re: John Moreland/Sons of Anarchy

"break my heart sweetly" from colbert last night

Ft. Smith is actually fairly big, population wise. It just doesn't have that much culture. He's playing as part of the Peacemaker Festival concert series, leading up to another Peacemaker Fest. Basically, a bunch of Ft. Smith business people are trying to do cool things in their town and bankrolling it. I wish them the best, as I have some interest in the town as well these days.

He's a hell of a singer/songwriter. In the Throes was as great as an album as there has been in the past few years as far as I'm concerned.

I saw him at some hole in the wall bar downtown BR last year with about 20 other people. He was phenomenal. I hope he goes far, seems like he's a down to earth, hardworking true musician.

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last year with about 20 other people.

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ive seen him several times, and that would probably qualify as the largest crowd by a few bodies. which blows my mind (both the economics of a show that small, and that there werent more people interested)

there was one show that i was doing the math in my head - if EVERYBODY paid for a ticket, including bar sales the room would have been lucky to have generated about $150 that night.... with something like 8 people, and no one ordering drinks during the actual show it was real easy to count drinks around the room even.... i dont know what the pay structure is with small bookings like that but with a sound guy, bartender, JM, and a venue owner to be paid.... someone went home empty handed.

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I saw him at some hole in the wall bar downtown BR last year with about 20 other people. He was phenomenal. I hope he goes far, seems like he's a down to earth, hardworking true musician.

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i was there for that. great show.

I've seen John in New Orleans 3 or 4 times, in Hattiesburg once and in Boston once; largest crowd was probably in Hattiesburg. He said that he was getting about $100 a show opening for Austin Lucas and that his merch sales were helping him with funds to get to the next date; I've been at other shows where he was getting a percentage of the bar.

I'm sure things are better now after opening for the larger Isbell crowds in Europe but still not sure he'd draw more than 50 people in NOLA and 10-15 would be friends of mine. I sure hope he can get to the next level though.

I'm glad to hear there is such a following - especially of all the random people on TD

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I've kept up with John on Twitter a little bit.

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He posts some random sh*t on there that's for sure. I hope he blows up as well! His resume is incredible right now.

Holy crap, this guy is awesome! It's like the best from the Wallflowers with more of a raw country feel.

I can't believe I've never heard of him before. I've been missing out. Great stuff. Looks like I need to buy some music!

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I've produced 4 or 5 shows with John and I can assure you he never went home empty handed. Putting on music is a tough business but it is artists like him that is what you do it for (on the micro level)

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i figured he didnt, but man, some look like theyd be tough to even break even if paying him for his gas money and a meal.

but indeed there are good men out there that genuinely want to see music do well, even if not profitable in every effort.