Last year, there was not a July show because of the heat. This year, I'm glad that I chose not to skip the month. Jack Williams rolled into town in his van to play a show I'd wanted to book since I'd met him at Folk Alliance in February, 2001.

This fortuitous night also featured the Meeting Grace debut of Jim Earp. Though a first-timer at Meeting Grace, Earp is a longtime veteran of the music scene. An astounding guitarist, Earp gifted the crowd with original compositions such as "The Twins" as well as surprising covers like The Police's "Walking on the Moon" and an Eve Selis tune, "Nothing Without You." Even given the short set, Earp won the crowd over easily and became another favorite.

On a side note, Meeting Grace can be animal-friendly and joining us for the Jack Williams performance was my favorite chihuahua, Peanut, owned by a loyal house concert attendee, Cathy Grawin. :-)

Jack Williams stormed on the scene, giving us that low, booming voice and scattered his performance with many stories of his native South Carolina and tales from his many years on the road. With songs from his records, "Across the Winterline," "Old Jack White" and "Coyote (Songdog)" among others, Williams gave shape to his stories and told truths only found on the highways of America.

In honor of our favorite community restaurant and generous donater or food, the Big Kitchen, Williams performed a new song dedicated to Judy the Beauty and all the characters that find some grub and company there. In a stunning display of guitar-picking and improv, Williams brought the house down with his free-form last tune "Love My Music and a Woman That's All" sprinkled with bits of "Me & Julio Down By the Schoolyard," "Tupelo Honey" and "That's Alright, Mama."

It isn't just Jack's music that draws people, fans and admirers to him, it is the stories he tells with such familiarity, such intimacy, such trust. he hands us his tales and seems to understand that we will take good care of them. And we will.

See photos from the show!