30 Days til Newport Folk: Day 25 – Shovels & Rope up close and personal again

The first time that I saw Cary Ann and Michael perform I went into it not knowing anything about them. It was a few years back and they weren’t quite at the pinnacle of love and adoration from legions of fans just quite yet. I was in attendance as the duo was opening a tour in which Hayes Carll and Jason Isbell were swapping turns with the headlining slot…I have to be honest, that evening I can’t remember who had the headlining duty because the two folks on stage early, swapping percussion and guitar duties, singing together, and pouring their hearts out all over the stage were the memory that stands out strongest.

I got to hang out and talk with Cary Ann and Michael after the show for quite a while and they were two of the nicest strangers I have ever met at a show. It was almost as if I had known them a long while and even found out that Michael had a cousin from the town I grew up in and we got to chatting it up.

At Newport, getting to see these two up front and center for just a few tunes in the photo pit brought me back to that night. The charm oozing from the two of them, the  oh-so-obvious chemistry and love and respect between the two performers makes for such a special treat. Another memorable moment in the NFF books for me.