Rockabilly Music in Charlotte

Last weekend I was out Friday and Saturday night for ROCKABILLY Music in Charlotte.

Friday (3/13), Jem Crossland played at Puckett's Farm Equipment in Charlotte without the Hypertonics (Chipps Baker & John Marlow). He had a friend Jason from Spindale playing bass for him. No drummer. It was a good show. Jem played to the crowd. Sometimes with the band he seems more...reserved(?) but always gives a good night of singin' and guitarin'. He has an excellent voice and his memory for lyrics makes him seem like a walking JUKEBOX. Jason has improved greatly since I last heard him play. Jason's confidence level has quadrupled. He's been playing with Kitty King.
There wasn't much, if any advertisement about the show because Jem was stepping in to play for a band that canceled at the last minute. I think everyone that showed up got their money's worth times four!

Saturday (3/14) I was at Tremont Music Hall. Kelly and The Cowboys opened the night. She is a a real cutie with a voice that rivals the one she emulates: Patsy Cline.


The Straight 8's followed. Robert is a good singer. He writes excellent songs that capture that rockabilly rawness. Their bassist and drummer do a great job as back up singers. Bernie bangs the drum like a lunatic and is great to watch.


The Tremors finished the night. Jimmy belted out their tunes with his hiccup lilt,... a sound I've grown to like. Slim on bass and Stretch on drums.


Unfortunately the crowd was not much from the start to finish throughout the night. Blame it on the rain, blame it on the St Patricks celebration in uptown Charlotte, blame it on the economy but a lot of good music was missed by far too many people this past weekend.

Jem Crossland will be playing Saturday (3/21) at Puckett's. He and Jason on bass. The Defilers are the HEADLINER that night! Be there or be square!