Randall Calvert (lead guitar), Joey Parrish (bass), Mike Satterfield (Palmetto drums), John Gillie (guitars) and Brad Durden (keyboards, vocals), presented a blistering 45 minute set of original songs, some from each of their first two albums, and a few from their upcoming third release. I really got a kick out of watching the faces of those uninitiated who were caught off guard by the sheer talent of these Spartanburg, SC boys who have shades of classic Marshall Tucker, Poco and Atlanta Rhythm Section interwoven within their great songs. Rick Cash has always been one of my favorite singers, and Randall Calvert one of my favorite guitar players. I have long main- tained that this is the best undiscovered band in America. I believe it. Is anyone out there in record land listening?
The band kicked off with a song from their first incarnation back in the 1980’s, at a time when I myself worked with the band and co-wrote many of their early songs. The opening tune was writ- ten by former guitarist Steve Harvey. The song, “Long Gone,” sounds as fresh now as it did in 1982. What followed was just an onslaught of potential radio hits, from the John Gillie penned “Southern Poet” to great new songs like “Warm Inside” and “Let it Shine.” The set rocked to a close with Randall’s “Chain Gang” and the per- fect set closer, “Going Back To Carolina.” After a quick stage change, it was time for our acoustic set. The stage lit up with former Grinderswitch guitarist Larry Howard; Winter’s Brothers Band co-founder Donnie Winters; Justin McCorkle, son of founding Marshall Tucker guitarist George McCorkle; and the young guitar phenom Jake Haldenwang.
It was a stellar set. Highlights included Larry Howard’s heartfelt “Cool Rain” which brought tears to more than one eye in the house with its powerful lyric; Donnie Winters excellent version of “Columbus Stockade Blues;” Jake Haldenwang’s original “Can’t Believe;” and Justin McCorkle singing his dad’s “Fire On The Mountain.”
Next up was our auction, in which I teamed up with “Mr. Macon” John Charles Griffin, who turned out to be quite the auctioneer. Also of great assistance were the beautiful young daugh- ters of Bob Burns, Kristen and Lou. They were
the perfect spokes models for our auction. We auctioned off a beautiful fiddle, signed by the one and only Charlie Daniels, and a couple of great items donated by The Big House Museum - a really great framed photo of the original Allman Brothers Band, it was a fantastic photo taken by Twiggs in a big frame. Hey, I wanted that! Also, John brought along one of his photos of the late
NEXT GENERATION GUITAR HERO - Jake Haldenwang has no problem keeping up with the old guys. (Photo by Roxanne Lark)
Red Dog Campbell hugging up to sweet Mama Louis Hudson. It was in a double frame with a photo of the Honor Guard from Red Dog’s funer- al. All of these items added substantially to the Hearts of the South grand total for the fund rais- er, and all were greatly appreciated. This was the most fun auction I have ever had, because of John and the Burns girls.
Boy howdy! It was time to go all full tilt Southern Rock. Time for the jam! The Silver Travis Band kicked things off with a rousing ren- dition of Atlanta Rhythm Section’s “So Into You,”
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