Don't You Just Love Talented People?

One of the shows that my husband and I watch sometimes (usually on Saturday afternoon) is Music City Roots, Live from the Loveless Cafe, on PBS.  They have such a great assortment of traditional music, country, bluegrass, Americana and a wide spectrum of talent.  Recently we were watching a show that was filmed in March during the horrible ice storm they had in Nashville.  We were commenting that everyone in the audience was wearing heavy coats, hats and gloves. 

On this show they were showcasing talent from nearby Belmont University.  Belmont is known for its musical programs and the graduates who populate the country music scene in Nashville.  One such as was a duo with a young man and woman called "Striking Matches"  This duo (Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis) met in guitar class their freshman year at Belmont.  The story goes that the professor was pairing up the students in the class to work on throughout the semester.  Sarah was the only girl in the class and Justin said all the boys were secretly saying "Don't pair me with the girl." 

Well the professor paired Sarah and Justin.  He asked her if she could play the blues.  Sarah said that she pulled our her slide and played a few riffs.  The duo has since become songwriting and performance partners and have a new album out called, "Nothing but the Silence."  (On I. R. S. Nashville, produced by T. Bone Burnett). 

I love seeing talented people, especially those who can write songs and perform them.  Sarah's guitar work reminds me of Bonnie Raitt or Melissa Ethridge.  Their songs have been featured on the TV show "Nashville" which has broadened their American as well as their international audience. 

I am a writer of words and stories and would love to be able to tell stories with music.  That is just not my gift so I thoroughly enjoy seeing singer/songwriters perform their work. 

So what is the moral of this story.  First of all when watching Music City Roots you may never know what you will find.  I found a young talented duo who I will continue to follow as their careers blossom.  The other moral is don't be afraid to be paired with the only girl in guitar class.  She may just pull out her slide and blow your socks off with her grasp and interpretation of the blues. 

Check them out (www.strikingmatches.com).  I hope to be able to see them perform in person sometime.