Bert’s on Thursdays with Isaac Cole
12.15.2022 - The final Bert’s on Thursdays at the Burlap Room 2022 occurred just as that old north wind was beginning to remind us what’s in store for us during next week leading up to Christmas...an unusual number of Burlappers hanging out by the firepits, but not due to that nippy little wind - everyone was inside the “holiday all aglow” cozy confines of the Burlap Room Taphouse to watch and hear Isaac Cole perform - an excellent young songwriter/artist who was referred to us by one of our regular music-lovin’ Burlappers.
I’m constantly amazed at whatever the energy force is that connects Bert Driver to all these excellent musicians who appear at the Burlap Room and Harvester, but I assure you, the consistent quality of musical entertainers is not the “normal scenario” in the entertainment venue biz. I’ve been there, done that, and got the vaccination! So far, in my experience with our venues, not one “clunker”–amazing!
Isaac Cole is another in a growing group of musician/artists/performers that is a “cut above” the norm, and he and his entourage were knocked out at the uniqueness of the Bert Driver’s Burlap Room vibe. At 22 yrs old, Isaac has already had a ton of professional experience, and it shows…from a regular gig at Dollywood to making the one of the top cuts on American Idol, he possesses the confidence to be able to walk in late to his first appearance at the Burlap Room (traffic jam on the interstate), and within ten minutes was off into his set which immediately captivated everyone in the room (and even had the diehard firepit devotees moving inside).
Original songs written and performed by Issac absolutely captivated the audience - the lyrics, the ability to write smart, thoughtful country songs. From murder ballad “Cane and Able’s Cove” that chilled us to the bone and the witness spirtual that melted our heart and soul with a stirring rendition of Larry Fleet’s Where I Find God. Issac also pulled out a Christmas song about a truck driver trying to make it home that he wrote on December 14, 2022... yes, the day before he showed up in Smithville. It just about made me cry. This boy can play the guitar well so he is a triple threat - song writer, guitar player and singer. We even threw him a curve ball…a deep track request for a Charlie Daniel Band song called Wooley Swamp – within thirty seconds Issac flipped the switch and nailed it - dialed in talent. Confident and Sharp with wonderful diction. I say to all of you go out and find this artist and give him a listen. You will not be disappointed.
One of the most pleasant surprises in our line of work is to book a new artist we’re not that familiar with, and have them walk in and fit our vibe perfectly, and even exceed our expectations to bring the best live music available to our patrons. That’s exactly what happened Thursday night with Isaac Cole! Thanks for coming to hang with us Issac.
And now it’s time dig around in the storage room and drag out that tacky sweater you never had the nerve to wear to any function EXCEPT to our Tacky Sweater Dance Party (with special guest DJ ROB) coming up on THIS Friday, 12/16 – Heck, you might even win the “Tackiest Sweater” grand prize (tbd)...AND, it’s the Harvester’s very first Ladie’s Night – All Ladies = NO cover!
If you want, you can even wear that same tacky sweater to the special Christmas Eve Eve concert scheduled for the Harvester on Friday, 12/23 featuring Jon Wayne Hatfield, in what will be your last chance to party at the Harvester in 2022!
Stay up-to-date with all the events in the Bert Driver Network (Nursery, Burlap Room, and the Harvester Event Center) by signing up for our Burlapper Newsletter - our next edition will have our first shows of 2023, including the return of Comedy Night, and a special Spring Formal Benefit Event at the Harvester! All tickets for all Burlap Room and Harvester Event Center can be purchased at burlaproom.eventbrite.com.
Stay tuned! I wanna ‘hippie’potamus for Christmas!
📸 Burlap Room staff & Matthew Antoniak
