the dotmatrix project

This past Thursday night’s show touched people in many ways.

As I walked through the crowd and helped break down the PA, I overheard positivity left and right, so for a sample taste, I plucked this quote from the Avett Brother’s message board to share with you:

Oh my goodness. What a great night last night. There are moments in life where I remember what it’s all about. Last night was without question one of those moments. The energy in that room last night was so positive. Sporadic sing-a-longs and gospel tunes in a bar…”because those are the folks that really need the help”. Smiles, smiles, and smiles. [...]

It was a special evening.

photo by Carolyn de Berry

First off, to experience the local, all-star ensemble Bruce Piephoff pulled together for the show — brothers Scott (cello) and Landon Walker (stand up bass), Scott’s daughter Jennie Walker Brunner on violin (all of the Walker Family Band), Renee Mendoza (lead singer of Filthybird, our April headliner) on vocals and David “Driveway” Moore on the harmonica — sent shivers down my spine.

Players came and left the stage as Bruce led us through a set steeped in stories about local lore, times gone by and political unrest. I remember thinking to myself, “This is our Neil Young” (as much as I have a right to say “our” since I’ve only been a resident of the Triad for three of Bruce’s 40 years as a musician in these parts) and he very well just may be.

More photos from his set:

photo by Carolyn de Berry

photo by Mark Smith

photo by Carolyn de Berry

I hadn’t met Jim Avett prior to the evening — Molly McGinn produced this particular show as they’ve been friends for a while now — but meeting him behind the bar in The Lounge went something like I had expected; the man was nothing but grace and country charm mixed with a pinch of smart alec.

If I could give you a taste of his charisma in a blog post, I’d try, but that would be like me describing the taste of Guinness to a 12 year-old — it’s impossible.

Jim started off his set with guitarist Ray Morton at his side and quickly introduced his special guests for the evening — his sons Scott and Seth Avett from The Avett Brothers. And while the ladies in the front row started to go gaga and the cameras in the audience began to flash simultaneously, somehow there was a collective control in the room that dictated this wasn’t an evening for screaming and passing out.

Thursday night was all about family and Scott and Seth promoted the vibe by supporting, enjoying and backing up their Pops as they lounged in the corner of the room for the entire show and served as backup singers on a couple of tunes — one to kick off the evening and one to close out the night.

photo by Carolyn de Berry

photo by Carolyn de Berry

photo by Mark Smith

While the star power factor of the night was pretty amazing — the bar packed up more and more due to text messages gone amuck — I have to say for me and potentially a handful of other people in the know, the most special moment of the evening came when Jim reunited with Scott Manring to play their original song Signs, a bonus track on The Avett Brothers album Mignonette.

photo by Mark Smith

Those two musical veterans originally recorded the track in 1974 and the tape was lost until five years ago when Jim Avett discovered it at his home. To have Jim and Scott Manring — a local legend and guitar genius — play it for the first time in 35 years… well, it was an honor to be there to say the least.

Friends. Family. Music. I’m loving what this project has become. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible, both as participants — particularly the Monkeywhale crew this month — and the music lovers who come out to our shows.

Look for the live album to be ready in the next few months or so.