An EVening with William Matheny at the Harvester
07.22.2022 - When a Burlapper who has “been there, done that” approached us - “Bert, where DO you find these musicians? These guys are great! Guess you gotta get ‘em on the way up before they get too expensive….”
Our Burlapper Bud was right on point, and he confirmed something that I’ve been aware of since I started consulting with Bert on the Burlap Room and Harvester a couple years back. Bert Driver is an artist magnet. There is something in his psyche and his endeavors that appeals to “real” artists – every single musician I’ve ever met through Bert Driver is exceptional. I’ve been watching him come up with musicians I’ve never heard of, and I’ve liked every performer Bert has featured at his venues...that’s an outstanding average, in view of the fact that I consider myself a “pretty picky listener”.
And, in keeping with that tradition, West Virginian William Matheny was a “way above average” find. His lyrics and music are very approachable, and I perceived William’s original songs to have soulful feels reminiscent of several great (much older than William) artists/ songwriters, ranging from the Eagles to Elvis – we talkin’ the big boyz here folks…
Some of William Matheny’s promotional material used the term, “Best songwriter you’ve never heard of”. Yep, they nailed it – this young man is going places, and we hope one of ‘em is back to Smithville, TN! Not only was new, original music being presented and well-received in our little town, another first-time arrival at the Harvester was a special “Bourbon & Bites” tasting - the first in a series of these type events that are being planned now for the Harvester. Exclusive, small batch Bourbons, and excellent charcuterie plates provided by the Harvester/Burlap Room’s “’Nawlins” connection (Trey is also the kingpin of the Burlap Room hit event, the Annual Crawfish Boil). Tio’s Taco Truck (on the road) provided the best Mexican food available in our area (as always, thanks to Tio and Family).
Up next at the Burlap Room is the Outlaw Country Review with Cody Purvis and Friends on Saturday, August 6, Middle of Somewhere Hemp Fest IV with Magnolia Boulevard on Saturday, August 20 (where all the movers and shakers in the hemp/CBD industry in our expanded region will be exhibiting their wares and sharing their expertise about the changes taking place in this exciting industry), Comedy Night at the Harvester with Headliner Caleb Elliott, Opener Marie Cecile Anderson, and Host Amber Autry, on Thursday, August 25, and Michelle Poe, Ken Taylor, and Russ Freeman at the Harvester on Saturday, August 27! Stay up-to-date with all the events in the Bert Driver Network (Nursery, Burlap Room, and the newly-opened Harvester Event Center) by signing up for our Burlapper Newsletter. All tickets for all Burlap Room and Harvester Event Center can be purchased at burlaproom.eventbrite.com. See y’all soon!
