GAIL PATTY ROCKS
It was surprising that during the Day by the River festival, a day dedicated to rocking, rolling and raining, the heaviest moment had nothing to do with grinding guitars or Sabbath-ready riffs. Instead, it came when the woman who had quietly observed the proceedings stepped up to the mike at Sky City, paused for a moment to muster courage, composure, or perhaps a little of both, and thanked the friends of Lee Laurence, her son.
What Gail Patty did Saturday night will stay with me far longer than any of the performances (which were rocking), any of the reunions (don't wait so long next time, Snapdragon) or even the torrential rain that sent the entire show scurrying for the dry confines of Sky City. She owned the stage, the entire room really, with her quiet confidence, and the sentiment was astonishing.
Her purpose that evening was not to champion a cause or promote an agenda. It was to thank the friends of Laurence, who died 10 years ago. She thanked a bar full of rowdy and rambunctious rock fans for the love they offered to and accepted from him. She thanked a crowd adrenalized after an evening of electric guitar sharing in his passion for music. She thanked all in attendance, whether they knew him or not, for participating in a community where he felt safe, secure and at home.
She thanked the collective whole, quite simply, for being a good friend.
It was amazing.
Ms. Patty's simple statement was followed by a too short slide show tracing the path of her son's too short life. Rock preceded and rock would follow, but those few short minutes, for me, exemplified what being a part of a community is all about.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
John "Stoney" Cannon must have the heart of a lion. Nobody would have thought less of him had he skipped the benefit concert held in honor of his late daughter Alexis.
He had been sick all week and, shortly after the concert, was admitted to Trinity Hospital with a serious infection. He not only showed up but also hit the stage, performing publicly for the first time in several years with his band, the Vagabond Missionaries.
When I'm sick, I find it difficult to rock the remote. Stoney Cannon rocked Sky City.
The word from his wife, Jean, is that he is back at home and doing much better. The word from the folks at Sky City is that the Lexie's Legacy concert did very well.
That's good news all around.
RECHARGE
Augusta act 48Volt recently scrapped the recordings it has been working on for the better part of a year.
Although I have not heard many of the studio songs, I have to agree with the sentiment that provoked the decision. Instead of making a carefully crafted studio product, the band has decided to record live, over the course of a few days, with Nick Laws at Sector 7G.
What has always worked well with 48Volt is the band's live instincts. As strong as the songs are, they always seem much more affecting, much more honest, live.
... AND NOW, A RANT
Allow me, if you will, to spout about something that's becoming increasingly annoying -- heavy metal font. I understand a band's desire to have a visual reference point, a stylistic stamp that it feels communicates the band's music.
I get it. I dig it. I also want to read it.
Over the past few years, metal acts have tended to augment the band name with an increasing number of spikes, swirls and other assorted flourishes. As a result, band logos now require subtitles.
I hate to address the masters of metal as though I were a third-grade handwriting teacher, but come on, boys, make it legible. Nobody will think you're any less heavy.
Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
Back 
