I moved to Kingsport in 1976 and have lived in all three of the Tri-Cities. In the eighties, my apartment was in Bristol, TN, but I’ve never been to the Virginia Intermont campus downtown. It was a difficult to find too. A few weeks ago, Bristol Rhythm and Roots had booked Clear and Rob Russell and the Sore Losers to perform at the re-dedication of the outside amphitheater at VI. At best, it was a new stage to perform and it was thrilling for me to play a set with one of the region’s best songwriters, but it was another awkward night for Clear.
I felt like an absent-minded fool driving back and forth along the north-side of Bristol too, passing bright yellow and white wood-frame homes, thick with years of paint lining narrow streets that lead up to the campus behind the Bristol, VA courthouse and WCYB. Bryant’s Grocery was locked up on Labor Day, it’s windows barely visible for the locked fence wrapped around doors and windows – a sign barely visible from the road that read “Since 1957.”
The weather was perfect too. The Sunday afternoon on Labor Day weekend had just started to cool down a bit and when we finally arrived to the outdoor facility, the sun was just starting to set behind the crest of this gorgeous outdoor amphitheater.
For some reason, my first thoughts turned to Neil Diamond of all things. Not sure why, but when I walked on to the small gray concrete stage, I was reminded of Neil’s stage performance I had seen in my early teens. ‘Love on the Rocks’ – I tried to sing – miserably.
Nevertheless, this was a cool stage and another new one to add to the list. The local civitan club had donated time and resources to makeover this stage which has built in the 1950s. This sculpted landscape is perfect too and with seating for over 1,000 this could be one of the most under utilized stages in the region.
Several students had meandered from the classroom and possibly one hundred people were present when the university speakers began to make announcements and dedicate the stage with a new tree planted at the top of the hill.
During the announcements, the guys in the band were moving gear from the vans to the stage. I introduced Leah Ross, the festival director for Bristol Rhythm and Roots to Rob Russell. This is Rob’s first year to perform at the festival and he was quick to share a memory with us of his time when he taught English here at VI.
I had to ask Rob about his run for Congress too. He seemed quite humble about his recent website and interest in public service. He talks about the bid with humility, but for now, Rob seems content with a new wife and son whom were laying a blanket down in front of the stage. I was even more excited about the gig when asked me to play a set with the band.
It wasn’t long before Clear played their set at the VI stage and the best adjective I could find would be…”dutiful.” I mentioned that to Greg a bit later, but right now, the band is responding to several circumstances that may or may not dissolve this union. We played a fair set, but our awkward enthusiasm, lack of rehearsal is hardly a platform for pleasure. I think everyone would agree, but it was still great to be on stage with my friends.
By the time we moved everything off the stage and Rob Russell began to play, the sun was had disappeared and in the shadows of the amphitheater, we soon learned that the lights didn’t work. We didn’t bring any either. Rob was dressed in his new black preacher’s coat and the band was playing great with Todd East now playing bass for the Sore Losers. He was the former bassist for Boomerang and has been working with Tony Rominger in Johnson City.
There were a couple of outside street lights above the stage, but they kept winking on and off during Rob’s set and never did more than tease the small crowd as the stage became dark once again. I was standing near the trees with Rob’s son when he called me on to the stage. Unfortunately, I’ve never rehearsed his set, but I’ve heard plenty of his songs over the years so it was a real treat to play with Andy, Chad, Dave and Rob. I’m pretty sure I hid my worst notes under the volume and the shadows.
Rob’s set was over a little after 9.00 and we could barely see, but it was good time. I think most everyone is Clear was bummed out and that’s tough to swallow. I was bidding goodnight to Jared and Vanessa who were loading a few more pieces of gear into our SUVs when I realized we were the last ones to leave. Lance, Greg and Willie had left well before Rob’s set had begun. It was unfortunate that the band is in a funk and I sure wish we could have had some lights for the Rob Russell set, but it was still great to play this show and hopefully I’ll have another chance to play this great stage in Bristol.