Dinner and a Show

Once we finalized our plans to go to the gulf coast, we started searching online to see what was gong to be happening while we were there.  We found out that there was a singer/songwriter festival. Singer/songwriter performances are always a favorite of mine.    

When you get a group of two or three songwriters together a couple of things happen.  First, they bring out the best in each other - they have a great respect for each others' talent while at the same time, they don't want to be the worst performer on the stage.  Second, they feed off each others' creativity and don't hesitate to jump in and jam with the person performing, which results in some awesome collaborations! 

So we heard about the 6th Annual Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival and thought, since we would be close by, we'd go over and check it out.  Friday night we decided to find a spot to have dinner and listen to the songwriters.  We ended up at little italian place called Lillo's Tuscan Grille.  What a great choice!  We didn't think so at first as we waited quite a while for a table, and it seemed like we were being ignored, so we almost walked out at one point - boy I'm sure glad we didn't.  We finally got seated and when I looked around I realized the restaurant only seated about 60 people - which explains the wait.   We ordered salads, pizza and beer.  All of which were really good!  It wasn't too long before we saw the first singer.

  Aubrey Wollett is from Nashville and sings country songs.  She has a good voice but she sounds just like all the other cookie-cutter-little-blond country singers in Nashville.  She needs a gimic if she wants to be recognized

Next up were Thom Bresh and Ed Beaver.  Thom is  showman - very outgoing and  loves the audience!  He is the son of Merle Travis - who sang Sixteen Tons (and what do you get - another day older and deeper in debt).  He's a great finger picker and has some fun tunes.  Ed Beaver is a self-proclaimed anti-establishment songwriter.  He also has some great songs.  We were fortunate meet Ed after the show.  He lives in Nashville and, thanks to his Facebook page - we'll be able to see him play locally.

Alan Rhody, Jim Pasquale and Louis 'Cowboy' Johnson were up next.  The schedule showed them performing separately, but they did what is referred to as a 'round', which is where they each take turns performing one of their songs.  These three guys played for a very long time.  They were fabulous.  Alan Rhody sang a song called Charlene and the Quarterback - YouTube it if you get a chance.  

Jim Pasquale is the mastermind behind this music festival, a talented songwriter and a great storyteller.  So fun to watch. 

  

And in the tradition of saving the best for last - Louis 'Cowboy' Johnson.  His voice has been described as 'tobacco honey' which is quite accurate.  There was complete silence in the restaurant when he sang.  He sang lots of songs from his latest album -  definitely a storytelling songwriter.

  

And Steve Lillo, owner of Lillo's Tuscan Grille.  He came out to join the guys for a song or two.

Such a fun time - we might have to go back again.....