slaid

Andy, the kids and I loaded into the van and drove to Sherman's Municipal Building for a FREE Slaid Cleaves show on their lawn complete with a gazebo stage. It was part of the town's "Hot Summer Nights" music series. Once we found the place and saw it wasn't crowded yet (about 6:30 p.m.) we headed to Church's for picnicking on chicken and fries, stopped at the convenience store for ice and Gatorade, then doubled back to grab a parking space.

It was warm and humid out, but chairs, cooler and kids in tow, we headed to the grass and sunshine - a wonderfully short hike! We happened upon friend Rick, so I parked my chair next to his, and the rest of the crew parked their chairs behind me. It was nearing 7 p.m. by this time, folks were gathering with chairs, blankets, coolers, kids, grandparents, concessions from the Lions Club, etc. Some chose to sit more closely to the front, still in the sunshine, like us. Others chose to grab some shade. Friend Jimmy2 joined us shortly (all dressed up I might add!) and then friend, Cherie, arrived as well. I had saved her chair a spot next to mine. We all visited, sipped our sodas and Gatorade, ate chicken, and listened to the pre-recorded music of artists soon to perform. It's not a bad thing listening to Terri Hendrix and Steven Fromholz while waiting for the show to begin.

Let me just say that the folks hosting "Hot Summer Nights" are some of the most hospitable around. Before the show started, they handed out FREE fans with the "HSN" schedule on it, FREE water guns from Wilson N. Jones Medical Center, and FREE Blue Bunny ice cream for those willing to race over and get it before supplies ran out. I had three very happy fan waving, gun totin', ice cream eatin' little kids.

Slaid and the guys took the stage and...it didn't look right. It wasn't Ivan on the bass, no Ollie, and the guy holding the dobro certainly wasn't the T-Roy Miller I'd seen the past few Dallas area shows. To top off my shock, Slaid was wearing NEW pants!! It was nearly surreal. I don't think I've ever seen Slaid without air-conditioned knees in his pants. I have many photos to prove that. Subconsciously, I must have thought it was a part of his style! But, I gotta tell ya! I like all the "new", even the pants!!

Slaid told us this was the first day of a new, three month long tour. He'd been out the night before (in the dark) changing the oil in his van to begin the journey that would take him from London to Seattle and all points in between. Ivan was staying home to help coach his boys in baseball for the play-offs, I believe. Kevin Smith was there instead on bass. He's the same guy who played on Slaid's "Broke Down" CD. Jeff Plankenhorn was on the dobro, and I immediately recognized his name from other list reports. Since it wasn't the usual guys, I really had no expectations of how they would sound, so was I in for an unexpected treat!

Slaid opened with "No Angel Knows", and the three of them were cookin'. Though it was a bit warm up on that stage, they were playing with their all. After a few songs, it was time for a "toweling off". They then launched in to Sandy Gray and at midpoint, it fell apart. I think Slaid just drew a total blank. He really tried to figure out where he was, and just flat couldn't remember. Finally a young girl from the audience went up and told him. When it came time for the part of the "work boss", he had her come back up and lead the "work crew", which really thrilled her. I agreed with Slaid, the crowd wasn't exactly the best work crew I've ever heard, but they did a pretty good job. He still got strong applause when it was all said and done. Even great performers are human, and we all appreciate that I think.

He played a lot of his own tunes, several Woodie Guthrie songs, and even "Act Naturally" by Buck Owens. The latter was a real crowd pleaser, since Sherman is the birthplace of Buck, and there's even a Buck Owens Freeway there. He also played some Hank Williams, and some Don Walser. He announced that in California they would be the band for Don Walser. Gosh, am still figuring out how to get there for those shows, they will be awesome. Was nice to get a taste of some yodeling from Slaid, too.

My youngest, 4 year-old Moose, is a big Slaid fan. He's been trying to yodel off and on since last night. We all enjoyed watching as he held his fan like a guitar, the stick being the neck, the cardboard being the guitar. He strummed his heart out song after song, often singing with the ones he knew. I looked back and saw my nearly 6 year-old and very tired daughter, Sarah, singing as loudly as she could. My nearly 8 year-old son Chance would ask, "How much longer will we be here?" I'd say, "a while." He'd say, "Yay!!! Good, I don't want to leave yet!" You gotta love it when the kids like the music as much as their parents do!

During their break, Slaid signed CD's and such. I was amazed (and he seemed to be, too) at how many CD's he sold! I had wondered how many from Sherman were there for "HSN", and how many were there for Slaid. I think he made a lot of new fans. I went and got in line, wanting to briefly show Slaid his pages in my scrapbook, and have him sign my front cover. He seemed to really like them, even wrote "Great Pictures" above his signature. He said "Thanks Dana" as I walked away. Whether he remembered my name, or saw it in the book, I thought it was a very sweet, personal gesture. I like to think he remembered!

Upon returning to our section, friends Chris and Tracy had pulled up chairs to join us. We all had a good time visiting. When the "fan line" for Slaid got down to just a few folks, I went back and asked him if he was going to do any "non-Slaid songs", would he please do a Fred Eaglesmith one. He said it was a good idea, and for me to remind him to if he didn't after several songs.

We were all pretty much blocked from the sun by this point, there was a slight breeze so the mosquitos weren't bad either. I remember thinking "This is a really good venue, extremely family friendly. Gotta drag some more folks up with me next time."

We settled back in as the band re-took the stage. They played for a little while, took a few requests, and seemed to be having a really good time. Kevin is fantastic on the bass, I can't even think as fast as his fingers move. He didn't jump up ON the bass like Ivan does, but that's okay, he's absolutely great in his own right, and I enjoyed watching him. Jeff Plankenhorn sounds similar to Ivan singing the harmonies, and his dobro playing is also very, very good. I really enjoyed him. Before the last two songs, Slaid broke a string, and needed to replace it. Jeff played an instrumental, with Kevin accompanying, for the first time as the new band. It was great, the crowd loved them both.

String repaired, Slaid played "Broke Down" a second time for a VA nurse who didn't get off work in time to hear it the first time around. No one in the crowd seemed to mind one bit. Then, he did my request FOR ME, Fred Eaglesmith's "I Like Trains." It was fabulous. Most of you who know me know I rarely care much for other folks covering tunes by my favorite artists, maybe because Slaid's one of my favorites is why he pulls it off every time. With much applause and the "one more" sign from the powers that be, Slaid sang "Keychain", and many sang right along. When we left, there were still lots of fans meeting, greeting, and getting autographs from Slaid.

The only negative comment about the evening I heard was from my husband. He was disappointed Slaid didn't play his favorite (and Slaid's wife Karen's too!) "Don't Tell Me". I told him I'd promise to request it if he'll take me to see Slaid on July 14 at Poor David's. If I can get a sitter, I'll see y'all there!

Written by Dana Jones, 7/6/01

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Venue: Hot Summer Nights, Sherman TX

Date: July 5, 2001

Visit Slaid's website at www.slaid.com

Editor's Note: If the Lion's Club Concession Stand still serves the fried stuffed jalapeno peppers, they are WONDERFUL! And Dana is right, this is a great venue that is family oriented. If you missed them this year, make a mental note to check back here next May for the line-up starting next June!