[REVIEW] After the Fire - Luella and the Sun Benefit

Photos by: Amber Davis

Four years seem to fly by quick considering that's how long it's been since my last visit to Nashville.  Amber Davis, our current awesome Nashville writer, plus many other past writers have kept tons of great coverage and photos of live music around Nashville flowing despite my absence.

Aside from getting to see family and friends there could have been no better reason for coming back home than the chance to help our new dear friends Luella and the Sun get back in the recording studio After the Fire!

The benefit concert we were fortunate enough to initiate with the help of No Country for New Nashville, East Nashville Underground and Do615 was without question a night to remember!

James Wallace and the Naked Light kicked off the evening with a "rockus" groove that quickly brought Mercy Lounge, our home for the night, alive. The room was filling quick which left little doubt to just how stoked Nashville was for all the music in the line-up!

One five minute set change and an onstage raffle ticket give-a-way thanks to MC Mr. Nicky G. and we're hit full blast in the chest with the anthemic sounds of DUGAS! Power and range is about the only way I can describe Sarah Dugas' vocal prowess.

Bringing the rockabilly hard, Webb Wilder was the next act to drop some low end guitar bends on the extremely full house crowd!  Big hat, big guitar and huge sound.  Mr. Wilder has been doing his thing for more than a few good years and laid down a very pro and entertaining set.

Grimey's gift certificates, Revival Wine and now a pair of Sigur Ros tickets thanks to Native magazine. The raffle items just kept coming and seemed to get better with each drawing!

Altered Statesman took the stage next with an immersed groove that gave Mercy Lounge a calm before the storm vibe.  The high energy and packed crowd in the room could no longer be ignored.  Especially if you were planning on moving from your spot and venture to the bar or elsewhere.  Good luck on getting it back when you return!

Despite a quick set change the crowd quickly started chanting for the featured act of the night Justin Townes Earle.  Understandably so, it's not everyday in Nashville you get to catch JTE live at Mercy Lounge.  It's been a minute to say the least.

Justin played a solid set of favorites and a new song for the crowd backed by exactly 1/2 of Luella and the Sun, Adam Bednarik on bass and Jon Radford on drums. Jon and Adam currently support JTE as his backing band for live shows.

A silent auction for a Justin Townes Earle guitar sealed the night for all things awesome to raise money for Luella and the Sun!

The time had finally arrived that everyone had been anticipating. Luella, Joe, Adam and Jon took the stage to an extreme amount of love from everyone in the building. Backstage was now empty and all eyes were trained on Luella and her sparkling glow as she stepped up to the microphone.

[Luella backstage just before showtime]

Fly So Free and they did as the band's live set kicked off the best energy of the night for all of us in the crowd. Although this was my first time seeing Luella and the Sun live in person I could tell there was something extra special about this performance. This was an experience being shared by both the band and all of us in the crowd. Out of all the festivals and live shows I've seen in 2013, this was simply the best!

Los Colognes wrapped up the night with a great closing set that put an exclamation point on the benefit. The Nashville music community I experienced last week is a fast growing but tight nit group of people who love their music and their fellow musicians and Nashville music fans seem to love them all for it!

MASSIVE HUGE THANK YOUS to our SPONSORS!
No Country for New Nashville // East Nashville Underground // Do615 // Mercy Lounge // Lightning 100 // Grimey's // Thirty Tigers // Silly Goose // Five Points Pizza // Pepperfire Hot Chicken // The East Nashvillian // All Eyes Media // Native // Cage Free Visual // Midtown Printing // OurVinyl TV // Revival Vineyards // Leinenkugel's // Blue Moon

Personal thanks to our good friends for all their hard work!
Kim Buie // Matt Hall // Kristyn and Jared Corder // Amber Davis // Jim Flammia // Michael Trebing // Nancy Heathman // Maddie Novack // Matt Bury // Andrew Mischke // Joe Clemons // Tara Tieman // Lisa McCauley // Wells Adams // Jordan Schneider // Doyle Davis