www.moonlightonthemtn.com
 
Friends of The Moonlight---
 
As we ramp up to the true Solstice, getting ready for the longest--- and possibly hottest--- day of the year, it's interesting to recall that last summer at this time, very few rational prognosticators (ourselves included) were expecting The Moonlight to still be open and running when the planet returned to this same point in its orbit. Yet by hook and crook, and the blessed kindness of strangers, we've managed to cruise along in continuum, mere inches above the ground-- maybe more like a pelican skimming the choppy waters of a stormy Gulf.  
 
The lesson learned is that it's a good idea to plan for survival, since you may one day be surprised to find you've gone way past your expiration date... and there you jolly well are, now, aren't you?
So we look ahead (and book ahead) into the murky future--- a land of swirling, cloudy fog banks, shimmering mirages, and the faint, echoing cries of those either not yet born, or those gone ahead and now calling back desperately to warn us.  
 
As we forge our own vision of the weeks and months to come, selecting the most promising available performers and setting them in faraway blank spots on the fall calendar, we've even caught a glimpse of a glittering Christmas----- Christmas, I tell you!--- way out there offshore, nearly invisible on the horizon. What miracles, marvels, or madness will make themselves manifest between tonight and the next frigid New Year's Eve? Can't never tell, bubba--- just do your best to keep an overcoat handy, that icy wind will be here sooner than you think---
 
And now to begin with, a miracle AND a marvel, just this coming weekend!--->
 
 
Friday the 17th-- INDIA RAMEY, 7:30pm, $12
     Determination and talent are the basic ingredients of accomplishment, and the cover subject of this past April's B Metro Magazine has earned her newer profile by equal measures of both. An experienced, though somewhat jaded, civil litigator, Ramey answered the insistent musical Muse that kept tapping on her door, in the encouraging voice of her late grandaddy, a Sand Mountain bluegrass performer whose memory serves today as her inspirational guidepost. With the same resolve that got her past the bar exam, India's turned now to a full-time career as a songwriter and singer, and managed to attract considerable notice in the early stages of her new profession.  
 
A fine debut CD, and regular performances at select Birmingham venues, have built India an earnest core of supporters for the country/folk/blues-flavored tunes she delivers so naturally. In her frontwoman persona, she's directed the eight-piece combo she assembled for... well, for some of her breakout gigs, but this time she'll just bring a guitar player, and perhaps a fiddler, to let her original songs air out on their own strength, and in the pure voice she's given them.
 
www.indiaramey.com
 
 
Saturday the 18th--- DELNORA REED, and JESSE TERRY, 7:30pm, $12
     Coincidence abounds at Moonlight-- twice in the same weekend we present accomplished young women carrying on the musical traditions established by their paternal forebears, in this case, the great-granddaughter of master fiddler Henry Reed. Delnora's folded a lifetime of family influences into her thoroughly modern blend of energetic folk rock and country, fronting her full band in shows with Sugarland, Paul Thorn, Lee Ann Rimes, and Sara Evans. Her duo Blue Eyed Grass pairs her with fellow "Nashville Star" finalist Jayron Weaver, who we suspect she'll bring along tonight as guitar backup.
 
www.delnora.com
 
     We hosted Jesse Terry here back in January, and immediately wished there had been more folks in the audience to savor his hand-burnished box of story songs, and the friendly, confident portraits he draws of lovers and losers. He's a world traveler, having ranged as far as Australia and the South Pacific in his tours, now scheduled for a full band USO stint later this month in Greenland... that's one way to get outta town for the summer! He's temporarily based in New York--- we'll see how long that lasts-- where he's found receptive fans in the city's most respected folk venues, and all over the nearby East Coast.
 
www.jesseterrymusic.com
 
 
Monday the 20th-- OPEN MIC WINNERS GRAND PLAYOFF, 7:30, $5
     It's the culmination of our last six months of Open Mic competition, with the chosen best of our bi-weekly players coming together again on one night, in pursuit of a $500 recording and demo package from our friends at Higher Ground Studios. We expect to see as many as twelve returning contestants, each of whom will get two songs to exhibit their unique talents, in a bid to take home the cardboard crown and dubious bragging rights--- until January of next year, anyway. It'll be a room full of players, family, and friends, and even without a swimsuit competition, it's still the best night of entertainment you can get for five bucks!
 
www.moonlightonthemtn.com/MOTM/openmike.html
 
 
MORE TO COME NEXT WEEK, TOO---
 
Wednesday 22nd-- CHRIS PROCTOR, with opener Fred Schmitt, world-renowned 6- and 12-string guitar master, Kottke & Hedges mashed together
 
Friday 24th-- SAM POINTER AND FRIENDS, "Tribute to John Hartford", Sam's unique annual homage to the one and only
 
Saturday 25th-- SWEETWATER ROAD, Jason Bailey's stunning country/folk/jazzgrass coalition
 
Sunday 26th-- JIL CHAMBLESS & SCOOTER MUSE, a CD release event for these modern Celtic maestros
 
More info can be gleaned from the website's Calendar page-- have a look--->
 
http://www.moonlightonthemtn.com/MOTM/Calendar.html
 
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And as always, our quiet little addendum, wherein we implore you to contribute a smidgen of your blessings, so we can continue to bring you the entertainment you seem to cherish---
 
www.moonlightmusicalliance.org