On January 11th, 2020 I made the trip down to Pineville Kentucky in torrential downpour rain. The Bell Theater was hosting an all-female bill. Ronee Napier, Morgan Wade, and Kelsey Waldon all brought their talents to the Bells stage. I had been looking forward to this show since it had been announced. It definitely measured up to my expectations. The Bell theater is one of my favorite venues to experience live music in. For many reasons outlined in a previous piece.
I arrived at the Bells door quite a bit early. I generally arrive early for every show at every venue I attend. It was chilly and still raining as a small group of individuals congregated near the venue doors. It was not long before management pulled us in out of the weather before the official Time for doors. It is not hard to see why I love the Bell Theater. We make our way in and find a spot to take in the show.
Ronee Napier was on the bill as an opening support artist. I had never heard of her before seeing it on the show posters that night. The MC introduced her as a friend of his wife and local talent. The Bell Theater had invited her to open the show. This also happened to be her very first time stepping on a venue stage to play and sing songs for people. She brought some accompaniments along in the form of her fiddle playing uncle Elias Collett.
I could see she was a bit nervous as she was handed over the stage following her introduction. You could hear it in her voice as she introduced her uncle Elias. Those nerves faded away after the first verse of her cover of The Way I am. By her 3rd song, the Dixie Chicks song Travelin’ Soldier Ronee had taken command of the stage as she captured the undivided attention from all in attendance. Following this cover with 3 more covers (setlist listed below).
Ronee and Elias then truly showed they had plenty of guts and even more, heart when they lead into a cover of You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive. This could have gone south for the duo quickly. A bold and risky move in this area. The pair undeniably owned this song. They received a standing ovation. You could see the delight in Ronee’s expression as she soaked in the thunderous applause. She thanked the crowd before she shared the story of how her sister asked her how she was going to play this show without an original song in her catalog.
Ronee stated that she informed her sister that “I ain’t no songwriter.” with encouragement and idea swapping from her sister. The siblings proceeded to write an original. 24 hours before her stage debut. She began strumming her guitar to the tune of her original work Burnin’ Like Bourbon. For a song less than 24 hours old. Written by two people who had never claimed to be songwriters. Their original song stood up. Was it perfection? No, was it exactly what it needed to be in that exact moment? Possibly. I believe it to be the song that proved to Ronee maybe she is a songwriter after all.
Did we just witness a local woman fulfill a lifelong dream of playing a few songs on stage opening a show for Due paying musicians? Alternatively, did we just witness a spark ignited in a woman who decides to write some original songs and begin the attempt to forge a career singing the songs she loves as well as the songs that fabricate the story of her life? Only Ronee can answer those questions.
Burnin’ Like Bourbon (original)
Next up would be Morgan Wade. What can I say about Morgan and her songwriting? her ability to put her songs in your soul, to make you feel the place her songs were written from. The passion in her lyrics can not be faked. These songs are genuine and directly from her heart and soul. watching her perform her songs on stage it is obvious they are coming from a real place, a real experience, a real person. These are not fictional tales spun by a made-up persona that only emerges when she shoulders her guitar and steps up to a microphone in a stage’s spotlight.
These are not just songs she sings for our enjoyment to pay a utility bill. It is as important for her to be singing these songs to her fans as it is for her fans to hear them. Morgan is a special talent that does not come along very often. Morgans music has no ceiling in my honest opinion. The only limit to her success is up to her. I believe she can take her career to any level she desires.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Morgan’s set was to be with her full band, The Stepbrothers. The five-piece band steps out on the Bell Theater stage to play their first show of 2020. The vibe was full of excitement, electric and upbeat. It was apparent that Morgan was the draw on this night. Morgan touched on the social media subject of the day. The “you are so much prettier when you smile” ramblings.
She also shared with the crowd that a lengthy phone conversation with her family back home centered around her not smiling sufficiently. Was responsible for the lack of an official set list being worked up. She would turn to the band members with the next song to be played. This did not have any effect on the flow of their set.
The Stepbrothers brought their A-game to Pineville Saturday night. They were tight, fluid, and high energy. Bringing along a great visual aspect and stage presence that definitely complemented the audible experience of their set. Morgan Wade and The Stepbrothers stole the show in Pineville Saturday night.
No disrespect to Kelsey Waldon intended. The headlining artist, Kelsey Waldon released a solid album in 2019 on John Prine’s Oh Boy label. It landed itself in my top 10 albums of the year. It has been in many people’s “Top Albums of 2019 lists. Kelsey played a nearly perfect set. A solid performance. Showcasing her Excellent songwriting talents. Her vocals emerged as the stand out of the set. Her band is assembled with solid and talented musicians.
My only complaint with the headliners set was The bands’ stage presence. Essentially, a good stage presence pulls the audience into the performance. This did not happen to me. There was not a bit of excitement from the band. They seemed “robotic”. However, I will always give credit where credit is due. Musicians can be
talented and skilled at their craft without exceptional stage presence. Kelsey’s band members are all talented, skilled and disciplined musicians. Unfortunately, stage presence will always be the deciding factor between a decent performance and a great performance.
The night was loaded with talent and terrific music provided by all the artists. I did not leave Pineville disappointed. It is hard to leave eastern Kentucky in bad spirits. When It assembles that amount of talent. It provides an intimate location to showcase it, with friendly accommodating salt of the earth folks making up the staff. It is Impossible.
Thank you to Kentucky, Bell County, Pineville, and The Bell Theater.
