- T. Ballard Lesemann
Music Editor
Elegantly slobby Charlestonian, recently back after 16 years in Athens, Georgia. I remember the Killer Whales, the old Sonny Goldberg ads on TV, the "Happy Rain" kids show, and the Slip-Slidin' waterslide in Mt. P. I find high-quality beer, obscure rock records, and strong coffee irresistible. I edit and write for the City Paper's music section and play drums and make noise for fun.
Author Archives: T. Ballard Lesemann
The Boss at the Coliseum, 8/16
June 20, 2008 – 8:10 pm
Calling it one of the biggest concerts to ever be held in the venue, management at the North Charleston Coliseum announced Friday that veteran rocker Bruce Springsteen — “The Boss” himself — and the E Street Band are solid for Sat. Aug. 16.
Springsteen, 58, has been writing music and making albums since the early ’70s. […]
Charleston Music Hall to host Al Green, Bryan Adams
June 18, 2008 – 4:50 pm
Two big shows for the Charleston Music Hall were announced this week.
Canadian-born veteran rocker Bryan Adams — the blonde heartthrob with the raspy voice best known for such hits as “Cuts Like a Knife,” “Run to You,” “Heaven,” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” — steers his special acoustic solo tour to […]
Live Review: Pearl Jam in Columbia, 6/16
June 18, 2008 – 3:00 pm
(from City Paper contributor Caitlin Baker):
Pearl Jam rocks The Colonial Center
“Well, it’s been over a decade since we’ve played in this state. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.” Vocalist Eddie Vedder has it right. The last time Pearl Jam played in our state’s capital was 1996. The show on Monday at the […]
Shakedown on the horizon, 6/21
June 18, 2008 – 2:30 pm
One of our homeboys has a busy weekend ahead of him, In addition to his weekly writing duties, longtime City Paper staff writer Stratton Lawrence (pictured at left with his band) will present a 13-band local music showcase called “Summer Shakedown at the Local Dive” at the Pour House on Sat. June 21. Last December, […]
I Want My Dollar Back
June 16, 2008 – 1:48 pm
I want my dollar back.
Hungry and in a slight hurry, I dropped by the East Bay Deli (334 E. Bay Street, 843-723-1234) today shortly after 1 p.m. for a late-lunch-rush take-out order of their New York Yankee — a triple decker pastrami and corned beef with swiss on rye. The place was pretty full, but […]
Live Review: Rilo Kiley @ Music Farm, 6/12
June 13, 2008 – 11:51 am
(from City Paper contributor Susan Cohen):
Rilo Kiley: Jenny, You’re Much More Than Barely Alive
I went through a Saddle Creek phase in high school and I still have a collection of t-shirts to prove it. When I was 15/16, the music and emotions of Bright Eyes, Desaparecidos, and Cursive satisfied my post-pubescent angst. Rilo Kiley was […]
Local documentary Bin Yah’s TV premiere, 6/12
June 12, 2008 – 11:16 am
Bin - [Orig: Gullah, for “been”], to occupy a position, exist, live
Yah - [Orig: Gullah for “here”], in this spot, locality
Local film organization ChasDOC’s first feature-length documentary — Bin Yah: There’s No Place Like Home — makes its television premieres tonight at 10 p.m. on ETV as part of SCETV’s “Southern Lens” series. The […]
ZZ Top at the PAC, Billy G’s still got it
June 9, 2008 – 11:59 am
Hot licks, great tone, heavy riffs, and those raspy and soulful vocals … guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard of ZZ Top made it look easy last night (Sunday, June 8th) in front of loud packed-house at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Approaching their 40th year as a trio, they […]
Millennium Music Farewell Party Lineup, 6/7
June 7, 2008 – 7:29 am
Longtime downtown record store Millennium Music will shut its doors today (Sat. June 7) after 15 years in business. The staff plan to throw a Farewell Party at the store (ay King and Calhoun streets) from 2-8 p.m. with free food and beverages from Sesame Burgers & Beer, plus live jams from several local bands […]
Wachovia Jazz: Hemingway on meterings, stickings, and sounds
June 6, 2008 – 10:56 am
Gerry Hemingway — an inventive veteran of percussion — performs a solo program of original compositions and improvisation at the Simons Center at 6 p.m. this evening (Fri. June 6) as part of Spoleto’s Wachovia Jazz Series.
“When I came to jazz, my whole perspective shifted,” he told City Paper from his temporary digs at the […]
