Wed Feb 18 - Crown Town Showdown @ The Double Door Inn

First stop, putting in our applications for Passports..woo hoo!  Not sure when we're going, but visiting Scotland is getting closer to becoming a reality every day.

The Crown Town Showdown was probably the most filled I've seen it yet, with Sea of Cortez bringing out a bunch of their friends and band-mates.  First off, Jared Allan, whom we haven't seen in for Ever! I need to get to a full show again soon.  He is always a good time, and light-hearted fun.  I love his originals and when he has to, he picks the best covers (Cat Steven's Father & Son, for instance.)

Next up the amazing Sea of Cortez mini-orchestra, with the super talented multi-instrumentalist, and our favorite door man, Rodney Lanier at the helm on .. guitar, accordian, pedal steel..you name it.  I believe all the guys are multi-instrumentalists though, which why this band is so remarkably symphonic.  This could be one of the best little shows we've seen them perform, actually, as they are getting more comfortable with all the new..or more recent..material.

Kenni Falls, a new, young solo act, followed next.  From what I heard from frequent visitors to the Open Mics in town, she's come a long way and has found her own voice and unique, strong writing style.

Elonzo was a really pleasant surprise to me tonight, though.  I thoroughly enjoyed every single song they played, have listened to the CD numerous times AND look forward to seeing a full set as soon as I possibly can.  They are a VERY good band that you'll be hearing more about, if you haven't already.  I see they have scheduled an in studio performance coming up at WNCW already, too!  How have I missed this band up to this point?

Megan Jean and the Klay Family Band..we just LOVE these two!  Megan Jean has got the most powerful pipes, and her songs carry a lot of weight and truth about life and relationships.  Add sometimes a sharp sense of humor and a whole lot of soul in there as well.....

And of course the always delightful Transmission Fields with their new guitarist/vocalist - yay!  Poor Lee was fighting off a bug that was affecting his own vocals, but they still managed to perform a set that was a good representation of their fresh, pop-rock sound.  I'm sure they gathered new fans from those who were here tonight.  After all, isn't that a big reason for having these Showcases? 

I'd say they're working out just fine, and more people really should comeout to see these bands and get a good taste of what we have all around us.  Next Showdown is Wed. March 18th @ Snug, and the following month at The Evening Muse on Apr. 15th.