Dallas, Are You Ready to Acoustic Rock?
Nakia sings
I really should be more timely, though I did upload a few photos of the recent Dallas stop of the Bears on the Run Tour. Perhaps this will get me going on getting the alaska photos uploaded (hell, where are those Boston photos from a year ago?)
Dallas was the first stop on the Bears on the Run Tour. It was a small, but enthusiastic group, many of us knowing each other from LJ. Thursday night as the guys went out on the town to promote the show, I got to meet the other artists on the tour, so the show felt like an intimate group of friends. By the time Matthew Temple hit the stage as the last act, I got the feeling that we were all at some bonfire telling stories and listening to people sing their tales.
Truly, I knew some of these guys, but never heard their music, certainly not live. It was a great show with laughs, a lot of hugs, some working out of details on this shakedown cruise, and a group of artists that looked very happy about getting on the road and just entertaining.
Let me tell you a little about each artist we saw.
Bobaloo: Really, most of us here know him. He's the wild and crazy guy and made a good MC introducing the acts. He came out in a few costumes, including an ensemble that mimicked the 80's rocker Billy Squire. Lets say his guitar playing needs some work, but still "the Stroke" is a song that deserves some ribbing.
Elijah Black: Rocking guitarist with soulful roots. Just good, crunchy music.
Shannon Grady: The voice of BTalk provides catchy guitar hooks with intimate story telling. His voice is soft and quiet, but clear and it draws you in.
Kendall: He's a ball of energy. The lyrics are fun and the costume...well, maybe he shouldn't be so shy and should show off a little. :-) He was the best in getting out in the audience and partying. Still, a serious song does show there's something deeper behind the performer.
Nakia: Funny, I've know Nakia for a few years now, but never really head him perform. What a suprise and a treat. Delicious white boy soul that I'm going to have to make a trip down to Austin to see as he performs with his full band. Definitely check him out.
Matthew Temple: Blues Rock and a story teller. You can see he's had experience and experiences. It was like he was the camp leader and we were the campers - especially as an orange light kept him half in light, half in shadow. A moving, emotional finish.
Afterwards i loaded up on some CDs, talked to both the artists and also the concert goers. It was more than a performance since we all had connections. I had such a great time.
That evening the performers packed up and we went to the Roundup for the unofficial aftershow party. We had a good time talking about the show, dallas, life etc. We also had some of the guys do an impromptu sing-a-long with Marge, the cross dressing guitarist who's out on Dallas' gaybourhood sidewalk just about every weekend.
I urge all of you to go see Bears on the Run if you're near the tour dates. (Especially you Houstonians - the show is tonight!) I so wanted to go to Austin last night, and if we had a dog sitter...well. still, there's a chance we might road trip it out to another show before it's all over. It was just that much fun!
I hope the rest of the tour goes great, with big, enthusiastic crowds!