Lucky Tubb & Don Maddox Share Stage for Halloween
From all the music festivals I attended this summer, from South by Southwest this Spring, to all the other musical events intermixed throughout the year, few rival the magic that transpired Halloween night when Lucky Tubb and the Modern Day Troubadours pulled their tour van up to Johnny B’s in Medford OR all the way from Austin, to share a night of music with the legendary Don Maddox of the Maddox Brothers & Rose, complimented by a slew of local bands.
The Maddox Brothers & Rose toured with Lucky’s great uncle Ernest many times back in the 50’s, and Don and Lucky sharing the stage in an intimate setting felt like a musical story coming full circle. Don Maddox first slayed the crowd with his own band, and then was invited on stage by Lucky where he lead the Modern Day Troubadors in one of his own numbers, and then played lead fiddle while Lucky sang his great uncle’s signature song, “Thanks A Lot”.
Having followed Lucky Tubb for a few years now, I have been forthright that a Lucky show can sometimes be a roll of the dice. But what there’s no denying is when the man is on, he’s on, and Lucky was on Halloween night. The Modern Day Troubadours, which didn’t have a familiar face amongst them, were nonetheless tight and superlative, and included new upright bass player and background vocalist Josef Pelletier, snare drummer Marty “The Hammer” Carpenter sitting in, and lead guitarist Zach Sweeny who Lucky shares with Wayne “The Train” Hancock. Zach gives the legendary guitar players who’ve filled that position like James Hunnicutt and Eddie Biebel a run for their money. Check out Zach’s chill-inducing work on “Officer Garero” below.
I have a full interview with Lucky Tubb coming up, but I will let the pictures and video tell the rest of the story.
Two guns up!
- Lucky Tubb and Don Maddox discussing Ernest before the show (b&w by request)
- Lucky saying “Thanks A Lot” to Don Maddox for sitting in
- Guitarist Zach Sweeny that Lucky Tubb shares with Wayne “The Train” Hancock
November 2, 2012 @ 11:56 am
this is my first time hearing this guy. i looked him up on youtube and he has some good stuff but i’m still kinda new to underground country.
November 6, 2012 @ 8:36 am
Keep digging.. and welcome… haha.. Lucky is one of my all time favorites out there today…
If you spend a couple of hours on this site, you cant help but find the best of the “underground”
November 2, 2012 @ 12:25 pm
I drove to Knoxville to see Lucky Tubb play at the Well a couple months ago, and I was there right at showtime…I was told by the staff that his band had broken on the way there, & that they wouldn’t be performing. Glad to know that isn’t the case, but does anyone have any insight on what went on with the Knoxville cancellation?Â
November 2, 2012 @ 2:32 pm
No, but I hate that him(&other artists) had a better way to promote their shows. I would have driven to Knoxville to see him had I known about it. I miss a lot of shows because of the poor exposure
November 2, 2012 @ 2:37 pm
You should try out the SCM calendar. Just type in the URL for this website, and then slash “calendar”. It lists a whole variety of tour dates.
November 2, 2012 @ 3:08 pm
Guess I just missed that one on SCM calendar, but i have been to some shows like Wayne Hancock that I saw on SCM first. But I’ve missed a lot of bands coming through too that don’t get as much exposure. Going to see pine hill haints tOnight!
November 2, 2012 @ 3:08 pm
I talked to Lucky specifically in my interview about how difficult it is to get info about him, from his shows, to buying his CD’s. He’s aware of it and is just as frustrated as the rest of us. I think he’s trying to resolve it, but like many of these creative types, it always seems to be a low priority. That’s where it’s the job of sites like this to pick up the slack, but even I have issues getting Lucky info, so unfortunately I’m not always the best help.
November 4, 2012 @ 10:19 pm
You do more then most people do to get the word out. It’s just a shame Facebook puts restrictions on people promoting their bands, without paying Facebook. They need a better medium for promoting themselves
November 2, 2012 @ 2:34 pm
Damnit
November 2, 2012 @ 9:04 pm
The guitar work on that first song is sick.
November 2, 2012 @ 10:08 pm
22-years-old.
November 26, 2012 @ 10:12 pm
I have seen and met Lucky a few times,super cool and super nice to the fans.
April 2, 2013 @ 2:32 pm
I have many time’s been fortunate enough to meet with Lucky, for interviews and or just have some fun. He is a Troubadour is every sence of the word. Do yourself a favor & go see him as fast as you can.