Being Southern is a state of mind

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

While discussing various relations, a friend of mine credited the size of his family to his Italian heritage. I thought it an interesting observation—then I wondered what my heritage says about me.

When you can trace your ancestry back some 200 years and still find yourself in the southeastern United States, I’d say you’re pretty stinkin’ American—and dang Southern. We may currently reside in Alabama—but prior to that we were Georgians—and once upon a time we were Carolinians (of the northern sort—and that’s about as close to Yankeedom as we come!).

Okay, okay—I have heard rumors that our roots are some blend of French and English. We’re very Anglo. (Oh, and when I was young I told people we were part Swedish, ‘cause I thought it sounded cool. And part Cherokee, but that part is true, though miniscule.)

But mostly I’m just Southern, and from what I’ve heard, it shows. Save for my Yankee sister, my family exhibits a Southern drawl. (I don’t hear it, but others insist it’s there.) I’m a diehard football fan, and that was actually a factor in both of my college selections. We can cook, we can eat, and we’ve got that hospitality thing (and its accompanying sets of rules!) down pat.

The weirdest thing anyone has noted about my Southern heritage is my appearance. I didn’t know you could look Southern—I’m not sure you can look Southern! But apparently something about strawberry blonde curls and fair skin screams Southern belle.

Who knew?

Stumble in the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

The countdown has been on all semester, but today it hits a special mark. I’m dropping to a number of days instead of months until graduation.

So, in 30 days I’ll cross the stage of Coleman Coliseum in celebration of my master’s degree. It’s true that I’ll have attained a level of education that exceeds the requirements of my field—and it’s possible that could be to my detriment at times. Indeed, you can find veterans of the profession who boast only a high school education. Though my degree has come at a high cost, I don’t regret it for a moment.

For all my excitement, I expect many of the next 30 days to pass slowly. I’ve completed my master’s project (though I’ve yet to convince anyone to purchase those 6,000 words for publication). The paperwork for my summer internship has been completed and submitted. My current internship is part time (and is nearing conclusion, itself). So as I told an inquiring friend earlier this week—yes, approaching graduation is exciting—but it’s also fairly boring.

My workaholic tendencies don’t help. I’m attempting to fill my five free days each week with writing, job hunting, f/Friends and volunteering. But truth be told, I long to return to 40 hour work weeks.

They laughed when I rushed through college in three years. “You have the rest of your life to work,” they said. “Slow down and enjoy this time.” They again cautioned me when I aimed to barrel through graduate studies (though for different reasons). “Don’t take on too much at a time or your grades will suffer.”

Turns out I was right all along—the working world suits me. Bring on the 8-5.

Age ain’t nothing but a number

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

As I waited to pick up lunch, I caught part of an NFL game. It’s the first I’ve seen of my team in years, and as I watched I realized something that wasn’t true all those years ago. Now, some of these kids are my age! (Some of them may be even younger!)

That observation is just further evidence of my age hang-up. This hyper-awareness probably stems from my college graduation; I was 20 when I received my bachelor’s, and have been noticing age demographics ever since.

I’m not sure it was a big deal to anyone else, but I was always aware of my place as the youngest in my grad program at Florida State.(I have a cushion at Alabama; three of us were born within a month’s time, so I’m not alone at 23.) I’m never quite sure where I fit.

I complicate things further through the men I date. My ex is three and a half years older than me. It rarely came up in conversation, but it hovered as insecurity in the back of my mind.

I’ve also had several crushes on younger men, both before and since that relationship. (In fact, the only date I’ve been on in the past five years was with a younger man!) None of those guys was anything more than a friend, and so the age difference wasn’t important. (It was also much smaller than the difference between my ex and I in both of these instances.) But it still crossed my mind.

Call me old fashioned, but I’m always careful to avoid “emasculating” the men in my life. I let them open doors for me. (It’s part of being southern, you know.) I try to let them defend themselves in debates (a strange example, but it did come up once in the past). I prefer to date men who are smarter than me—partially because that attracts me, partially because I don’t want to dominate a relationship, and I fear that could become the case if I were intellectually superior.

Now I’m approaching another graduation, and my mental age barriers are slowly fading. I don’t think it’s nearly as strange to be 23 with a master’s as to be 20 with a bachelor’s. Maybe (maybe?) I’m coming into my own.

Who could ask for more than to be living in a moment you would die for?

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

No ice, no flame
No place to stand
No one to blame
No ice, no flame
Rescue me, rescue me
From the inbetween
–Sandra McCracken

I’ve noticed a trend over the past few months. Everything has become “okay.” One week blends seemlessly into the next and the passage of time is the most remarkable quality of my days. I’m moving toward a goal, but the path has been bland.

I’m not alright with leading an “okay” life. My days haven’t been characterized with glaring sins, but my time has been filled with more socially acceptable ones. I’ve been coasting along at less than what God has for me.

Jesus said He came that we might have life and have it “to the full.” The cup of my life has not been running over.

What do I want my life to look like? I have learned over the past weeks that I don’t want to lead a self serving existence. That may be comofrtable, but it’s also boring and pointless.

Neither do I want to err on the opposite extreme. There was a time when I embodied the happy cheesy Christian image. I went through the ritualistic purging of my CD collection. (Sister Hazel, out. Jennifer Knapp, in. Limp Bizkit, out. FFH, in. Needless to say, these weren’t all wise decisions.) I bottled up my struggles because “God would take care of it.” Though that’s true, I wasn’t entirely real in my relationship with Him or with others.

During that period, I learned a lot and grew spiritually. But my focus was still inward in many ways. I think that may have been part of why I wanted to join staff with Campus Crusade. It may have helped me, to some degree, avoid the corporate power struggle that quickly makes me forget my faith.

Now, I want balance.

I’m re-reading my favorite book, Finding Common Ground: How to Communicate with Those Outside the Christian Community… While We Still Can (Tim Downs). In the chapter on Christians in the workplace he asks, “What in the world does a Christian auto mechanic look like?” His point is that the Bible doesn’t prescribe action points for each possible vocation, but as Christians, our faith should be reflected in our work.

So what does a Christian auto mechanic look like? Maybe he’d be like the gentleman at Firestone Tires who is helping me find a new wheel for my car. (Long story.) It isn’t this man’s responsibility to find me a part and save me a couple hundred dollars. All I asked him to do was put new tires on my car!

Moreover, what does a Christian journalist look like? My faith and ability may carry me to a publication that seeks to combine the two. But they may not, either. That doesn’t mean my faith is irrelevant to my work.

