American Aquarium, Blackberry Smoke, and Turnpike Troubadours may show up in the same section of the record store but they each bring something special to the table. American Aquarium frontman BJ Barham writes introspective, often painful songs, BlackBerry Smoke is a chart-topping radio-friendly machine, and Turnpike Troubadours have developed a cult-like following by being masters of melody. Saturday, November 5, 2022, joins all three to bring buckets of joy at Daily’s Place amphitheater in Jacksonville, FL.
The previous weekend saw the annual Florida-Georgia game in Duval County marred by a rousing ovation for Florida’s fascist governor followed by anti-Semitic messages being projected around downtown. Hate was palpable that night. This is a state and a city in need of the healing balm of live music and these three bands feel like the perfect prescription.
On the way into the amphitheater one cannot help but guess who each tailgater is there to see. The older folks are probably ready for Blackberry Smoke? Girls in sundresses and boots are fired up for Turnpike Troubadours? Bearded guys in trucker hats and pearl snaps got there early for American Aquarium? No matter who the motivating us all to be here, the general vibe feels celebratory and loving. Smiles abound.
American Aquarium takes the stage at a prompt 7:00. Folks are still filing in with some unaware of this opener and others scream singing lyrics on the way to their seats. BJ and the boys open with a new one, the gorgeous “All I Needed” from their latest record Chicamacomico. As the opener, they only have about forty minutes to cover a catalog spanning back to 2006. It is a tall order for most bands but American Aquarium is up to the task. We are getting newer songs, an obligatory “Jacksonville” which never gets old in this setting, and of course the loud singalongs for which an American Aquarium show is known.
During one of these communal performances, “I Hope He Breaks Your Heart,” two guys with wide-eyed grins shuffle into their seats.
“Who IS this?!”
“The band on stage? That’s American Aquarium.”
“Damn, they are great! I’ve never heard of them. Gonna look it up on Spotify. Oh, shit! I’ve liked a bunch of their songs already. Hell yeah. By the way, don’t you think it’s weird Blackberry Smoke isn’t the headliner?”
“I mean, maybe from a record sales perspective, but for my taste American Aquarium is the best band on this bill with all due respect to the others.”
“No shit?!”
“No shit.”
By the end of Burn. Flickr. Die. both men are singing along with the chorus, drunk on the discovery of a new favorite band.
BJ Barham has been at this music making thing for a long time. The crowds have steadily grown and so have the lines waiting to meet him at the merch table. It is a time honored tradition at American Aquarium and BJ Barham solo shows. He shakes every hand he can. Signs every record. Takes every picture. Tonight the line to say hello spans what looks like fifty feet and keeps replenishing itself. Not a melancholy look in sight waiting to meet the sultan of sad songs.
Blackberry Smoke is playing a stripped down set with one of their members recovering from a health scare. They are a dextrous band. Clearly full of talented musicians, Blackberry Smoke can start off the night with a bro country radio hit and then drop into a psychedelic jam. Tonight feels like they got together for a pickin’ circle and the venue contributes to that vibe. Their songs make a lot of sense in this context and they are an ideal bridge between American Aquarium’s heart wrenching lyrics and Turnpike’s own brand of Americana.
The sound, coming off of American Aquarium’s burning rock n’ roll set, is dialed in for this quieter affair. There does not seem to be a bad seat in the 5,500 capacity amphitheater. It is a Florida November night. The kind where you leave the house unsure of whether to wear jeans or shorts. The slight breeze carries Blackberry Smokes tales of backroad driving into contented ears.
As we wait for Turnpike Troubadours to take the stage, that positive energy begins to swell. Regardless of whoever got each of us in the door, we are now there for one band. A band that has not been to Florida in way too long. A band that has drawn 5,500 rabid fans to this wonderful amphitheater on this gorgeous night. A band that seems poised to put a boisterous bow on this beautiful experience.
The ovation is deafening as they saunter on stage. Ear plugs have not been necessary to this point but from the first note Turnpike and their fans make it clear that is about to end. Unlike American Aquarium, Turnpike has only produced five records so if you want to hear something your wish is probably gonna come true. This has been the kind of night where most of us feel satisfied.
Turnpike Troubadours took a well-publicized break a few years ago and have only been back on the road a few short months. If there is any rust from that hiatus, it is not on display tonight. This is a boot stomping production without a throw away song or performance. The band looks like they are having as much fun as we are.
As the last note of the encore rings and we shuffle unimpeded from the venue, those smiles that were ever-present as we all started the night have grown into billboards of love.