Many years ago, two of the reasons I was excited about moving to Birmingham were Davey Williams and LaDonna Smith. Recently Danny Kamins, a celebrated improvisor in his own right, announced from the stage at East VIllage Arts how excited he was to back playing in the birthplace for free improv in North America. That’s largely due to Davey and LaDonna.
Davey died in 2019. That night, I was supposed to be playing on a steel bass with him and LaDonna and several other players. Davey, while being an internationally recognized musician, was also just a guy in the neighborhood. I met him one night in the grocery store and he was staring at the butter. I said hello and he said, “There are so many kinds. Salted, unsalted, sweet cream, organic…” He kept listing and I laughed and walked away. He was always funny, and his own brand of artist and writer.
I’m happy to be playing with the Antenna Road Orchestra for this three-day festival in Davey’s honor. I’m posting the schedule (due to change!) as I have it below.
$10 Admission at door / $20 Three-day Pass
Davey’s music and writing will also be available for purchase.
FRIDAY
5:00 -6:00 Davey Williams Commemorative Guitar Parade
7:00 WELCOME
7:15 GUITAR SOLOS
7:30 CLEERS (Taylor Rouss, Patrick Stone, Jasper Lee)
7:45 GUITAR SOLOS
8:00 STORY-TELLING ON DAVEY: Craig Legg, Jimmy Griffin
8:30 Concert: KILLICK, Athens, Ga.
9:00 GUITAR SOLOS + ALL (group improv)
SATURDAY
1:00-3:00 “HISTORY OF R&R” Craig Legg. The Gallery is open!
“DW MUSIC” &/or Cast Iron Guitars available for public play & experimentation.
Also: Festival Guitarists may gather, set up, improvise or collaborate during this period.
6:00 doors open
7:00 GUITAR ROUND ROBIN
7:30 JEAN-JACQUE GAUDEL “MUSICAL INVENTIONS” talk and improv demo
LaDonna Smith – electric twelve string polished steel tabletop guitar
Jody Nelson- electric flat polished steel 6 string guitar
Majid Amraim –polished steel electric cello
James Robert Foster- steel & copper electric bass
8:15 STORYTELLING ON DAVEY: Johnny P. Williams, Jimmy Griffin, Johnny Coley, Craig Legg.
8:30 GUEST ARTIST: BRADY SHARP, Chattanooga, TN
9:00 GUITAR ROUND ROBIN:
ALL GUITARS TOGETHER: NOISE-OUT!
SUNDAY
6:00 Documentary FILM “Convulsive Blues” by Lee Shook
6:30 STORY-Telling on DAVEY (Volunteers..)
7:00 THE ANTENNAE ORCHESTRA
Stephen McClurg 