What can we say about Brown Bird that hasn’t already been said? The band played some of our most memorable shows before Dave’s passing and they were always accommodating and amazingly entertaining. “Fingers To The Bone” is the lead track to their “Salt For Salt” record and we were lucky enough to capture audio from this show.
Courtney Marie Andrews is now on everyone’s radar. Amazingly, a few weeks ago, Brandi Carlile decided to OPEN a show for Courtney as a show of faith and support. When Courtney hits the big finish on “May Your Kindness Remain” you can hear the audiences collective gasp - I’m getting goosebumps just typing this description up.
Andrew Combs came to us on the recommendation of our friends at Boston Concert Photo and what a gift that night was. Amazingly, Erin Rae was along as an opener and when they combined their voices for this great song we all knew what Nashville magic was about. Savvy viewers will spot the killer band who have their hands all over some of the most beautiful sounds around.
We were thrilled when Bridget Kearney brought her solo project to Billsville. imagine our surprise when Margaret Glaspy showed up to play lead guitar. You don’t have to imagine the beauty of this song by these two stellar performers.
The story of how we got Lake Street Dive to play for us when they were already too big is one of our favorites - but we like to do it in person! It’s thrilling to look back on this recording of the show. You can hear the background buzz of the crowed pick up as they move into “You Go Down Smooth” with it’s rising verses . . . just listen to the fun.
Grace’s week looked like this.
Day 1 : Open for the Rolling Stones in Minneapolis for 90,000
Day 2: Fly to Green Bay to play with Kenny Chesney for 120,000
Day 3 : Fly to Vermont to play for 75 of us
Day 4 : Fly to Dallas to open for the Rolling Stones and 100,000
Kind of magical - here was my one request.
It’s hard to pick a song from Lissie because so many of them are so powerful. This show took about three years to book and we’re thrilled that it happened because it so delivered. Why isn’t Lissie as big in the US as she is in Europe? Guess we’ll never know but we’re certainly fine with getting to see her up close like this.
Here’s the unknown, out of left field contender on the list. Something about this song, the brittle nature of JE Sunde’s voice, the fragility of it all is wrapped up in this performance.
Oh, father deer, what do you fear?
And are you aware the hunter is near?
Who shall mourn, when you collapse in the snow
And lay down your head, lay down your horn?
We knew we were going to include something from Caroline on the list and after considering “Soul No 5” and “Bikini” we went back to this. For awhile we were encouraging performers to cover a song by a former Billsville performer for “Billsville Does Billsville.” Not only did Caroline and Jer nail this HoneyHoney tune but the song/show marked the literal end of Caroline the Americana wordsmith and the beginning of her current vibe. Love these two dearly.
I asked Margaret to cover this song because the first time I heard her do it I don’t think I could breathe very much and I was a little woozy afterwards. We announced this Thursday show on a Monday night and were sold out by Tuesday with fans driving five hours to get here. While I love all of Margaret’s own stuff this tune just hits me in the emotions every time.
We took all the chairs out to have a dance party for this one. Really, the smile on Jer’s face as he watches Ethan play is the reason this is here.
What Ruby delivers here is emotion - raw, pure and simple. This is a haunting song and sometimes difficult to endure but holy hell Bob’s dark side really comes out doesn’t it. Brett Lanier lays down tasty guitar licks to make this song slide into your feelings.
We could randomly pick ANY song this duo performed and put it in the Top 20. When Rachael Price, one of the best singers performing today, stops by your living room with an expert craftsman like Vilray you know something special will happen. Here it is.
How often does a native Vermonter, three time Billsville performer and winner of 8 Tony Awards hang out in your living room and explain song and story structures. Stunning.
At Ali’s request we turned the lights down low for this show which delivered on the emotional stance staked out by “Tender Warriors Club.”
In your arms I understand all at once
My life has been building me up to us
In your hands I am mine, you take me to myself
The tenses I knew now they bring me to you
One of the best lyrical craftsman working today Joe Pug is still willing to perform this masterpiece of songwriting and Imagery. “I’ve come to test the timber of my heart.”
I’m not crying. Maybe. Four years of effort to bring Hiss Golden Messenger to town and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. We all knew how lucky we were to be there this night.
Perhaps our first foray into hosting a bluegrass band and we entered with a bang. Five women at the top of their game bring it home here.
The only song on the list I don’t have original video/audio for. This version is as close as I can get. Elizabeth opened her show with this and by the end a friend leaned over to me and said “I could end the night happy right now.” It’s a true showstopper.
So much from the Upstate performance menu we could pick but this song showcases the bands talent and keeps the Billsville up front with Ethan sitting in on guitar.