see Merle

Merle in Rocky Mnt. NC

Merle, Teresa and Don

Norm Hamlet

The Malphus Brothers

Two nights of Merle in a row, 800 miles traveled and had a ball.

Graves Mountain 2009 - Syria, Va May 30th

SteelDrivers on Stage

Various Shots of the Park

Home Sweet Home for the Day

The Bluegrass Brothers

Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain

Rhonda Vincent on Stage

Rhonda Vincent and Carl Jackson in the Sun!

She stood for 2 1/2 hours signing autographs

The SteelDrivers

Chris Stapleton of the SteelDrivers

Great Day of Music on a Perfect Day!

The Dead on Tour and on Radio

Very cool to see and hear the Dead on Tour again. XM/Sirius Radio is broadcasting selected shows live which is very cool. Check them out here http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/channelpage.xmc?ch=57

Neko Case

Finally got to see Neko Case. She and her band played at the National in Richmond, Va Monday April 6th, Merle Haggard's Birthday. Honestly was an ok show. Had lots of audio problems where they had to start and stop a lot and it got frustrating. But the girl (pictured here, not by me) they wouldn't let you take pictures, although I thought about it, can sing. If she comes close I would consider seeing her again, but it's the last time i will travel to see her. Still I was happy to see this songbird play.

Blue Highway in Harrisonburg, VA-Friday the 13th of March 09

Poster of the show
The Band on Stage


The Band again



Rob Ickes and his famous Dobro

Tim Stafford and Rob Ickes



Jason Burleson and Shawn Lane


Blue Highway played to a sold out crowd at the Court Square Theater in Harrisonburg, VA Friday March 13th. I've seen this band at the now defunked Prism in Charlottesville, VA and at Merlefest a couple of time in North Carlolina. One of the suprise songs of the night was an impromptude Merle Haggard's "All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers".

I'd say out of all the thousands of bluegrass band out there, Blue Highway is my favorite and it was so cool to see them in my old home town.

Willie and the Wheel in Roanoke, VA

Well not feeling that good yesterday I was happy I was going to see Willie and the Wheel in Roanoke, VA but dreading the whole night.....but man was I wrong. What a concert. Asleep at the Wheel had a 10 piece band setup and played Western Swing like it was meant to be played. They did their own 40 minute set and then "The Man" Willie step on stage and away we went through a night of Willie standards back by one of the best bands of all time. Just a great flow of music, the crowd was into it and by the pictures you see I was able to get up and walk around the auditorium and dance and move and such. Talked to some of Wilie's people and they said that they are going to Austin City Limits to do a taping and then stopping the tour. But he said that Willie is having so much fun that they plan maybe to go out in the summer with this tour. The only down part was I was 2 inches away from getting Willie's autograph on a poster but I was just too late, I was pissed at myself. But a great show and I hope they play close again in the summer. Here is the Roanoke's paper review of the show. I think I did pretty good on pictures. Here is the set list:
Asleep At The Wheel

Miles And Miles Of Texas
Route 66
Don't Fence Me In
Goodbye Liza Jane
?? Mountain Rag
Choo Choo Boogie
What A Wonderful World
Big Balls In Cowtown
House Of Blue Lights
South

-Willie & The Wheel

Whiskey River
Still Is Still Moving To Me
Funny How Time Slips Away
Crazy
NIght Life
Sweet Jenny Lee
Hesitation Blues
Right Or Wrong
Fannie
Oh, You Prety Woman
Sitting On Top Of The World
Pancho And Lefty
Always On My Mind
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Georgia On My Mind
Jambalaya
Hey Good Lookin
Move It On Over
Django instrumental (?)
On The Road Again
Back To Earth
Superman
You Don't Think I'm Funny Anymore
Good Hearted Woman
Happy Birthday Julie Anne
On The Road Again Reprise
Momma's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line (Outro)

Willie and Asleep at the Wheel

Willie Nelson will play in Roanoke, VA on Feb 17th with Asleep at the Wheel. A swinging good time should be had by all. They are on a 12 city tour so if you get the chance go see them and rock out. Here is a video of AATW on Austin City Limits