The DC Traveler

Gypsy Songman - Jerry Jeff Walker

by Jon on July 10th, 2007

As a high school kid, I used to frequent a coffeehouse/music venue called Amazing Grace on the Campus of Northwestern University, just north of Chicago.  It’s been gone for years but the memories are still very vivid.

There, you sat on the floor to watch musicians perform, mostly folk music, but at times, bluegrass, country, blues, jazz and other ore obscure forms of “Americana” music.  Grace’s was not a big place, but did get some top name niche artists or artists on the way up.

Besides music, you could also get a plate of something my mom never served, “health food”.  The vegetarian dishes, herbal teas and fresh fruit juices were all served by real hippies which added to the ambiance.  The odor in the place smelled from… (yea) a controlled but very popular substance at the time.

Over several years, I saw some great performances by singers such as EmmyLou Harris and musicians including Jean-Luc Ponty, bluegrass violinist Vassar Clements, and other leading Chicago performers.  I was introduced to zither players, bands with dobros, steel pedal guitars and fiddles (not to be confused with the violin which my Dad played) and the world of American folk and bluegrass music.

One of the artists I saw often was Jerry Jeff Walker. He’s been called one of the “better known of the lesser-known country artists” and the “Jimmy Buffet of Texas”.  He wrote the hit “Mr. Bojangles,” which became popular when the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band covered it in 1971. The NGD Band is also performing at The Birchmere on August 22nd.

With over 30 records recorded since 1967, he’s truly a piece of Americana.

Jerry Jeff Walker and the Gonzo Compadres
The Birchmere
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave
Alexandria, VA 22305

Date and Time - Friday, July 13th, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets - $55.00 and are available online

Nearest Metro subway station - Pentagon City - Blue and Yellow line, then a 5-mile cab ride.

Parking - Free lighted, secure parking is available at the theater and is included with the ticket service charge.

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