My wife and I rode the Bike down to Asheville, NC last Friday for the Bele Chere Celebration. It was a fun trip. We could've used a little less rain on Saturday but it did clear up and was beautiful for when the Beatnecks took the stage at 2:15PM on Sunday. There were 5 concert venues going for the entire 3 days. On Saturday evening we saw a band called Kevin Gordon and we recognized that the guitarist was Joe V. McMahan. We stopped and spoke with Joe who actually recognized us from the Webb shows. His band put on a very good show. On Sunday we got to see Geoff Achison for the first time. That man can play some blues. Very original and very talented. Nancy was there selling swag. After Geoff played we went to see Webb and the boys. I turned around and there was Geoff Achison who also came to see Webb play. Bob Williams sounded great on the guitar and has added some original licks to some of the tunes. Jimmy Lester had his drum kit miked up and sounded louder than I'd ever heard him. He is the consummate musician! Tom Comet rules as usual. I even noticed that Tom throws a little footwork in when he's really getting into the bass. He had his expensive cowboy boots tappin' and scootin' around the stage. Webb sounded great and the Asheville audience loved the band. Of all the shows we attended, Webb's was the most professional and entertaining. There was a large crowd for this show and the band did not disappoint. I believe the crowd would've stayed for another 2 hours if Webb could have played longer. I got a set list from Big Bob Williams but left it at home. I'll post it tomorrow. I am sending Hunter some photos from the show.
I don't know how these guys keep doing what they do, show after show, and still sound great every time. When these guys performed on Sunday they had been on the road for several days and thousands of miles yet still put on a fine show for the crowd. They are Iron Men!
On another note, the Mountaineer Inn, where we stayed on Saturday Night, is a little more "Rustic" than most of us are accustomed to and I may post some phone numbers on this site for some alternate accommodations.

Speaking of Kevin Gordon, he's a blues musician and has co-billed at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, IL with Webb before. If I recall correctly Tom has played with him as well. Maybe even some of WW's drummers, too, but I do not recall. Linda, where are ya? Linda will have a lot to add about Kevin, as she is a big fan of his. I'm sure she can fill in the blanks.

Thanks, Tater! It was great to see ya. Kevin Gordon is a great singer songwriter. I covered one of his songs, "Jimmy Reed (Is The King Of Rock and Roll). He opened for us a buncha times at Fitzgerald's. His albums are really good. He is also good live and equally adept at playing three piece, four piece, solo or with an added keyboardist. Joe has played with him on and off for years . Tom played with him a lot and is on his last album. Bryan Owings has done a lot of gigs with him, too. WW

Yeah, what Webb said, about KG.

Tater, what you doin dissin' the Mountaineer? I never seen a place with more big rig parking. How much you reckon them boots of Toms
cost? (Good review by the way!)

Mo: I don't know what Tom must pay for those boots but I can tell you that I helped roadie the band's equipment into a venue in Columbus, OH and Tom's boots have their very own carrying bag to keep them from being scuffed-up in the Econoline. Those boots may even qualify as part of the band's equipment! Kind of like Webb's hat.

If the cost of the boots exceed 2% of Adjusted Gross Income they can be deducted. Smart.

I believe he can even deduct the cost of the Boots' Gig Bag!

Man.....TOM COMET RULES!!!!

I do like Kevin Gordon- great voice, and the songs he writes has good and non-traditional lyrics. Love it. Pairs up well when billed with Webb too.

TOM Rules fer shur! And looking forward to this Saturday nite in the Big Town- Chicago!!!!

Boots gig bag. Has a nice ring to it. Would make a good band name, especially when said as a a single word, in a French accent.
Butsgeeebah . I see marketing potential.

Boots Gighbagh, man on the go. BTW, the "Boots" industry just calls those "boot bags," but hey...what about the gigging boot wearer? WW

Speaking of the "boots" industry, gigging boot wearers, and boot buggery in general, Name that boot wearer. (I use the word boot in its broadest sense.) Hint: The answer is not a Dickens character.


The BOOT:
http://www.alamoshoes.com/product/product_category/104/boots/gender/2/men/brand/10/earth/baja_butter_calf_brown/1160.php

Thanks to Tater, here are photos of WW & Co. rockin' the outdoors:

http://www.webbwilder.com/?goto=fan_photos&gig=81

Hunter

Kevin Gordon is one of the best things going out there and I would encourage everyone to check out his three excellent CDs. It's real music with a BS factor of 0, and you get Joe McMahan thrown in as part of the bargain!
On the fashion front, those boots were made (for walkin') by Sentra in Italy and were purchased in Opole, Poland, in 1996, for around $100 USD-I don't remember how many Zloty that was at the time! The boot bag is from M. L. Leddy in my hometown, Fort Worth. I had been looking for a pair of western-style shoe/Beatle boots for years, but only found them in women's styles until I walked into a western wear store in Poland, of all places. I dig 'em because I can carry 'em in the trusty Samsonite with my cords and accessories so they're there where I need 'em.
Nice pics, Tater, and thanks for all the kind comments in this thread, y'all!
On to Chicago!

Figures - Webb finally gets in the Belle Chere - an easy drive for me - and I'm out of town for the weekend it takes place... Sorry I missed it guys - good to see you up there on the big stage.

Lots of talk about boots and hats and gig bags..... but no set list - Tater you're slipping. By the way....

Webb Wilder Rocks, Tom Comet Rules, Bob Williams is the Blues master and Jimmy Lester is the Man...

E

Never diminish the importance of a good boots gig bag.

BTW that was Pete Townsends stylish shoe.

Here is a link to a video with Tom Comet, Joe McMahan and Kevin Gordon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjb-GYKiEzg&feature=related

Okay, better late than never. Just for Eric, here is that set list:
Big Time
Only one
Human Cannonball
Horror Hayride
Poolside
You might be lonely for a reason
Pretty little lights of town
Lookin' for a fool
King of the hill
Change Colors
Stay out of automobiles
Slow death
The rest will take care of itself
Baby please don't go
Jimmy Reed
Pretty is
Louisiana Hanna
Jumpin' Jack Flash
Tough it out

Thank ye'

E