Performing at Puckett Farm Equipment, Jan. 23, 2010. Photo by John Clark.
I often tell people that my life is seldom mediocre. Either everything's going my way, or everything turns south in a hurry. I can't figure out many ways where the Jan. 23 gig at Puckett Farm Equipment could've been better.
First of all, thanks for all my fans who showed up. I can't begin to remember everyone, but I'm going to name at least a few names: Nate Ryan, Laura Ehret, Annette Randall, Adrian and Lindsay Parker, Kenny and Karen Bruce, Jeff and Missy Owens, Kyle and Pattie Petty, Tara Gudger, Rutledge Wood, Matt Dillner, Ron Munnerlyn, Fred Rollison, Brookes Versaggi, Jo Koster, Duze, Brian, John Brock, Kelley Schirmer ... that's probably not even half, and I can't tell all of you how much I appreciated your being there.
Even those who couldn't make it had extraordinary excuses.
Frank Bolter, who said it was the best show he ever promoted, was exceedingly generous, and the headliner, Chris Knight, was great onstage and friendly in conversation.
Many people could've performed much better, but I couldn't. The entire audience was incredibly receptive from start to finish, and at finish the place was "packed to the rafters," as I heard Charley Pride say one time.
I opened with a cover, Robert Earl Keen's "Corpus Christi Bay," and closed with another, George Jones' "Tennessee Whisky," and that occurred because a guy next to the stage asked for some George Jones. I jonesed it up, and the entire crowd sang along on the choruses.
I like to be spontaneous, so I really can't remember all of the songs of my own I sang. There was no set list. I know I sang "Go Big Red," "There You Are," "Wake & Bake," "I Got Cash Money (and I'm Workin' Steady)," "First I Took My Clothes Off (Then You Changed Your Mind), "Sniper" and ... probably a few more. I haven't looked at all the video yet.
Thanks to Nate, Laura and Annette for shooting photos and video.
Thanks to Frank, who bought me supper and put me up at his condo.
Thanks to everyone at Puckett Farm Equipment. Thanks to those who bought tee shirts, books and tipped me for a homemade CD. Thanks to Tara for passing the hat.
If anyone out there would like to purchase a Monte Dutton/No Matter Where You Go, There You Are tee shirt, they're $12 in person or $16 by mail (or you can send SASE manila envelope with $12 and $2.75 in postage attached). I can be reached at 11185 Hwy. 56 N., Clinton, S.C. 29325.
Damn. Enough shameless self-promotion. I appreciate everyone who listens to my silly songs, and I was humbled by the support on Saturday night in Charlotte.
Truly, I'm not worthy, but I appreciate the hell out of folks who think I am.