Down On The Corner

By Paul Moffett

The cascade of musical talent through Louisville intensifies in June. Looking ahead, here are some notable shows:

June 1 and June 2 are the dated for the ninth annual Germantown Schnitzelburg Blues Festival, produced by the Kentuckiana Blues Society (KBS) and hosted by Check's Cafe at the corner of Hickory Street and Burnett Ave. On the schedule are: Friday, it's Jimmy G and the Sidewinders, The Tyrone Cotton and Screamin' John Project, and Johnny Fink and The Intrusion. Saturday, June 2, it's One Shot Johnny, Boscoe France Band, Gough-Martin Blues Band & Tramp, The Revelators and Erin Coburn. Best of all, it's a free event.
Justin Townes Earle and Lilly Hiatt stop by Headliners Music Hall on June 2. Son of Steve Earle and named after Townes Van Zandt, it could be said that the songwriting business was in his blood, but, unfortunately, so were drugs for a goodly part of his life. He's been sober since around 2010. His latest project is 2017's Kids in the Street. Tickets are $20.

Baroque pop rockers The Decemberists will be at the Iroquois Amphitheater on June 5, with material from a new album, I'll Be Your Girl, to offer. The album's lyrical content was, in part, influenced by the US 2016 presidential election and its immediate aftermath. Colin Meloy noted "[I'll Be Your Girl] celebrates the absurdity of our current predicaments..." No escaping the Trump era. Tickets are $35-$199.

Elvis Costello's spouse and Grammy winner Diana Krall will play the Louisville Palace on June 6, still touring behind her fourteenth album, Turn Up The Quiet. The jazz pianist has a long career to her credit and lots of plaudits from everywhere. You a jazz fan? This is the show, then. Tickets are $59.50-$89.50.

It's brass band / second line time, direct from New Orleans: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will be at the Mercury Ballroom on June 7. Trombone Shorty began his career as a bandleader at the young age of six, toured internationally at age 12, and spent his teens playing with various brass bands throughout New Orleans and touring worldwide with Lenny Kravitz. Not too shabby for a quick assessment. Tickets are $35.

The March 9 rescheduled show featuring John Prine is set for June 8 at the Louisville Palace. Maybe there are some tickets left - or not.

Cold War Kids at the Mercury Ballroom, June 9. Tickets run $38-$72.

Ani Difranco will own the Mercury Ballroom on June 10. She hasn't been in town for some years now, so her fans will be ready to hear her latest, Binary, not to mention news of her most recent activism interestes. Tickets are $42-$73.

Jackson Browne will not be Running On Empty at Whitney Hall - Kentucky Center, June 12. Oh, no, he's still sailing right along. Tickets start at $46.

Brandi Carlile and Shovels & Rope, at the Louisville Palace, June 23.

Bettye LaVette, Otis Junior and Dr. Dundiff will perform at Waterfront Wednesday on the Big Four Lawn, Waterfront Park on June 27. It's a free show.

Keep watching. There'll be more to come, still.

Codas

Brickley, Robert Burch “Bob,” 66, died on May 1, 2018. He was an Agent and Producer for Triangle Talent, where he worked for more than 30 years. He was also a musician and entertainer himself, with a musical career that began around 1967 and continued with a numer of bands including Exit, Parade, the Vanguards, Ever After, Copperfield, The Bob Brickley Band and Heat. A memorial celebration of Bob's life will take place at Pearson Funeral Home (149 Breckenridge Lane) on Friday, June 1st from 2 PM to 5 PM, with a service following immediately afterwards.

Powell, Richard Lee “Rockin' Ricky,” 64, died on May 17, 2018. He was a keyboardist with several bands in Louisville.