We weren’t sure how to follow up the 100th show gala, but, boy, was this the right show! Almost no one combines the humor, great songwriting, musicianship, great vocalizing, and hilarious banter of Jeff Berkley and Calman Hart. We are always glad to see them—the audience was riveted, howling, singing, CRYING (My Name is Sam) and on their feet by the end. Most people agreed that the night ended way too soon.
They’ll be back, I promise. Happy Trails to them in the meantime.
Well, the 100th show did indeed rock. Janet Feld was funny, smart, played great songs and totally prepared the crowd for her second set, which included her pals, Kate Wallace, Caren Armstrong, Doug Clegg, and James McVay—all veterans of the series over the years. Each artist played a cover tune and an original and ALL were completely well received and had the crowd singing along (this reviewer LOVED the chick voices on “The Wind Cries Mary”, for God’s sake… it was too cool). Foot stomping was actually heard on “Get Off My Cloud”..It was a great evening.. More on the way.
Kate Wallace, Caren Armstrong and Janet Feld
James McVay, Kate Wallace, Caren Armstrong, Janet Feld and Doug Clegg
Guest blooger here for this concert. This is Wendy and I first heard Peter Bradley Adams music on the TV show “Summerland.” It was when he was in a duo called Eastmountainsouth. I continued to follow Peter’s music career, and I am thrilled we were able to get him to come to Trinity Backstage. A few of my favorite songs are Unreconciled, For You, Full Moon Song and Los Angeles. I appreciate songs that tell a story and Peter’s songs often make me laugh…and make me cry.
In November 2008, Adams was named by Wall Street Journal as one of the “21st-century writers whose songs are worth exploring.” and as “ [having] a way with melody and lyrics…and ready to be seen and heard.”.
We can’t say enough about how we love Michael Lille. I have had the pleasure of playing and writing with him for YEARS– he has been my band more than once in the 20 years I have known him– all by himself. He is that good. He is an AMAZING player, writer, singer, and performer– I can think of few artists I would rather see and hear than Michael. We wrote “Wherever You Walk” together, which may be my very favorite of my songs. Just so you have a little bio information and not just me going on and on, here you go…
“This modern-day Renaissance man has certainly been busy lately. But what affords him the most satisfaction among all his life experiences is recording and performing, and upon listening to his third and latest release, Never Home to Stay, it’s easy to see (and hear) why. The record is an auditory delight that combines Michael’s penchant for melding heartfelt lyrics about love, loss, self-examination and the lure and romance of the open road with a cool, breezy, Southern California-style, country-folk-rock groove.” Performing Songwriter Magazine
Well, John Batdorf was a complete success on Saturday night. Playing to a completely full house, John was the consummate pro from the very first notes. His guitar playing was superb, his songs really accessible and crowd pleasing and his patter was wonderful– he was funny, warm and completely entertaining. He ended the night on a perfect note (pardon the pun)– and after two standing ovations–by playing, “Ruby Tuesday” from his Rolling Stones tribute CD, and the audience, all 130 people, sang right along with him in many harmonies. It was terrific. I love when that happens!
Our August artist, John Batdorf, is a well known and respected veteran on the L.A. music scene and has had world wide success both as a solo artist and with Mark Rodney since the seventies. He has played with most of my favorite CA artists (Jackson Browne, Linda Rondstadt, John Prine and Dan Fogelberg) over the years and I am looking forward to his intricate and addictive vocals/melodies, fine guitar playing and a great performance all around.
