Mickey Raphael Welcomes Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Billy F. Gibbons, Margo Price, T Bone Burnett and More for Debut Headline Concert at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
This week I was a part of something very special. I didn’t know how special ahead of time, but during it started setting in and by the end I realized that I might have seen music history. It was a lineup that might not ever happen again, and I was there to witness this amalgamation of super talented musicians. They had graced the stage one by one and then all together at the end. They had gathered in support of their friend Mickey Raphael. So, who was in this phenomenal billing? And, who the heck is Mickey Raphael?
Mickey Raphael is a harmonica player best known for his signature sound that has been a key element of Willie Nelson and Family since 1973. Born in Texas, Raphael has had an illustrious career that spans several decades. He is an absolute legend in music, and Bob Dylan refers to him as a “harmonica virtuoso”. However, you may not have heard of Mickey because he is not the headliner. He lends to the music; he bends with the music, and he transcends the music to another level. He has played with so many legendary artists and has appeared on a plethora of records over the last 50 years, but now he is stepping out to curate his own thing.
This show was his first ever headlining concert and featured The Honchos (Chris Stapleton band) as his backing band. It was also an onslaught of special guests. Raphael was accompanied by artists including Chris Stapleton (not on the original bill), Jason Isbell, ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons, Margo Price, Amos Lee, Waylon Payne, multi-instrumentalist Bill Evans, award-winning performer and producer T Bone Burnett and Shelby Lynne. The star-studded attraction performed a two-dozen song live set that had audience members jaws dropping to the floor. It was insane to say the very least. Tickets were fairly inexpensive considering this unique format and multitude of talented performers. Thankfully, I was gifted these by my bestest of friends Andrea. Proceeds from the event benefitted Outlaw State of Kind, Chris and Morgane Stapleton’s charitable fund, which helps various causes.
Raphael read a career-predicting note, to start the show, that he pulled from his pocket. It was from his kindergarten report card, “Mickey is an important part of the group who plays well with others,” wrote his teacher.
Then the night began. The Honchos features bassist J.T. Cure, guitarist Mike Eli LoPinto, pedal steel player Paul Franklin, drummer Derek Mixon and keyboardist Lee Pardini, formerly of Dawes. With them as the constant, a phenomenal night ensued with guest after guest, singing hit after hit and I stood wide eyed, trying to slow my heart and my mind so that I might relay the message of what I was seeing to the masses. A host of Hall of Fame musicians and their peers formulating a brilliantly gorgeous ensemble right before us.
Together, Raphael and his dream team delivered a 25-song set lined with singalong covers and ripping jams that amounted to an immersive account of country rock’s past, present and future. After introductions and a warm reception by the Nashville, Tenn. crowd, Raphael kicked off his performance with a salute to his near-lifelong musical relationship with Willie Nelson, inviting singer-songwriter Waylon Payne to the stage for “Whiskey River”. Former Miles Davis band saxophonist Bill Evans joined in next for the red-hot soul stomp of “Compared to What,” trading solos back and forth with Raphael and playing through to “Coming Home.”
Grammy-winning Americana staple Shelby Lynne hopped on the stage for her own “Gotta Get Back” and Nelson’s “Night Life,” priming the audience for Jason Isbell’s arrival. The 400 Unit bandleader and Nashville institution kept the Willie cuts coming with “Pancho & Lefty,” then presented his recent fan-favorite “Strawberry Woman.” The packed house came to a roar as Raphael introduced legendary ZZ Top guitarist Billy F. Gibbons onto the stage. Gibbons let loose heavy-hitting blues for a cover of B.B. King’s “Caledonia” and “Baby Please Don’t Go,” then brought the house down with flaming solos on the ZZ Top classic “Gimme All Your Loving.”
When it seemed Raphael’s headline debut couldn’t be any more memorable, the new bandleader tapped his final guest of the evening. Chris Stapleton sauntered onstage to join his crew and, after a pause for applause, poured his soul into a deeply emotional version of “Georgia On My Mind,” followed by his trademark “Outlaw State of Mind.” The packed house never had a chance to settle before all the evening’s artists appeared again for a massive collective finale, welcoming the crowd to cheer along to the fitting conclusion of “On the Road Again.” I couldn’t get over the fact that i was here. Would this lineup ever happen again? Could it? Will Mickey Raphael even attempt to recreate the glory of this bill or will he go forth with a new lineup for another show. Afterall, he has virtually played with everyone.
This Raphael headed and long-awaited moment began with a pitch from Brooklyn Bowl owner and Relix publisher Peter Shapiro. It seemed an unexpected career shift that Raphael eventually embraced after some consideration. “I had no ambition to do this,” the musician told The Tennessean, “but over time, it occurred to me that if I didn’t try it once, I’d end up on my deathbed wondering why I never took the gig.” We are beyond grateful that he took the chance and we are ready for more shows like this in 2025.
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