It's surreal when a band you've been listening to for 7 years--that you usually have to drive 2 hours to see, and you think you're the only one around that has heard of them--suddenly, out of nowhere, comes to your town for an evening community concert in the downtown street. This is what happened when OTR visited Kingsport last Thursday evening for the Twilight Alive concert series. My 2nd OTR show.

First thing, Mr. Juicy behind the soundboard deserves applause. The local opening band (who freaking sucked, by the way) started late, and had terrible, terrible sound quality. My wife, who has sensitive violinist ears, had to put in her emergency ear plugs--and I thought the family's evening out might end early if the sound didn't improve. Mr. Juicy, however, made OTR sound wonderful and there was no need for the ear plugs during their set. The sound was beautiful, even though they were playing in between rows of downtown buildings. Thanks for the wonderful work behind the soundboard. Bravo Mr. J.

I'm willing to bet 2% of the audience had ever heard of OTR before the concert series was announced. I bet over half the crowd was over 65, out to support the community - as loyal Kingsport residents do. I bet 80% of the crowd was there to talk to their neighbors and drink the beer, instead of listening to the band. Again, to me (who is used to seeing shows in theatres and clubs), this was just weird.

After OTR began to play (starting with Fever), they won over at least 40% of the audience who stayed for the entire show and shut their mouths to hear the talent on stage. The rest of the geese were a lost cause -- including Beavis and Butthead sitting in front of me (who hit each other with empty plastic bottles for an hour straight--I'm not joking--they did!) and Teen Girl Squad sitting behind me (that didn't shut their mouths or cellphones until halfway through the show when they thankfully left to go home).

OTR played their hearts out and made an impression on those who listened. Neighbors and co-workers thoroughly enjoyed the performance, and I recommended CDs to the people that weren't sure what to buy.

I didn't make setlist notes, but here's a rough guess (I think I'm missing something)

Fever
Long Lost Brother
Anything At All
I'm On A Roll
I Don't Want to Waste Your Time
new song I don't know the name of
new song, more gritty than the previous song--the crowd loved it, and the neo-hippies danced to this one
Last Night on Earth Again
Firefly
Ohio
Orphan Girl


Thanks to the band for a wonderful evening of music, and thanks for coming to Kingsport, TN. Sorry I couldn't stay and say hello after the show, but the family was hurrying to get home. I hope to see you guys play again soon.

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What a cool review - Thanks for that

Thanks.

I just realized there was a goof though. I meant to say "less than 2% had ever heard of OTR..."

Thanks for the review Art....

Here's hoping that they come to my town someday soon....or at least within a 4-hour striking distance

Cheers.