Moments later, the imposing figure of Nick Moss emerged. Nick's a tough guy to miss. No, I'm not cracking wise about the man's weight (although he would later, during the band's first set). A former high school athlete, Moss is a mountain of a man. He strolled to the front of the stage to oversee preparations for the show and to lend a hand. He turned and looked out at the people already seated and we made eye contact. I'd never met Moss before, although I did interview him on the B-Sides Concept Album last year. My guess is he recognized me recognizing him because he took a couple steps my way. I stood up, walked to him and introduced myself. He smiled, shook my hand, and we grabbed a table closer to the stage than the one where I initially sat down.
Rather than pepper him with "journalist" questions, we chatted about his Chicago Bears. An avid sports fan, Moss says he's not worried about the team's wide receivers and is more of a Kyle Orton man as opposed to Rex Grossman. We also talked about the good fortune of Chicago's baseball teams, with the Cubs and White Sox in first place. Moss is more of a White Sox guy, but doesn't hate the Cubs (Cub fans can sometimes be a different story). It's in this context he told me a joke and a few anecdotes about some people in his inner circle. You'll have to trust me when I say the stories were good because there is no amount of coaxing that will ever get me to divulge them. We chatted a few more minutes and then Moss returned to the stage to make final preparations for the band's set.
As Moss worked, Hundt, wearing a blue, button-down Buddy Guy's Legends shirt, made his way over and introduced himself. I'd hoped to meet him because I love his solo debut Since Way Back, which I told him as we shook hands and he sat down.
We noted the weather gods were surprising and unseasonably kind. When rain is in the forecast, you better pray it actually falls because if it doesn't the drops hitting the ground will be the sweat from your brow. The only significant aspect of the stormfront present was a sustained, pleasant bridge. He noted the fan mounted atop the outdoor bar blowing a steady mist was actually doing the opposite of help. He was right. We also chatted about the band's upcoming tour plans, including those for a likely second live album from Chan's as well as a stop at a Canadian jazz festival. In addition to playing that festival as a member of the Flip Tops, Hundt will get a chance to play a solo set.
![Chicago: Live in Concert [Blu-ray] Starring Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, et al. (Nov 1, 2011)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5198vHFv5UL._AA115_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Great review on what sounds like a fine evening Josh. Sounds like your informal relationship with these guys paid some dividendes as well.
Its also nice to know that there still are a few places left In America where they won't string you up to a noose for having a smoke.
Great stuff.
-Glen
2 - Mat Brewster
great review, Josh. Sounds like an incredible night.
3 - Allen From Altanta
Nice review. Last night, June 13th, my lady and I saw Nick and the FTs at Darwin's Blues Club in Atlanta; that was after an early week trip to Chattanooga (Riverbend Fest) for an evening FT show in the heat. If you love the blues, you owe it to yourself both to see Nick, as well as listen to his recorded performances. Most are live and capture the magic he conveys on stage. Nick and the band work hard at carrying on the tradition of Chicago blues. The gig at Darwin's was absolutely incredible.
4 - Josh Hathaway
Thanks, gents. It was a fantastic evening of great music and conversation. It was an affirmation of so much of what I love about music. There are still people out there who do it well and do it for the right reasons and it was really something to behold. I haven't had that much fun in a very long time and I was uplifted by it.
Allen, so glad you got the chance to see Nick last night and up in Chattanooga. If my work schedule hadn't prevented it, I came very close to driving down to City Stages in Birmingham to see the headlining set they're doing on one of the stages this evening. This was my first Flip Tops show, it won't be my last.
5 - Joanie
Congratulations on getting up off your ass and getting out to support live blues! The reason it's so hard to get quality acts booked is for the very same reason that almost kept you home. Stay home, and the bands and the venues make no money. Go, and you run the risk of having fun.
Like you, the price of tickets kept me from attending many concerts over the years, especially once I had kids. However, the great news is that most blues bands aren't booked at big venues (unless your name is Clapton or Santana or B.B.) and the tickets are generally more affordable. This excludes any venue that's a part of the Live Nation family.
Here, I can generally catch a show for under $20. Since I try to go to many shows and have been involved with the blues society, I often receive a discount. Email me, Josh, and I share another fun little secret about affordable concert going. Can't give away my secrets to the world, can I?