[Yardstick]

Hey, I see that you mentioned being in Nashville, and I've got a band recommendation for you. When I was a student at MTSU a few years back, I became a fan of a band called The Nationals. Maybe you've heard of them. They play every week (it was every Wednesday at the time, and it was a packed house every time) at a Murfreesboro bar called The Boro, and they are tremendous, a true powerhouse. They're basically a straight-up blues band -- with guitar, harmonica, B-3, bass, and drums -- but they've got so much energy that they sound like a rock band sometimes. They totally bring the house down, every time. Each show is like an explosion.

Their guitarist's name is Jack Pearson. He's filled in for Dicky Betts on several occasions, sometimes for months at a time, when Betts was unable to tour for one reason or another. Jack's playing is every bit as good as Warren Haynes. He's got technical chops out the wazoo, but that aspect of his playing is completely enfolded within his authentic, down-home blues sensibilities. His playing is always tasty, always musical. He does these harmonized duets with the harmonica (played by another outstanding player -- I can't think of his name -- he's a black guy and he plays his harmonica right, which is through a green bullet mic and a Fender guitar amp -- it's great old-school harmonica tone) and with the B-3 (another great player). I don't know, you'd just have to see for yourself. He's one of these guys that does the impossible and makes it look effortless.

People kept telling me that I had to see these guys, and I was like, yeah right, it's Murfreesboro for crying out loud...what kind of talent would you find playing there on a regular basis. I still can't figure out what they're doing there -- a couple of them must be sort of established there with their jobs or something -- but I must say that some of the best musical moments I've ever witnessed have come courtesy of The Nationals playing The Boro. They get my highest rating. They are total blues gratification, and well worth checking out.

[wardaddy]

I had to call my wife on that one. She is from Murfreesboro (my folks moved there as well while I was at Ole Miss in 78 but I never lived there)....anyhow of course she knew immediately. She's a bit younger than I (8 years) and was married to a Nashville musician once and knows the "scene" here better than I. She always liked the White Animals of early to mid 80s fame here.

Murfreesboro has had a number of small but significant bands come out of there.

When were you there? Did you know a longhaired blonde fellow who like to fight named Nelson?...he's a longtime family friend and a character around Murfreesboro....