I’ve had some opportunity to see the two interact at my present internship. Recently I wrote an article about a ministry. In doing so, I was challenged to use language that did not betray my worldview while writing to a “secular” audience.

That’s a small example, but an easy illustration of how God works at my job. The words I use are read by tens of thousands; heaven forbid I inadvertently rule out the power of prayer in the ministry’s work by careless word choice.

Maybe that doesn’t make sense to you–maybe it would seem more logical with the story in front of you. Be assured that I am not abusing my position to evangelize the city. That’s not within the magazine’s editorial mission and would be sloppy “journalism.”

Instead, I see it as my responsibility to avoid contradicting the possibility of God with my words. I don’t think you would guess from the article that I’m a Christian. But neither do I think you’d conclude that I don’t believe in God.

So I’ve spent four paragraphs of your time harping on the selection of a single word in a magazine filled with thousands of them. My point is this: I don’t want to fly below the spiritual radar. I don’t want to be one of those people I always hear stories about–people who get so caught up in their car, house, family that those responisbilities consume them. I don’t want to live for God for an hour on Sunday and merely give Him lip service during the week’s remainder.

I want to see God’s presence and live for His role in my every move. I want to see Him radically change me and those I know.

That probably doesn’t demand going into Christian service as a full time vocation, in my case. It may mean devoting myself full time for a period of my life. (I’m still praying about that/playing with that idea.)

All I know is the Christian life isn’t meant to be bland.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10b

Who do you think you are?

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

I mentioned last week that I was reading Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities. One of the many issues Alexandra Robbins touched upon during the course of the book is the idea of charity. Greek organizations claim to have at least some degree of service orientation, but so often service is directly tied to their money.

I remember cynically observing this when I was in a sorority myself. Our biggest philathropy of the semester was a rock climbing party at a local gym. Other sorority and fraternity members paid money for the chance to climb and win prizes in the party-like atmosphere we established.

“This isn’t service,” I thought bitterly to myself. “This is ridiculous.”

I approached the pages of Pledged with the same attitude – until reality got the best of me.

Maybe many Greek organizations are more focused on social functions than service. Maybe the primary difference they make in their community is achieved through mommy & daddy’s money.

But isn’t that more than what I’ve done?

What a hypocrite I am to think myself better than someone because I’m not affiliated with a Greek organization (anymore). Yes, I have several friends whose Greek involvement has been a major factor in their college career. But on the whole, I still tend to look at sorority girls with disdain.

Meanwhile, I sit in cozy suburban home and focus on what I can do to make my life better. I plot what shoes I need to complement my winter wardrobe and pore over Web sites to find job openings. I read countless novels each week, and buy $3 lattes because I’m too lazy to make one in my own kitchen.

That’s not the lifestyle Christ has for me. These aren’t necessarily bad things, but they are far from loving my brother and allowing my faith to be reflected in everything I do.

The truth is, I’m ashamed. I don’t want to help other people – when I made a list of life goals a few weeks ago, that virtuous mission wasn’t on there. It’s not that I wish people ill. I’m just too damn self-centered to do much about it.

I visited a nursing home on assignment for my magazine while these thoughts were stirring in my head. Initially, I was reluctant to spend two hours there. Nursing homes aren’t exactly my favorite place to be, and I was afraid I’d be uncomfortable. But I resolved to do what I must to get the story. “Besides,” I thought, “my presence will probably mean more to these people than my discomfort means to me.”

Two hours later, I drove through the streets of downtown Birmingham with a heart made heavy by conviction. I didn’t have anything to offer those people. More than anything, I observed the ministry I was reporting on and smiled at the residents in their beds.

But the enthusiasm of the chaplains got to me. I’ve received so many blessings. Why am I so reluctant to bless others? I’ll tell you what, changing my attitude isn’t going to be easy. Though I have time to spare, I while it away watching A Makeover Story and Friends. But if you would, join me in praying for my selfishness and for how I can serve God by serving others. It won’t be the easiest change I’ve made, but it will be among the most worthwhile.

Brothers and sisters unite, it’s the time of your lives

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

“Who is this guy?” she inquired. “I’ve never heard you talk about him before.”

I paused for a moment, silently running through a list of men my friend and former college roommate would recognize. These days, I rarely mention those guys in conversation, and I speak to them even less.

No, you wouldn’t have heard of him, I thought. Boys don’t stay in my life long enough to register on the radar of far-away friends.

I won’t say that’s good or bad – in different instances, it’s probably some of both. But I’ve never retained terribly long-lasting friendships with guys.

Maybe that’s because I grew up surrounded by girls. (My daddy was the only man in our family of five until the sixth member arrived in 1992.) The boys in my middle and high school classes teased me for any reason they could find. My clothes were all wrong (true), my hair was out of control (also true) or my body wasn’t up to their standards for 14-year-old girls. (Why on earth are you commenting on a little girl’s figure?!)

Whatever the cause, my guy friends never stayed around too long. I didn’t mind until my second year of college. I was left bitter by the disappearing act a pair of guys pulled after one of them got a girlfriend (who is now his wife). I expected our friendships to change; we’d probably spent too much time together anyway. I didn’t anticipate their near-complete vanishing. In hindsight, I realize there was more involved than the girlfriend’s arrival. But at the time, I took it very personally.

Part of the problem – in both that and other situations – may have been the ladder theory in effect. (Don’t click that link if you’re easily offended. The social observations are interesting, but they’re shrouded in potentially offensive language and descriptions.) Essentially, that theory is constructed on the When Harry Met Sally idea that men and women can’t be friends. On one or both sides, attraction gets in the way.

I don’t know if I buy into that 100%. I know some guys who I’ve never been interested in, and I’m fairly certain they haven’t thought of me like that either. But I do find friendships with guys difficult to maintain for that reason. I don’t call them (except with rare exceptions) for fear they’ll think I’m after them. I try to squelch my flirtatious impulses (whether or not I’m truly interested in the boy) because I don’t want to be seen as chasing after him. (Pursue me!) I get nervous spending one-on-one time with them, even when we’re just friends.

That was the case this weekend as I went to catch up with a new-ish male friend. If he were a girl, I wouldn’t have given a second thought to calling him up while I was in his town. Because he is a he, I was jittery and prepared for awkwardness as I crept down a traffic-clogged interstate.

As we lunched at a nearby restaurant, I slowly admitted that my nerves were silly. The truths that he’s a guy and we hadn’t hung out in almost two months didn’t call for the self-centered babbling my awkwardness always provokes.

