On a Tuesday night in Athens, Georgia anything can happen. You can be an unsuspecting plant lover strolling through the State Botanical Gardens admiring the flora only to find that there’s roots rock coming from the Conservatory. Pun definitely intended.
Fresh from a summer that birthed a new record and a successful tour highlighted by the beauty of Colorado and the calamity of Bonnaroo, Barbara Cue was happy to be home. Featuring Widespread Panic’s Todd Nance on vocals and drums joined by vocalist and damn good Dobro player William Tonks, bassist and Athens scene stalwart Crumpy Edwards, guitarist and rural music mainstay Jon Mills, and pedal steel bad ass John Neff (Drive-By Trucker fans will recognize the sounds, if not his mug) the headlines will surely read, “Barbara Cue Rocks the Garden!” Even though it was “State Botanical” and not “Madison Square” (and outdoor plans moved in because of a light rain) the evening was still memorable, and made more so by a special appearance from famed Widespread Panic percussionist Domingo “Sonny” Ortiz and free beer and wine for the masses.
This was the final installment of this summer’s Sunflower Music Series held annually at the state’s finest garden. Past performers have included Vic Chesnutt, Kevn Kinney (drivin n cryin), and Dave Marr (Star Room Boys).
Set list:
SBG
Coach
Little Floater
New Name
Louisiana Truckstop
Talking To Myself
Lagoon
Reasons
Walls
Look Out Cleveland
Explode