Yeah!  The long anticipated show is almost here.  The region is finally gettting more quality acts, probably thanks to the efforts of WNKU. So glad Tift included this venue in her tour. MM tagged and at the ready. Any one else going to be there?

Also, am I correct in assuming that she has an open taping/photo policy?

BTW, what happened to the download section of the board?  I thought that always seemed too good to be true.

I noticed the Downloads option on the menu missing too, but I think it's working now.

I'm driving up from Louisville for the Southgate show on Friday, and hopefully helping out with merchandising, so come up and say hi! Here are some pictures from her 2005 show at Southgate House.

Fantastic show!!!  Where to begin?

Well, with gripes of course(sorry, typical woman).  The only bad part of the evening was the fact that there were 2 opening acts before Tift came on and Southgate House as a venue is ok,  but it's dungeon-like facility, complete with humidity and lack air flow, leave a bit to be desired. But hey, we'll take a Tift show any way we can get it.

The "pre-opener" was some guy that even after the performance , I still don't know his name. And that's ok. He played too long (IMHO).  But  I have to admit, that was the first time I have ever seen a guitar, mandolin, vibraphone combo. 

The opener, Matthew Ryan vs. Silver State had a few good songs, but after a while , they all seemed to sound the same.He had some fans in attendance and played well to the crowd.  Maybe it was just that after being there a few hours , I was anxious to see Tift. It was generous of her to give these guys the opportunity to play, which attests to the fact that she does not seem to have forgotten from whence she comes.

Tift and band came on about 10:15 and it was a pretty enthusiastic crowd. Tift seemed kinda shocked by the response.    My taping attempts proved fruitless, as I was enjoying the show too mach and didn't want to be bothered. I didn't keep a set list, but the bulk of the songs were from Another Country.  I was pleasantly surprised to see her and the band "rock the house".   Being this was  my first show,  I was expecting a more mellow acoutsic set(why, I don't know).  But  the show was pretty much " full tilt" and I have to say that I felt tired after seeing all the energy she puts into the show. It reminded me of a Patty Griffin show, you see this little lady come out, you are familiar with the ballads and some of the more up-beat songs in their catalog, then they start playing and just blow you away. Then you are hooked for life. It is truly refreshing, in these days of "made for TV  Musicians", to see another triple-threat  female artist(songwriter/singer/player) on the scene.

On the slower side they did a very nice, mic-less,  acoustic version of "Keep you Happy."  The harmonies sounded great. Her vocals held up throught the evening. Nice to see Chris and get the chance to thank him for this great board.  So happy to see Tift has alot of loyal fans in the Tri-State area.  Hopefully this will ensure a return in the not too distant  future.

Glad you had a great time at your first show, mine was in July and I can't wait for another. What happened after the show?

The set list from last night:

Morning is My Destination
Something to Me
Stray Paper
I Know What I'm Looking for Now
Another Country
Hopes Too High
Supposed to Make You Happy
Keep You Happy
My Heart is Free
Broken
Tender Branch
Late Night Pilgrim
When I Cross Over

Encore:
Good Hearted Man (Tift solo on keyboard)
Laid a Highway
Mille Tendresses

There was a standing ovation after the first set (before the encore), which was pretty cool. Southgate House was definitely more crowded than when I was there for her show in 2005. A lot of fans had seen her at the Tall Stacks Festival, which I think was in 2006 or 2007. I got the impression that maybe Tall Stacks was the first time they had seen her, and they made it a point to come back, with is always a good sign. Tift talked a little before My Heart is Free and Laid a Highway to introduce the story behind the songs. My Heart is Free is about an American cousin of Tift's who died in France fighting for the French air force in WWI. Laid a Highway is about the Bynum General Store, and Tift's friend Jerry Partin. When Tift and Zeke were getting started, they lived on a farm near Bynum in NC. Tift mailed demo tapes and such from Jerry's store and became friends with Jerry from that.

I had a chance to sit down and talk to Tift after the sound check, and she seems to be doing well. Tired from the traveling, but happy I think. Bubbly. There was quite a bit of banter with the audience, and as usual, Tift's jokes fell flat :). But that in itself was funny, as she laughed about them bombing.

After the show, there was a long line to meet Tift and have her sign CDs.

And... we have a new Mac Daddy! Pictures hopefully to follow soon.

I was blown away by Tift about two years ago when she played just across the river at Cincinnati's Tall Stacks Festival.  Last night's show was even better. 

Her energy, enthusiasm, voice and just sweet vibe were well worth the $18.  I shook her (left) hand as she left the stage and after listening to her sing her heart out, I was shocked by how little is.

I like the discription of "triple threat".  When she strapped on the electric guitar, it was almost Pavlovian - we knew a rocker was next.  Kudos to the lead guitarist (Scott?).  I also love "Laid a Highway" and was very pleased she played it.

My wife is a little concerned about my fanboy reaction to Tift but she just seems like she'd be alot of fun to have a beer (Red Stripe was her choice last night) with.   She just seems genuine. 

The Southgate House is a venue that grows on you.  It's a little like the Addam's Family house and clearly no ticket money has gone into maintenance - let alone improvements - but I love it.  I've been able to watch Todd Snider, Robert Earl Keen, and recently, James McMurtry and now Tift from 5 yards away and for less than $20.  You can't beat that.

Here's hoping that she's too big for that venue next time she comes through town!  

Well may I suggest the term "Mack-Dadette" , at least? Are y'all guys here? Yes, the smuggling atempt was successful and greated with the "feign" of surprise. It was fun to see someone that genuinely apreciates her fans,with or without bottle in tow.



I tried the pic deal and it said somehting like "over 500mb"? Hence the big 'ole space below my post. A litlle help here, please Though, I am none to anxious to post it. Can I get the T-shirt without?

BTW, I think the acoutsic song was "suppossed to make you happy" , blew my first gig?!Oh , well....

Only asking on behalf of my friend that acompanied me. Total chic question, can you ask, Chris? How does Tift get her jeans tucked into those high boots? I could care less, but I borrowed $20 from my friend with an inquiring mind.TY

I'll get the rest of the pics up later, but for now:

Mitch taught me everything I know about merchandising:

Ha, ha, ha! Chris, we both know that Tift and Zeke are the real experts with this stuff, but thanks for the compliment.

I'm glad you had a smile on your face ... and a bunch of fivers ready to make change!