Jimmy Dale Gilmore's recent appearance at the Phoenix Hill Tavern served to underline the influence that the New 92, WFPK, has had in increasing the number of Triple-A acts coming to town. The average age of the audience appeared to be about 40+, and it was a non-smoking event – in the Saloon!
Gilmore had canceled his Lexington show in order that he could film a bit part in a new film by the Cohen Brothers. A rumor had been circulating that the PHT show was also scrubbed, but it did not seem to have effected the crowd much.
Gilmore and his band kicked the show off right on time, cranking through most of the tunes from his Elektra CD, Spinning Around the Sun , which has been getting much airplay on NPR. Exchanging banter with the very friendly audience, Gilmore didn't waste much time giving them what they wanted, including the Dallas references of "Deep Ellum Blues" and the cosmic wisdom of "Just A Wave."
Tunes by other songwriters included was Hank Williams Sr. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," and the Jesse Winchester tune "Big Round Ball."
Gilmore benefited from having a hot guitarist in Rob Gersaw, who collected most of the applause for his solos on guitar and lap steel. His bassist, Brad Fordham, also impressed with his acoustic bass work.