Colin Linden/"Blackie" and the Rodeo Kings

I shun the Bluebird Cafe for the most part, but last night found a Canadian quintet rockin’ it hard in the round. I knew Lu was friends with Colin Linden and did “Don’t Tell Me” with him on his Big Mouth album, but somehow “If I Can’t Have You” from the Rodeo Kings’ second most recent record Kings & Queens escaped my notice. Last night, Ontario vixen Scarlett Jane sang the Lu part, to fine effect–not to mention that she gave me a copy of her CD and praised my sportcoat in a brief conversation afterwards. Colin told me he had been texting Tom and Lu but reckoned they were too busy (he wasn’t upset) to show and sit in. Anyway, CL and his co-King Tom Wilson wrote “If I Can’t Have You,” and I bet their fellow Canadian on this Forum will have links to both it and “Don’t Tell Me” posted by nightfall.

Guests last night included Nash/Bluebird songwriter perennial Gary Nicholson as well as Scarlett Jane, plus a member of the ABC show Nashville cast guesting for four or five songs. I believe Sam is this actor’s name, Gunter maybe his character’s name? Joining him in the audience was not Connie Britten but rather this nice young woman with Asian American/AFrican American features whose name I don’t know but who moved from LA to Nash to take the part. They are hoping it gets renewed for a third season, are not sure yet. Oddly, neither of them knew the Lu song she wrote for T-Bone/the show.

The boys did a Band song last night, but my best memory of this group was when they did “Acadian Driftwood” live on the 15th floor of the Memphis Marriott circa 2:30 a.m. one February morn a few years ago, when the Folk Alliance conclave was held near me.

Steven Fearing is the third King, a worthy gent. They had a Canadian-based rhythm section with them, and will play the Grand Old Opry tonight.

Wish me luck Underground in a few hours. . . .