Sometime in 2017, I was off the road long enough to play at South Main Sounds. SMS is a concert series in downtown Memphis, typically with 2 or 3 artists performing "in the round" (i.e. all onstage together, taking turns playing their songs, sometimes joining each other).

I was excited to play alongside friend, fellow artist, and sometime bandmate Stephen Chopek that night. I was excited to play in such an intimate setting. And, road-weary, I was excited to play 5 songs instead of 20.

In the round, literal and figurative pyrotechnics aren't the thing; the song's the thing. Audiences typically know what to expect and enjoy an unvarnished, attentive concert experience. As a songwriter/singer (in that order), I'm happy anytime songs are respected and celebrated.

Looking at these clips now, I remember how engaged the crowd was and how hot the room felt. I wonder what happened to that WEATHERED STEEL shirt. But most of all, I can tell how happy I was.