Call it Country Fuzz, call it Southern Country Rock, call it whatever you want, the bottom line is that The Cadillac Three are loud, tight, and they're on a roll.
With the recent release of their latest album, Legacy, these Nashville boys have doubled down on the connection to their fans, their catalogue of songs, and the dedication with which they go about their business.
We had the chance to see The Cadillac Three open for Dallas Smith on the Side Effects Tour in Oshawa, ON - and then got to catch up with Jaren, Kelby, and Neil in Toronto at Boots & Bourbon Saloon before they played an intimate show for some very dedicated and enthusiastic fans on a Thursday night in the city.
We'll get to the live performance stuff in a minute... but while we had the guys in the booth at the bar, we took the chance to ask them about the music, memories, covers, and we even got a new answer to a question we've asked many times before.
One question we asked, for no reason other than curiosity, was this - Cold Beer of Good Whiskey? The response, overwhelmingly, from the entire band, was both. We even got reminded that we have two hands.
When we asked about the response to Legacy so far, all three members of the band told us that things have been great so far. They've heard good things from fans and the industry. And while they did the same worrying that many artists do when it's time to release new music (will anyone like it, is it any good, are there any hits, etc.), the guys told us that this is the record that they really wanted to make. They believe in it, and they like it, and that's a big win. As an added bonus, at shows like the Canadian dates they've played on this run with Dallas Smith, they've been able to see the crowd singing along to the new tracks just like they do on their earlier favourites. That singing along brings us to that new answer to an old question.
We've asked a lot of artist to try to explain what's it's like to hear the crowd sing along to your songs... and we've had a lot of artists have a hard time answering. However, The Cadillac Three were ready, and told us almost immediately that it makes them feel like they must be doing something right. And whether it's because everyone digs a song, or is drunk and can't help themselves, it doesn't matter, it's still cool to hear.
While we were on the topic of fans and reactions, we asked what it was like for three guys from Tennessee to have fans all over the world, and to know that they can travel thousands of miles away, or even cross an ocean to the UK, and have a crowd excited to see them. With genuine affection in their voices, TC3 told us that they never expected the kind of love that they now get in England and Germany... but they hoped for it. And just like in the States years ago, it started in small clubs in London, and has grown to headlining tours now. In fact, The Cadillac Three are getting set to start a run of 16 dates in 20 days in Europe, with stops in the UK and Germany, as well as Ireland, France, and the Netherlands.
Note: Brothers Osborne are making the trip over to play with The Cadillac Three on some of those dates... which is going to make for an awesome show.
We asked Jaren real quick about being a new dad on the road, and while he did admit that it's hard, he told us that me makes a lot of calls and facetime chats with both his wife and their baby boy to stay connected and make it work. He had actually just gotten off the phone with them a few minutes before we sat down. More than anything, it was freaking adorable to see his face light up when talking about his little dude at home.
When The Cadillac Three hit the stage in Oshawa on the Side Effects Tour we watched as everyone in the floor seats stood up and got into the party. And even on the big stage, the band seemed to be able to find a way to connect with the crowd in the arena, which made for a great atmosphere. Then, on Thursday night when we saw them climb up on the small stage in Toronto, with fans pressed right up against the edge and only a small chicken wire fence separating Jaren from the front row, they connected immediately and held onto it from the first note of Cadillacin' to the very end of The South.
There is no denying that these boys have earned their space on big stages in big rooms, and to have their names at the top of the marquee on tours across Europe and at home. BUT, with all that said, I would choose to see them play a long, loud, sweaty set of their country fuzz in a small club 10 times out of 10. It was awesome. It won't happen much in the future the way this band's following and brand are growing, and we were fortunate to be there to see it.
There were boots stompin', hands clappin', drinks spillin', and a whole lot of good timin' going on in Toronto while The Cadillac Three rolled through their 10 song set. The beat from Neil's drums thumped in the room, and the sweet combination of Jaren's electric and Kelby's lap steel guitars roared and rattled from start to finish. It was everything we've come to expect from TC3 live, and from the reactions of the fans in the bar and the looks on their faces, nobody went home disappointed on Thursday night.
Big thanks to Jaren, Kelby and Neil for hanging out with us at Boots & Bourbon Saloon before the show, and an extra high five to Kelby for stopping over to talk a little NFL football before the boys hit the road. We won't get into too many details, but we definitely talked about the Music City Miracle - 1999, Bills vs Titans in the AFC Wild Card playoff game. He remembers it fondly, sorry Bills fans.
The Cadillac Three Setlist, October 26, 2017 - Toronto
✰ Cadillacin'
✰ Slide
✰ Tennessee Mojo
✰ Take Me To The Bottom
✰ American Slang
✰ Hank & Jesus
✰ Tennessee
✰ Dang If We Didn't
✰ White Lightning
✰ The South