(I write all this knowing full well he’ll probably read it. That’s okay. It’s like a long-distance, slightly more comfortable exercise in being quasi-normal with the men in my life. Or something.)

Just because we’re different doesn’t mean girls have an exclusive run on worthwhile friendships. (I know some ladies would argue just the opposite!) But as I processed through these and other thoughts about friendship this weekend, I realized just how delicately any man who ever hopes to date me will have to approach me.

Ooh, here comes that self-centered babble again. 😉

Seriously – if I’m this hyper-weird with guy friends, how much more so do you think that applies to dating? It takes a lot of time and patience for a guy to get to know me. Alisa once explained it well to someone: “CJ lets you see what she wants you to see.”

That’s nothing to brag about, but it’s true. I think I’ve been making a bit of progress. At the beginning of the summer, I resolved to act myself. By the time I hung out with my friend Rob in his home state of Virginia, I discovered that he didn’t even know how inept (and often bitter) I feel around boys – and he is one! (I took that as evidence of God making some headway in my life.)

This confessional may even be evidence of such progress. I can put up a strong, devil-may-care front, but that confidence is sometimes (often?) masking insecurity.

I love having men in my life. Their perspective is different than mine – sometimes drastically so. Their interactions with me and others remind me that Jesus died for them, too. 🙂 I don’t know how long these particular guys will remain my friends. Whether it’s for months or for years, I can’t let that affect my opinion of their character or my own self-worth. That remains true whether applied to a fellow on my “friends” ladder or someone on my “dating” ladder.

I just need a reminder sometimes, that’s all.

I do my little turn on the catwalk

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley

I’m not the most athletic or the most spontaneous woman in the world, but I’m generally up for an adventure. A few weeks ago, that meant a four mile hike on a Virginia mountain. Adventure this weekend translated into a night out on the town.

While I drove from my side of town to meet Alicia for a movie, she changed our minds for me. Instead of bumming it in a movie theater, we were dolling up and going out for a little dance music.

I wasn’t dressed appropriately (though don’t worry, I was wearing a trusty heels-with-jeans get up), so I played dress up in Alicia’s clothes. A new outfit and shaved legs later, I was dressed and we were off to the 22nd Street Jazz Café.

Here’s the thing about Alabama: every day is a fashion show. Going to class? Pair your jeans with a sassy top and your favorite heels. Sunday morning demands attire almost as formal as the average business wardrobe. If you look at the south end zone of Bryant Denny on game day, you’ll see the dress required of our cultural events.

The unusual thing about this evening at the jazz café was the range of dress. Everything from jeans to denim skirts to pink skirts with tanks were represented. Alicia and I took our places on the dance floor and lightened the club’s atmosphere.

We were later joined by some friends of her boyfriend and his roommate. The guys obviously knew Alicia was off-limits, so one of them turned his attention to me. I carefully, politely indicated that I wasn’t interested in him or any of the other men who tried to join us on the dance floor. Within moments, they would turn up with other girls.

I tell this story to make two points:

In this atypical atmosphere, no one cared that I was clutching at my lime green pants as I danced. They were a bit baggy in the waist, and my hair and makeup were nothing to brag about. I was as laidback as I could be in capri pants and heels, but the boys came anyway. The lesson? People aren’t always as obsessed with appearances as I’m afraid they are.

The next morning, Alicia and I “debriefed” from the night. She pointed out that I could have walked away with the digits of any of a number of guys, then proceeded to share her philosophy on my dating life. “You’re single,” she reminded me. “You can go on dates with whoever you want, and if you don’t like him, just don’t call him back. Enjoy it!”

But I don’t want to, I said. What’s the point in meeting guys at a bar? They might be perfectly nice guys; after all, I’m a nice gal and I was there. 😉 But you don’t get to know someone by chatting about why you’re in Birmingham and whether or not you want a drink from the bar.

I may not be obsessed with knowing that someone is the “man of my dreams” before I accept a date, but I like to know that he at least has that potential. I know I’m picky, I know I’m less than perfect myself. Regardless of what I’m wearing, my standards are still a bit higher than that… and I think they’ll stay that way. 🙂

