Macon’s native sons, Little Richard, on a regular basis. The room that Griffin had reserved for us was packed with friends, including Dave Peck, Gilbert Lee and David Byrd (two world class photographers who took amazing shots all day long!), Kirk (another great photographer!) and Kirsten West, Willie Perkins and many others. Lisa Watkins Meyer sat flanked by myself and my Virginia friend Craig Stevens. I was on a tight schedule and had to be back at the Douglass soon to open the show. I ordered hummus and pita
show. What an honor for me. At the last minute, I asked if he’d please do one of his songs in the middle of the set and he agreed. (See review this issue) We had a blast, and then it was time for Billy Bob Thornton’s crew. Seeing the Boxmasters from the wings two
nights in a row was very special. I sat with Scott and Leigh Ellen Sandlin on stage right. The guys broke out the modest outfits I’d ever seen them sport. Very 1960’s stripes and bellbottoms, bright colors and groovy accents. The band tore the roof off of the room, and the audience hung on every word from Billy Bob, whether sung or spoken. It was another great show, one I’ll never forget. I took the lovely Katherine Walden back to
Tommy Talton at the Douglass Theatre. (David Byrd Photo)
bread, thinking that would come out fast. I sup- pose the staff was over amped because our food came out at 7 PM. I was supposed to be back over at the theatre at 7. I ate a few bites, as did Lisa, who offered to walk back over with me. We picked up both Gilbert Lee and David Byrd along the way and met my buddy Scott and headed backstage. What I didn’t think about was that a large
part of our audience was still eating at the Tic Toc. With that realization in mind, I delayed my set by about 20 minutes. It was quite a thrill to play center-stage standing on the spot where Otis Redding stood! Where James Brown stood! Where Little Richard stood! Whew!Lord have Mercy!
I opened the set onstage alone with my
Zager guitar, performing a song from my upcom- ing CD, The Austin Sessions. Then it was star time! I brought out my friend Tommy Talton to play acoustic slide and lead for the rest of the
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say hello to Billy Bob, and Alan and Tosha Walden, Jessica Walden and her husband were all back stage. Billy Bob is so cool. He always takes time with every single person who wants to speak with him, and this was no different. We had a good long drive back to Greenville, so we said goodbye and were back on the road again. By the time we got back to Scott’s house it was the middle of the night, and I was so tired I just sat on the sofa and slept until sunrise before driving back home to Spartanburg with a head full of music and memories. It had been another great adventure in the continuing travels of Michael and Scott. I am ready to go again! •
Billy Bob Thornton at the Douglass Theatre. (David Byrd Photo)
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