I arrived just in time for Mumford’s soundcheck.  The group is singing on SM58′s and using a host of other Shure mics around the stage. I met the crew for the first time and then started setting up for a video interview.  After their soundcheck, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane came by and knocked out the interview, which went very well.

After a short dinner, I returned and was hanging around backstage when who shows up… Jerry Douglas.  Jerry came to perform with his friends Mumford & Sons.  I also said a quick hello to Dawes right before they went on stage. Drummer Griffin Goldsmith commented that Shure has been very big help to their career so far.  Once they too the stage, I was immediately drawn in to his playing (me being a drummer) as well as his brother and lead singer Taylor’s voice.  This group gave a great performance, full of emotion, animated, and well executed.  On the last number, Mumford & Sons joined them on stage to finish out a great set.

The sold out crowd was ready when the headliners came out.  This being my first time seeing them, I was wondering how this group could fill out their 2 hour set, especially with only one record out.  This show ended up being a lot more exciting than I had envisioned.  Marcus Mumford’s voice grabs your ears and does not let go.  Then the rest of the groups harmonies complete their sound.  They played their hits as well as a few of their new, yet to be released songs. The light show was brilliant, adding to the excitement of the music and making it that much more of a show.This show is ready for arenas but I have a feeling that they love playing to these intimate crowds, especially at the historic Ryman Auditorium for the first time.

At the end of their set, Jerry Douglas joined them on stage for a couple songs, including a great version of “The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel.  For one of the final numbers, Dawes also came out and they all went to the front of the stage and performed Bob Dylan’s  “Hey, Momma Rock Me” acoustically.  The entire Ryman audience sang along.  Musicians traded solos. It was quite a party!   Google it and I’m certain someone will have posted a video.

Go see these groups if you have the opportunity.  It was a fantastic show all around.

Ryan

Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN

I have been eager to see this group come back together again after many solo projects and tours. Each member individually has their own sound but when they are all together, it’s a magic unto its own.

Shure has enjoyed a wonderful, longstanding relationship with Alison Krauss and Union Station and we couldn’t wait to hear new material from this award winning group, both studio and live! This show was the 2nd night of their 2 sold out shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Particularly exciting was the fact that before they took the stage, yours truly would be spending about 15 minutes with them backstage for a video interview. For them, they have done this many times. For me interviewing them, my first! Since we have had such a great relationship with all of them, I was not too nervous about doing this. We will be editing this interview soon and will send out the word once it’s up for viewing. (It was a 3 camera shoot so it may take a bit longer.)

As I had suspected, the interview went great! I previewed other interviews and tried not to cover the same material they have been asked but still included a few Shure questions towards the end as usual.

With that completed, I could now relax and enjoy the show to come. Alison and company are all signing on Beta 58A’s and Alison has the KSM9 for her Fiddle mic (yes, a vocal mic on the fiddle). Ron Block has the KSM13 on his Banjo which sounds amazing. All are using the PSM900 for monitors which they love.

The show lasted 2 hours and was full of the hits plus plenty of the new material. It had been several years since they had performed together so the crowd was ready for it. Jerry Douglas took some time during the set for a solo which was stunning and included a short version of Chick Corea’s “Spain”, which I thought was incredibly cool!

Their tour continues for a while and hopefully well into next year. Make sure you get your tickets early as they are selling out everywhere. A special thanks to Allison, Dan, Ron, Barry, and Jerry for being such wonderful hosts. Also, thanks to FOH Engineer Cliff Miller, Bernie Velutti on Monitors, Sean Murray (Production Manager) and Michael Corcoran (Management) for helping to make this such a smooth, enjoyable evening!

Ryan