Last Night...

The skies opened and cried rain to celebrate the performance of Andrew Williams at the Music in the Mountains Theater in Horseshoe Bend with Highway 289 Band  There was gospel, country, blues, rock and roll, contemporary, oldies and magic.

There were many special performers including Phillip Sweet's mom from Little Big Town  (We know now where Phillip got his voice!)

Melodie Clemmons told the story of first meeting Andrew.  When asked what key he played, Melodie said Andrew didn't know. When they heard him for the first time she said we didn't care...we would keep up.  He shocked and rocked Horseshoe Bend with AC/DC on his first appearance.

This night Andrew played the entire night with the band.  MS Sweet said she was talking to her friends in Nashville.  Melodie said, Guys, remember he started right here in Horseshoe Bend.

Last year he performed with the Grays and others.

Andrew played a Stevie Ray Vaughn tune toward the end.  When he tossed his hat on the floor and played a screaming blues run behind his back the crowd went wild.  Andrew did not hear a thing.  He was feeling the music.

Many people came to compliment him and were surprised he has no formal training in music.  I overheard one man say, "Son, you have a gift.  Don't waste it.  Get some formal training and go places"

Good job, Andrew!!!!
Music here:  https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3bJXJQMkrT0Wk1HcVNTZ25iSTQ/edit?usp=sharing

Andrew, Lauren Gray, Sarah Jo Roark and The Highway 289 Band...

With a few more thrown in for good measure.  The line up was loaded with talent, the crowd was in the mood for music and they were not disappointed.

Melodie Clemmons with her Highway 289 Band opened the show for a live radio performance.  Among special guests performing were Lauren Gray, the young woman who was on American Idol.

Her father, an extremely talented musician, Mike Gray made his Les Paul sing and blend and accent Lauren's voice.  It was a performance Horseshoe Bend will not soon forget.

Melbourne's very own Sarah Jo Roark joined Lauren.  I thought I was watching The Voice. 
Melodie called it the battle of the Divas...two beautiful power house voices joined perfectly to win the crowd.  Sarah Jo belted some Janis Joplin, wooed us with Imagine and some Delta Blues. 

To be honest, I have forgotten most of the songs, because I was lost in the magic of the night, just one of the crowd feeling the music, the power of the moment...and certainly not concentrating on great photography.

Then it was Andrew's turn...how could he top these women?  He calmly walked onto the stage and said, "Diva time is over". He make his Gibson sing the blues, the crowd went wild.  His second song was Stevie Ray Vaughn's Pride and Joy. Mike played him note for note and it was dueling guitars...the crowd was thrilled.  This old Nana was bursting with pride and screaming my head off like a teenager.

Without one music lesson, this fifteen year old dueling with Mike Gray brought down the house...and Saturday night was his first time to play with Mr Gray.

Look at the smiles on these men's faces!

Watch for Sarah Jo Roark, everyone wants her on The Voice.

Andrew living large with Lauren, American Idol star

Andrew's mom, brother, aunt, cousin and Nana and Papa attended.

This sweet lady showing holiday spirit

allowed me to take her picture.

People were shaking Andrew's hand, telling him how wonderful his playing was, asking all kinds of questions but when it came time for the group photo of the performers, Andrew had disappeared.  He was saying goodnight to his girl friend who attended and this seemed more important to him at the moment. I suppose those same hormones are part of what makes his music sooo good.

Best St Paddy's Day EVER!