Feature photo by Kerstie Wolaver
Story by Kerstie Wolaver
Nashville’s Lower Broadway lit up Wednesday afternoon when Old Crow Medicine Show took the stage at Robert’s Western World to play a pop-up show during the 25th anniversary of the Americana Music Association.
The band gathered in the crowded bar room to commemorate 25 years of Americana, Broadway institution Robert’s and the band itself. The show also marked a celebration of the band’s 2023 album “Jubilee.”
As a seasoned string band, Old Crow is all too familiar with playing bars and honky tonks like those on Lower Broadway.
“I remember when we used to play out on that street corner,” lead singer Ketch Secor said.
The Virginia-born but Nashville-based group seemed pleased to pick through a 45-minute set for a group of rowdy fans. Stopping between songs to rally an already noisy crowd, the vintage-sounding band didn’t hesitate to remind the crowd to celebrate the weekend or the price of beer — 25 cents for a Pabst Blue Ribbon.
“How we feelin’ out there, Robert’s?” Secor asked with a grin.
With two acoustic guitars, a fiddle, a banjo and a stand-up bass, the group brought the crowd from stillness to a boot-stomping frenzy. The playlist included early favorites like “Raise a Ruckus” from their 2004 self-titled album and crowd-pleasing tunes like “Sally Anne” from 2008’s “Live.”
Children dancing on tables and sitting on their parents’ shoulders aren’t part of a typical Broadway bar crowd, but the scene proved Old Crow’s reputation as band fans of all ages can agree on.
With backs to the street and a collage of country music memorabilia behind them, the cowboy hat-topped group deftly played through their short set, ending with the fan favorite, “Wagon Wheel.” As expected, the entire room sang along.
Kerstie Wolaver is a reporter for MTSU Sidelines.
To contact the Lifestyles Editor, email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com.
For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, and follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on X and Instagram at @mtsusidelines. Also, sign up for our weekly newsletter here.
