Opry Performers Worth Catching!

[stickman]

Sunny was wonderful tonight! On the first show she sang her Opry regulars "Next Big Nothing" (written by Audrey Auld Mezera, whom I'll be seeing on March 20th) and the Kitty Wells' classic "Honky Tonk Angels" that always brings a tear to Eddie Stubbs' eye. (lol)

The surprise was the second show where sadly Sunny only got to sing one song, but crikey what a song! It was a new one and I'd surmise the title is something along the lines of "Countrary & Western". This song totally kicked buttockry and if this is the quality of songs Sunny has been writing since her debut album, I'm totally stoked! This song is definitely worth searching out once it hits the WSM archives if it does. Sunny comes on about 45 minutes into the second show if they archive those (?) at WSM. Ricky Skaggs was the segment host and he was truly impressed with how "country" Sunny's music is and encouraged her to keep real country going. Little does Ricky know that Sunny is on a mission to not only keep traditional country alive but spread the good word among young people. Go Sunny!

Mark, if I were you I'd place Tift Merritt aand Paul Kelly at the top of the list IF Paul is doing an acoustic show (I don't care for his rock shows with full band). I've seen Shelby live but I care for so little of her music there wasn't much point and she doesn't include songs off of "Temptation" in most of her sets. I was a huge Allison Moorer fan in her early days but completely lost interest when she went "alt. country" with her "The Duel" CD, which I traded in. Tift Merritt is fun to see because she is so pretty and outs on a good show to boot. Turns out this was Tift's debut on the Opry tonight. Have fun!

[meee]

Well, I've seen Tift Merritt and Allison Moorer, (and also Kelly Willis), all at a legendary Toronto venue called The Horseshoe Tavern on separate occasions a few years ago, and enjoyed each show. You can stand directly in front of the stage, so you're really close to the artists and you can also get fantastic photos being that close. I recall that Tift did a great show and I enjoyed chatting with her. Don't know if I'll be able to make this one due to my lousy M-F work hrs., but we'll see. Maybe she'll come on late, since she'll be the main act of the night.

[stickman]

Sunny Sweeney will be performing a free Opry Plaza Party gig during Fan Fair and her openeing act will be The Wrights! Dang, that's what I call hillbilly heaven.....

Check out the line-up for a show at The Continental Club in Austin, Texas tonight:

SUNDAY, April 13, @ 8pm, $12  : Hey Loretta! Hillbilly Hoedown & Pie Social! (Benefits American Diabetes Association)

Rosie Flores, Sunny Sweeney, Libbi Bosworth, Elana James, Brennen Leigh, Amber Digby, Miss Leslie, Karen Poston, Susanna Van Tassel, Teri Joyce, and Gina Lee! Plus, Dallas Wayne, Ted Roddy, Cornell Hurd, Roger Wallace, Mike Barfield, and Gary Claxton. And introducing The Continental Coal Miners: Lisa Pankratz, Dallas Wayne, Dave Biller, Randy "BoBo" Lindley, and T. Jarrod Bonta!

And you can bid on pies baked by your favorite gal singer!"

Boy would I love to attend that show! Three of my favorite female artists together on the same bill! It would be like getting to see Catherine, Ashley Monroe, and Megan Mullins together! Crikey, mate.......
(Thank goodness Elana James actually performs in LA as I doubt I'll ever see Sunny Sweeney or Amber Digby perfom live here in Los Angeles...)

[quinnberry]

Thanks for sharing!Great artists do need people like you guys