Review of Concert by the Charlie Sizemore Band at the Lucy Opry on April 13, 2007

 

by Betty Westmoreland

 

The Charlie Sizemore Band brought their sound to the stage of the Lucy Opry in the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center (BPACC) on Friday, April 13, 2007. Despite rain and cold temperatures, hardy bluegrass music fans made it to the band’s performance. Attendance was down a bit, and this reviewer attributed that to weather conditions and to the fact that perhaps many locals are unfamiliar with the work of the Charlie Sizemore Band. There is no doubt about the rich musical experiences of each band member.

 

The band’s leader, vocalist, guitarist, and spokesman is Charlie Sizemore, who hails from Puncheon Creek in Magoffin County in Eastern Kentucky. Sizemore is one smart cookie—quite literally. He graduated at the top of his high school class and went on to repeat those same honors at the University of Kentucky. As if those accomplishments weren’t enough, Sizemore graduated with honors from law school, and he is in private practice. He writes short stories, he writes songs, he tours full-time with the band, and he practices law. No small feat! No rest either!

 

Charlie Sizemore was fascinated by bluegrass music at an early age. Over time, he performed with Lum Patton and the Goins Brothers. He even stepped into the spot in Ralph Stanley’s band once occupied by Keith Whitley. A world of folks have appeared as guests on Sizemore’s albums—people like the Oak Ridge Boys, Vern Gosdin, Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, Tom T. Hall, J. D. Crowe, and Ralph Stanley. His album called “The Story Is. . .The Songs of Tom. T. Hall” has received praise from Billboard magazine and Bluegrass Unlimited.

 

Danny Barnes is a fine mandolin player and vocalist. He plays several other instruments as well. During their show, Barnes demonstrated his fine clawhammer style on his beautiful 1890 openback banjo.

 

Charmed by the music at an early age, Barnes played in a family band with his father, Earl Barnes and his brother Randall Barnes. Danny Barnes is also a fine songwriter whose work has been recorded by well-known bluegrass bands. In addition to his current spot in the Charlie Sizemore Band, Barnes has played in Continental Divide, Pine Mountain Railroad, Katie Penn, and the Dean Osborne Band. He lives in Richmond, KY, with his wife Angie and their children.

 

The pure, haunting sounds of bluegrass have called out to more than a few college students. Lucky ones like Matt DeSpain were drawn toward the Dobro® mastery of the late Gene Wooten. Joining the band called Bluegrass 101 in the year 2000, DeSpain gained good experience in doing live shows and in doing studio recording. Although he is quite proficient in guitar and banjo, the listener could easily hear from his performance just where his heart lies—with the Dobro®. He is one fine musician and singer. DeSpain lives in New Haven, KY, with his wife Christa.

 

It was a real treat for this reviewer to recall the very early days of her bluegrass journey when she saw and heard John Pennell again. The talented upright bass player was an original member of Union Station, when everybody in the band, including Alison Krauss, was “just a kid”. Pennell wrote some now-classic songs for Krauss, such as “Too Late to Cry,” “Foolish Heart,” and “Every Time You Say Goodbye”. Playing professionally over the years with Harley Allen, Jimmy Bowen, and Vassar Clements, Pennell is the seasoned, complete professional. He flies under the radar but oh, he is there with his superior work on the bass. Pennell lives and writes his music in Nashville, TN.

 

Wayne Fields is another familiar face to this reviewer and other readers who may remember The Boys from Indiana from a few years back. Fields is solid and a serious contender on the banjo, one who first took an interest as an 11-year-old in playing the guitar at church. At home, he listened to Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and other influential musicians. Meeting J. D. Crowe and the New South was a pivotal moment in Wayne Fields’ life. At that time, the New South was J. D. Crowe, Larry Rice, Tony Rice, and Bobby Sloan. That was one super band!  It was becoming obvious to Fields that he wanted to be part of bluegrass music. After taking three lessons from Crowe, Wayne went home and taught himself how to play the banjo.

 

Fields has also performed over time with J. D. Crowe and the New South, John Cosby and the Bluegrass Drifters, Gary Strong & Hardtimes, Driftwood, and Rick Bartley & Blackwater. Fields and his brother Bill, Ricky Wasson, and Rick Johnson toured with their band, Southern Blend, for nine years. Not many folks can claim that they appeared on “The Porter Wagoner Show,” but Wayne Fields can. The Boys from Indiana appeared on the show in the late 1970’s.

 

Wayne Fields lives in Richmond, KY, with his wife Tina. Two daughters are in Lexington, KY, and his two sons are also bluegrass musicians who will keep the music alive for future generations.

 

Set 1

  1. That’s How I Got to Memphis (written by Charlie Sizemore, a number-one single)
  2. Kentucky in the Morning
  3. Nashville Skyline Rag (banjo instrumental)
  4. My Baby Loves Me and No Blues is Good News
  5. Workin’ Man Blues
  6. Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine (Tom T. Hall classic)
  7. Mama’s Got the Catfish Blues (Tom T. Hall)
  8. Louisiana Red Dirt Highway
  9. Hey Moon (featured Matt DeSpain)
  10. Silver Bugle (haunting tale from the Civil War, clawhammer banjo)
  11. Sugar-Coated Love

Intermission

Set  2

1.       I Think I Want My Rib Back

2.       Keep Me from Blowing Away (written by Paul Craft)

3.       Randy Lynn Rag (banjo instrumental)

4.       I’m Really Gone

5.       The Less that I Drink, the More I Don’t Want Her Around (written by Buddy Cannon)

6.       I Want to be in Alison’s Band (written by Buddy Cannon; gentle ribbing of another bluegrass music legend)

7.       I Pressed through the Crowd (written by Joe Isaacs)

8.       Seek Jesus—He Still May Be Found (Stanley Brothers song)

9.       Someday We’ll Meet Again Sweetheart (featured Lucy Opry favorite, Gary Johnson)

10.   Foggy Mountain Rock (featured Matt DeSpain)

11.   The Bristlecone Pine (about one of the oldest living things on Earth)

12.   Rocky Island/Black-eyed Suzie (instrumental medley featuring Wayne Fields)

       Encore

             Train 45

 

The Charlie Sizemore Band can be compared to a pearl in its oyster—still becoming a pearl, and that takes time. While intensity and emotion were lacking in the vocals during their performance, there is still enormous potential for the band to come together and be a real force in bluegrass music. The proper credentials are there. Bad weather, a small turnout, some sound problems, and perhaps some personal issues—all of these factors may have kept this pearl of a band from bursting forth. The magic is in there, and the reviewer would like to see the band perform again under different circumstances.