By C. Alan Crandall/previously published at the DailyCamera.com
We headed out to see Coral Creek and the John Kadlecik Band perform at the Oriental Theater, thinking that it was a cool and interesting to have a Colorado favorite Bluegrass band warm up for the heady jams of John Kadlecik. “Wouldn’t a rock band or a Grateful Dead cover band be better as an opening act?” I thought. Well we are pleased to say we couldn’t have been more wrong.
Coral Creek’s music is described on their Facebook page as a “Rocky Mountain Bluegrass & Americana Music from the Colorado Front Range, featuring original songs by Chris Thompson, Luke Bulla & Bill McKay and unique renditions of traditional bluegrass tunes and Americana classics by The Band, Grateful Dead, Peter Rowan, Bill Monroe and more…” Coral Creek is that and more an I think they have found a winning combination.
Coral Creek at the Oriental Theater, April 27, 2016
Fronted by the guitar and vocals of Chris Thompson and featuring the vocals and keys of Bill McKay, of Leftover Salmon fame, Coral Creek had the crowd jumping from their very first note. Performing long jams like “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “Ramble On Rose” the band was a great choice and very entertaining for this concert. Bill McKay is a perfect fit for Coral Creek, his vocals and hard driving keys contribute to the sound in a way that makes you feel he has been playing with Chris, Rob and Jack for years. A special treat for the Oriental Theater shows was Nathan Peoples filling in for Luke Bulla on fiddle with his saxophone. His type of “fiddle” playing filled the room with hard driving solos that meshed with the bluegrass/ jam band sound perfectly.
We are sold, and will catch Coral Creek any chance we get, they are a solid band with a fantastic sound that will have you moving to their grove from the very first note. For more info visit www.coralcreek.net.
Our friends over at GratefulWeb.com had a chance to chat with Coral Creek, here’s a glimpse:
From touring on a yacht in the Virgin Islands, procuring a dingy to get to their gigs, and fighting storms with ‘Captain Dave, Coral Creek is spreading the good vibes of their new self-titled album. Coral Creek played Cervantes Other Side’s three year anniversary party of the Grass For That Ass Bluegrass Thursdays. Coral Creek consists of Chris Thompson on lead guitar, Bill McKay (formerly of Leftover Salmon) on keys, Rob Garland on bass, Jack Watson on drums, and filling in tonight for Luke Bulla (of Lyle Lovett Band) is Nathan Peoples on the “saxophone fiddle.” Read More…
Upcoming Coral Creek shows:
June 4th : Capitol Hill People’s Fair, Denver, CO
June 12th : Taste of Fort Collins, Fort Collins, CO
June 25th: Clear Creek Rapid Grass: Idaho Springs, CO
June 30th: Thursdays on Frist & Third: Rochester, MN
July 8th : Summer of Love Fest, Kent, UK
July6-24: UK Tour
July 29th: the BEACH: Buena Vista, CO
Aug 3rd: Beaver Creek Resort: Avon, CO
Aug 5th: Parfet Park: Golden, CO
Aug 19th: Yarmony Grass: Rancho Del Rio
Sep 2nd : Four Corners Folk Festival: Pagosa Springs, CO
Check out this short grab of “Ramble On Rose” from the Oriental Theater show.
And “Dear Mr. Fantasy”
@CORAL_CREEK at the @OrientalTheater
A video posted by Rocky Mountain Jams (@rmjams) on
So as you can see, if you have the opportunity, you should catch a Coral Creek show!