I love fiddle players, because they play fiddles.  I love bands with fiddles, because a lot of bands don’t have them, especially the less established bands because bass, guitar, and drums are must haves and when you aren’t getting paid much its hard to add one more player to split your $50 with, so I LOVE IT when a band has fiddle, especially a good fiddle player, cute doesn’t hurt either!  Can anyone else tell I am trying to justify that I have way more pics of the fiddle player than everyone else?  They are just too much fun to photograph, kind of like an accordion.  Anyway on to my love affair with the Turnpike Troubadours.  WOW, Love them, love the album, love them live, love hearing them on the radio, love them.  They played the Wise Co. Old Settlers Reunion this year, opening up for the Mike McClure Band.  Two of my favorites same night….WINNING!  Thanks Charlie Sheen.  Okay back to it, I was a little worried when they started because there wasn’t much of a crowd and that just wasn’t going to do, these guys are too good for only a handful of people to hear, but low and behold by half-way thru their set the pavilion was very nicely packed with people.  These guys put on a great show, but almost as impressive interacted with the crowd and seemed to be having a good time,although awkward at some moments (the local high school mascot showed up in costume and tried to pick a fight with lead singer Evan Felker){no I didn’t get a picture}.  Check these guys out, download their newest album ‘Diamonds & Gasoline’, then go download anything and everything else of theirs you can get your hands on.  Let me just say this one more time, if you are a music fan, support your bands, go to the shows, buy their merch even if its just a koozie, keep these guys on the road!  Now on to the pics!!!

Okay so I have decided that all of the drummers in the world need to protest their stage lighting.  I get they have to be in the back, but does that mean they have to be in the dark?  Or worse, the RED DARK?  Join forces guys and demand the light you deserve. Did I mention that he could sing?  No?  Well he can and really well!  Multi-Talented Overachievers!

I didn’t get to stay for Mike’s set because I had to leave and get to College Station for what he called “cow conference”, which I will post about soon.  So here is a shot of Mike and Waldo backstage before their set, don’t ask….I can tell you Mike danced a little jig before this pic was taken, but I am saving those pics for another time or blackmail whichever comes first.

Have a great week everyone and get out and go see a live show this weekend!!  Have some fun!