WHO’S PLAYING?  Robbie Fulks (Chicago, IL)

WHAT TO EXPECT?  Classic country and engaging storytelling…

Robbie Fulks is a professional and accomplished musician. At 53 years old his latest record “Upland Stories” was recently nominated for TWO Grammy’s (Best Folk Album and Best American Roots Song) along with wide critical acclaim. Being over 20 years after the release of his first album Fulks is extremely refined and and a renowned stage performer. From his spot on instrumental performance to his alluring storytelling within his songs his shows are consistently enchanting. The Grammy awards on on 2/12/17 so everyone will know if Fulks wins the Grammy’s he is nominated for by the time of the Kansas City show.

Here is the VOCALS ON TOP review of his latest Grammy nominated album “Upland Stories”:

Robbie Fulks flexes his alt-country versatility on Upland Stories. He can turn up the twang with banjo laden tunes or put together a soothing vocal performance adorned by hesitant acoustic strums.

Possibly the most striking thing about this album is how good of singer Fulks is. On “South Bend Soldiers On” the melody and vocals make you think of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” while “A Miracle” may be his best vocal performance on the album. On songs like “Needed” and “Never Came Home” you can clearly hear how Fulks could have paved the way for current alt-country superstars like Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson. On the more raunchy “Katy Kay” and “America is a Hard Religion” he plucks tunes out of what could have been contributions to the O Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack, singing them with a yearning vigor. More bluegrass ensues with some snark humor on “Aunt Peg’s New Old Man.” What also helps this album flow so well is his Steve Earle like songwriting where the words flow so smoothly and effortlessly out of his mouth that you feel like any alternate order for them would just sound wrong.

Good albums have a flow to them and Upland Stories definitely fits the bill. It’s a well balanced record and is rough and smooth in all the right places. If you like storytelling you’re in luck too, the songwriting is the glue that holds this whole thing together.

Key Tracks: “America is a Hard Religion” “Needed” “Alabama At Night”

WHERE IS IT?  Knucklehead’s Saloon (2715 Rochester, Kansas City MO 64120)

WHEN IS IT?  Tuesday, February 14th 2017; 8:00 PM, $15

Here is a link to buy your tickets right NOW.

WHY SHOULD I GO?

• Fulks is nominated for TWO Grammy’s… GRAMMY’S!
• He’ll be sure to do his Grammy nominated song “Alabama At Night”
• Concerts aren’t always the best Valentine’s Day idea but this would be a nice chill evening with a great performer, it’s guarenteed to be moshpit free.
• Knucklehead’s is one of the best venues in KC, it sits right beside the train tracks
• Do you really want to stay home on Valentine’s Day?
• You can pick up Fulks’ GRAMMY NOMINATED album “Upland Stories”.
• The Grammy’s are two days before, you might be one of the first people to congratulate a Grammy winner in person.
• Fulks will put on an excellent show, this is a given.

You should RSVP on facebook to the event so you don’t forget, here is the link: FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE