LEON RUSSELL

 

Nathan P. Murrphy's

Springfield, Mo
 

 
Being invited to open for one of  Leon Russell's shows was a real honor!  I grew up with his songs and have always respected him as an incredible songwriter.   The situation came about after playing a few shows at Nathan P. Murphy's in Springfield, MO.  The owner of the club, Dr. Bob Martin, asked me if I would come up and do the gig and of course I said yes!  Dr. Bob has a weekly radio show called "Dr. Bob's Blues Show" every Sunday morning from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on KKLH - 104.7.  He and his sidekick Wanda have always been very gracious to the band (love those home-cooked meals) and they've always bent over backwards to help promote original artists and their music.  Each time I've played at Murphy's I have always been received with open arms and the fans in Springfield are awesome!

I opened the show with tunes from the "Three Wishes" album.  Leon came on afterwards and he and his band rocked the house!  He played a lot of his old classic hits such as "Tightwire" but also incorporated some of his newer material.  The place was packed, I was mesmerized and it was a fantastic evening!!

After the show I managed to get him to sign my guitar case (I'll never wash it again...hehe).  Dr. Bob, myself and the rest of the many fans saw him off on the tour bus.

Leon Russell has been such a phenomenal talent for so many years.  Being a songwriter myself, I feel so deeply blessed to have experienced one of his shows let alone to actually open up for one....thanks Bob for a great experience!

I think I was too engrossed in the moment to get a bunch of photos.  However, I've included a few from the show and some other shots taken from various shows at Nathan P.Murphy's. 

 

 

PHOTOS