A lifetime of music

Posted on by Carla Jean Whitley
  1. Billy Ray Cyrus, 1992
  2. C&C Music Factory, 1993
  3. Tim McGraw and Little Texas, 1994
  4. Boyz II Men, 1995
  5. Bryan White, 1997
  6. Kevin Sharp, 1998
  7. Eve 6 and Third Eye Blind, 1998
  8. Fuel, 1999
  9. Bif Naked, Stroke 9 and Fuel, 1999
  10. G Love and Special Sauce, 1999
  11. Blessid Union of Souls, 1999
  12. Sister Hazel, 1999
  13. Reel Big Fish, 1999
  14. Less Than Jake, 1999
  15. Shania Twain, 1999
  16. Planet Fest ’99 (Eve 6, Big Sky, Tether’s End, Stroke 9, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack and more)
  17. Sugar Ray and Goo Goo Dolls, 1999
  18. FFH, 2000
  19. Third Day, 2000
  20. Beneath His Feet, 2000
  21. Diamond Rio, 2001
  22. Mindy McCready, 2001
  23. Cross Movement, Florida State University, 2001
  24. Chris Rice, 2001
  25. Third Day, 2001
  26. Beneath His Feet, 2001
  27. Jennifer Knapp, Bebo Norman and Justin McRoberts, 2001
  28. Mary Mary, 2001
  29. Delirious? and Switchfoot, 2002
  30. Gillian Welch, 2002
  31. Randall Goodgame, Caedmon’s Call and Jars of Clay, BJCC, 2003
  32. Glass Byrd, Caedmon’s Call and Jars of Clay, Lynchburg, Va., 2003
  33. Glass Byrd, Caedmon’s Call and Jars of Clay, Starkville, Miss., 2003
  34. Derek Webb, Tuscaloosa, 2003
  35. Nickel Creek, Auburn University, 2003
  36. Nickel Creek, Bela Fleck and Bob Dylan, City Stages, 2003
  37. Nickel Creek, Little Rock, Ark., 2003
  38. Josh Byrd and Caedmon’s Call, Jackson, Miss., 2003
  39. Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken, Tuscaloosa, Sept. 1, 2003
  40. Gin Blossoms, University of Alabama, Oct. 10, 2003
  41. Sister Hazel, The Jupiter, Tuscaloosa, September 2003
  42. Nickel Creek, Samford University, Oct. 25, 2003
  43. Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 13, 2003 (with Hal Ketchum, Connie smith, Rhonda Vincent, Joe Nichols, Dierks Bentley, Ronnie Dunn and more)
  44. Andrew Peterson Christmas Show, Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2003 (With special guest Alison Krauss)
  45. Derek Webb, Tuscaloosa, January 2004
  46. Dexter Freebish, Bad Ass Coffee Co., Tuscaloosa, Feb. 27, 2004
  47. Dexter Freebish, The Jupiter, Tuscaloosa, Feb. 27, 2004
  48. Shaun Groves, Ginny Owens and Shane and Shane, Parkway Church, Birmingham, March 13, 2004
  49. Joe Hanson and Sara Groves, Birmingham, April 10, 2004
  50. Nickel Creek, The Jupiter, Tuscaloosa, March 17, 2004
  51. Tara Leigh Cobble, Bongo Java, Nashville, Tenn., April 2004
  52. Tara Leigh Cobble, Nashville, Tenn., September 2004
  53. Sandra McCracken and Derek Webb, Atlanta, Oct. 8, 2004
  54. Grand Ole Opry, Opryhouse, Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 11, 2004
  55. Patty Griffin, The Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, May 13, 2005
  56. Nickel Creek, Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, Nov. 12, 2005
  57. Andrew Peterson Christmas Show, Ryman Theatre, Nashville, Tenn., December 2005
  58. Cowboy Mouth, Sister Hazel and Blues Traveler, Crawfish Boil 2006, Birmingham, May 2006
  59. Pete Yorn, Laser’s Edge, Birmingham, 2006
  60. Michael Tolcher and Tristan Prettyman, WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, July 5, 2006
  61. Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows, Verizon Wireless Music Center, Birmingham, Sept. 5, 2006
  62. The Mammals and Nickel Creek, Alys Stephens Center, Birmingham, Sept. 22, 2006
  63. Sheryl Crow and John Mayer, Verizon Wireless Music Center, Birmingham, Oct. 9, 2006
  64. Josh Ritter and Jamie Cullum, Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, Oct. 11, 2006
  65. Chris Thile, Vulcan Park, Birmingham, Oct. 15, 2006
  66. Chris Thile and Edgar Meyer, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, January 2007
  67. Bela Fleck and Chick Corea, Alys Stephens Center, Birmingham, February 2007
  68. Stoll Vaughan, Jim James, Matthew Perryman Jones and Patty Griffin, Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, February 2007
  69. Scott Miller and Patty Griffin, Tabernacle, Atlanta, April 16, 2007
  70. Alli Rogers and Derek Webb, UCF House, Birmingham, April 29, 2007
  71. Alli Rogers, Andrew Osenga and Derek Webb, Zydeco, Birmingham, May 14, 2007
  72. Chris Thile and The How to Grow a Band (now the Punch Brothers), WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, May 26, 2007
  73. Damien Rice, Tabernacle, Atlanta, May 30, 2007
  74. Taylor Hicks and the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, Alabama Adventure, Birmingham, June 1, 2007
  75. James Morrison, Ben Folds and John Mayer, Verizon Wireless Music Center, Birmingham, Aug. 4, 2007
  76. Maddy Wyatt, Pianos, NYC, Aug. 12, 2007
  77. Nickel Creek with Fiona Apple, Central Park, NYC, Aug. 14, 2007
  78. Josh Rouse, WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, Oct. 3, 2007
  79. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, Oct. 15, 2007
  80. Josh Ritter, WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, Oct. 31, 2007
  81. Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken, WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, Nov. 2, 2007
  82. The Bittersweets, Eddie’s Attic, Decatur, Ga., Nov. 10, 2007
  83. Tom Brosseau and Nickel Creek, Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, Nov. 11, 2007
  84. The Spots, Laser’s Edge, Birmingham, Dec. 11, 2007
  85. Garrison Starr and Over the Rhine, WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, Feb. 4, 2008
  86. Brandi Carlile and Indigo Girls, Alys Stephens Center, Birmingham, Feb. 11, 2008
  87. Vulture Whale, Speakeasy, Birmingham, March 8, 2008
  88. The Spots, Speakeasy, Birmingham, March 17, 2008
  89. Radioheadings: The music of Johnny Greenwood, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, April 10, 2008
  90. Les Poissons Rouges, The Pine Hill Haints, Pee Wee More and The Dreadful Awful Snakes, Old 280 Boogie, Waverly, April 19, 2008
  91. Whitley and Tristan Prettyman, WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, April 22, 2008
  92. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, BJCC, Birmingham, April 26, 2008
  93. Papa Grows Funk, Art Neville and STEVIE WONDER, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, May 2, 2008
  94. The Subdudes and JIMMY BUFFETT, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, May 3, 2008
  95. Wild Sweet Orange, City Hall, Nashville, Tenn., May 27, 2008
  96. Old Crow Medicine Show, Act of Congress, Jon Black, The Dexateens, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Guys with Guitars, Ingrid Michaelson, Andrew Bird, Shooter Jennings, The Flaming Lips and Robert Earl Keen, City Stages, Birmingham, June 13-15, 2008
