This may be non-Knox like but thought I would share a good experience this weekend on trip to Nashville. Maybe someone will bring this band to Knoxville. If they do I will be there.

While visiting family they and one of their friends decided they wanted to go see Johnny Neel and Criminal Element at posh Norm's River Roadhouse. I had never heard of him, but I am not the most musical person in the world.

I was told he had played with the Allman Brothers and was an outstanding keyboard player. Mostly I just wanted to go drink a few beverages and see something new.

After trying my new Garmin GPS out for Norm's and getting nada we reverted to Mapquest. As we drove to what I think was the western area of Davidson County we were becoming convinced we may have typed in the wrong address, maybe even state. It reminded me a bit of out in the boonies Cocke County. I didnt know Davidson County had that much undeveloped area. After the typical, lets drive a little farther before we turn around, conversation, just ahead on the right we see our destination, Norm's. It's dark, very cold
and the parking lot inventory made Lumpy Lambert's car lot look like a BMW dealership.

We made the 'they like both kinds of music, country and western' comments, etc.

So we go in and wonder, where is the band? Add in the blast to the face of cigarette smoke and we think maybe we read something wrong in paper. Just folks nursing beers and talking about Hemmies, nascar, prices going up, their new glass eye, etc.

Then someone asked if we were there for the music. We said yes, Johnny Neel. They directed us to a narrow stairway down to the lower level. We make our way down to a room with a bar with 8 stools or so. The rest is tables in a room that might generate a call to fire marshall if over 30 people there.

The only seats available are table up front about 6 feet from the 6 inch tall stage. The drummer, bass, and guitar player are tuning up. Checking the sound. Norm the proprietor is in behind the bar making adjustments. Norm is a big guy with a booming voice to match. We order our beverages from a waitress that looks like she grew up in West Hills.

Things are pretty casual and the feeling is relaxed. Waitress was pleasant, folks around us friendly, the folks that directed us downstairs were helpful.

Then a lady helps Johnny Neel pick his way to stage and behind keyboard. Johnny lightens the mood with some humor including a fart joke. The guys in his band are young enough to be his kids. Probably around 25 to 30 years old.

Johnny does some sound checking with Norm then, bang the music starts. Its pretty apparent from the beginning these guys can play. My comrades have their own band and are impressed with the musicianship
from the start.

They seem to be playing original music and did an outstanding job. As the night goes on one of our group in the band leans over and say this is one of the perks of Nashville. To come to place in middle of nowhere, for a band you never heard of and see this level of music.

About halfway thru a lady named Kate came up front and pulled out her 5 string electric violin. She had just met the band a few days before at a party and jammed with them and they invited her to come play. She had been in Nashville one week.

She played more with them after intermission. Really added a nice extra sound to a couple songs.

During the intermission the band was pretty friendly, talking to folks, enjoying being there and making music. The other patrons were nice folks and Norm and the wait staff were friendly and relaxed.

Johnny talked to one of my friends for awhile. Just a good ole guy.

Just about anything, musical, sports, etc is better in a smaller up close to the action. Norm's venue might mislead you at first, but it filled the bill last weekend.

So if you get a chance to go listen to Johnny Neel and Criminal Element you should check them out. If you see someone you might like to hear playing at Norm's River Roadhouse, go on in. You will probably be glad you did.