When the name Myles Kennedy is mentioned, many people immediately think of his work with Alter Bridge or fronting the band Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. Until recently, I was one of those people. It’s a good thing that you’re never too old to learn and I’ve discovered that when it comes to Myles Kennedy there’s more, so much more. It had been just more than a year and a half since my last show at The Plaza Live and as I arrived at the venue the familiar “Plaza†beacon, standing tall above the entrance, was obscured by the sheets of rain that were pummeling down from above. I waited out the storm in my car until I saw the line of people starting to wrap around the building. It was go time and as I approached the box office I was reminded that this was one of my favorite spots to catch a show and tonight would prove to be no different.
First up was an acoustical set by Tyler Bryant and Graham Whitford of Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown. Bryant has been performing since he was 15 years old and is an accomplished songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist. After forming Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, they released their 1st album “My Radio†in 2011. Shortly thereafter, they were joined by Graham Whitford, son of Aerosmith’s legendary guitarist Brad Whitford. With 4 studio albums under their belt, these guys have already become seasoned road warriors with having toured with the likes of ZZ Top, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and many more. The stage setup was very simple, a few guitars and mics along with a bass drum bearing the signature logo of TBSD. These guys wouldn’t require anything else and wasted no time in kicking off their set. The song “Born Rocking” was well received and was written for drummer Caleb Crosby’s son who was born just weeks before this tour hit the road. The duo also hit the mark with their soulful rendition of “Like The Old Me.” Bryant talked about growing up in the small town of Paris Texas and working in a guitar shop when he was just 15 years old. It was there that he met a musician by the name of Roosevelt Twitty who introduced him to the blues. This proved to be life changing and his influence is evident in the band’s music and style. A highlight of the set was a cover of Elvis Presley’s “That’s Alright Mama.” Whitford is a beast on the guitar and he and Bryant compliment each other perfectly. I can’t wait to catch the entire band when they go out on tour later this year. If pure, authentic rock and blues is what you desire be sure to check out Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown and grab a copy of their newest album “Pressure.”
Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown (Acoustic):
Tyler Bryant: Lead Vocals, Guitar
Graham Whitford: Guitar, Backing Vocals
As 9:00 grew closer, the crowd was ready for the musical genius that is Myles Kennedy. Clad in a plaid shirt, jeans, and glasses, Kennedy could easily be someone you pass on the street, or maybe even your neighbor or a co-worker. I think that’s why he has such a devoted fan base. He is ultra-talented and yet so down to earth. Joining Kennedy tonight was Tim Tournier on bass and Zia Uddin on drums. After taking time to praise Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown’s performance, the band delivered a powerful performance of “A Thousand Words” from Kennedy’s new album “The Ides Of March.” This song was inspired by a photograph of a friend’s father who had recently passed away. The fans were thrilled with performances of Kennedy’s “Haunted By Design” and “Year Of The Tiger” and his cover of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” was nothing short of epic.
In addition to new songs such as “Get Along“, “In Stride” and “The Ides Of March“, Kennedy wasn’t about to overlook his work with his other bands. Alter Bridge’s “Native Son” had fans on their feet while “Starlight“, a Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators song, came across as powerful and moving. Kennedy recalled several times that he would join Slash on guitar during this song and if he wasn’t on point Slash would drop his glasses and give him the stinkeye. Myles told the fans that he and drummer Zia Uddin had actually been in marching band together back at Spokane High School and later played together in a band called Bittersweet. The two then played a short snippet from one of their songs that they hadn’t played in more than 40 years. This show had something for everyone. Kennedy’s vocal abilities are top-notch and his songwriting and vision are otherwordly. Be sure to pick up a copy of Myles Kennedy’s newest album “The Ides Of March” and check them out live when they roll through your area.
Myles Kennedy:
Myles Kennedy: Vocals, Guitar
Zia Uddin: Drums
Tim Tournier: Bass
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I’ve had a love for photography since I was young. Whether it was a Polaroid or a Kodak 110, I was always the kid with the camera. My love of music goes back even further. Nothing beats being at a show when those lights go down and the crowd goes nuts.
