Honky Tonk Tuesday Night

Dale Watson and His Lone Star Band bring a little bit of Texas to Charlotte.

Writer: Josh Gooch
Photographer: Josh Gooch & Tara LaFon

For all the changes that have happened in Charlotte’s NODA neighborhood a few things remain the same. One of these consistent points is the ability to head out and see great live music. While many venues have come and gone, The Neighborhood Theatre remains a beacon for bringing in quality acts and on this rainy Tuesday night we had the pleasure of catching some Texas honky-tonk from Dale Watson and his Lonestar Band.

Touring and performing relentlessly Dale Watson has performed in Charlotte a number of times throughout the years. Add to that the authenticity of his love for performing and an extensive catalog of music and what you get is an enthusiastic crowd like the one we had this evening at the Neighborhood Theatre ready for a good time.

The evening’s rain did little to put a damper on the mood and as the evening began the audience arrived excited just in time for opener Trisha Gene Brady to take the stage.

Performing solo and acoustic Trisha performed to a warm crowd very receptive to her sound which by comparison to Dale is a lot more mellow.

Authentic in her singing and songwriting Trisha shared the origins of her songs in between performing them while giving us glimpses into her past with her band the Black Lillies and sharing nuggets like the singer-songwriter series she hosts back in her hometown of Knoxville Tennessee.

With the stage set and ready to go the downtime between sets was short, just enough time to grab another beer and share a few conversations. I was lucky enough to have some family and friends in attendance this evening, so the conversations were lively, and it was great speaking with a few new friends as well, sharing our experiences catching Dale at previous shows from the years past in Charlotte.

This crowd was definitely full of fans of Dale Watson and His Lonestars and you could see it in the smiles on their faces. Dale’s charisma, stage presence, and genuine passion for his craft are undeniable. His smooth vocals and masterful guitar playing showcase his talent, while his witty banter and engaging storytelling add an extra layer of charm to the performance.

His ability to connect with the audience and create a sense of camaraderie in the room is always a pleasure to watch. But let’s not forget the Lonestars.

A trio of musicians on the drums, stand-up bass, and steel pedal guitar they are the perfect complement to Dale, perfectly in sync with Dale they help create the classic country sound Dale Watson and His Lone Stars are known for and help add the pop to Dale’s dialogue and overall performance.

For a Tuesday night in Charlotte this was hard to beat as far as good times go. No matter what city you may be in, if Dale Watson and His Lonestars find their way there and the sounds of a Texas Honky Tonk are right up your alley then you best get out to catch them.

See full gallery of the night here!

If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.