Greetings from alternately gloomy, sunny, cold, or rainy Nashville. It is potluck for 50 and a classic May in the mid-south.
Lots of sunshine though yesterday—literally—and sign and symbol of our oldest friends arriving from Cali for a visit.
Went to see and hear the great Rhymin’ Simon at the Ryman on Tuesday. My thoughts on his epic Seven Psalms in light of his 60+ year career are brewing (more to come). All-in, an undeniable American original. Yes, he played “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” but not “You Can Call Me Al.” Which makes sense. If you’ve listened to Seven Psalms you know he’d like you to call him Israel now (as in one who wrestled with God and man and got a new name and a bad hip).
You’ve heard all about the new recording this year, Every Kind of Uh-Oh, the memoir Roots & Rhythm: A Life in Music with 50 years as a working musician, and now the final reveal and celebration in this triad of notes: 50 years of marriage to the remarkable Ms. Andi Berrier! May 18th to be exact.
Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds Pavilion, Yuba City, California May 18th, 1975
Also newsy this week: I found out on Monday that the Evangelical Press Association had named the Sister Rosetta Tharpe episode (Ep.5) of the Music & Meaning podcast as the #1 Higher Goals podcast for 2024. I’m not too fond of the word evangelical in its current application, unless we’re using the Greek origination euangelion meaning good news. But, I took this as good news and gave thanks. More gratitude and props to my team at CT Media for their part in this award, including producers Mike Cosper, Erik Petrik, and Matt Stevens—and special musical guests Jerry McPherson and Tommy Sims, with an assist by my granddaughter Bridget Ashworth. If you have not heard it, enjoy. Several options for streamers (including Apple and Spotify with a click on image).
Speaking of podcasts, here are two excellent ones that I was honored to be a guest on recently. First up, this top music podcast from iHeart Radio “takin’ a walk” with host, music industry veteran, Buzz Knight.
And then a deep dive with the erudite Russell Moore, a highly skilled author, theologian, and host. Multiple streaming options with a click on image.
Nashvillians, still asking you to add this event to your calendars. Join me Saturday mid-morning on June 14th at the Tennessee State Museum as part of their TN Writers/Stories Series. I’ll be in conversation with the fabulous Jason Wilkins, a longtime writer/manager fixture on the Nashville music scene. Sponsored by Humanities Tennessee and Vanderbilt University Press.
Also of note, I just confirmed I will be a speaker at the Southern Festival of Books in October. Stay up-to-date at website for upcoming schedule of events, including my own.
Peace and love to all. And one more photo celebrating our 50th. You’ve probably never seen me play trumpet before! That is the great session musician and also former local boy, Jim Cox on electric piano. My face looks like I’m thinking, “Did I really just play a C# whole note over an Fmaj7 chord?”
50 years is amazing! Happy Anniversary!!! 🥳
Love the post! And so cool that you got to see Paul Simon's performance! It was really great wasn't it, and nice to know I wasn't the only one wondering if we would get Call Me Al :-)
My husband and I got to see his show in Dallas. What a treat. I'm looking forward to more of your thoughts on the show.