  97. Katie Herzig, THE SPOTS and Drew Holcombe, WorkPlay, Birmingham, Aug. 27, 2008
  98. Tift Merritt, WorkPlay, Birmingham, Sept. 7, 2008
  99. The Swell Season, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Sept. 24, 2008
  100. Augustana, Maroon 5 and Counting Crows, Verizon Wireless Music Center, Pelham, Sept. 30, 2008
  101. Act of Congress, Whole Foods Market (Birmingham magazine green party), Birmingham, Nov. 6, 2008
  102. Katie Herzig and The Everybodyfields, WorkPlay, Birmingham, Nov. 6, 2008
  103. Jason Robert Brown, Red Mountain Cabaret Theatre, Birmingham, Nov. 7, 2008
  104. David Berkley and Peter Bradley Adams, WorkPlay, Birmingham, Nov. 10, 2008
  105. Priscilla Ahn and Amos Lee, WorkPlay, Birmingham, Nov. 17, 2008
  106. Blitzen Trapper and Iron and Wine, WorkPlay, Birmingham, Nov. 22, 2008
  107. Drew Holcomb and Red Mountain Music, WorkPlay, Birmingham, Dec. 22, 2008
  108. Blue Cut Robbery, WorkPlay, Birmingham, Dec. 29, 2008
  109. Tim Brantley, Barnes and Noble, Jan. 2009
  110. Hunter Barrow and the Gary Buseys, Speakeasy, Jan. 2009
  111. GreyHaven 6, Urban Standard, Jan. 30, 2009
  112. Punch Brothers, Alys Stephens Center, Jan. 31, 2009
  113. Cowboy Junkies, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 10, 2009
  114. Griffin House, WorkPlay, Feb. 20, 2009
  115. Cardinals featuring Ryan Adams, Alys Stephens Center, March 6, 2009
  116. Blitzen Trapper with Alela Diane, Bottletree, March 7, 2009
  117. Ryan Adams, War Memorial, Nashville, Tenn., March 14, 2009
  118. Ryan Adams, Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Ga., March 20, 2009
  119. GreyHaven 7, Urban Standard, March 27, 2009
  120. Maria Taylor with Whispertown 2000, Bottletree, April 4, 2009
  121. Dave Matthews Band with Old Crow Medicine Show, Verizon Wireless Music Center, April 20, 2009
  122. William Fitzsimmons, WorkPlay, April 23, 2009
  123. Ray LaMontagne, Alabama Theatre, April 27, 2009
  124. The Felice Brothers, Bottletree, April 28, 2009
  125. L. Cool J and Jazon Mraz, Crawfish Boil, May 1, 2009
  126. Laura Gibson and Damien Jurado, The Crocodile Cafe, Seattle, Wash., May 8, 2009
  127. Black Jacket Symphony presents Abbey Road, WorkPlay, May 28, 2009
  128. Sarah Borges, Art on the Rocks, May 29, 2009
  129. Abram and Sarah, The Havens, IMaginary Plans and Dead Fingers, Bottletree, June 2, 2009
  130. Bon Iver with Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, June 6, 2009
  131. Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s Three Broadway Divas, Caldwell Park, June 12, 2009 (rained out after overture)
  132. Todd Coder, Above, June 18, 2009
  133. City Stages: Act of Congress, Great Book of John, Plain White T’s, Wild Sweet Orange, Abram and Sarah, How I Became the Bomb, Meiko, Erin McCarley, Eric Hutchinson, Roman Candle, Mat Kearney, Jonny Lang, Dierks Bentley, Pine Hill Haints, Hill Country Revue, Electric Touch, The Whigs, Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynrd; Downtown Birmingham, June 17-19, 2009
  134. The Flamers, O Kafes, June 25, 2009
  135. GreyHaven 9, Urban Standard, July 17, 2009
  136. Pine Hill Haints, Bottletree, July 25, 2009
  137. Avett Brothers, Westobou Festival, Augusta, Ga., Sept. 18, 2009
  138. Chamber music, Augusta, Ga., Sept. 18, 2009
  139. Carmina Burana, Augusta Choral Society, Augusta, Ga., Sept. 19, 2009
  140. Derek Webb with Sandra McCracken, WorkPlay, Sept. 20, 2009
  141. The Decemberists with Laura Viers, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 27, 2009
  142. Neil Couvillion with Justin Cross, Urban Standard, Oct. 3, 2009
  143. Great Lake Swimmers, WorkPlay, Oct. 7, 2009
  144. Sara Watkins, Vulcan AfterTunes, Oct. 25, 2009
  145. Chris Thile and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 29, 2009
  146. Jewel with Meiko, Alys Stpehens Center, Oct. 30, 2009
  147. Behold the Lamb of God, Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, Dec. 14, 2009
  148. 30A Songwriters Festival including Shawn Mullins, Nicole Witt, Pete Sallis, Chas Sandford, Brian White, Rodney Crowell, Chely Wright, Ballog!, Dread Clampitt, Sam Bush, Susanna Hoffs, Evan McHugh, Gary Louris, Beaches of South Walton, Fla., Jan. 15-17, 2010
  149. Love You Live including The Enemy Lovers, Will Hoge, Preston Lovinggood and Matthew Mayfield, WorkPlay, Feb. 17, 2010
  150. Punch Brothers, Montgomery Performing Arts Center, Feb.25, 2010
  151. Over the Rhine with Jon Black, WorkPlay, March 9, 2010
  152. The Civil Wars, WorkPlay, March 19, 2010
  153. David Gray, Atlanta Civic Center, April 10, 2010
  154. Paint the Town Red including The Hearts, Sharrif Simmons, Todd Simpson and Mojo Child, The Enemey Lovers and Matthew Mayfield, Downtown Birmingham loft district, April 17, 2010
  155. Hangout Festival, including Alison Krauss, Ray LaMontagne, Guster, Michael Franti, Ben Harper, Trey Anastasio, AA Bondy, Brett Dennen and the Zac Brown Band, Gulf Shores, May 15-17, 2010
  156. Alabama Symphony Orchestra Classical Mystery Tour, Alabama Theatre, May 28, 2010
  157. Act of Congress and Three On A String with the ASO, Alabama Theatre, June 3, 2010
  158. Green Leaves Listening Party, Urban Standard, July 10, 2010
  159. Imaginary Planes/Sunny So Brite/Great Book of John, Bottletree, July 16, 2010
  160. Jon Black, Bottletree, July 20, 2010
  161. Paul McCartney, Bridgestone Arena, July 26, 2010
  162. Black Jacket Symphony presents the Rolling Stones Let It Bleed, WorkPlay, Aug. 13, 2010
  163. Birmingham Arts and Music Festival including Grey Haven, Green Seed, Delicate Cutters, Green Leaves and Vasa, downtown Birmingham, Aug. 20-21, 2010
  164. Delicate Cutters Listening Party, Urban Standard, Aug. 21, 2010
  165. Jon Black Listening Party, Urban Standard, Oct. 16, 2010
  166. Rosanne Cash, Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 23, 2010
  167. Mumford and Sons with King Charles and Cadillac Sky, Buckhead Theater, Atlanta, Nov. 8, 2010
  168. Punch Brothers with Michael Tolcher, WorkPlay Theater, Nov. 17, 2010
  169. Through the Sparks with Sunny So Brite, Bottletree, Nov. 27, 2010
  170. Black Jacket Symphony presents AC/DC’s Back in Black, WorkPlay, Dec. 17, 2010
  171. 30A Songwriters Festival, including Katie Rogers, Roy Schneider, Mike Whitty, Jon Black, Dannica Lowery, Melanie Hammet, Carmel Mikol, Erick Baker, Keegan Dewitt, Lauren Lucas, Rachel Loy, Jeremy Lister, Callaghan, Dar Williams, Angel Snow and Shawn Mullins, Scenic Highway 30A, Fla., Jan. 14-16, 2011
  172. Sanders Bohlke, Gum Creek Killers and the Great Book of John, Bottletree Cafe, Feb. 4, 2011
  173. Josh Ritter, Terminal Five, New York City, Feb. 12, 2011
  174. Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center, March 2, 2011
  175. Colin Hay, WorkPlay, March 5, 2011
