Another edition of Waynestock has come and gone. This marks the 10th annual event and, as always, very good music was found at every turn. The array of talent in this city borders on ridiculous. The fact that musicians and singers shift from one band to another playing entirely different genres always amazes me. That so much talent can co-mingle with an apparent cooperative, rather than a competitive spirit, is a feat in itself.
It’s that kind of vibe that defines Waynestock. Born out of tragedy and an effort to help one of Knoxville’s own, the compassion and the spirit of concern and camaraderie that marked that first event hasn’t been lost. It can be measured in the smiles, laughs, and hugs that are visible throughout the three nights.
The good works have also continued. While the first event was a spontaneous effort to support Wayne Bledsoe on the death of his son Drew, the second became an effort to help the family of Phil Pollard, a Knoxville-based musician who died shortly before the second festival. In the years afterward, the event has raised money for various local charities and public service institutions. This year two musician families had great medical needs, and the proceeds will go to their aid.
On the stage, it was all about excellent music. Due to other obligations, I missed portions of the first two nights, but the music I caught each night displayed the range of musical talent in the city. The first night I caught sets by Mark and Ex-Gold, and the festival was off in a punk direction. With lots of intensity and 2 1/2 minute songs, this could not be mistaken for a bluegrass festival.
The second night I made it in time to catch part of the set I’d anticipated the most: Con Hunley with Mic Harrison and the High Score. Their performance several years ago at Waynestock still ranks as one of my favorites, and the show at the Corner Lounge when it re-opened cemented their appeal for me. At once rocking and still country, their shows distill the best of what Knoxville has to offer. And Con Hunley’s voice hasn’t lost a step.
The Thrift Store Cowboys, a Knoxville band via Texas gave an excellent show. It was my second time around with them, and I liked them even more than the first time. Great musical chops meets excellent songwriting and you can’t go wrong.
That was followed by the funniest line of the weekend when WUTK’s Benny Smith announced we would now have the Christian music segment of Waynestock as his way of introducing the Melungeons. Rus Harper and crew delivered their mesmerizing mix of rock and blues and the devil’s music. One of my favorite bands to see and photograph, the Melungeons bring it every time. Rus Harper has to be the most fascinating man on stage in the city.
The second night ended with an emotional loop back to the first Waynestock. Psychotic Behavior, Drew Bledsoe’s band before his death, played an emotional tribute to him at that first show and returned this time around with vocal guests Rylan Bledsoe and Jill Savage. The set turned the intensity up to eleven as the building reverberated into the night.
The final night began with one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Shayla McDaniel. She played a set with her band that was filled with her well-written songs from her most recent CD, Both of My Hands. Evolving into a complete artist over the last several years, Shayla is one of Knoxville’s best up-and-coming musicians and has been recognized with a number of awards and mentions in polls to confirm that status.
Kevin Abernathy, Knoxville guitar hero and prolific songwriter, took the stage next. After releasing seven solo albums and one album with his previous band the Shapeshifters, he’s recently taken to releasing a single every month or two starting about a year ago. Called the Whammy Bar Diaries, the songs recount experiences and emotions along the way early in his career as a struggling musician. The songs are among some of his finest, and his performance was spectacular.
Kevin was backed by, among others, his three daughters who comprise the band that followed him: The Pinklets. As Wil Wright would later note, his band is older than any of the three girls. Coming in at nineteen and below, the three have grown up around the music of their father and have been making their own music as a band for years. In that way, those who follow the Knoxville music scene have watched them grow from cute little girls making fun music, to a band of confident musicians who most notably played Bonnaroo. They always draw a large crowd, know how to please them, and did just that in their set.
The aforementioned band that Wil Wright noted is older than the Pinklets played next. The band reflects the songwriting of Wil Wright, though the band collaborates to write the music. The songs are well crafted, clever, and often startling in their direct honesty and insightfulness. Wil is (in several genres) one of Knoxville’s finest writers, and this is a band worth tracking down.
Electric Darling closed the band line-up portion of the festival. The brainchild of Knoxville guitar hero Cozmo Holloway, the band has evolved to include Knoxville musical treasure Christina Horn and stunning vocalist Sarah Phillips and has become one of Knoxville’s finest bands. With a funky soul/rock fusion and a strong set of songs, the band could well be poised for a long and successful run.
The night and the festival ended with a tribute to Ric Ocasek, former frontman and driving creative force behind the punk/new wave/pop band The Cars. A rotating cast of musicians performed some of the band’s biggest hits in versions that ranged from relatively precise replicas to modest restructuring of the songs. Greg Horne’s introduction of the pedal steel guitar in a Cars song was the source of some light-hearted teasing.
It was another good year. If you missed it, I’d encourage you to track down these bands and see what all the fuss is about. They are worth the effort. And, if at all possible, join us next year. You’ll be glad you did. As always, I’ve got far more photographs than I can use here, so check out the Inside of Knoxville Facebook Page later today and you’ll see another hundred or so. And for goodness’ sake, if you haven’t liked that page, do it today, don’t delay!