Guest Book

Back from Scrapomatic at Smith's........guests on stage included Derek & Susan T. Non-performing spectators included Doyle Bramhall, Bruce Hampton, Yonrico Scott, Tinsley Ellis, & folks from Landslide Records (Scrapomatic label). Scrapomatic were realllly good. Their harmony vocals were superb and Mike was in top form. They have an honest and very clever take on the blues and manage to be high energy even in the duo format. Their new album is a keeper. Paul Olsen told me afterward they would not be a part of the dTB/Susan T festivities on NYE unfortunately (Mike will be singing with dTb of course). When Susan & Derek went on stage to sing/play with Mike & Paul (and a third guitarist, name?), I saw an empty set of tables on the riser in the back. I sat down next to our own Patrick Crenshaw who had just grabbed a seat. Turns out, we were in the tables/seat section w/Derek, Susan, Doyle, Yonrico, & Ron C and one of Derek's friends. Susan was having a great time when she came off stage (yes, Nancy SS she was seated right by me, but I didn't bother her!), and was totally into clapping along with Mike Mattison, when she wasn't making Doyle laugh. Susan took a big drink order for her group when she went to the bar, and Pat kept joking about how long it was taking "that waitress" to return. After the Scrapomatic set, it was a big group of the musicians all talking with Joe Bell and Marty Wall (dTb soundman) and others. Pat & I basically stayed out of the way. I did get to see Derek introduce Doyle to Paul Olsen right in front of me. Col Bruce got introduced to Doyle by Rob Johnson. Reallllllllll cool all around. Since Doyle was sitting right next to us and few folks weren't really talking to him, Pat C & I casually talked to him for about 10 minutes. We kept it low key but I asked him about his tours with Roger Waters and the Arc Angels album. He was very laid back and totally cool (after about 5 minutes, he turned and formally introduced himself again since he forgot my name). He said "If I lived in Atlanta, I definitely being playing this room." I also asked Doyle if he had heard how Derek & Mike met and he vaguely knew it was on a subway. So, I was able to give him the full story and tell him also a bit about Javier Colon (the former also talented dTb singer). Paul Olsen came back & sat down next to me before they left early in the Drew Emmitt set. He was also very nice & wanted to know when I had first heard of Scrapomatic. Anyway, Scrapomatic did about 1 hour, followed by Drew Emmitt, who has a very good band. They'll be playing at Mag Fest for those of you headed to Suwanee. A nice mix of blue grass, country and hard rocking jams. Drew played fiddle, mandolin, slide mandolin, and about 3 electric guitars. He had a talented rhythm and lead player with him who could also do some great harmony vocals (think SCI with more meat & potatoes instead of rice & veggies). I'll definitely see them again. Unfortunately, I had to leave, but not until they played a very nice rendition of Sailing Shoes. Drew & band had nice collection of dedicated fans tearing up the dance floor. Thanks to Joe Bell for the tip on tonight. I know this is a geeky, semi-obsessed music fan post, but I swear I'm under control!! Glad I ventured out on a Monday. Tim [Edited since I had Marty & Joe mixed up from the dTb crew]