Central Machine Works
Catch Jon Dee Graham!
RECEIVED Tue., April 23, 2013
Dear Editor,
If you haven't seen Austin musician Jon Dee Graham live, then you don't know what you have been missing. I just had the pleasure of seeing him in a small listening room in Newport, Ky. In his early 50s, he has likely been playing for more than three decades. He has to be one of the most down-to-earth and gracious musicians I have ever seen. It is obvious that he loves what he does for a living and truly cares for his fellow human beings. His distinct voice, incredible guitar playing, and, of course, his songwriting make him an Austin treasure. He ended the evening in a way I have never experienced at any live music performance. The small room he was playing in was beneath one of the venue's other listening rooms. The band onstage upstairs was plugged in and quite loud. Jon Dee did not whine or complain, but did admit that he just simply couldn't hear himself any longer. He decided to end his set by taking a few requests. For the last song, he actually took the small crowd out to the parking lot and played one final song in a light rain, accompanied by opening act, Austin's Mike June. What a surprising and unique end to an amazing evening of music with Jon Dee Graham. Thank you, Jon Dee! Austin, please show him some love when he is home. You certainly will never leave the show disappointed.
If you haven't seen Austin musician Jon Dee Graham live, then you don't know what you have been missing. I just had the pleasure of seeing him in a small listening room in Newport, Ky. In his early 50s, he has likely been playing for more than three decades. He has to be one of the most down-to-earth and gracious musicians I have ever seen. It is obvious that he loves what he does for a living and truly cares for his fellow human beings. His distinct voice, incredible guitar playing, and, of course, his songwriting make him an Austin treasure. He ended the evening in a way I have never experienced at any live music performance. The small room he was playing in was beneath one of the venue's other listening rooms. The band onstage upstairs was plugged in and quite loud. Jon Dee did not whine or complain, but did admit that he just simply couldn't hear himself any longer. He decided to end his set by taking a few requests. For the last song, he actually took the small crowd out to the parking lot and played one final song in a light rain, accompanied by opening act, Austin's Mike June. What a surprising and unique end to an amazing evening of music with Jon Dee Graham. Thank you, Jon Dee! Austin, please show him some love when he is home. You certainly will never leave the show disappointed.
Jon Oehler
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
[Editor’s note: Jon Dee Graham's son William Harries Graham blogs weekly for the Chronicle.]