Update: October 2007

Posted November 6, 2007

Fall has finally arrived in Central Virginia and the Sons of Bill are ready for it, especially since the air conditioning in Little Debbie (our venerable 2003 Ford Econoline Hi-Top Chariot of Rock) has been broken all summer. Fortunately, the heat does work. Winter tour here we come!

October had several notable highlights, sprinkled in between lots of private engagements. Some of those included another military gig, this time in DC, and an alarmingly intoxicated rehearsal dinner party (only alarming because the actual wedding was scheduled for the next morning). The biggest highlight however, was Sons of Bill’s first visit to the Music City.

You heard right: Nashville, TN finally hopped on the SoB train, and boy was it a ride. We played the historic Exit/In Club, the walls of which are covered with the names of those who have formerly taken the stage. These names included Tom Petty, Willy Nelson, Steve Earle, REM, and all sorts of other intimidating luminaries of their genre. Luckily the Sons of Bill are unphasable and we proceeded to piece together fifty minutes of country rock fury for the (surprisingly large and receptive) crowd of Nashvillians. As we were walking out of the club, we noticed a commotion to our right and were informed that Jessica Simpson and her entourage had just entered the club. At this point nearly everyone in the Exit line turned on their heels and took a spot at the end of the In line, leaving the Sons baffled at the glamour of big city living and the rock and roll lifestyle. Apparently it’s not enough to see someone’s mug plastered all over your TV and grocery store check out line. Apparently, when given the chance, one should also crowd into a sweaty club and stand on one’s tiptoes to catch a glance of said mug in the flesh. Apparently we didn’t get this memo.

Instead, we headed for the honky tonks. Nashville is the only town we’ve ever been involved with where a street exists with nothing but bars and in each of these bars you can find at least one obscenely talented band playing at all times. Some bars have country bands. Some bars have classic rock bands. Some bars have two bands. Most bars in Charlottesville barely have a working jukebox. That last part isn’t quite true, but suffice to say we had a good time in Nashville. Another note of praise and thanks is due to our host, Mr Jess Achenbach, for showing us not only some excellent evening entertainment, but a great breakfast place the next morning.

Looking ahead, the Reckless Kelly tour looms bright on the horizon. Atlanta and four lucky cities in North Carolina better get ready, ’cause there’s a rock show coming to town and we plan to tear it down. For a full schedule, and links to the venues, check the Tour Dates section of this site. Richmonders can also look forward to our triumphant return to Alley Katz on November 23rd. We will be co-headlining the evening with the Wrinkle Neck Mules, in their only scheduled date in Virginia this year. It’s been far too long since either of us showed the state capitol our love, so we can’t wait to bring some much needed rock to Richmond. Further in the future, we’ve got IOTA Club (in DC) on December 14th and then the big time 2-Year Anniversary blowout on December 22nd at Satellite Ballroom. Unless you’re clear on the other side of the globe, we’ll expect to see your shining faces at one of these shows. Until then…

fueling up for the long haul,

Sons of Bill