  176. The Civil Wars with the Gum Creek Killers, Standard Deluxe, Waverly, March 25, 2011
  177. The Avett Brothers with Band of Horses, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa, April 1, 2011
  178. The Great Book of John and K. Taylor and the Twerps, Bottletree, April 2, 2011
  179. Guster, WorkPlay, April 4, 2011
  180. Jason Isbell with Doc Dailey, Shoals Theater, Florence, April 8, 2011
  181. Jason Isbell with Maria Taylor, Zydeco, April 9, 2011
  182. Jonny Lang, Alys Stephens Center, April 23, 2011
  183. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival: The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, Jon Cleary, George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners, New Orleans Fairgrounds, April 29, 2011
  184. Dead Confederate plays Neil Young’s Tonight’s the Night, with Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires, Bottletree, May 7, 2011
  185. Secret Stages: The Sunshine Factory, Howlies, The Bear, Model Citizen, 13ghosts, Noot d’Noot, Vulture Whale, Dylan LeBlanc, Kovacs & The Polar Bear, The Great Book of John and The Green Seed, downtown Birmingham, May 14, 2011
  186. Hangout Music Festival: Umphrey’s McGee, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, My Morning Jacket, Widespread Panic (one song), Dead Confederate, Foo Fighters cover set, Primus, Avett Brothers, Flaming Lips (a few songs), Motorhead, Foo Fighters (three songs), Old Crow Medicine Show, Drive-By Truckers, Girl Talk, The Black Keys (a few songs), Justin Townes Earle (a few songs), Paul Simon, Gulf Shores, May 20-22, 2011
  187. Pine Hill Haints, Bottletree, May 27, 2011
  188. Black Jacket Symphony and Alabama Symphony Orchestra present Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Alabama Theatre, June 3, 2011
  189. Joe Purdy with the Milk Carton Kids, WorkPlay, June 9, 2011
  190. Mumford & Sons with Matthew and the Atlas and the Low Anthem, Fox Theatre, Atlanta, June 12, 2011
  191. Bama Rising, including Alabama, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rodney Atkins, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Bo Bice, Taylor Hicks, Kellie Pickler, Dierks Bentley, Sara Evans, Little Big Town, Montgomery Gentry, Martina McBride, David Nail, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Ashton Shepherd, BJCC, June 14, 2011
  192. David Mayfield Parade with Joel Madison Blount, WorkPlay, June 22, 2011
  193. David Gray with Lisa O’Neill, Fox Theatre, Atlanta, June 28, 2011
  194. U2, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., July 2, 2011
  195. A.R., Soja and Kelley James, Sloss Furnaces, July 17, 2011
  196. Josh Ritter, Mountain Session at Boutwell Studio, July 24, 2011
  197. Josh Ritter with Yellowbirds, Alys Stephens Center, July 24, 2011
  198. Beth Wood, Jesse Terry, James Casto and Matt Blanchard, Eddie’s Attic, Atlanta, Aug. 5, 2011
  199. Justin Townes Earle, Alys Stephens Center, Aug. 11, 2011
  200. Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, WorkPlay, Aug. 12, 2011
  201. Tonal Vision, Birmingham Arts and Music Festival, Stillwater Pub, Aug. 13, 2011
  202. Ben Folds, Alys Stephens Center, Aug. 20, 2011
  203. Patty Griffin, Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 7, 2011
  204. Stranded: A Day of Desert Island Music, Bottletree, Nov. 17, 2011
  205. Maria Taylor with Dead Fingers, Bottletree, Nov. 24, 2011
  206. Cedric Burnside, Gip’s Place, Dec. 17, 2011
  207. Dead Fingers, Monarchs, The Great Book of John and The Magic Math, Avondale Villa, Dec. 23
  208. Black Jacket Symphony presents U2’s The Joshua Tree, WorkPlay, Dec. 30, 2011
  209. Birmingham Mountain Radio anniversary party, Workplay, Jan. 6, 2012
  210. Punch Brothers with Loudon Wainwright III, Alys Stephens Center, Jan. 28, 2012
  211. Mike Doughty concert, reading and q&a, WorkPlay, Feb. 10, 2012
  212. Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires, Bama Theater, Tuscaloosa, March 23, 2012
  213. Great Book of John and Lauren-Michael Sellers, Relax by the Tracks at Railroad Park, April 12, 2012
  214. Sharon Van Etten with Flock of Dimes, Bottletree, April 22, 2012
  215. Punch Brothers, Cannery Ballroom, Nashville, April 30, 2012
  216. The Head and the Heart, Birmingham Mountain Radio in-studio session, May 5, 2012
  217. Todd Simpson and Mojo Child and Gip Gibson, Relax by the Tracks at Railroad Park, May 10, 2012
  218. Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires, Alys Stephens Center, June 16, 2012
  219. Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, July 3, 2012
  220. Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band, WorkPlay, July 29, 2012
  221. War Jacket, WorkPlay, Aug. 4, 2012
  222. The Great Book of John, Preston Lovinggood and The Grenadines, Communicating Vessels, Aug. 10, 2012
  223. Robert Plant and the Sensational Shape Shifters with Hayes Carll, Alabama Theatre, Aug. 12, 2012
  224. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, WorkPlay, Aug. 17, 2012
  225. Azure Ray with SoKo, Bottletree, Sept. 4, 2012
  226. The Secret Sisters with Dillion Hodges, Vulcan AfterTunes, Sept. 22, 2012
  227. Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 6, 2012
  228. Jason Isbell with Andrew Combs, Vulcan AfterTunes, Oct. 21, 2012
  229. Neil Young with Alabama Shakes, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Oct. 25, 2012
  230. A Charlie Brown Christmas performed by Jeffrey Butzer and T.T. Mahony, with Jeffrey Butzer & the Bicycle Eaters and Chad Shivers & The Silent Knights performing “The Ventures’ Christmas Album,” Bottletree, Dec. 21, 2012
  231. Alabama Symphony Orchestra performs Haydn’s Symphony No. 88, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 2, 2013
  232. Members of Amici perform selections at Art and Arias, Birmingham Museum of Art, March 8, 2013
  233. Birmingham Opera performs “The Magic Flute,” Samford University’s Wright Center, March 15, 2013
  234. Over the Rhine, WorkPlay, April 6, 2013
  235. Theaster Gates, “‘Tis So Sweet or I Need Sugar Lawd,” Birmingham Museum of Art, April 25, 2013
  236. Brahms: A German Requiem performed by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, April 26, 2013
  237. Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Aaron Jay Kernis: Musica celestis, Elgar: Enigma Variations, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, May 31, 2013
  238. Trunkstock featuring BoomBox, Billy Cox Band, Jason Bailey Band, Avondale Brewery, June 15, 2013
  239. Josh Ritter with Milk Carton Kids, Alys Stephens Center, June 29, 2013
  240. Paul and the Broken Bones, Woodrow Hall, July 12, 2013
  241. Matthew Mayfield and Blue Cut Robbery, Southern Living’s Biscuits & Jam, Avondale Brewery, Aug. 4, 2013
