Willie’s 4th of July Picnic / Country Throwdown Tour 2011
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to attend the most talent-rich event I have ever been to, as the convergence of Willie Nelson’s 38th Annual 4th of July Picnic met up with the finale of this year’s Willie Nelson Country Throwdown tour at the largest honky tonk in the world, Billy Bob’s Texas, in the historic Ft. Worth stockyards.
I will have many observations about the specific bands and artists below, but aside from a few hiccups, I grade the whole thing two guns up for sure. Holding what is supposed to be a picnic in a giant honky tonk may not be in the spirit of the event, but on a 100+ degree day, giving folks the ability to take a respite from the heat inside made for a much more enjoyable day of music that stretched to over 12 hours from David Allan Coe’s downbeat to Willie’s encore.
Nepotism was nigh at the picnic, as Willie’s family all got choice spots on the air-conditioned inside stage during the day, and the legends like Coe, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Billy Joe Shaver had to brave the heat. But many folks braved it with them, and all performers gave it their all.
One bit of drama came from some folks being disappointed after the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram newspaper posted Leon Russell as one of the top five acts to see, when he was not scheduled to be there. Also rumors swirled that Merle Haggard was the “special guest” on the schedule. He likely was at some point, but might have canceled due to illness.
Below are my reviews of the acts I caught.
Amy Nelson & Folk Uke
Knowing I had a dozen hours of music ahead of me, I arrived at the picnic fashionably late, missing David Allan Coe (who I can see anytime living in Texas), Johnny Bush, and Drake White, but just in time to see Any Nelson and her lilting, eepish, yet extremely raunchy folk duo with Cathie Guthrie (daughter of Arlo Guthrie) called Folk Uke. Songs like “Motherfucker Got Fucked Up” and “I Miss My Boyfriend (Will You Hit Me?)” contrast nursery-rhyme music with adult-themed content in a very original approach. It’s a bit, but a good one. As they finished with the latter song, I literally saw three pairs of mothers with children clasped at the ears heading for exits.
Brantley Gilbert & Lee Brice
I swear up to Brantley Gilbert walking on stage I thought he was a girl. I vote for no more asexual names in country music. His backwards-hat bravado and canned checklist lyrics were not my bag at all. Probably didn’t help his chances that he co-penned “Dirt Road Anthem” with Colt Ford, but giving him an honest try, I didn’t find much.
Unlike Brantley, Lee Brice came across as a genuinely good guy, and his songwriting prowess is undeniable. He’s penned mega hits like “Beautiful Every Time” and “Love Like Crazy” that are not really my speed, but are not the objectionable Music Row formulaic fare either.
Lukas Nelson & The Power of the Real
After Brantley and Brice’s outside shows, I headed inside for Lukas Nelson & The Power of the Real. As simple as you can put it, Lukas Nelson stole the show that day. He was the highlight of the Willie Nelson 4th Picnic/Country Throwdown mixer, and in many ways the event felt like a coming out party for him. He is a talent all his own, not just carrying on the family business, though he might be the best poised to. Tremendous energy, a spectacular guitar player, and a sincere passion for music and performance. Willie’s roots are deep in him, and when he sings in the high register, it carries memories of Willie’s vocal tone in his prime. His psychedelic and roots-inspired rock is deeply infectious and universally appealing.
Lukas also played the entire sets with Jamey Johnson and Willie, and offered a spark to both. I think we will be hearing from him much more in the future, or at least we should, and I will be searching out his latest album for review. He should learn to work some subtlety into his pot anthems though. Power of the Real is an awesome lineup of talent as well. Two guns way up for Lukas.
Billy Joe Shaver & Ray Wylie Hubbard
I can’t think of two guys to better illustrate how older country music legends can still have universal and even young appeal, and I saw this in the reaction of the crowd to both Billy Joe and Ray.
Billy Joe Shaver was and is the first punk of country music, and still brings a tremendous amount of energy and spunk to his show. Shaver was favoring the right shoulder that kept him away from touring for a while, but he was still punching and dancing, and brought the same amount of energy as he did the last time I saw him two years ago. Also have to give him props for referencing Cowboy Troy’s big black cell phone on stage. Shaver got some of the biggest crowd reactions all day.
