The Ryman

November 2

Nashville, TN

Review By: Cole

I really originally had plans to stay in Baltimore a little later and hang out with Richard and Patti-and then the Ryman was booked. I made sure my flight was home early so I'd be able to go. Richard dropped me off at the airport around 7, and I headed back to Nashville. I had every intention of taking a nap before the show, but I was running on adrenaline and still pumped up from the shows the night before.

Patty hasn't done a solo show at the Ryman since 2005, and that was also acoustic--- at a special Bluegrass Nights series. This show was a Listener Appreciation Show for WSM 650, a station that is SO good to Patty. Because of it, they sold tickets originally for $6.50, gave some away on the station, and then as the show neared, the tickets were $15.00. Still an incredible price (especially for the performance they were going to be getting), that was reasonable for folks to attend, so they were expecting a packed house. Chris & My mother decided a couple days beforehand that they weren't going, and being such short notice on a work night, no one else could go. So I headed to the Ryman alone-I don't think I've seen her alone since I turned 18 and got the "freedom" to drive wherever I wanted to see her!

The cool thing about this show was some of her peers that came out to see her. Linda Davis, Jean Shepard and Jan Howard all sat over by me. During the show, Patty pointed out that Tony Arata was also there.

There were two opening acts, but the first was a contest winner that sang two songs. Next up came Joey + Rory. Usually I hate PL having any opening acts, but I absolutely LOVE them, so I was excited to see them. If there was ever an act that should open for her, it was them. They did a relatively abbreviated set in order to get Patty out a little bit quicker.

The opening of the show with her radio and WPLT couldn't have been more perfect for the Ryman Auditorium, where the Opry used to broadcast from for so many years. Patty came out to thunderous applause, and a bunch of people around me were trying to go up and take pictures--- genuinely excited to see her. I think it set the tone for the rest of the show. She welcomed everyone to her "living room" and said it was great to be back home in Nashville.

A few songs in, Patty looked down at a baby at the front row and saw "Aww, so precious. I haven't woken her up yet!" and laughed to the mother, and then explained to the audience that the sweet baby down front had been sleeping the whole show so far.

Patty did her normal set list for the program, except taking out one towards the end. She was REALLY on it, and you wouldn't have guessed that she'd just done two 2+ hour shows the weekend before back to back- she had a lot of energy. The band was spot on--- and just about all of them had family in the house that night, so the band got a lot of love, and it gave them another chance to show off a little more. I see Guthrie's Dad at a lot of shows in the south, and he beams every time Guthrie steps out for his "Lovin All Night" intro.

Mid-way during the show, she mentioned about how she used to work at a record store that was once near the Ryman that Doyle Wilburn owned---because he apparently though she could sell some records. She laughed and said "I'm not going to tell you how long ago that was!!", and then laughed again and said "We're all friends here-it was in the 70's!!"

As with the other shows--- the beginning of the show was great and well received, but once she started Mountain Soul set----- people just ate it up! During "Working on a Building", she got to the "drunkard" line and held her arm up as she said "I'd keep on drinking'..", and the split second "keep on" came out of her mouth, she threw her hand on her head. Garry looked over at her with a huge grin, and the audience laughed. After she finished the line, she threw her head back and laughed. This song is killer live, wrong lyrics and all. It's nice for Matt to have a little time to shine, and I love the sound he and Garry have together with Patty.

She paused before "Handful of Dust" to say that she had a friend here that night, or at least she thought so, and yelled out asking if Tony Arata was there. He waved his arms in the back of the floor to say he was there. She explained that Tony wrote the next song when his daughter was born. Afterwards, she introduced Sydni Perry on vocals and asked her to come up to the front with her. She pulled her close to her and giggled and said that was like her child, and then laughed & said it was okay for her to say that, because Sydni's parents were there.

It was really cool to sit back and watch Jan Howard and Jean Shepard take the show in, especially once she started the Mountain Soul set. They mentioned they were there and sat in the front row of the pews, so I'm certain Patty saw them during the show. I was impressed they stayed for almost the entire performance--- they weren't taken backstage until "Blame".

Patty dedicated "Harlan" to her parents, who had the best seat in the house, and all the coal miners who constantly went down to the mines to support their families--- not only back then, but today even. The ONLY part of this crowd that disappointed me was after this AMAZING rendition of "Harlan"--- they didn't give her a standing O (well the floor didn't). There were three people that stood in my section. I was slightly surprised, since people had been shouting out for it.

Patty asked if everyone was there for the long haul, and when everyone cheered she said "If y'all dont mind, I've got to step over here and see this baby!", and she walked to the side a little bit, and the mother stood up and handed Patty the baby. The baby was SO cute--- Patty took her and held her up and smiled at her, and the baby immediately smiled so big right back at her. Patty was completely smitten with her, and held her for a few minutes, gave her a little hug and then handed her back to the mother. When she went back to the mic, she said she wanted to say Hi to her little friend Adrianna, and she hoped she was still awake. She had such a sparkle in her eye. (Adrianna is the 3 year old little girl of former band member Travis Toy)

Right before "Blame", I took over Jean Shepards seat to be just slightly closer and in the front row of the pews. The front row wasn't 100% completely, so when their group left, it was empty. It might be the only time I've been the only person in my row for "Blame"! The crowd had great audience participation and sang along perfectly.

She closed the show with "Too Many Memories", not quite as overcome as she was the night before, but a perfect rendition--- and I've said it before, but I can't think of a better song to close the set with.

When she came back out for her encore, Eddie Stubbs brought Elus Arrendale from Springer Mountain Farms--- who sponsored the show. Patty told everyone they had great chicken, and gave the audience a thumbs up sign when they talked about it. As a token of their appreciation for Patty doing the show, Elus said they had something for her, and Patty laughed and asked if it was a lifetime supply of chicken. They (Springer Mountain Farms) had a plaque done for her commemorating the show. She was genuinely appreciative, and once they gave her that, Eddie asked her if she wanted to do a couple more. She said just one more,.... and closed the show with "Diamond in my Crown", which is absolutely chill inducing as it is live, but at the Ryman---- amazing.

A lot of people started to clear out before she did "Crown", and I hate that they missed the most incredible moment of the night. The night was getting late and it was a Monday night......

I left immediately after the show and didn't bother trying to wait on her. The bus was out front, but Patty was heading out, & she wasn't going to be getting on the bus anyway. There was a group of folks starting to assemble near the bus thinking she'd come out. I know she had to be exhausted from a non stop weekend of 2+ hour shows each night, and I think she gave us enough.

As a last note, Ryman Security, for the first time EVER, got onto me for my camera and lenses and demanded I have a press pass to be allowed to have it in, and what I was doing with the photos. PLN got me out of it--- and as soon as I mentioned what I was using them for, the security guy gave me the okay to continue

Overall, this tour was amazing. She has completely spoiled us in this 2 hour show, and I'm not sure what we'll do if she scales it back next year. I know a lot of people want her to be everywhere on the road, and tour more, but I've got to admit I love how she's doing her tours. I remember the days of being on the road all the time in the early 90's, and it's amazing the difference I can see then and now, when she's home a little more and has the time to relax.

I'll take the Quality over Quantity.