[0]Can you believe it's been 20 years since the very first Nightfall concert.
Back in 1988, the downtown folks were looking for a way to bring people back to the central city after work.
This was before the Aquarium. Before Jack's Alley or Coolidge Park.
The Riverfront was just a bunch of warehouses... the North Shore a series of dives.. Main Street was the home of the homelesss.. and the Southside was called Alton Park.
So they invested some money in providing free music at Miller Plaza.
Of course, Nightfall couldn't afford the money or the space for stadium- level talent.
But they have mostly avoided the over-the-hill acts we generally get here (yes Riverbend, Lake Winnie, I'm talking about you.)
Instead Downtown Partnership books quality touring musicians.
You may not hear them on the radio, but they can make a living on the road.
Basically you're getting good club acts or Tivoli- caliber talent, without paying for it.
You may not recognize the names on the schedule, but you can always count on two things.
Variety and quality live performers.
So what does this year's lineup [1] look like?
Here are my initial thoughts.
The best known names for us old folks are Hal Ketchum (progressive country), Karla Bonoff (70's-80's pop) & Michelle Shocked (political folk).
But this could be the year of the younger bands.. The Whigs, Blue Mountain & the Asylum Street Spankers.
The dates I'm circling on the calendar are Ruthie Foster (who released a great album last year), Robben Ford (Blues guitar god) and the Claire Lynch Band (one of the first female bluegrass stars).
Of course, the real joy of Nightfall is discovering great music you've never heard of.
(I'm a Red Stick Rambler fan for life after last year's show)
[1]So what about Friday Night's Show?
The Mike Farris Band kicks off the season with the enthusiasm of a tent revival.
His music these days is a mix of hand waving, booty shaking soul & gospel.
Farris used to lead the Nashville group the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies.
They built a national reputation back in the 90's.
Here is their best known song, Shakin' The Blues.
[1]But these days, Farris is a changed man.
He's a recovering alcoholic and chemical abuser & he's found God.
So each show is like a personal therapy session on stage, with a major kick from the Spirit.
Here is a look at the kind of Gospel he's spreading now, taken from a show last year at the Americana Music Association introducing his new recording, Salvation in Lights.
You can listen to more of his solo work here [2].
The Dismembered Tenneseans open the show up at 7:00 PM
Then the Mike Farris Band takes the stage at 8:00.
Check back each week. This is the only place where you can actually see and here the music before the show.
[3]