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Buffalo Roaming: Jimmy Hall, Jonell Mosser and T. Graham Brown in Georgia

It was a beautiful day for a drive. I aimed the Honda in the general direction of Atlanta. It seems like I have to go through Atlanta to get to any destination. If I were going to New York, I’d probably still have to go through Atlanta. But why would I want to go to New York anyhow?

I was headed back to Rome, Georgia for another show at The High Lonesome Saloon, the best kept secret this side of the mighty Mississippi.

The drive in was a breeze, and the iPod rocked my world. I had it on shuffle, and the playlist ran the gamut from Tommy Talton to Maria McKee, Johnny Winter, The Outlaws, Deep Purple, Kate Bush, Charlie Daniels, Dan Penn, Bob Dylan - variety is the spice of life.

I made my way to Proctor Farm in the early afternoon, and Mike Proctor, my buddy and the owner of High Lonesome met me there. I was blown away by the new expansion they had added to the venue. He said construction had only begun a week earlier. Amazing. They added church pews, causing more than one person to call it the “mini Ryman.”

Inside Dale and the gang were getting everything ready for the arrival of T. Graham Brown’s bus. T’s band would be the primary band tonight, and would back up T., Jimmy Hall and Jonell Mosser.

It was getting downright bone rattling cold, and I hung out inside the venue and met a bunch of nice folks, members of opening bands and such. I found myself beginning to get psyched about the show. I mean, I love Jimmy Hall and T. Graham, and had been wanting to see Jonell for years. My friend George McCorkle used to tell me all the time that I needed to hear this girl. He told me she did a bang up blues version of his great song “Peace Stories.” He always told me she was a little bit Janis and a little bit Bonnie. He was right.

After some mighty fine barbeque, it was finally time to rock. Earlier in the day I had met Ted Scallon, who told me about his days playing with Johnny Winter. Tonight it was his own three piece blues ensemble, The Ted Scallon Band, and they were tight. The club was filling up and the excitement was mounting. The band was cooking in the tradition of Stevie Ray and Double Trouble, and the audience was digging it. The audience begged for an encore, but because of time constraints, the band was unable to comply. They were very considerate of their fellow bands. I found that totally refreshing and professional.

Next came Back Swing, a very impressive six man band from Rome. They kicked off with a groove instrumental that reminded me of old Sea Level. I later learned that it was actually a classic Average White Band song. The band meant business.

The group did a great job on a wide variety of covers and a few originals. They wowed the crowd with Lyle Lovett’s “She’s No Lady She’s My Wife,” The Eagle’s “Heart of The Matter,” and “Walking in Memphis.” Back Swing brought down the house when they closed with “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and Paul Thorn’s “Mission Temple Fireworks Stand.”

After a short break, T. Graham Brown’s band took the stage, introduced by Mike Proctor as the “Rack of Spam” band. The guys are some of Nashville’s finest, and they shine like diamonds, brothers and sisters.

Jonell Mosser was first at the mike, singing “You’ve Got to Trust Yourself,” with Jimmy Hall on sax. It was amazing. Everything George told me about Jonell was right. She has the swagger of Janis Joplin and just oozes soul.

Jimmy Hall followed up with Taj Mahal’s “She Caught The Katie,” and T. Graham pulled out one of my favorites, the Donnie Fritts/Scott Boyer penned “Memphis Women and Fried Chicken.” Jimmy and Jonnell sang along. The party was officially on.

The crowd hit the dance floor for T’s rendition of the Steve Cropper/Eddie Floyd classic “634-5789.” T. Graham was hilarious, making jokes throughout the evening as well as singing his big ol’ heart out.

Jimmy Hall called the group the T. Graham Brown Solid Gold Soul Review, and introduced T., who sang one of his number one country hits, “Tell it Like it Used to Be.” The floor was full of dancers.

Jonelle delivered an amazing rendition of Dan Penn’s “Do Right Woman” with Jimmy Hall singing along.

As the show continued on, Jonell kicked out the jams on “Knock On Wood” and T. Graham got down with his “Monkey.” T., Jimmy and Jonell were all having a ball, and that feeling washed across all of us in the audience. Jonell sang “Me and Bobby McGee” and Jimmy sang “Rendezvous with the Blues,” leading into a serious Southern fried jam.

The show just rocked and everyone in attendance can attest to the fact that this had been one more stellar evening of entertainment at the mighty, mighty High Lonesome.

I hit Big Texas Valley Road at about late thirty to head over to the Comfort Inn. An approaching car had their high beams on, so I flashed my lights to let them know. About a minute later the blue lights of the local police were in my rear view. The 25 year old cop was nice enough, asking me if I had trouble. He wanted to know why I blinked my lights at him. Well, all's well that ends well. Thank Gid he didn’t look in my trunk. The guns, drugs, moonshine and porn may have been hard to explain. (Hey, I am just trying to be more like Hunter Thompson.)

After a comfortable nights sleep, I headed back home. The Sunday skies were blue, the music was flowing, and by the time I had my second cup of coffee, life was really good. It had been another fun adventure. Next stop, Tampa, Florida and The Angelus Benefit. Just two more weeks.

Keep It Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo

PHOTOS BY BUFFALO

PHOTO RETROSPECTIVE

The High Lonesome.

Some of Proctors autographed guitars.

Made special for the Saloon.

The artists green room with its church windows and barber chair.

Back Swing.

Back Swing.

Jimmy Hall.

Jonell Mosser rocks.

Jonell and Jimmy.

Jonell in the groove.

Jonell and T. Graham Brown.

Mike Proctor auctiones a signed guitar to help a sick brother.

T. Graham super soul man.

T. and Jimmy.

 T.

THAT'S ALL, FOLKS!

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