  242. The Black Jacket Symphony Presents The Beatles’ White Album, Alys Stephens Center, Aug. 23, 2013
  243. Three Broadway Divas with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Wright Center, Sept. 27, 2013
  244. Atoms for Peace, War Memorial, Nashville, Oct. 3, 2013
  245. Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Berlioz’s Harold in Italy performed by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, Nov. 2, 2013
  246. Milk Carton Kids with Jim Bianco, WorkPlay, Nov. 3, 2013
  247. The Secret Sisters, Sound and Page, Nov. 7, 2013
  248. Sandra McCracken featuring Kenny Meeks, Sound and Page, Nov. 14, 2013
  249. Jason Isbell, Iron City Birmingham, Dec. 15, 2013
  250. Mendelssohn violin concerto, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, Jan. 31, 2014
  251. Justin Brown Conducts Wagner, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 21, 2014
  252. Nickel Creek with The Secret Sisters, Alabama Theatre, April 16, 2014
  253. Arcade Fire, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, May 1, 2014
  254. Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto: Fung’s “Fanfare for McElroy,” Debussy’s Three Etudes” Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, May 31, 2014
  255. Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninoff, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, Sept. 19, 2014
  256. Broken Bells with Hamilton Leithauser, Iron City, Oct. 2
  257. Lucia with Joywave, Terminal West, Atlanta, Oct. 4
  258. Justin Brown Plays Mozart, Mozart Piano Concerto No. Beethoven Symphony No. 3, Eroica, Alys Stephens Center, Nov. 1, 2014
  259. Glen Hansard, Iron City, Feb. 2, 2015
  260. Triumphant Trumpet: Tamberg Trumpet Concerto, Haydn Trumpet Concerto and Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4, Alabama Symphony Orchestra with conductor Carlos Izcaray, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 13, 2015
  261. Punch Brothers, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, Feb. 27, 2015
  262. La Boheme, Wright Center at Samford University, March 13, 2015
  263. Authentic US presents an evening with Josh Vasa and Sanyasi, Desert Island Supply Co., March 21, 2015
  264. Wye Oak with William Brittelle, Alabama Symphony Orchestra Classical EDGE series, Alys Stephens Center, March 26, 2015
  265. The Music of John Williams from the Movies of Steven Spielberg, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Wright Center, Samford University, May 2, 2015
  266. Garth Brooks with Trisha Yearwood, BJCC Legacy Arena, June 13, 2015
  267. The Watkins Family Hour with Secret Sisters and Buddy Miller, City Winery, Nashville, Aug. 1, 2015
  268. Taylor Swift, Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Oct. 24, 2015
  269. Chris Thile, Alys Stephens Center, Nov. 2, 2015
  270. Damien Rice, Iron City, Nov. 15, 2015
  271. Jeffrey Butzer and T.T. Mahoney perform “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Saturn, Dec. 20, 2015
  272. Dixie Chicks, Barclayard Arena, Birmingham, England, April 29, 2016
  273. Lucia, Saturn, June 9, 2016
  274. Sloss Fest: Ryan Adams, White Denim, Anderson East, Sylvan Esso, Burning Peppermints, Sloss Furnace, July 2016
  275. Dixie Chicks, Atlanta, August 2016
  276. Beyonce, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Oct. 2, 2016
  277. Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, Mendelssohn Symphony No. 1, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, Nov. 19, 2016
  278. Jeffrey Butzer & T.T.Mahony perform Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Saturn, Dec. 11, 2016
  279. Vivaldi’s Gloria, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, Dec. 16, 2016
  280. Nina Gabianelli in Thunder River Theatre Company’s inaugural Diva Cabaret, Carbondale, Colorado, March 20, 2017
  281. Cory Henry, Downstairs at Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado, March 31, 2017
  282. Universal Sigh, Steve’s Guitars, Carbondale, Colorado, May 28, 2017
  283. Ryan Adams with Infinite Stringdusters, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, Colorado, June 20, 2017
  284. Brothers Keeper with John Popper, Fanny Hill at Snowmass, June 22, 2017
  285. Widespread Panic, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, Colorado, June 24, 2017
  286. Reckless Kelly, Ute Theater, June 27, 2017
  287. Drive-By Truckers, Fanny Hill at Snowmass, June 30, 2017
  288. Steve’s Guitars (I’ve got to remember the name of the band!)
  289. Ordinary Elephant and Man About A Horse, house show, April 13, 2018
  290. Sloss Fest: Jason Isbell and Arcade Fire, July 14, 2018
  291. Journey and Def Leppard, BJCC Arena, Aug. 20, 2018
  292. The Dexateens, The Nick, Aug. 27, 2018
  293. Blues potluck, The Jaybird, Sept. 22, 2018
  294. Iron Horse and Will Stewart, Vulcan AfterTunes, Oct. 7, 2018
  295. Chris Thile, Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 10, 2018
  296. Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires with Me & My Knife and Shaheed and DJ Supreme, The Nick, Dec. 28, 2018
  297. Fort Atlantic and War Jacket, WorkPlay, Jan. 17, 2019
  298. Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Rite of Spring and Carmina Burana, Alys Stephens Center, Jan. 18, 2019
  299. The Magic Math, Dirty Lungs and Soul Desert, The Nick, Jan. 25, 2019
  300. Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Der Freischutz Overture, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (with Joyce Yang), Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 2, 2019
  301. Me and My Knife and The Burning Peppermints, The Nick, Feb. 9, 2019
  302. Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde prelude and liebestod, Martin Kennedy Piano Concerto and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 15, 2019
  303. Terry Ohms, Taylor Hollingsworth and Results of Adults, Mom’s Basement, Feb. 16, 2019
  304. Great Lake Swimmers and Native Harrow, Avondale Brewing, Feb. 19, 2019
  305. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: William Grant Still’s Darker America, Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Anton Dvorak’s Symphony No. 6, Alys Stephens Center, March 23, 2019
  306. Patty Griffin with Scott Miller, Iron City, March 27, 2019
  307. The Magic Math and Matthew Carroll, The Nick, April 1, 2019
  308. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: William Grant Still’s Serenade, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 and No. 5, Alys Stephens Center, April 5, 2019
  309. Derek Webb, Seeds Coffee, April 12, 2019
  310. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Overture from Le nozze de Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Antonin Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, Pastoral, Alys Stephens Center, April 19, 2019
