Tonight at the Ryman

James Blunt plays tonight at the Ryman, a small (capacity 2362) and superbly built hall. Tickets were sold out before I had a chance to purchase. Over the weeks I checked back frequently to no avail. What I lack in talent I make up for in persistence. Less than 24 hours before the event a single ticket became available online. I purchased it. This will be my first concert and I couldn't be more excited it will be at the famed Ryman.

Click link for my similar tribute to High

Update: Review

I touched passion tonight in a way rare enough to remind one how precious it is. From the moment Blunt came on stage, there was a look in his eye, a bounce in his step, simply a certain way he carried himself, his guitar and his lyrics that spoke a language seldom heard. Blunt doesn't sing as much as he embodies, personifies, or manifests his music. One senses no separation between his music and himself and one also senses there is no other place he would rather be than on that stage singing those songs.

The band also introduced several new songs, which continue to touch and move one in their sincere integrity. Again, one loses sense of where the song ends or James begins. I have a strong feeling his fans will continue their bluntfest with the new material.

Unexpected highlight of the night, without a doubt since I had not heard it sung before, James' rendition of I Really Want You. Oh how I wish this one was on the DVD. For those that are familiar with the song and familiar with James singing it, imagine being at his concert, never having heard him sing it, and then-BAM-there it is--a moment where my mind began to swim in timelessness. How does one put such an experience in words?

In fitting tribute, the evening was capped off with You're Beautiful. I've listened to every recorded version and watched the DVD (Chasing Time: The Bedlam Sessions) more times than I care to admit--let's just say my play count on this song is in three digits. Yet, tonight, to end the concert, I don't believe I've heard it sung better. Then again, when the entire audience sings along, there is a certain power and energy that has a tendency to move one. I was moved.

Thanks James for adding Nashville to your Tour. So Long, Jimmy. And you will be missed. See you at the bar.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 10, 2006) – Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium will vie for its third consecutive win in the Theatre of the Year category at this week’s Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. Several Ryman staff members will attend the awards ceremony held February 15 at The Theatre at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

“Just being nominated for this award is an honor for us,” emphasizes Ryman General Manager, Pam Matthews, “Only six venues in the entire country were nominated, and we are very pleased to again be recognized in this way and to be in such impressive company. If we win the award for a third consecutive year, we will of course be thrilled, but the nomination alone is high praise indeed.”

The nominations and awards are voted on by members of the Concert Industry Consortium (CIC), an organization comprised of concert touring professionals and executives from major booking agencies, concert promotion, facility management and record companies. The Pollstar awards are regarded as the most prestigious in the industry. The list of nominees in this category includes the famed Radio City Music Hall, the Gibson (formerly Universal) Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, and the all-new 6,350 seat NOKIA Theatre Grand Prairie. If the Ryman were to win its third consecutive Theatre of the Year award, Pollstar regulations dictate that the venue would have to remove itself from consideration for the following year.