Though I’ve seen Ray Wylie Hubbard a few times live, this was my first opportunity to see him with a fully fleshed-out band that included his perennial drummer Rick Richards on a full set, studio maestro George Reiff on bass, and Hubbard’s son Lucas on lead guitar. Once again Ray proved why he’s the Wylie Lama of Texas, putting on an excellent roots-infused rock n’ roll show full of fresh and relevant material. Hubbard also can’t be overlooked as a showman and storyteller. Flanked on all sides of the stage by Bud Light signage, he was savvy enough to swap a Coors reference in “Drunken Poet’s Dream” to the on site sponsor.
There were 3 big surprises that I took from the whole event, and #3 was the younger Lucas Hubbard. He didn’t put on a dexterity clinic, but in regards to taste, his guitar solos were something many of the other overplaying guitar slingers of the day could have learned from.
Austin Lucas & Caitlyn Smith
One of the cool parts about The Country Throwdown tour is that it showcases some of the up-and-coming, young songwriters in what they call “Nashville Round” sessions. Austin Lucas, whose latest album A New Home, In The Old World is a Saving Country Music Album of the Year candidate, was featured in one of these picking sessions. This is a very demanding environment for a musician, leaving you out there naked with only a guitar. Austin won the crowd over with his energy and his honest songwriting. This video will give you a glimpse into these Country Throwdown rounds:
The other highlight from the one Nashville round session I caught was Caitlyn Smith. She would be my #2 surprise of the day. Caitlyn had the best voice of the whole event, and well-penned songs to compliment that voice, as well as dynamic and energetic guitar playing. Beautiful girl, and certainly one to watch. And hey, she has a cut on the new Jason Aldean record! Yes, Aldean’s tentacles are were all over the Country Throwdown portions of the day.
Ray Price
What more can you say about Ray Price than that he is the utmost of class, and a true tie and testament to the golden era of country music. With a 5-piece fiddle section all dressed in white and a grand piano, Ray’s performance legitimized the whole event as a true extension of all of the modes of country music, not just the cowboys meet the hippies, or the new school Nashville songwriting crop. Of course not the heart pumping experience of the other bands, but his style and authenticity still won over the crowd, and he received some of the loudest applause all day.
Jamey Johnson
Listen folks, I know that Jamey Johnson is a polarizing figure, and I know no matter what I say about him, good or bad, will cause a strong reaction. But you come here for my opinions, raw and unfettered, and I do my best to be as honest as I can be with you. Jamey Johnson was my #1 most anticipated person to see that day, and trust me, I wanted to like him. The guy is an excellent songwriter, there is no denying that. I think he is a class act. I do not think he’s “sold out” or doing one of these “new Outlaw” bits to monopolize on a trend. But the simple truth is I simply found his set boring, and I feel confident in saying I wasn’t the only one.
Most performers put out some bit of energy. You don’t have to be like Lukas Nelson, diving off the drum riser. Waylon Jennings and Whitey Morgan are excellent examples of emitting energy and stage presence without acting a fool or moving around. Jamey Johnson not only doesn’t put any energy out, he is an energy drain. His stage presence is somewhere between unanimated and disinterested.
Every song was slow and droning. He began almost every song with a quiet, acoustic solo and low singing that you could barely hear over the distracted crowd talking amongst themselves. He had a percussionist in his band to add emphasis, but it seemed out of place, and his steel guitar leads sounded like Stratocaster, with little twang or sustain. The way Jamey flicks at his guitar with the pick is visually distracting, like he’s trying to depose a bugger from his baby finger.
I don’t know what else to say except I would take any other performance that day over Jamey’s. Parts of the crowd seemed to respect him for his songwriting skins, but there was no passion there, at all. I just don’t know what else to say.
Willie Nelson
What else can you say about Willie Nelson, except that he’s Willie Nelson. He appeared to be fighting off a cold, sniffling and blowing his nose at times on stage, but he brought it as big as ever, taking mere seconds between songs if that, and playing longer than he needed to. The “Family Band” was all there, sister on piano, Mickey Raphael on harp, Bee Spears on bass, and Paul English, having suffered a mild stroke recently, would come out and play brush snare during the slower songs. Lukas Nelson and Ray Benson were on stage for the whole set, and Micah Nelson and elements of Promise of the Real made appearances on and off as well.
