September 14, 2014—Nashville Thursday Night!
Music Row Songwriter Showcase - 7:40-8:20 p.m.
1028 16th Ave
Nashville Tennessee USA 615-726-0446
Songwriter Showcase Hosted by Debi Champion - 9:30-10:30 p.m.
2613 West End Avenue
Nashville Tennessee 37203
US A
Hey, Everybody! I just had the most magical, unexpected experience thanks to my friend, Parker Murphy, whom some of you will remember playing upright bass in my “Hot Guys” band in Austin last March. Today, I was getting a bit caught up in the preparations for Nashville when I got a text from Parker saying, “I’m playing with Milton . . . at the Myth Café on Jefferson until 4!” Parker knows that I am a #1 Lightnin’ Hopkins fan, and I have read and heard so much about his cousin, Milton, and always wanted to get a chance to see and hear him live. He is one of the last real Blues men and, thank goodness, I had the good sense to drop everything and make the quick trip downtown. I’m so glad I did. It was the perfect “send-off” as I head for Nashville.
I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the performance. Milton was backing Texas Johnny Boy on vintage Gibson guitars with Parker on bass and Steve Hunter playing percussion. But the best part was getting to meet and hang out with Mr. Hopkins and to hear his stories of appearing at the Apollo and the Howard in Washington DC back in the day. He is a lovely person, as well as a consummate musician who has all the credibility of having lived a life of music with all the memories and MORE THAN “ten thousand hours” behind him yet so in the present and ageless, it was rather uncanny but most wonderfully memorable. Thankfully, Parker captured that special moment for me in a picture that I have just posted on my Web site at
www.glennabell.com
It was quite inspiring to sit in small intimate space on a Sunday afternoon in Houston not far from historic Dowling Street and be able to enjoy music being played as it was and should always be, off the beaten path and for the people.
And to think that I’ll be debuting new songs from my forthcoming album in Nashville on Thursday evening at Bobby’s Idle Hour from 7:40-8:20 and at the Commodore Lounge from 9:30-10:30. Life is good.
If you find yourself in Nashville next week, I’d love to see you there.
Y’all come!