Alive After Five
Knoxville's most unique live music experience happens on select Fridays in the museum's Great Hall, 5:30-8pm. Catered and with 2 cash bars, these non-smoking events are family friendly and great for dates. Admission is $8 for nonmembers, $4 for members and students, except where noted otherwise.
October 10 - Big Bill Morganfield with the Detroit Daddies
$10 General Admission • $6 with Membership or student ID ($6/$4 after 8 pm)
The fall series premiers with a special outdoor show in the North Garden,
featuring a performance by the son of legendary Bluesman Muddy Waters (given name McKinley Morganfield). Being the son of one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century has placed quite a burden of expectations on Big Bill, but he has more than met the challenge, proving himself to be a bluesman of sparkling originality and stellar stage presence. Those who attended our first New Year’s Eve party, “Alive into 2005!”, know first hand what a dynamic singer, guitarist and entertainer Big Bill Morganfield is! Opening the show is one of Knoxville’s most entertaining groups, the Detroit Daddies, featuring guitarist “Detroit” Dave Meer and harmonica player Michael Crawley. Don’t forget to bring your blanket or folding chair! No coolers or pets, please. In case of rain, the show will take place inside the Great Hall.
www.bigbillmorganfield.com
October 17 - Branded Sons
$9 General Admission • $5 with Membership or student ID
This rollicking five-member country rock and Americana band from
Nashville pays homage to the greats of classic country music like Hank Williams (Sr. and Jr.), Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash with an outlaw rock and roll attitude reminiscent of Lynnard Skynnard and The Rolling Stones. They possess harmonies that would make the Everly Brothers proud, and their country boogie beat will give everyone a workout oh the dance floor.
www.myspace.com/brandedsons
October 24 - Boys’ Night Out
$10 General Admission • $6 with Membership or student ID
Boys' Night Out (BNO) was organized in 1983 with the goal of recreating
the authentic performances of the Rhythm and Blues and Carolina beach music that had been extremely popular with teenagers in the south during the late 1960s. Boys' Night Out's first public performance was at the Oak Ridge Azalea Festival in 1984, and they have played a busy schedule ever since. BNO has provided musical back-up for R&B greats Percy Sledge (When a Man Loves a Woman), Archie Bell (Do the Tighten-Up), and Clifford Curry (She Shot a Hole in My Soul); and has opened shows for The Judds, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jan and Dean, The Platters, The Impressions, Eddie Rabbitt, Marcia Ball, The Tams, and B.J. Thomas.
http://www.boysnightoutband.com
October 31 - “Halloween Costume Party!” with Cheryl Renée’s Blues
Band
$9 General Admission • $5 with Membership or student ID
This blueswoman with an acrobatic voice, a mastery of the keyboards, and
a wildly infectious stage presence lived and performed all over Knoxville a few years ago before returning to her native home of Cincinnati and forming a new band which made it to the finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis (2005). While in Knoxville, she performed at the Ladies Sing the Blues program at The Bijou Theatre (1999) and at the Hard Knox Blues Fest in Old City (2000). Many Alive After Five regulars will no doubt remember some of her memorable performances here with Wendel Werner, Philippe LeJeune, and her own band. Well, she’s back, and sure to put a spell on you!
www.cherylrenee.com
November 7 - Tony O Blues Band
$9 General Admission • $5 with Membership or student ID
Physically born in Queens in 1955, Tony O had his spiritual birth at age 15
when he discovered Chicago blues. Not only did the 15 year old teach himself how to play the blues, but by age 18 he was welcome in the company of Victoria Spivey, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon among others. By the early 80's, Tony was touring hard as guitar player and part-time vocalist with the NYC based Little Mike & The Tornadoes. This band, which included Brad Vickers and Rob Piazza, as well as Little Mike, not only did constant touring on their own but also served as backup band of choice for Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin and also did special tours with Jimmy Rogers, Snooky Pryor and Lester "Big Daddy" Kinsey. They lived for the music and one could hear the effect this had on Tony O- he was emerging as a mature blues player. He was, and remains, more inclined to share the depth of his feelings with you than to overwhelm you with flashy, go-nowhere, solos. As the 80's began to fade, the road finally took its toll on the original cast of Little Mike and The Tornadoes and they went their separate ways. Tony wasn't out looking for work yet when, in 1990, he received an invitation from Willie "Big Eyes" Smith to join the Legendary Blues Band, a band with a most impressive lineage which was still going strong. Tony toured, and recorded three albums with Legendary, before the urge to go out under his own name could no longer be ignored.
www.tonyo.creativeliza.com
November 14 - Will Boyd Project featuring Kelle Jolly
$8 General Admission • $4 with Membership or student ID
The combination of Kelle Jolly & The Will Boyd Project bridges the gap between jazz & blues of yesterday and today. These South Carolina natives honed their skills playing with musicians who believed in the blues. Will's soulful, saxophone serenades lead the way for Kelle to expose her 3-octave voice thru a labyrinth of melodies, that hypnotize any lover of the blues. These music ambassadors have performed for audiences from Knoxville, TN to Muroran, Japan. Get ready for a show packed full of soulful jazz and funky blues!
www.kellewillandme.com
November 21 - The Bearded - with a film from the Southern Appalachian International Film Festival afterwards
$8 General Admission • $4 with Membership or student ID
Coming like itinerant workers from all over the country, The Bearded have gathered in East Tennessee to form a brand new sounding old time string and rhythm band. The undeniably infectious groove of old time dance music and swing blues are seamlessly blended and guaranteed to produce a pleasing effect. While they have an endless supply of traditional tunes, The Bearded’s repertoire is mostly original music. Is it old, or is it new? With The Bearded it may be hard to tell, but one thing’s for sure – it is danceable.
November 28 - Slow Blind Hill
$8 General Admission • $4 with Membership or student ID
Slow Blind Hill has been playing its unique combination of blues and jazz around Knoxville since 1994. Imagine a combination of Louis Jordan, Freddie King, and Duke Ellington with a little Muddy, Jimi, B. B., and Miles thrown in for good measure, and that’s Slow Blind Hill. Long time favorites at Alive After Five, Knoxville nightclubs, and late night swing dances, Slow Blind Hill have released four CDs.
www.slowblindhill.com
December 12 - “Holiday Music Special” - multiple bands and musicians
$10 General Admission • $6 with Membership or student ID
The fall series concludes in a festive holiday spirit with many bands and musicians to bring us cheer, such as Dor L’Dor, the Carib Sounds Steel Band, Tennessee Schmaltz, Y’uns and many more to be announced.