At one point all the Country Throwdown performers came out on stage for a gospel medley, and it was one of the highlights of the night.
Country Throwdown
When Warped Tour organizers announced they were putting on a country tour, I admittedly was a little suspicious, wondering aloud about the viability of the idea, and just how much true underground/independent/up-and-coming artists would be emphasized. Some of my fears were realized last year when the tour was forced to cancel shows, including the Dallas stop I was planning to attend. The word is attendance has been OK this year, but under expectations.
The songwriters rounds are good, but I would like to see a little more emphasis on finding those amazing bands in country that are flying under the radar, and outside of the Nashville corridor, and giving them a chance beside the bigger talent. What I will say for the Throwdown that can’t be overlooked, is that all the participants are songwriters first, every one of them, even Brantley Gilbert. That’s seems to be their niche, at least for this year, and that in itself is commendable.
July 5, 2011 @ 3:58 pm
I was at the tour while it was in Atlanta and I had a blast. I will have to agree that Jamey needs to liven it up on stage. I don’t know if I would call it disinterest or stage awkwardness. Some people are very talented at writing songs and singing songs, but just can’t bring it on stage. I’ve seen him 4 times and he’s never seemed disinterested to me, he just seemed awkward. I just think he’s different then everybody else. I like Brantley Gilbert, but I’m not his biggest fan. EVERYBODY in Atlanta loved him. He’s one of our own.
July 5, 2011 @ 4:17 pm
I’m glad you had a good time Triggerman and great bloggin’. I’m sure musical events take on a life of it’s own for you, but I sure am glad you went to the picnic.
July 5, 2011 @ 6:18 pm
Oh-uh, I hope the lovely Rachel Brooke doesn’t read that review of Caitlyn Smith 😉
Sounds like an amazing event. Missed hearing about your crowd observations. Come on, there must have been at least one outfit that that evoked a bit of a snigger ….
July 5, 2011 @ 6:22 pm
I’ve seen Jamey Johnson several times in the past year or so including opening his own tour, opening for Hank Jr, and at the Throwdown in Atlanta. Never found him disinterested. Just intense and not flashy. No audience interaction. No bullshit. Just throws it down, song after song. Then waves a thank you and leaves. No-nonsense. Granted I wasn’t there for his set at the show you’re reviewing. But my .02.
July 6, 2011 @ 7:40 am
Jamey Johnson is great to watch in a small intimate venue. But I can definitely see how he could come across as drab or boring in this type of setting. I’ll also say, I’ve seen Jamey twice. The first time was probably one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. The second time.. probably the worst. Seems like the man is hit or miss. After the second show a lot of people thought he may be using again. His speech was slurred, he was forgetting lyrics to his own songs, and he only played like an hour and 1/2 where as the first time he played for 3 straight hours. I definitely lost a lot of respect for the man after that night and I’ll probably still buy his albums but may never see him live again.
July 6, 2011 @ 8:28 am
I was at the picnic as well, and Trigger is dead on with his review. Lukas Nelson was awesome! I liked seeing him play with Jamey, as I think if these two are buddies, we could see some seriously legendary music come out.
I won’t argue with you Trig on Jamey. I have seen him 4 times, and you either like his style or you don’t. I have heard both sides from many fans. I think you should chauk it up to him being a very quiet reserved guy. Watch any interviews he has done and he is very short with answers. I met him twice and he waits for you to say hi and how are you. He seems pretty shy.
I think this was no better represeneted than at the end of the night when all the “Throwdown Tour” acts were out on stage with Willie (plus some other from the day of music, but not on the Throwdown Tour) and Jamey looked really uncomfortable with a smirk and kind of trying to hide as Lukas was right by him and out front of the group like an orchestra conducter leading everyone, and you could see Lukas wanted Jamey to loosen up. It was awesome.
Jamey is simply music. That is it. Rubs some wrong. (in the 4 times I have seen him, this was the most I heard him talk to the crowd and all he said near the end of his set was “Willie said to wrap it up, he is leaving, fuck it.”
But it is as real as Lukas’s stage presence which is oppostie end of the spectrum and great too.
