Meadowbrook Pavilion, Gilford, NH
September 3, 2012
Review by Bridgette
Photos by Micah Gummel.
To view the entire collection of photography from this event, visit the NECR photo gallery HERE.
Blackstone Cherry
Hailing influences from Lynard Skynard and The Marshall Tucker Band, while inspired by Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, Black Stone Cherry is a band from Kentucky. Formed in the rehearsal space they call, “The Practice House,” this American-Southern- rock-gone-heavy band, was formed when the members were teenagers over ten years ago. They have toured with Nickelback and Motorhead, debuting at #1 on the UK rock chart with their second album, Folklore and Superstition (2008). They are working on their third record, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
Meet Black Stone Cherry:
Chris Robertson – lead vocals, lead guitar
Ben Wells – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Jon Lawhon – bass guitar, backing vocals
John Fred Young – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Rock Radio 101, WATB, gave a shout out to the Magic Hat side stage performers at the Rise Above Festival, cheered on the crowd as they waited for the headliner, Seether and announced Black Stone Cherry.
An 80 year old woman was escorted by another woman to the front section seats. “I’m waiting for Blackstone Cherry” she said.
A curtain dropped with BSC written in white and grey. A drum solo starts the sound check and a fan says, “Hey, these guys are gonna be good!” Fans were dancing around to Jerry Reed’s “East Bound and Down,” when the house music quickly ended and BSC exploded onto the scene.
I have never watched a band move so fast. The guitarists were switching places on stage constantly while playing, “Maybe Someday,”Chris Robertson was wailing, while Jon Lawhon, the bass player was flying!
“Rise Above Fest – are we having a good time yet?” “Everybody put your fists in the air!” Robertson was jumping while playing, BSO was on fire. Don’t blink, because the stage set kept changing right before your eyes, just by the magic tricks of the band members on stage. With Robertson holding a note, Wells and Lawhon head banging at their best, they defied gravity itself. During “In My Blood,” Lawhon jumped on the speakers.
The lady I mentioned earlier knew all of the words to every song, she sang along quietly in her seat. All the band members were singing in harmony, smiling, relaxed, just happy to be there. This rock show did demonstrate underpinnings of blues influences. “Like I Roll, ” which has earned significant accolades in the media, started a call and response from the crowd “Say ey”.
“White Trash Millionaire,” had everybody dancing, with a rockin solos by Wells and Robertson, overlaid on Lawhon’s funky bass lines. Directing everyone side to side, John Fred Young, the drummer, rose up with a massive slamming performance. “Seriously, thank you guys for supporting a great cause!” said Robertson. “Lonely Train” and “Peace Is Free” were classic crowd pleasers and their set ended with no holds barred.
“We are one big happy rock community!” Shouted Robertson in honor of the reason we all were here today, to support the charity of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in their efforts to prevent suicide.
“We are there for each other – You are there for this guy … and you are there for this guy … and this guy is there for that guy back there … ” He pointed way back into the crowd and the fans suddenly became aware of each other.
At the end of the show, I went over and shook the lady’s hand who was sitting a few seats down from me. I was so impressed with her enthusiasm for this live music. She was smiling so wide it lit up the room. She told me, “Jonathan Lawhon, he’s my grandson …”
Black Stone Cherry is a solid Southern influenced rock band that accomplished exactly what they set out to do today; inter-generational pride, community support and a fantastic rock performance.
Black Stone Cherry Set List:
Maybe Someday
In My Blood
Like I Roll
White Trash Millionaire
Lonely Train
Peace Is Free