I caught the Gents 3 times in 28 hours this weekend, The Saturday afternoon Guitar World/Alan Paul Interview/acoustic show at The Cutting Room sandwiched between Friday and Saturday nights Irving Plaza shows. Very rewarding couple days of Blackberry Smoke. It wasn't just the band, crew, and Alan. The familiar faces at each event were small world reunions of sorts by like minded/hearted individuals from around the marble. Highlighted by some folks from Ireland.

My wife and I last saw the folks at last years Rock, Ribs, & Ridges Festival in NJ. They travel across the pond to see Blackberry Smoke. One gent wears a fishing cap with all kinds of buttons on it. I recognized the cap and then the faces after chatting upstairs at the Cutting Room. I had to fend them off from blocking me videoing with a big green "Up In Smoke" banner when the song came on. Small world! Look for the cap here (

), They kindly obliged.... Friends for life. They won the "Most Miles Traveled" segment from Mr. Paul's interview with the band.

I've been with my wife for 30+ years, Though she's 1/2 my size she's got twice the heart. It's only a problem when she tries to go drink for drink with me. She bears with my show count, vices, and hobbies. She's quiet when I'm taping and hooks me up with cocktails when I'm taping. My dreamgirl. Forget our two mid 20's children, I'm the difficult child she pampers.

Short story long? I gave her Friday night camera free, so I have no documentation from Friday. I brought the camera and tripod for the Cutting Room event (went solo) and only brought a small handheld picture camera to Saturday Night's Irving Plaza show. I took a few pic's and video. Being in my mid 50's I'm not as steady holding my arms semi motionless over my head while filming from the back of the room. Movement is magnified while zooming in and out. I uploaded the videos to Youtube hoping to use the stabilization feature to clean up the video and cut down on the Dramamine necessity to view. The recent Youtube upgrade has done away with the stabilize feature? Sorry, That's a long winded apology/explanation last year's 6/25/17 NJ show is a better sampler. NOTHING compares to being there. Good times.

The Texas Gentlemen opened and had a nice sound, There's no video, but a couple pic's and their official webpage below with the Blackberry Smoke stuff. Great show by both. I'm digging both D's I got at the merch stand.

Texas Gentlemen Official
https://www.thetexasgentlemen.com/home/

Blackberry Smoke Official
https://www.blackberrysmoke.com/

Irving Plaza 9/8/18

Up In Smoke

I'll Keep Ramblin'

Ain't Got The Blues

Sunrise In Texas

Ain't Too Much Left Of Me/3 Little Birds

The Cutting Room Tunes

Run Away From It All

Medicate My Mind

You Got Lucky

Free On The Wing (w/Gregg story)