  311. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Alys Stephens Center, May 10, 2019
  312. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Johannes Brahms’ Tragic Overture, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 3, Rhenish, Alys Stephens Center, May 17, 2019
  313. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Great Fugue, Johannes Brahms’ Haydn Variations and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Alys Stephens Center, June 1, 2019
  314. Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, Seasick Records, June 15, 2019
  315. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Birmingham Museum of Art, Aug. 9, 2019
  316. Beck and Cage the Elephant, Oak Mountain Amphitheater, Aug. 27, 2019
  317. The Brummies and Funk You, Avondale Brewing, Sept. 13, 2019
  318. Riley Moore and Bea Troxel, Laura and Graham’s backyard, Sept. 19, 2019
  319. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 5, 2019
  320. The Wandering Hearts and Justin Townes Earle, WorkPlay, Oct. 9, 2019
  321. Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires, Loam Lands and Dree Leer, The Nick, Oct. 19, 2019
  322. Com Truise and altopalo, Saturn, Nov. 9, 2019
  323. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture, Carols Izcaray’s Stringmaster Cello Concerto (world premiere) and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, Alys Stephens Center, Jan. 18, 2020
  324. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Nielsen’s Helios Overture, Danielpour’s Clarinet Concerto from From the Mountaintop and Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 1, 2020
  325. Amanda Shires, Saturn, Feb. 8, 2020
  326. Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Lopez’s Fiesta, Lieberson’s Neruda Songs, Piazzolla’s Tangazo and de Falla’s El Amor Brujo, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 15, 2020
  327. UAB Wind Symphony and Symphony Band, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 27, 2020
  328. “Y’all Come: The Ballad of Big Jim Folsom” with music, Thank You Books, Feb. 29, 2020
  329. Marc Broussard, Lyric Theatre, March 11, 2020
  330. Josh Ritter, The Silo Sessions on Facebook Live, March 24, 2020
  331. Josh Ritter, The Silo Sessions on YouTube, March 31, 2020
  332. Lee Bains Gospel Hour, Facebook Live, April 1, 2020
  333. Josh Ritter, The Silo Sessions on YouTube, April 7, 2020
  334. Lee Bains Gospel Hour, Facebook Live, April 8, 2020
  335. Lee Bains Facebook Live, April 11, 2020
  336. Lee Bains Gospel Hour, Facebook Live, April 15, 2020
  337. Lee Bains, Facebook Live via Druid City Brewing Company, April 25, 2020
  338. Van Hollingsworth, YouTube via AARP Alabama, Sept. 10, 2020
  339. Punch Brothers, Live at Bluebird via Mandolin.com, Nov. 15, 2020
  340. Patty Griffin, Live at The Continental Club via Mandolin.com, Dec. 5, 2020
  341. Alabama Symphony Orchestra Maestro’s Ball online, Dec. 31, 2020
  342. Nickel Creek via Mandolin.com, Feb. 28, 2021
  343. Chris Thile at the Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts (Streaming), Storrs, Connecticut, April 17, 2021
  344. Cedric Burnside at Mom’s Basement, June 27, 2021
  345. Trampled by Turtles and Mt Joy at Avondale Brewing, Oct. 11, 2021
  346. Chris Thile at the Alys Stephens Center, Nov. 16, 2021
  347. Wood Brothers with The Dead Tongues, Lyric Theater, Dec. 9, 2021
  348. Behold the Lamb of God (Andrew Peterson Christmas show), Church at Brook Hills, Dec. 17, 2021
  349. Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires, The Nick, Dec. 18, 2021
  350. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Louise Farrenc’s Overture No. 2, Alberto Ginastera’s Variaciones concertantes and Max Richter’s Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Recomposed, Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 19, 2022
  351. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: John Adams’ “Christian Zeal and Activity,” Elliott Carter’s Symphony No. 1 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor,” Alys Stephens Center, Feb. 26, 2022
  352. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Sergei Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 36, “Linz” and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3, “Scottish,” Alys Stephens Center, March 11, 2022
  353. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Aaron Copland’s Orchestral Variations, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 and Johannes Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, Alys Stephens Center, May 6, 2022
  354. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Tania León’s “Batá,” Johannes Brahms’ “Song of the Fates” and Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, “Choral” (“Ode to Joy”), Alys Stephens Center, May 20, 2022
  355. Smashing Pumpkins, Avondale Brewing, May 21, 2022
  356. Big Boi, City Walk BHAM, July 13, 2022
  357. The Chicks with Patty Griffin, Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta, Georgia, July 16, 2022
  358. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Valerie Coleman’s “Seven O’clock Shout,” Maurice Ravel’s “La Valse” and “Piano Concerto for the Left Hand,” Modest Mussorgsky/Maurice Ravel’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Alys Stephens Center, Oct. 1, 2022
  359. Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 2, “Short Symphony,” Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story Symphonic Dances” and Brian Raphael Nabors’ “Hammond Organ Concerto,” Alys Stephens Center, Nov. 19, 2022
  360. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Avner Dorman’s “Astrolatry,” Claude Debussy’s “Nocturnes” and Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” Alys Stephens Center, March 4, 2023
  361. John Paul White and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alys Stephens Center, April 6, 2023
  362. Taylor Swift, (outside of) Nissan Stadium, Nashville, May 6, 2023
  363. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Brian Raphael Nabors’ “Pulse,” Jennifer Higdon’s “Violin Concerto” and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Alys Stephens Center, May 13, 2023
  364. Alabama Symphony Orchestra: VIvaldi’s Four Seasons, Avon Theater, May 18, 2023
  365. Nickel Creek, Avondale Brewing, May 29, 2023
  366. Fleet Foxes, Avondale Brewing, June 27, 2023
  367. Alabama Symphony Orchestra performs Masters of the Silver Screen, Alys Stephens Center, Birmingham, Alabama, April 6, 2024
  368. Chris Thile and the National Symphony Orchestra perform “Attention!”, the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., April 23, 2024
  369. Maddie Zahm with Leanna Firestone, Saturn, Birmingham, Alabama, May 7, 2024