Last night, love was in the air and not because of the Valentines Day and the seats carefully parceled out in two’s. The feeling of openness and wonder flowed easily through the sold out crowd as Drew Holcomb took the stage and commenced to awe the eager and enthusiastic audience. I took my seat just as the first notes were echoing through the air, just in time to see Holcomb, grinning and confident, saunter to the waiting microphone.
Maybe it’s the long standing history with Knoxville where he and his wife met and attended college. Maybe it’s the numerous sold out shows, including Friday night’s, also in Knoxville. Holcomb said that The Bijou feels like home and is one of their favorite places to play. He also told us about the recent fulfillment of a dream which happened Friday afternoon at Gus’s Good Times Deli, a local favorite and staple on the University of Tennessee campus. Apparently Holcomb’s appetite, which according to him began while living in Reese Hall with a one – three time a week habit. He has his favorite, a pastrami on wheat, which they know he wants when he walks through the door, and according to him, “all I have to do is wait by the register.” While there, they asked when he was going to bring an autographed picture for them to hang on the wall. Fist pumping, Holcomb exclaimed that he’s never won a Grammy and probably never will, but this was better.
The boisterous behavior continued as the evening progressed. His wife Ellie joined the band on stage for a few songs, between which he shared that though Ellie had not been on the road with them for the last year, partially due to their first child Emmy Lou’s young age, that it didn’t seem right not to have her in Knoxville, especially on Valentines Day. He then let us in on a big secret, Emmy Lou will be a big sister! He said they hadn’t told anyone but their families until just that moment. Ellie beamed and could be heard laughing joyfully over the roaring applause.
A few songs later, Holcomb asked a couple to join him and Ellie on stage. Grinning and confident, the young man took to one knee and asked for his lovely girlfriend’s hand. She said yes and the crowd went wild. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. This was the second proposal in two nights at Holcomb’s shows. Maybe Holcomb won’t be given a Grammy, but the music and the emotions speak more loudly than any statue ever will.
The night was full of surprises and favorites alike. Giving the band a break, Holcomb unplugged and stood on the edge of the stage and sang “Tennessee” with a little help from the audience. Quiet and refined and just like the first time I heard it, the song’s hold is palpable. Later his rendition of Springstien’s “Thunder Road” etched a already widening grin onto my face where it remained for the evening. Other songs of note were “Live Forever,” “Here We Go,” “You’ll Always Be My Girl,” and “Another Man’s Shoes.”
Recently at a Strand of Oaks concert, frontman and songwriter Tim Showalter commented that music, the kind experienced in the live format, was the last real magic that we have left in this world. I can’t think of a better way to sum up last night’s Drew Holcomb and the Neighbor’s concert. We are blessed everyday with the air we breathe and the breaths we take. Holcomb is one of the few that remind us of all the other parts. Family. Love. Friends.
