Richmond Va. 10/15

I'm going  to start off with a little history of the venue. In 1922 the National, hailed the finest theater in Richmond opened its doors and  for the next 30 yrs it flourished.  In 1966 new owners did major renovations, modernizing it by painting over all the murals and plasterwork in hopes of increasing business but it still struggled then finally closed for good 1983. It was slanted for demolition in 1989 but was saved and restored by the Historic Richmond Foundation and reopened February of this year. I'm so glad they saved this old building because inside the National is a work of art and beauty.  I wish I had taken pictures of the place but I was so overwhelmed by its beauty I forgot to. If you ever go there, make sure you wander around and check out all the awesome plasterwork.

We arrived in Richmond several hours before the concert and it gave me time to do some street team work. A lot of people I spoke with had heard of Joe but not seen him yet so I encouraged them to go see him and the ones that did I made sure I found them afterwards so I could see their faces. That was priceless for me. We ran into Carmine before the concert and had a great conversation with him. He's such a funny, classy dude.

The opening act was a young man that had just graduated with a degree in music. He goes by In Rio and is also in a popular local band. He did an acoustic set of  7 or 8 songs, he has a nice soothing voice and he was very good. He was grateful for the opportunity to open for Joe and the boys and he was well received by the crowd.

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Joe, Rick, Carmine and Bogie took the stage with the Ballad of John Henry(Spike Driver Blues). This was the 1st time I've heard them do this and it was excellent. The song has really evolved since Libby posted the video debut and I love it! Mountain Time was played on a Gibson, sounded just as good and still brought me to tears. I must say Sloe Gin was the best version I've heard yet. Joe pours his soul into this one and it shows. For those of you who haven't seen them do this recently, you're in for a treat! The highlight for me was Just Got Paid/Dazed and Confused. There wasn't a body that wasn't moving during this melody and it flat out rocked!  When the boys returned for an encore they burned the house down with One of These Days. Everyone left their seats and stood at the front of the stage. I was surrounded by bonavirgins and loved looking at all the faces that were in awe, I should have brought a bag of chin straps with me. I noticed Joe wasn't looking to good towards the end of the concert and I was hoping he wasn't coming down with something. Afterwards we found out the boys had traveled non stop from New Orleans and Joe had a crappy bed that kept him awake for most of the trip and he was exhausted yet being the gracious one that he is, he still did a meet and greet by the bus for the dozen or so fans that gathered there after the concert.

As I say after every concert....this was the best one yet! Thank you Joe, Rick, Carmine and Bogie for another night of bliss! And I got to say.....that Joe sure is one lean, mean music making machine!!

Ballard of John Henry (Spike Driver Blues)
Bridge to Better Days
So Many Roads
India/ Mountain Time
Another Kind of Love
Sloe Gin
Highwater Everywhere
Your Funeral My Trial
Blues Deluxe
Woke Up Dreaming
Just Got Paid/Dazed and Confused

One of These Days
Asking Around for You