Rick Huckaby at Dan McGuinness Pub – Nashville, TN – November 16, 2011
by MMPR
If you have not yet met Rick Huckaby and his band, I strongly advise you to correct this. Led by Huckaby, a Nashville-based songwriter who has penned hits for Trace Adkins and Tracy Lawrence, this four-piece band worked its way through blues-rooted country rock at Dan McGuinness Pub last night, November 16.
Not looking to be just the ‘next big thing’ out of Nashville, this is a band of musical brothers that just enjoys playing these songs so much that their drive and energy will draw you in. In a time where much of our entertainment is geared towards achieving maximum media effect, watching a group of impossibly talented musicians play for the sheer joy of it provides a breath of fresh air. But don’t be fooled. There is nothing slapdash about their performance. This band achieves something rare: how to deliver a very tight set while appearing to be totally carefree.
An energetic ‘Broken Promiseland’ provided the perfect opening and led into a 90-minute set. Combining material from his two albums, Huckaby paced the evening just right mixing mid-tempo songs and funky toe-tappers to great effect, with just the occasional ballad to catch your breath. The title track of the 2009 Hittin’ My Stride album is always a highlight, and the look on his face as he delivers the lines “it feels good to be back/standing where I’m at” tells you everything you need to know about just how much he loves all this.
A gracious performer, Huckaby asked for recognition of his band members no fewer than four times. And these guys deserve every round of applause. Drummer Jack Gavin, with bass player Dave Fowler as his ally, holds everything together. Guitar player Todd Woolsey is allowed plenty of time to show off his considerable skill which leads to truly impressive jams to finish up songs ‘Digging at My Scars’and the aforementioned ’Hittin’ My Stride.’
They thought they were closing out the set with covers ‘Beast of Burden’ and a raucous rendition of‘Hot Legs’ but the small yet very insistent crowd got one more song out of the band; Huckaby’s signature tune ‘Call Me Huck.’ Highly recommended to all, not only country, music fans, give this band just one chance to impress you. Because I promise you that you’ll be back for more.
If you are in Nashville on Saturday, November 19, come to Joe’s Place (2227 Bandywood Drive, Nashville, TN 37215) at 9.30pm for an acoustic performance.