I was throughly impressed to see all the 2nd generation guys there. By my count:
1. Coe’s son played lead guitar for him.
2. Willie had his kids all over.
3. Lucas Hubbard was very good on guitar. Looks like he is 12 yrs. old, but can cut.
This was a great event for country music, and they may not change Nashville overnight, but there are several artists here that will carry on true country music. It is in good hands. The CMA’s and ACM’s can go their own way.
July 6, 2011 @ 8:31 am
I will also add, as something to explain how Jamey begins his songs, slow acoustic, the rumor is (and I have gotten this from his band members) that the band only knows the first and last song he will play. He comes up with the rest as he goes, so that may explain the lead ins. Allowing the band to figure out where it is going. If you noticed, Lukas was watching him very closely as songs began to catch on to what was coming.
July 6, 2011 @ 2:50 pm
Trigger,
It maybe because it is a holiday week, but I am surprised at the lack of replies to this article. Such and iconic festival for nearly 40years, and a line up of past, present and future talent…and not much chatter on here. Would have thought more would have attended or would be interested in commenting on it.
Anyway, after reading your review, I am a bit puzzled. Again, I am not trying to change your opinion on comments on Johnson, I can understand how his style may rub some wrong or boring, but I am puzzled at how you make no mention of how he crushed some Merle covers and did a very good blues-ed up Paycheck “11months & 29days” cover. Not to mention the great crowd response to “In Color”.
For all the discussion of pre-produced/packaged, “look at me” artists we see out there, Johnson seems to be the complete opposite. Nothing pre-packaged, nothing to distract from the music and “look at me”…but you of all people, found that his lack of luster was the problem. Lukas and he had a great chemistry on stage. One obviously more of the energetic one but they no doubt sharing the stage.
I maybe completely wrong here, but I see Johnson delivering the same show as someone like Willie. It is about the music. Now Willie has a boat load of a career to get the crowd response, whereas nearly everyone I talked to their didn’t quite know who Jamey was. However, Willie comes out, sings song after song after song (as Jamey did) and lets the band jam away within each song. As you mentioned some others seemed bored during Johnson, I may disagree, but I would also add that many were somewhat bored or tired by the end of the night as nearly half the crowd was gone when Willie kept jamming at the end.
I know you “want to like Johnson”, but if you were disappointed, I don’t see how you can like some of the legendary artists you do, and not like Johnson. They are one in the same on some levels.
July 6, 2011 @ 4:17 pm
In Color did get a decent crowd response. I thought he did a good job with those covers, but one slow droning song after another just seemed to suck the energy out of the place. I think in the right context, Jamey’s set would have been much better, but at that point, the whole place was primed to rock. You just can’t follow up Lukas Nelson and Billy Joe Shaver and Ray Wylie Hubbard and a bunch of young, hungry, energetic songwriters with a slow set. And I don’t know that Jamey can “kill” anything. He just doesn’t have the stage presence to.
Two words why this article is being ignored: Casey Anthony.
July 10, 2011 @ 6:26 am
Why would Rascal Flatts want to profit off Caylee Anthony’s death?
July 6, 2011 @ 6:21 pm
Triggerman your a damn hater. You’ve had beef with Jamey Johnson from the damn beginning. The man is a great songwriter, singer, and performer. Seen him 9 times in concert, man played damn over 3 hours one night of covers from all the greats. George Jones, Merle Haggard, Vern Gosdin, or your beloved Waylon Jennings didn’t have amazing “stage presence”. The true greats just stand there and sing. If you want an upbeat type “stage presence” concert go check out Garth Brooks you hypocrite.
July 7, 2011 @ 8:06 am
I haven’t hated Jamey Johnson, and I don’t hate him now. Listen, I’m not trying to convince anybody not to like Jamey Johnson. At times, I might do this with other artists, but not him. If you find enjoyment in his music, do let my opinions sway you. I’m simply giving my honest beliefs.
I talked to quite a few folks there about his set, and there’s folks that were there that have commented here. I will leave open the possibility that the guy was just tired. This was day #24 on the 24-day Country Throwdown tour. He might have just been tired and ready to go home, I don’t know. Or maybe it was the context. I’d be willing to go see Jamey again on his own tour and give him a second chance.
July 7, 2011 @ 8:38 am
I think ctr0821 is wrong in calling you a hypocrite.
