Billy Buchanan & Free Ave. brings end to 20th annual Rhythm & Ribs
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Published by Sareth Ney on April 13, 2015 at 3:11 p.m.
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Photo Credit: Wu-Man Chu.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.—Billy Buchanan & Free Ave headlined the last day of the 20th annual Rhythm & Ribs festival, on April 12. The Rivernecks and The Committee were the opening acts and Xhale was the direct support.
Billy Buchanan provided vocals and played the bass, Hector Vazquez played the drums, Clay Benjamin and Bruce Carder strummed the electric guitar, Fidele Ishimwe tickled the keyboard for Billy Buchanan & Freedom Ave.’s performance.
Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”/Sly & The Family Stone’s "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and “Everyday People” medley kicked off Billy Buchanan and Free Ave’s performance. During “Everyday People”—Buchanan clapped his hands above his head, the spectators followed suit and he encouraged everyone to keep it going.
After performing Otis Redding’s “Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay” and Sam Cooke’s “Bring It Home To Me”—Buchanan mentioned the song, “Sam & Otis”, was an original song he wrote. He said he was paying homage to them because they were his heroes. He stated it could be heard on his album, how it could be purchased via the merchandise booth or a lady walking around with a black umbrella. As they performed the song, more folks occupied the general admission area and danced in the rain.
Prince’s “Purple Rain” brought an end to Billy Buchanan & Freedom Ave’s concert. Prior to the song, Buchanan stated it was the first song he learned to play on the guitar and how it was a true story. During the choruses, Ishimwe assisted him on backup vocals. Benjamin performed a guitar solo. As he did so—he played the lower strings, closest to the head of the guitar and he projected high notes. He walked over to Carder and they faced each other, as they played. After the song ended, Buchanan reintroduced the band and looked forward to seeing them next time. Then, he jumped off stage, into the photo pit and gave one of his fans a handshake and a hug.
Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music”, Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours”, Temptations “The Way You Do the Things You Do, “Sho Ya Right”, Prince’s “Kiss”, Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti”/Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog”, Chuck Berry’s Riding Along In My Automobile”/Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”/Sade’s “The Sweetest Taboo”, “The Music Man” and The Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Runnin’” were also a part of Billy Buchanan & Free Ave’s set.
Billy Buchanan provided vocals and played the bass, Hector Vazquez played the drums, Clay Benjamin and Bruce Carder strummed the electric guitar, Fidele Ishimwe tickled the keyboard for Billy Buchanan & Freedom Ave.’s performance.
Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”/Sly & The Family Stone’s "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and “Everyday People” medley kicked off Billy Buchanan and Free Ave’s performance. During “Everyday People”—Buchanan clapped his hands above his head, the spectators followed suit and he encouraged everyone to keep it going.
After performing Otis Redding’s “Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay” and Sam Cooke’s “Bring It Home To Me”—Buchanan mentioned the song, “Sam & Otis”, was an original song he wrote. He said he was paying homage to them because they were his heroes. He stated it could be heard on his album, how it could be purchased via the merchandise booth or a lady walking around with a black umbrella. As they performed the song, more folks occupied the general admission area and danced in the rain.
Prince’s “Purple Rain” brought an end to Billy Buchanan & Freedom Ave’s concert. Prior to the song, Buchanan stated it was the first song he learned to play on the guitar and how it was a true story. During the choruses, Ishimwe assisted him on backup vocals. Benjamin performed a guitar solo. As he did so—he played the lower strings, closest to the head of the guitar and he projected high notes. He walked over to Carder and they faced each other, as they played. After the song ended, Buchanan reintroduced the band and looked forward to seeing them next time. Then, he jumped off stage, into the photo pit and gave one of his fans a handshake and a hug.
Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music”, Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours”, Temptations “The Way You Do the Things You Do, “Sho Ya Right”, Prince’s “Kiss”, Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti”/Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog”, Chuck Berry’s Riding Along In My Automobile”/Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine”/Sade’s “The Sweetest Taboo”, “The Music Man” and The Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Runnin’” were also a part of Billy Buchanan & Free Ave’s set.
about the author
Sareth Ney is a concert journalist for the Wu-Man Chu Chronicles. It is a division of A Quarter and Dream Pictures. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and Center for New Media from Colorado State University-Pueblo. After graduating—he continued his four year apprenticeship with master of horror, Clive Barker. In California, he met members of the Wu-Tang Clan. He became the journalist/superhero, Wu-Man Chu. He inducts everyone into his hall of fame, “Supreme Clientele”. His goal is to write 150 articles in select time zones. He is the founder and co-host of No Cover Podcast.