It’s been 35 years since Gram Parsons moved on to the cosmic beyond, nine years longer than he walked the terrestrial world himself, but his influence and historical stature seem to grow with every passing year. To celebrate his impact on both the music they love and the songs they perform, a collection of Charleston’s finest acoustic musicians gathered at West Ashley’s Tin Roof last Sunday for a rebel-rousing collection of mini-sets.
Newly-formed duo Sleeperhold kicked things off with some fine mandolin-infused harmonies, followed by local songwriter Mac Leaphart. Joined by Doug Jones and Danielle Howle, they performed Parson’s “Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man” to a very attentive audience and wild applause. Kentucky Shoes played a loose set of jangly Parson’s tunes, before Cary Ann Hearst’s new duo with Michael Trent, Shovels and Rope. A Decent Animal’s Richard Weld teamed up with Lindsay Holler, before a set of her own that included Bill Carson on the musical saw and a packed stage ensemble encore of “In My Hour of Darkness.” The hot dogs and beer flowed liberally and the harmonies were joyous — Cheers to Parsons and a legacy that’s still blessing the Holy City with alt-country goodness.
Take a listen to Mac Leaphart doing “Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man” with Danielle Howle and Doug Jones singing backup…
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Yet, no one wore a jacket that cool.
The jacket Gram is wearing is a Nudie suit from Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors.
I am so sad that I missed the GP tribute. Get me talking about Gram Parsons and I’ll talk almost as long as if you ask me about Mick or Keith.
Gram, as we all know, was a friend of Keith’s and a large part of the inspiration for many of the country-style Stones songs…