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Special Evening with Kevin Gordon & Amy McCarley at Grayt Coffee House Dec 13
December 8, 2014 by SoWal Staff
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Join Grayt Coffee House in the Listening Living Room for a 50/50 Special Evening with Kevin Gordon and Amy McCarley on Dec. 13 from 6-9 p.m. 50 people will gather together and donate $50 each for an intimate evening of story and song, including dinner by Chef Blake and staff. Call (850) 231-1090 for reservations.
Amy McCarley, who was named one of 12 North Alabama artists to watch by The Huntsville Times in 2011, has shared stages with artists like singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon and bluegrass legend Claire Lynch. A skilled musician, she spent time in Houston studying classical guitar at Rice University. The Alabama native traveled to Nashville to make her sophomore record, seeking out Grammy-winning guitarist Kenny Vaughan and producer George Bradfute, the “Tone Chaperone” of Nashville’s Tone Chaparral Studios where Jet Engines was recorded.
"McCarley's Sound is all her own, and her latest album Jet Engines showcases an artist firmly grounded in Americana, yet well-poised to make an individual statement. Roots guitar fans will immediately be drawn to the production imprint of Kenny Vaughan...with a rock-solid band and tasty blues-meets country riffs abound. However, it's Amy's songwriting that commands the stage. Her voice is a nuanced instrument best paired with strong lyrical hook, evidenced by honky tonk gems "Here I Am" and "Radio On," hard-driving, foot-tapping tunes with country soul that puts the current Nashville radio crop to shame." -No Depression
Kevin Gordon’s voice is made from dust and red clay. And the songs on the Louisiana-born performer’s sweeping new album Gloryland are chiseled from the bedrock of life — the honest facts of rambling, needing, loving, soul-searching and experience.
“I like the unfinished ending — the story that just continues when the song’s over,” says Gordon. “Life never sums itself up in three-and-a-half minutes, and a good song doesn’t need to do that either. But it should tell a story.”
All 11 numbers on Gloryland have an elemental feel — proof that Gordon’s working at the peak of the songwriter’s craft. His characters, from the school kid narrating the coming-of-age yarn “Colfax/Step in Time” to the panhandler in “Trying To Get To Memphis” have a depth and personality that brings Gordon’s songs of the South into sharp focus.
"There's nothing else around today quite like Kevin Gordon's music. I'm a huge Kevin Gordon fan. Think of John Lee Hooker tied to the hard, imagistic poetry of William Carlos Williams, and you get a little bit of an idea. It's something like trance blues, I suppose - but then you encounter the tangled, complex story lines of "Colfax" or "Trying to Get to Memphis" or "Bus to Shreveport." There really is no way to sum it up neatly - you just have to listen. And listen again for the pure emotional pleasure of it. For the unmistakable, hard-driving passion of words and music, rocking together in rhythm." -Peter Guralnick
Grayt Coffee House is located at Grayt Grounds of Monet Monet in Grayton Beach. More than a place to grab a grayt cup of coffee, it's a place where friends gather, loved ones fellowship, and grayt thoughts are discussed. For more information, including photos, videos, and upcoming events, visit www.graytcoffeehouse.com.
Grayt Coffee House opens daily at 7am.
Sunday Brunch
Bluegrass Gospel with Dismal Creek at 10 a.m.
Tuesday and Thursday | Grayt Coffee Hour
Live music in the Listening Living Room from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
See SoWal Live Music Calendar for weekly lineup. Grayt Coffee House is filled with music in December!