Generally speaking, singer-songwriter nights at area clubs can be painful. Droning hacks abound. Eardrums assaulted. Abort! Abort!
But I can say with confidence that listeners are in for a treat tonight at The Grotto — Guthrie Kennard, James Michael Taylor, and Chris Johnson are among the scheduled performers at the Jody Jones Monday Night residency.
The new TV show Troubadour Texas has given Kennard plenty of screen time and discovered what Fort Worth Weekly knew long ago — Kennard oozes bluesy soul and sings with gut-bucket authenticity.
Taylor is surely the most prolific songwriter and self-recording artist in Fort Worth. He’s recorded more than 40 albums of original music, most of them during the past decade. His song quality remains remarkably high despite his prodigious output.
Johnson has created a cult following as Telegraph Canyon’s lead singer and visionary. The band is forging a national reputation through its frequent touring, and its debut album The Tide and the Current (2009) has been far-reaching as well — a cut was played as background music during a video montage on American Idol last week.
Johnson commands a stage whether he’s fronting his band or doing his solo thing.
Information for the Jody Jones Residency/Songwriters Showcase at The Grotto, 517 University Drive in Fort Worth is here.
But here’s the important stuff: No cover charge.
7 pm — Jacob Furr (hey, Furr might blow away all the others, I don’t know, I haven’t heard of him)
8 pm — Guthrie Kennard
9 pm — James Michael Taylor
10 pm — Chris Johnson
11:30 pm — Jody Jones
Thank you for taking the time to write this Blotch! The evening was amazing! We all appreciate your kind words!
Jody Jones