I would caution you though if you see Jamey again, what you saw with Jamey was Jamey. I think he has a stage presence unlike any we have seen in a long time, maybe ever, and trying to understand it is difficult, if your coming in with any expectation. I mean, he said 2-3 sentences at this show. That is 2-3 more than I have heard in 3 prior shows. He plays songs, not a song list for the show, so his leads in are what they are so the band can pick up the song.
Watch any performance he has given on award shows… same style.
The first show I ever saw him, I had no expectation, and drove 5hrs. to see it. I heard he could play for 3 hours, or get drunk and upset with an ass in the crowd and walk off after 30min. That didn’t bother me, because I knew what I was getting was real. There was no pre-rehersed encore. He laid down 2+hours and walked off. My jaw was on the ground. “I’ve never seen anything like that. It was like watching a ghost of Hank, Waylon, Vern, etc…” but that was me.
I will say, I think he does lose a little of that presence or “interest” when he knows he has a short window to play. Of the bad reviews I have seen from his shows, it is usually in the context of he only had 45-hour to play. One would argue then he should really bring it, but he does it how he does it.
When he has his own time, and does ramble on for 2-3 hours, maybe 4, it is a lesson in country music. No flare, no lights, just song after song of classic hardcore country/honkytonk.
I would really like to see him and Lukas do somethings together. Their was something there on stage with those two.
July 6, 2011 @ 8:03 pm
Love this review. I would’ve done anything to catch a flight down there. You seem to be spot on Trig.
July 7, 2011 @ 7:18 am
I was there and had a hell of a time. Jamey Johnson certainly did bore me to tears. I’m not the biggest Willie Nelson fan in the world, but his set was enjoyable. 4 words summed this up for me, though: Asleep at the Wheel. Those guys killed it.
July 8, 2011 @ 9:13 pm
Lukas was in my town tonight. Wow. Two guns waaaaaay up.
July 10, 2011 @ 7:50 am
I get to see Willie Nelson next month and I can’t wait. The guy may be 78, but he’s as much of a music legend as anyone alive today in my opinion, and more than most. Hats off to Willie!
July 10, 2011 @ 11:28 am
love me some Jamey. now that man’s got soul…he may have traded it for a second, to slip real soul back into country. i can stand that. And love those Waylon covers
July 10, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
Asleep at the Wheel is from an era where you are supposed to entertain the audience. I saw them in May at Gruene Hall and they were amazingly fluid and tight at the same time.
Willie is always a good show,
I am still pissed The Throwdown cancelled their stop in the Valley.
July 18, 2011 @ 3:10 pm
Thank you for finally calling out Brantley Gilbert.Living in the wasteland known as the outskirts of Charlotte,NC I am frequently subjected to “country” girls singing the praises of Brantley.I mean the guy has played the “hot girls and ice cold beer” card more times than Jake Owen and Brad Paisley combined.And on top of that,he sounds like he just got punched in the stomach when he sings.
I don’t think he’s all bad,but the guy needs to give it up and find a career better suited for his abilities.
July 20, 2011 @ 6:59 am
I don’t think you should be the one to make fun of Brantley Gilbert’s name. You go by Triggerman, which is a cute nickname. Sorry if he’s not outlaw enough for your blog. Triggerman saving country music from his blog. What a real outlaw. Nothing says real country music like a blog.
July 21, 2011 @ 5:59 am
I am a big Jamey fan. I can see how some would not appreciate the talent that he has. He is quiet, reserved, and his humble stage presence gets misconstrued as uneventful. I saw him recently at a private function in Houston and he was really good. He never said a word outside the lyrics, though. You know he is real when it is time for the band to cut in and just “jam”, he turns to each musician and just relishes their talents; I think that is where he has his fun. I think it is unfortunate that people compare him to other country greats, expecting a reincarnation. But the fact he is mentioned with them has to make you think of his talents.
“Pick it Moon”…”Take it home”
July 21, 2011 @ 7:02 am
Eddie said- “I think it is unfortunate that people compare him to other country greats, expecting a reincarnation.”
Well put. I think he is carving his own way, but with influence from the greats. But people read the comparisons and expect to see a puppet show. Glad for us that enjoy Johnson the way he is, he could careless what people/media “think” he should be.