DJames

The weather Friday night in Sherman was surprisingly pleasant for the Hot Summer Night Series concert, but on stage, Davin James and the Bullnettle Band were hotter than a late summer Texas heat wave.

We arrived about 7:15 and set up our chairs near friends close to the large gazebo, which doubles as a stage. We chatted with our friends and friends of friends and the locals and learned that while many were there for Davin (like us); many were also there for the venue and were unfamiliar with Davin's music. Those folks were in for a nice surprise.

This is the sixth year for the series of concerts that are held every Thursday night in June and July. Davin's show was a last minute "make-up" concert for the previously rained out Steve Young show. There had been very little promotion, yet the crowd was large. Here friends, families, music lovers, civic locals and the curious bring chairs, blankets, coolers, kids, parents, picnics, dogs and cameras to sit among the light-decorated trees and listen to some of the best entertainers that Texas has to offer. It is one of my favorite venues. Oh yeah, it's free, too!

Davin hit the stage at 7:30 with his guitar blazing for a rocking version of Hank Jr.'s "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound". Davin's rendition featured several awe-inspiring solos that let everyone know up front who he is and what he can do. His two-man band consisting of stalwart Joe Perry on bass and new drummer Eric Tucker, of Jesse Dayton's band, kept pace without breaking a sweat. Joe also provided back-up vocals and harmony.

These boys can rock and continued to do so on the next song. Dana and Andy's four-year-old son, Chase, AKA Moose, (who knows all the words to more OKOM songs than you do, I bet) was inspired to jump up and play his paper fan "guitar" with his Scooby Doo cap pulled down so low, it nearly touched his nose. Another future Texas star in the making.

Davin, who had indeed worked up a sweat from his fast start, laughed and imitated the crowd asking, "What's with all this rock 'n roll? I thought this was a country act." He then sang his beautiful ballad "Dream Girl" written for his wife, Tammy. The crowd, old and young, loved it.

From there on the band reeled off one good song after another culled from Davin's three excellent CDs. They did crowd-pleasing favorites "Damned Ol' Guitar", (I Get By On) The Seat Of My Pants" and "Head Over Heels". He interspersed the songs with personal stories of his life. He told about his Dad being from an Arkansas paper mill town and his mom from a Louisiana paper mill town and how the awful odor of the mills was a Christmas scent to him due to holiday visits. He then sang the autobiographical "Heaven On Earth".

He shared how proud he was that legendary Gary P. Nunn had recorded four of his songs and followed with the classic "Guadalupe Days" (And a Big Star Texas Night). He lamented over his old stompin' grounds now being a Wal-Mart (something all of us North Texas old timers can identify with) before singing "The City Beat Me Back Home".

Davin premiered a new blues tune he wrote, "Dog Day Blues" about the summer heat. Absolute killer song! I'm already pining for a recording of it. The band did an awe-inspiring tribute to Eddy Shaver by playing "Georgia On A Fast Train". Few guitarists are in a class with Eddy, but Davin can definitely be counted among them.

They closed the first set with the New Orleans inspired "Nawlins Night", with its good time melody tinged with Dixieland. Davin used the microphone as a slide for his guitar, and it was sweet music to these ears. Other ears, too, judging from the crowd's response.

Davin said, "We'll be back in fifteen minutes, and I don't mean fifteen minutes like Larry Joe Taylor's fifteen minutes. I really mean fifteen minutes". The break, however, was slightly longer due to the long line of people that purchased CDs and T-shirts. Davin stood by the merchandise table and autographed every purchase while visiting, chatting and having his picture taken with the fans, many of them brand new converts.

The crowd didn't mind the delay. A nice breeze was blowing, the mesquitos weren't biting and for the moment, all was right in the world. Great music can do that for you. Several people came over to tell us how right we were about Davin. Moose, his brother, Chance, and sister, Sarah, played with the free frisbees provided by the sponsors. The Lions Club sold raffle tickets and the food wagon was doing a brisk business with popcorn and delicious fried stuffed jalepeno peppers. Kids and adults slid down the hill by the municipal building on cardboard boxes. Everyone seemed to be happy and content to be right where they were.

The second set started and more great songs and stories were delivered by this very talented trio. The highlights included the title track from Davin's second CD, "Nowhere Lounge", which was written by his dad, who was also a singer/songwriter. Davin lost his dad a few years ago, but I bet he's looking down from heaven and beaming with pride over Davin's success.

Also, when reminded that Sherman is the birthplace of Buck Owens, the band performed a great styling of Buck's, "Foolin' Around". Davin did a very creditable imitation.

They did Jimi Hendrix's blues classic, "Red House" which I've heard Davin do numerous times. Folks, for blues lovers and Hendrix fans like me, it just doesn't get any better. Someday Davin will cut a live CD and I'll finally be able to add this gem to my collection.

The closer was the title track from his new CD, "Magnolia". This just might be the best song Davin has ever written. It has a great melody, and the lyrics burn into your memory. Davin sings them with his excellent George Jones-like voice, while picking like only he can. It's a great song, and it will be around longer than all of us.

Their encore was the "Magnolia" CD closer, "Rolling Dice", so the show ended just

like it started...rocking!

Texas is truly blessed with numerous great guitarists, and if there were ever a battle of the great Texas ax slingers, I wouldn't be surprised if Davin was the one left standing when the smoke cleared. He's THAT damn good!

If you are one of those not yet familiar with Davin's music, do yourself a favor and pick up the CD, "Magnolia". You'll soon add "Nowhere Lounge" and "Making My Mark" once you do. And by all means, catch him in concert because the CDs, as good as they are, only showcase a portion of what this man can do with a guitar. Davin is also a very respected songwriter, and his skills are now honed to perfection. Someday, and it may be soon, when Nashville collapses under the weight of its blandness, you may have to wait in a long line and pay big bucks to hear him in some vast auditorium. You should get to know this talented artist now while you can. He is a very nice, regular guy that loves what he's doing, and he appreciates his fans.

Also, if you've never attended Sherman's Hot Summer Nights and you love great Texas music, you should make plans to attend. There are only a few more shows this year (check
Miss Lana's Concert Central). Jack Ingram is this Thursday, July 19th. Many kudos to the nice folks in Sherman, The Lions Club, the sponsors and everyone associated with putting on these great shows. I know I speak for a lot of people when I say "thanks"!

Written by Jim Hughes, July 15, 2001

Concert Date: July 13th, 2001

Venue: Hot Summer Nights Concert Series in Sherman, TX

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"The world is full of music for those who listen."

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