Being the opening act for a headliner is more often than not a thankless job. I've often sat through shows where the entire performance was booed by the audience. Maybe sometime I'll tell you the story two-time Tony Award-winning actor Nathan Lane once shared with me about his experience as the opening act for country singer Eddie Rabbit at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma back in 1983.
Let's just say that when he finished sharing his sad tale, I immediately apologized on behalf of an audience filled some assholes that I'm sure I actually knew. I know what you're thinking because I thought the same thing: Eddie Rabbit's opening act was Nathan Lane?
Talk about a totally random pairing, huh?
Talk about a totally random pairing, huh?
Anyway, I'm posting about it today because I caught the first of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings three sold-out shows at The Fillmore Auditorium last Thursday evening and let's just say Valerie Jones' experience as an opening act couldn't have been more different than Mr. Lane's. I found her mix of bluegrass, funk, R&B and rock to be absolutely brilliant.
Seriously, she had the audience in her hands.
Seriously, she had the audience in her hands.
Although there isn't an official video for her song Wanna Be On Your Mind, I still invite you to sit a spell and enjoy my personal favorite from her 2013 debut album Pushing Against A Stone.
