Review of Concert by Blue Highway at the Lucy Opry on September 23, 2006

Review of Concert by Blue Highway at the Lucy Opry on September 23, 2006

By Betty Westmoreland

Neither rain, nor wind, nor threats of thunderstorms with the possibility of tornadoes, could keep the enthusiastic fans of Blue Highway out of the Lucy Opry on September 23, 2006. Bluegrass musicians and fans thrive on adversity, especially where it concerns weather, and there we all were to see the International Bluegrass Music Association-nominated band perform. The house was full of folks who follow and support Blue Highway. Popular favorites at the IBMA and everywhere else they go, Blue Highway makes an annual stop at the Lucy Opry in the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center (BPACC) before they head out to Nashville, TN, and the World of Bluegrass, which is held at the Renaissance Center. Going to a bluegrass search site for groups which represent the tightest vocals and finest instrumental work, the reader would find Blue Highway right there at the top of the list.

Tim Stafford is a spokesman for Blue Highway, and a songwriter’s songwriter. Along with his great gift for songwriting, Tim is a master vocalist and guitarist. He has deep roots in West Tennessee, and his sister and brother-in-law are almost always in attendance when Blue Highway plays in these parts. Stafford has managed to nail down the expressions and voice of Ralph Stanley, and he works it into every show, sharing a bit of “O Death,” and such songs which Ralph made famous over the years. The routine breaks up the band about as much as it does the audience.

Shawn Lane doesn’t say a lot on stage; rather, he saves it for the many songs he has written, for his vocals, and for fine mandolin and fiddle work. Originally from Cattown in Virginia, Shawn Lane now lives in South Carolina. He is something to watch as his hands literally fly on the mandolin. His soulful fiddle reflects how fine it is not to hear every note in the world, but to hear spaces in his work. It takes a real pro to figure those things out, and Shawn Lane is a real pro!

Wayne Taylor is from Abingdon, Virginia, and he, too, writes fine songs and sings with the most amazing quality to his voice. With his ‘broomstick’ bass tuned perfectly to sound like an upright bass, and his soaring vocals, Wayne Taylor catches everyone’s attention as another spokesman for Blue Highway. He is NOT the Wayne Taylor of the US Navy’s bluegrass band, Country Current, although they are often confused with each other by folks who don’t pay close attention.

Jason Burleson is the only performer in the group who ever left at some point. Fans have noticed that he was gone only a short while and is back. Blue Highway has had its original members for twelve years—an amazing feat in this era of constant change. One of the most solid and clean banjo players you will ever hear, Jason is from North Carolina, which seems to just grow fine banjo players. A guy who really doesn’t say anything, Jason lets his banjo do the talking, and talk it does!

Rob Ickes is the shy guy in Blue Highway, but what an awesome performer he is! He ranks as one of the finest Dobro players in the world. He sings, too, folks, and writes song. Originally from, as Wayne Taylor said, “the home of bluegrass music. . .San Francisco, California” (pause to let it sink in), Rob and his family now live in Franklin, Tennessee. Watching him work is such a joy, as it is to watch each man in the band. Rob Ickes gives workshops for aspiring Dobro players and has the reputation of being an excellent teacher.

First Set

1,Marbletown (written by Mark Knopfler, from CD of the same name), 2.Three-fingered Jack (written by Jason Burleson and Shawn Lane), 3.Lonesome Pines (NA, featured Wayne Taylor), 4.I Am Near the Gate (written by Shawn Lane, a cappella, featured Shawn Lane, Tim Stafford, Wayne Taylor, Rob Ickes), 5.Born with a Hammer in My Hand (written by Tim Stafford), 6.Monrobro (written by Rob Ickes and Aubrey Haynie), 7.I Used to Love Parades (written by Tim Stafford), 8.Tears Fell on Missouri (written by Shawn Lane), 9.Lord, Won’t You Help Me (written by Norman Blake, dedicated to Tim Stafford’s sister and brother-in-law),10.Lonesome Road Blues (written by Henry Whittier, often attributed to Woody Guthrie), 11.Wondrous Love (traditional, arranged by members of Blue Highway; Sacred Harp song using shape-note singing, with each member coming separately into the vocals), 12.Machine Gun Kelly (from Rob Ickes’ CD “Big Time”).

Second Set

1.Hung My Head (written by Sting), 2.Wild Urge to Ramble (written by Shawn Lane), 3.Still Climbing Mountains (written by Tim Stafford and Shawn Lane), 4.Lazarus (written by Gary Scruggs, on Marbletown CD), 5.Some Day (written by Olive Stockton and Tim Stafford; Tim’s wife’s aunt wrote it for her own eulogy), 6.Cold Harbor (written by Tim Stafford, about a Civil War battlefield in Virginia), 7. Riding the Danville Pike (written by Wayne Taylor), 8,He Walked All the Way Home (written by David Norris; about a Civil War soldier), The Ground Is Level at the Foot of the Cross (written by Tim Stafford), 10.The Old Rugged Cross (traditional, arranged by Rob Ickes), 11.Love Me Darlin’ Just Tonight (written by Carter Stanley), 12.Between the Rows (written by Shawn Lane and his brother, Chad Lane), 13.Nothin’ but a Whippoorwill (written by Tim Stafford and Steve Gulley; dedicated to the memory of Doug Cole, founder of the Lucy Opry), and 14.the encore was the powerful Seven Sundays in a Row (written by Wayne Taylor, Kim Williams, and Larry Shell).

Take advantage of the opportunity to hear Blue Highway whenever you can. Get their CDs and instructional materials. Take the Alaska Bluegrass Cruise in July of 2007, which features Blue Highway and the Claire Lynch Band. Being with them on a week-long cruise to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Sawyer Glacier, and Vancouver, BC, would be mighty fine! Passports are required.

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