On the Road with Fred

ATHENS GATHERS TO HONOR WARREN ZEVON
American Cancer Society Benefit, Georgia Theatre, Athens, GA January 20, 2004

When singer/songwriter Warren Zevon passed away from lung cancer on September 7, 2003, he left behind a catalogue of extraordinarily well-written material that, for the most part, has always enjoyed far more respect from the musical community than the artist ever enjoyed with popular music critics. On January 30, numerous local musicians gathered together at the Georgia Theatre in Athens to pay their respect to their fallen brethren, while also raising thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society.

The event, organized by drummer Rick Williams of the Park Bench Trio, proved not only to be a unique and exciting evening of music, but also a showcase of the future of the Athens music scene. While most of those in attendance seemed to be on hand for sets by longtime local favorites Bloodkin and Barbara Cue, it would be two younger bands that wound up stealing the show.

Barbara Cue's set, which featured a guest appearance by eccentric local legend Jack Logan (a perfect performer to be showcased at a Warren Zevon benefit), was short, but extremely well performed. It was, disappointing, however, to see drummer Todd Nance pack his snare and leave the building immediately following his band's set, implying that he would not be on hand later in the evening for the show closing "Pajama Jam," (as listed on the show's roster backstage).

That disappointment quickly dissipated the moment the Park Bench Trio took the stage. Barbara Cue's William Tonks set for the first song, "Factory," before leaving this young trio to do what they do best; play the blues, driven by the fiery guitar of Greg Ward. "Battleship Chains," a song most Southerners would associate far more with the Georgia Satellites than Warren Zevon, followed, in what was perhaps the most entertaining song of the entire evening, leaving little doubt that this band, and Ward in particular, are truly a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

Tishamingo was up next with a short, but extremely enjoyable, performance. From the outset, "Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)," it was apparent that this is a band that is out not only to entertain, but also to have a damn good time while doing so. In an evening featuring a number of Athens top local talents, Jess Franklin was particularly impressive, as unassuming as one could be, while playing a wicked slide guitar that can buckle your knees. The entire band, while performing songs they had just begun rehearsing the previous day, was in great form the entire set, which also featured "Frank and Jesse James" (a song Tishamingo truly made sound their own), "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me," and "Meet Me in L.A.," featuring a guest appearance by Adam Turner on saxophone while Franklin really cut loose with his slide.

Bloodkin, an Athens tradition since 1988 (almost as long as event organizer Rick Williams has been alive), followed. From the outset, it was apparent that this would not be your usual Bloodkin show. First, Paul "Crumpy" Edwards (who had performed earlier in the evening with Barbara Cue), was standing next to me in the crowd, replaced on bass by newcomer David Nichols. While there were are hard feelings about Crumpy leaving the band, (he simply did not have the time to continue his day job at Brown Cat, and to perform in Barbara Cue and Jo Jo Hermann's side projects, while Bloodkin planned a national tour,) his absence, coupled with Daniel Hutchens performing at far from full strength as he battled a sickness that would leave him unable to complete the band's set in Atlanta the following week, made for a most un-Bloodkin like performance.

Throw in the fact that Bentley Rhoades played guitar for two of the band's three songs (with Williams sitting in on drums), and the set hardly seemed like Bloodkin at all. Bentley would return to his familiar seat behind the drum kit for the band's closing number, "Lawyers, Guns & Money," a "tricky one," guitarist Eric Carter proclaimed, that the band decide to try anyway.

The evening came to a close with the aforementioned "Pajama Jam," only no one was wearing their pajamas. As Carter, Tonks and Ward put on one hell of a triple-pronged display on guitar, Williams led the all-star ensemble through an awesome rendition of "Detox Mansion." Cameron Williams and Jason Fuller (who played an awesome harp in addition to his usual keyboards) of Tishamingo, as well as Hutchens and female vocalist Anna Broach, joined the party for the show's last waltz, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," during which many of the performers raised their Budweisers in unison, bringing the evening to a close toasting, "We'll see you later Warren."

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