Brandi Carlile Got a Charleston Homecoming

Yes, I know, singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile is from the opposite side of the country, not Charleston, S.C. But when she took the stage last evening, she didn't realize we had been waiting for her all this time. She does now and seemed genuinely happy and at home with the at-capacity crowd that filled the Music Farm.

In my concert preview article in last week's Charleston Scene, I quoted Brandi as saying that sometimes a concert is "gut wrenching and sometimes it's just a party."

Last night, Brandi threw us a party.

She threw numerous picks into the audience as the finale for songs. She whipped the cord of her electric guitar around like a tail. She laughed with bandmates, talked between songs, and at one point, asked the crowd with a laugh, "What would you like to hear? The set list has pretty much gone to shit at this point!"

People shouted. Brandi made eye contact and listened. And she played the songs that had been requested. And then she played more. And what is a good party without a Johnny Cash song? Well, not good enough, the band thought, so they threw in the most awesome (yes, I am a writer and should come up with a fresh term here, but, well, it WAS most awesome) version of "Folsom Prison Blues" that has ever been played outside of Folsom Prison.

Thanks Brandi. Y'all come back now, ya hear?

Luxury lives up to its reputation

As a resident of Charleston, I rarely if ever have a reason to visit Kiawah Island Golf Resort, except for a delicious special-occasion dinner at one of the restaurants. Still, the few times I have been there, I have been impressed. Kiawah is one of those places that lives up to its hype, and its hype is about service.

Yes, the place is beautiful, to be sure, but it is the people who work in this mini-city who impress me. People are nice, genuinely helpful and for the most part, seem to take pride in the high standards of service their employer requires.

My latest foray into the resort -- the spa. In this month's Go Magazine, I detail what sets this created oasis apart from so many other spas. I hope the Kiawah powers that be read this and invite me back for that lemon verbena treatment (yes, I should be ashamed at blatant begging, but ... lemon ... verbena ... ). Just ignore the fact that I have a crazy schedule -- I promise, Kiawah, I will be able to fit you in!

Amelia Island a green island getaway

Bob and I had the opportunity for a later-summer getaway last year to Amelia Island, and in this month's Go Magazine website, the article about the "green" resort is a web extra. Click here to access it and then cruise around the website for more travel tips.

My travel tip for Amelia Island, Fla.? Renting a golf cart is an option for the resort and perfect fun for tooling around this expansive place. There is much to see, it's easy to transport lots of stuff to beach or golf course or tennis court, and well, when you're driving a golf cart, you're having a good day!

My little voice in this big mess

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/may/07/many-americans-doing-what-they-can-in-oil-disaster/?print

The Music Keeps Playing

Thanks to the wonderful Charleston Scene, the music articles keep flowing. Here's the latest, my interview with Shawn Colvin, a great honor! She was an easy and very, very smart interview. Smart as a whip and with a twinkle in her eye to be exact, the kind of woman I like to know, the kind of woman that I like to listen to ...

I love this Song!!!

Ooh -- the heady past days, when I first discovered the minor chords of Andrew Bird's violin, meandering in the background of a Squirrel Nut Zippers song. They were great, he was great, and I just could not get enough of where that music took me.

It was all deep 1930s nights where the stars were low in a field riding back down a dirt road from town. The smoke that clung to clothes after stepping out of a basement jazz club in 20s France. Faded beadboard paneling, and the smell of this morning's fried eggs still lingering near lunch in the back of the house kitchen where the windows were often open. And always root magic.

I'd forgotten that feeling until last week when, in the process of researching an article about the new band Screen Door Porch, I heard "Zemurray," a cut from their debut record, and remembered. It was right back there.

The full article is in today's Charleston Scene . The song is in my iTunes library. Take a listen.

Zemurray - Screen Door Porch

I'm not krackin' on Uncle Kracker

To me, Uncle Kracker's music is about shopping, possibly at Kohl's or when I am in the grocery and find myself humming something I don't even know I know while trying to decide between quinoa or just the basmati rice blend. Just because I don't willingly listen to his music doesn't mean others don't (whoa, check out that quadruple negative, Mrs. Nelson), so I was happy to have the chance to interview him.

He was calling from Allentown, PA when we chatted, and he was pleasant and well-intended during our interview. He also honestly tried to answer my questions and did not sound bored, even if he was. I thank him for that.

Here's the interview in today's Charleston Scene, complete with details about his upcoming date in Charleston.

Click here if you can't remember what he sings ...

Uncle Kracker