Beautiful music, an abundance of guests, and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings took over Massey Hall this past weekend and the fans in attendance couldn’t be happier. From my understanding there was even a chartered bus to take fans from Hamilton to the historic Massey Hall to witness the talent that graced the stage. Even Thompson Wilson (son of Tom Wilson) made a few appearances throughout the night and sang “Beautiful Scars” to the almost sold out audience.
A simple black backdrop hung from the rafters and the words “This Band Kills Hate” were written on a second backdrop, a string of incandescent light bulbs and instruments were all that adorned the stage. The sound was impeccable as it always is at Massey Hall but unfortunately the lighting was a little too dark for my liking.
Besides the music that filled the venue the wit was incredible coming from the stage. Story after story was told by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and the fans ate it up, from George W. Bush to $4000 baby strollers on Locke Street in Hamilton was mentioned and you heard nothing but laughter coming from the audience in between songs. One enthusiastic lady decided to scream from the audience as soon as Sam Palladio came on stage “I love you Gunner”. (Gunner is in reference to the TV show Nashville which is the character Sam plays). After two songs from Sam out on stage, one being my favourite song from the TV show Nashville “Fade Into You”, came Charles Esten or (Deacon Clayborne character from Nashville) and the women went crazy. To be honest I think Charles was a bit embarrassed at the attention he received from the adoring fans.
After the initial wow it’s “Deacon and Gunner” we were treated to an intimate performance by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings as well as Sam, Charles and Thompson at the edge of the stage, just one microphone and a snare drum as they performed “Acadian Driftwood”. Once again they had the fans in laughter during the song when Charles held up the lyrics for all of them to read in front of the one lonely mic at the front of the stage. Charles quipped at the end of his 4 song stay “I aspire to their musical talents, I aspire to their great hearts, I aspire to their great jackets”.
The talent that was coming off the stage was second to none as Blackie and the Rodeo Kings took the stage over once again treating us to songs from their new album “Kings and Kings” including the song “The Long Walk To Freedom” Blackie and the Rodeo Kings have been around for as long as I can remember and I hope they don’t go anywhere for a very long time. This was the first night of their cross country tour supporting their new album “Kings and Kings” and for anyone that has tickets for this tour is in for a real treat.
Once again thanks to the crew because without them there is no show!
