Tri-Cities entertainment compass has turned and it’s pointing to Bristol. It used to be Johnson City was the place to go for live music, but this Friday night, while performing with The Clear project, it was obvious that Bristol is the first choice for variety and social coolness.
It was one of those last minute things too. We have been rehearsing for an upcoming performance at Bristol Rhythm and Roots and Jared Bentley mentioned an acoustic performance with Jeff Rogers formerly of Punchin’ Judy Friday night. Their bands (Clear and Punchin’ Judy) were two of the most talked about bands in the late nineties and me and the rest of the guys in the reformed band would at least show up for the party. Somewhere along the way it turned out into an opportunity to play (practice) our new songs and Greg Smith, Lance McCloud and myself decided to spend our Fridays like we enjoy, playing live, impromptu music.
Bristol is gaining recognition for more than NASCAR now and their efforts with Bristol Rhythm and Roots, The Paramount and a number of venues are really starting to attract large crowds. Driving down State Street just past the Bristol Country Music Alliance murial, you pass by several new venues on State Street. In a few blocks there are a number of pool halls along with Ireson’s Pub, a cauldron of metal and hillbilly funk and the State Line Bar and Grill, Bristol’s hip club, KP Duty with street–side dining and a new venue called McGrudders (I’ll need to check that name) – it’s a big place too – nice and someone said they feature classic rock bands.
The Paramount marquee promoted Elvis personators in a ring of light bulbs high in the sky and right around the next block, On Fifth is open and with its modern deco it stands out as Bristol’s new chic gathering place. Fifth street is co-titled Jimmie Rogers Boulevard and the swanky copper decor and radiant hosts have a great place to visit in suit and tie or open collar silk shirts. There’s a dress code on the door and no smoking inside. The location, restaurant design and runway hosts are unlike any other place in Bristol and it will be interesting to watch this room grow and if our first experience there is any indication, this is gonna be a great place to hop on the weekends.
Their stage is not set up for a lot of instruments and our little four-piece was pushing the limits. Lance and I had to set up in a small area behind a iron fence and Jared and Greg were out front on the floor. Not bad once we were settled, but it was a cagey obstacle course for the rest of the evening. No big deal really, because what this club lacks in a stage for a live band, it distinguishes itself with great martinis and cozy, dim-lighted tables and enclosures that would be great to share with friends in suits and stilettos or clove cigarettes (outside) and heady conversations.
On Fifth and has a limited fare of sandwiches, salads and pastas, but what a crowd. We were standing outside before the show and a pearl white Rolls Royce pulls up outside the bar. You don’t see that often and just as the sun went down a half rainbow filled the sky and we had lots of time to talk to friends that kept arriving all night long.
Jared and Greg had invited plenty of old Clear fans and Jeff has his clan from Punchin’ Judy days. I always enjoy seeing the equestrian goddess club show up to tonight along with Amy Smith, a memorizing actor and vocalist from the Barter Theatre. Clear drummer, Willie Simpson was surprised to see us all there too and although we did Ok with the music tonight, I sure missed his pulse. He must have had to work earlier, so we played the set without percussion.
Josh Young arrived while we were playing the first set. He’s the talented and entertaining bassist for Virginia Ground. His band is in limbo right now and when we talked during the first break, I tried to encourage him talking about all the changes I’ve experienced playing music, but he still seemed a bit bummed out by the state of the old band. Josh is one of the area’s most promising new performers. We’ve seen each other a couple of times this summer as we worked with the band in Maggie Valley and Trail Days in Damascus.
Playing without a drummer though is quite a challenge. Jared sang great all night and continues to suspend time with his talented range and passion. His original songs are sounding better than ever too and that goes for the rest of the band too. I was eavesdropping in the crowd later on and heard someone say Greg Smith was sounding better than ever. Lance was the funky remedy on bass as usual and displays a quiet confidence and unspoken reckless about his playing and he provides most of the groove factor for this project especially without Willie. As unpredictable as performances like this are though, it allows each of us to explore new arrangements and ventures in our work.
After the second set, Jared introduced me to Donovan. He used to run a venue in Abingdon, VA called Stella Blues and even though I’ve never been there, it’s legacy is still a part of tall tales of the region. Jared has played there several times and shared a battery of old times.
Jeff Roberts showed up in the second break and he and Jared discussed some songs to sing and before long we were back on stage running a version of The Doors, Roadhouse Blues. That seemed to fit quite well for tonight as he worked the crowd into the first chorus with a unison chant – “I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer.” Note to self. This is a better crowd pleaser than any Skynrd song.
There were lots of friends collecting On Fifth and it’s a swanky new place for entertainment in Bristol. Take a right around the corner from the Paramount in downtown Bristol. If you like high fashion, bright colored martinis, dim lights and a hip bar scene, this one should be on your list.
We finished up around midnight and on the way home that night, I passed by all of the open venues in Bristol and even noticed the State Line VFW was still open along with a handful of cars at The Rockin’ Horse. Both of these rooms have been open for sometime now, but there seems to be a new vibrant quality about these new venues in Bristol. So this weekend, give some thought to a night with friends in Bristol. There’s fine restaurants, theater and if you like a city-wide entertainment district, Bristol’s downtown in two states is hard to beat.