As I write this column, I’m still feeling how great the Sweet Harmony show was at the Mystic Grill last week. We had a really good show and we did a version of "Jolene" that I think took us all a couple hundred thousand feet about sea level.
The great music continues this week, so let’s start with learning about a great local musician — Shane Clark.
Featured Artist - Shane Clark
We’ve had so many great shows in Covington recently that I’ve been focusing on the performances more than the performers. Once again I’ll take a look at one of our area’s top performers in the featured artist section.
Shane Clark is, as those of us who know him can attest to, an interesting fella. The tattoos, piercings and long hair make for a memorable first impression. But more than that, you can just tell that this guy is wired a bit differently than most folks. And there's nothing wrong with that. He's a cool dude and is very talented.
Clark has been a practicing musician for about 12 years. He’s a very good guitar player with a very strong voice, with a sound and style that is rather unique. His sound is a mix between 1990s music — particularly Grunge — with a classic 70s Outlaw Country. He is like Alice in Chains meets STP meets Waylon and David Allen Coe.
Clark has played with several bands throughout the years and still has a few projects he does here and there. He's got an occasional side group that incorporates Buddy Krause, an up-and-coming guitar picker I mentioned not too long ago, and some other top players of the Covington scene. I've mentioned a few times, Clark is probably best known for hosting various Open Mic nights throughout the area. He does a regular weekly edition every Tuesday night at The Depot Bar and Grill. When I interviewed him for this piece, he was stoked about a new home studio that he was putting the finishing touches on. He's on Facebook and you can follow him there to stay up to date with his recent happenings.
Featured Shows
Whiskey Bent performs at the Mystic Grill, 1116 Clark Street, SW, Covington, on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.
Fluff and Marc bring their superb and smooth sounds back to the rooftop in what promises to be a fun and exciting evening. As I've mentioned before, what makes Whiskey Bent so great is their ability to genre hop with total ease — Classic Rock, Classic Country, Modern Rock and more. But the kicker is the 1970s Soul and R&B they can pull off due to Fluff's booming voice.
Justin Huff live at the Porterdale Bar and Grill, 52 South Broad Street, Porterdale, on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Huff, a Morgan County resident, has been making a name for himself all over these parts with a really strong voice and a real-deal Country sound. A prodigy of the Cochran Road band, Jojo Palmer started letting him sit on practices with the band back in the day and he started to develop and blossom as an artist in his own right. By all accounts, he always puts on a memorable show.
Odds and ends
High Charity at the Mystic Grill on Thursday, Oct. 20. This band brings its appreciation for Zeppelin and all things Classic Rock back to the rooftop.
Two-fer: Chris, Jon and Scott perform at Amici, Covington, 1116 College Avenue, SE, Covington, Friday, Oct. 21 and at Mystic on Saturday, Oct. 22. The terrific trio once again does the North-South Covington Square music connection this weekend. You can always count on kicking jams, jaw-dropping musicality, and an energetic and enthusiastic crowd.
Highway Katz performs at Porterdale Bar and Grill on Friday, Oct. 21 at 9 p.m.
Enjoy the tunes, and we'll see you right here next time.
