2nd November Asheville NC
JFK airport is full of people wearing medals they won for completing the New York City marathon yesterday, looking tired but happy. After three weeks and nearly 3000 miles in our Econoline van, I feel the same, buoyed by the fact that the best show was saved until last.
Asheville is a town in the Appalachian Mountains renowned for its activism. Across the road from the Orange Peel, a huge hoarding keeps a toll of the cost of the Iraqi occupation in dollars as well as Iraqi and American lives. I’ve been here once before, five years ago on the Tell Us The Truth tour, and have a strong memory of a well attended after-show discussion at a nearby squatted community café with most of the audience and all of the artists.
This time I had a little longer to check the place out. We got to town around 3pm and I took a leisurely stroll in the afternoon sunshine down to the venue past shops selling second hand clothes and American folk art. We even found our first Indian restaurant of the tour. Joy.
The gig was highly charged from the start, the audience responding as if it were Saturday night, not Sunday. They pulled songs out of me that I hadn’t been playing thus far, including the first US performance of One Love/Drop the Debt, along with all the arm waving actions. They seemed to be all ages, from earnest young beardies to old whiskery wobblies, and they knew most of the words too. By the end my voice was hoarse and my fingertips sore, but we’d all had a great time.
Back to the hotel for a farewell beer with the Watson Twins, who have been a wonderful support act, warming the crowd up for me with their southern harmonies and singing like the Staples Sisters every night on Sing Their Souls Back Home.
14 Responses to “2nd November Asheville NC”
By a voter on Nov 3, 2008
I just wanted to thank you for an awesome time last night. I was getting down about the election and feeling cynical.. and you made me want to vote tomorrow.
Thank you so much.
I was wondering too, if you were being sarcastic about cracker barrel.
By Lennon on Nov 4, 2008
thank you so much for the show in Asheville it was amazing, I was nearly moved to tears at one point which is amazing because I never cry. thank you so much and please come back one day.
By Kim on Nov 4, 2008
your 930 show was great. i wish you could be in the US to feel the mood of the place today, there is so much energy and excitement and anticipation. there is a very real sense of people having come together to create this amazing movement, it is truly amazing and a great, great feeling!
By Allison on Nov 5, 2008
Billy,
We saw you in Baltimore at Rams Head. What an uplifting night! Yes, we can! Thanks for keeping us energized. My baby and I have loved your music & politics for years. Today I am listening to Bob on Deep Tracks as he spins songs on the Beginning, Middle, and End. Today we have a popular mandate for a fresh start in our country and our world. I am going to head out to the streets to celebrate. Keep up the good work. Yes we can!
Allison
By Cassie on Nov 5, 2008
Billy,
We did it! I want to thank you for a great show and message this past Sunday. I left your show feeling empowered as well as realistic on what we will need to do now Obama has been elected. We will have to keep the faith and continue to push our elected officials to do what is absolutely needed for all humanity.
5 years ago I drove to Asheville for the Tell the Truth tour which was my first Billy Bragg experience. I left that show a rejuvenated activist and a Billy Bragg fan for your music and your strong character. The discussion afterward was an experience that will stay with me always.
Now that America has elected Barack Obama it is time for all of us to concentrate on global climate change. If I could ask one thing from you could you please use your voice to help build awareness of this most vital issue.
Thank you again for all you do for us!
By Haskell on Nov 6, 2008
It’s Thursday and the AP is calling North Carolina for Obama — the first time the state has voted Democrat for President since 1976! Thanks, Billy, for coming down to help!
By Ken on Nov 7, 2008
Billy, Gina and I saw you in Charlottesville, VA and met you backstage. She was the curvaceous Latina, and I was the graying hippie guy. I wanted to mention that in Charlottesville, you were nearby an intentional community, Twin Oaks, that I used to be a member of. In Asheville, you were near EarthHaven, and in Ithaca, EcoVillage at Ithaca. I have friends at all these communities, and to me they represent the source of experimentation with new orders of social, political, cultural, and economic structures. For instance, Twin Oaks, as an egalitarian community, lives closer to the socialistic ideal than any nation, with complete community participation in decision making and a degree of sustainability unheard of in the most eco-friendly regular (non-intentional) communities. I think you might be interested in learning more about and visiting places like these as you travel about. The notion of Woody Guthrie, and yourself as modern troubadours is more than just sharing songs, but also sharing information. The info about the potential of intentional communities as human experiments is way under the the radar of public discourse as we seek to untangle the mess we have created with modern industrial society. You have my permission to dig out my email addy from this website and seek me out non-publicly if you’d like.
Ken J from Charlotttesville
By Colin on Nov 10, 2008
I’m so glad you could be with us here in the US at this moment in history.
Getting Obama elected was the easy part. Now comes the hard work.
By Anne Boston on Nov 12, 2008
Hey Bill,
Did you see Kid Rock’s guitar player wearing “Joe the Strummer” T-shirt on the Country Music Awards 11/12/08? Thought you’d love it.
Both Boston shows were great, thanks for playing M for me
Anne
By Heidi on Dec 11, 2008
Billy,
Can’t believe we MISSED you in Asheville. I’m still sick about it. I’ve been singing Ships and Birds with our little group for yrs. Love Mermaid Ave., and all the rest. Thanks for your inspiration and incredible music! Come BACK!
By Oscar Thibidoux on Dec 12, 2008
I haven’t been in Asheville in 17 years. I was planning to come to the show in November but I didn’t make it. Hopefully, I will visit next year.
By Alice on Dec 26, 2008
Hey man, I really wanted to come to ur show in Stockholm, but the only other fan of yours I know who’s about 18 is the really hairy and slightly aggressive guy I used to go to school with, and I really didn’t wanna go alone so I missed it. It’s ashame though, I really do sort of adore your music…
Ah well, I swear I’ll go the next time you visit Sweden.
Since I dont know if u even read ur comments this is no place to get sentimental, but I think u should know ur a great inspiration in life and in my own music writing. Basically, u rule man. peace<3
By Faye Marcos on Jan 10, 2009
I wish I was able to catch you when I was in New York. A very special friend gave me Must I Paint You A Picture CD as a birthday gift and am I truly glad to have discovered your music. I’m from the Philippines, and I don’t know anyone else from my country who loves you as much as I do. I think you’re one of the sincerest, most amazing musicians I’ve ever listened to. You’re a big inspiration to me, and I hope you keep on making more records.