Eric Roberson & Franklin Bridge

On Friday, March 31st I went to see Eric Roberson (http://www.ericrobersonmusic.com/) perform here in DC at the Black Cat. Please note that this is not the first time I have seen Eric Roberson perform, but my second time. The first time I saw Eric Roberson perform I was definitely not ready. I have always heard Eric Roberson via CD. In Savannah I played his music quite often and I had a chance to interview him. I always that thought that Eric Roberson was an excellent musician and song writer; however none of this prepared me for his live performance. His CD does his live performance no justice what so ever. Listening to Eric’s CD you will hear songs of love, heart-ache, and life. These songs are smooth and mellow, however when you go to Eric’s concerts he takes these same songs on his CDs and completely rearranges them into Reggae, Step, Gospel and my favorite Rock!! He still keeps some of the songs smooth and mellow, but he even arranges those in a different way. Actually it is almost indescribable…I hope I am doing a good job right now.

So my first experience seeing Eric Roberson performing live was amazing, I felt so much energy from him and the crowd. As a matter of fact, it almost seemed as though we were in church. While I looked out into the crowd, I saw people with smiles on their faces, intense expressions, I heard a screams of joy, and many hands going up in the air as to say I feel what you are saying and I am there with you. While at the first concert, I met three other ladies and we all hit it off well, and were all at the front of the stage (I forgot to mention that, huh). We were all blown away by Eric’s performance.

Not only is Eric Roberson a great performer, but I sincerely believe that he is a great, humble and gracious individual. After the concert Eric came out to sign autographs for his fans and spoke with them for a while. Not only that, he greeted each fan with a hug and a smile. I found this unfamiliar, because I don’t know many artists who does this and does it consistently. After this I not only respected him as a musician, but as a person also.

After this experience, I told all of my friends about this amazing concert and told them they would have to experience it to completely understand. They sort of thought I was over exaggerating. So, what great joy it brought my heart when I found out that Eric Roberson was performing again at the Black Cat.

I told my friends Holly and Espy* that they would have to come to this concert, particularly Holly because she missed it the first time. Espy* was not familiar with Eric Roberson and decided to come from Connecticut to see what I was talking about. I told them that they would not be ready for this concert; as a matter of fact I don’t even think I was ready.

So we get to the concert and who do I run into, the ladies I met at the first concert, we got our same spots back at the front of the stage, and proceeded to express our excitement about the show. My friends are still looking with a sense of disbelief. The show starts off with Franklin Bridge (http://www.franklinbridge.net/) opening up for Eric Roberson. These cats really set the mood for the night. Franklin Bridge really rocked it out, literally. The lead singer Curt (http://www.curtchambers.com/) put me in the mind of a modern day Jimmy Hendricks; he picked up his electric guitar and played it like I have never heard it played before. The crowd went wild, including my skeptical friends. The highlight for me is that Curt actually gave me his guitar to hold for him while he got prepared and when I gave it back to him he kissed my hand. I knew it was going to be a great night! He rocked, I banged my head, the crowd loved it, and he set the stage for a memorable night.

Now comes Mr. Eric Roberson, I looked back at my friends to tell them to get prepared. I was not at all disappointed, he even surpassed himself with this concert; I was just as amazed as my friends seeing him for the first time. It was a great, great night. I am very thankful that I went and was able to share this experience with my friends, new and old. After the concert we all felt very intoxicated and none of us had anything to drink…it was a great sensation that I am still feeling now.

So, I say to all of you reading this blog if you ever see the name Eric Roberson or Franklin Bridge go and check it out!!! You won’t be ready, but you’ll love every moment of it…I guarantee it or my name isn’t Lady Grace.