Smokey & the Mirror

Last Sunday I drove to Fayetteville to attend the Smokey & the Mirror Album Fundraiser Concert.  Smokey & the Mirror is the new musical project of Bryan and Bernice Hembree.

I first heard Bryan and Bernice when they came with the band 3 Penny Acre to my hometown here in Mena, Arkansas and gave a concert at The Ouachita Little Theater.  I went to the concert because my friend Richie Owens was opening for them and I was curious about the band because Bernice Hembree grew up here in Mena. I was blown away by how talented they were. Since then I have tried to attend as many of their concerts as I can, traveling as far as Oklahoma City and Shreveport to see them.

Smokey & the Mirror is in the studio this week working on their debut album.  At Sunday night's concert they played several new songs that I hadn't heard before that are going to be on the new album.  My favorite song of the evening was a new song, the first song that Bernice has ever written 100% herself. It was also the first time I have heard her play the piano.  Take a minute and listen for yourself.



I had a great time at the concert and took lots of photos.  Here are some of my favorites.

Keyboardist extraordinaire Daniel Walker sat in with Smokey & the Mirror.  He is recording with them this week as they lay down tracks for the new album.

John Elliot opened the show.  He is a very witty songwriter and and I really enjoyed his set.  His music just leaves you with a smile.

John joined the band for a few numbers and the chemistry was great. It is great to be at a concert where the performers are having such a good time.

As the concert came to an end, former band-mate Bayard Blain joined Smokey & the Mirror on stage. It was good to see them perform together.

I don't know when I have enjoyed a concert more. If you every have a chance to see Smokey & the Mirror in concert I would highly recommend it.

Here is some video of the concert.

Shreveport House Concert

Last Sunday we attended a concert at the Shreveport House Concert Series at Fairfield Studios.  My son-in-law took us to the concert for my birthday.  The Shreveport House Concerts feature original live music, performed in a warm, intimate setting.  The artists we saw were James LeBlanc and Angela Hacker.

James LeBlanc was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. He picked up the guitar at the mere age of three years old, inspired by his father, James Sr., who played guitar on a daily basis around the LeBlanc household.  Throughout his teen years James started writing songs and playing in several bands. 

James moved to Muscle Shoals, Alabama where he signed his first publishing deal with Fame Music.  James first hit single was released by Travis Tritt. The song was entitled “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde. He also wrote the title cut on Jason Aldean's album, Relentless. His songs have been recorded by artists such as Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Thompson Square, Gary Allan, Sara Evans, and Martina McBride.  To close out the concert he sang "Where You Are" which was recorded by Rascal Flatts as the first song on their Feels Like Today album.

Angela Hacker first gained fame through winning Nashville Star, a country version of American Idol. She was born in 1978 in Muscle Shoals, AL. When she was 13, she entered a singing contest at her school and claims that she "hasn't quit since." She struggled with her singing career, but got an audition on the fifth season of Nashville Star. She was selected to be one of the show's ten finalists. On the finale of the show, she won against her younger brother, Zac Hacker.

Angela is a gifted songwriter in her own right, but she says her passion is for singing.  She did an awesome version of the song, "People Get Ready".



I really enjoyed the intimate setting of the concert.  It really was like listening to friends make music.  After the concert we were able to visit with James and Angela.  It was a special evening and a really great birthday present.

The Steel Wheels

Last weekend we drove to Conroe, Texas to see my son and daughter-in-law.  While we were there we went to see The Steel Wheels at The Dosey Doe Music Cafe.  Dosey Doe's is a great music venue along with an award winning restaurant.  We arrived early and got a table a few feet from the stage.  After a great meal, with the best fried green tomatoes I have eaten, we were ready to see the Steel Wheels.


The Steel Wheels are based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  They blend old-time musical traditions with their own innovative sound.  They often cluster tightly around a single microphone and add to Trent Wagler’s unmistakable tenor with bell-clear four-part harmonies inspired by their shared Mennonite heritage. Add to this Eric Brubaker’s lively and evocative fiddle, Brian Dickel’s grounded yet buoyant upright bass, and Jay Lapp’s signature mandolin style, and you have The Steel Wheels.



The small venue and the intimacy of the concert made it feel like your friends were singing for you in your living room.  The musicianship was absolutely top notch.  Every song was tight, and the harmonies were amazing. I was close enough to be able get some video.  The song "Rain In The Valley" is an acapella song that defies description; it is sparse and dense all at once.  



The song Lay Down Lay Low is the title track from their latest album.  It is much more representative of their sound.  The song is very poignant after hearing the story behind it.  A friend of Trent's walked to a tall bridge with the intention of ending his life.  He didn't go through with it, but his experience was captured in the song.

As I stand on the river bridge, Silent on this thirsty ridge
No more birds will sing for me on this desperate day
I’ve walked far to make it here, I know my path is plain and clear
I will take to rest a final time on that clay.

Lay down, lay low, They say it’s quiet there
Lay down, lay low, I want to finally fall down, fall down



The concert was one of the most enjoyable that I have ever attended, and I highly recommend The Steel Wheels to anyone who likes Americana, Folk, Acoustic, Bluegrass or Vocal Harmonies. A line from one of their songs seems to say it all, "Going to that place where the song sings you".







I shot all of the photos and videos in this post during the January 19, 2013 Steel Wheels concert at The Dosey Doe Music Cafe in Conroe, Texas.