It’s a rare event when Radio Company, the band that consists of musician Steve Carlson and actor Jensen Ackles (he would dispute it if I called him a musician, even though….), does a live show. I was fortunate to be at their first two years ago in Nashville, which was amazing. So I felt extra lucky to be at their second live show, this time in Austin at Sagebrush. It was another amazing show, just as joyous as the first, but also completely different.
Sagebrush is an Austin music institution. It’s not fancy – it’s a Texas dance hall with wood floors that you can stomp on and pool tables and colorful lights strung around the place for some ambience. The stage was very low and the dance floor pretty much right at the foot of it, so once the place started to fill up, the people who were able to both stand for hours and endure the heat and stood up front were literally at Steve and Jensen’s feet.
(Sagebrush photos by @waywrdaughter67)
Ten years ago, I would’ve probably been one of those people crowded up front, but that isn’t possible anymore. I had a bit of a saga with the management beforehand about how they would provide accommodations to people who needed them, got conflicting advice, and finally just gave up. The venue did end up having a table off to the far right with chairs so I sat there with others who couldn’t stand for a long time, but unfortunately the rest is standing room only so that meant we couldn’t actually see anything at all other than the occasional glimpse of a singing head onstage.
I’m fortunate to be able to stand up for short periods of time, so even though I was far away I was able to see the bands (well, their heads) at least for a bit when standing. It was approximately 8000 degrees inside so standing was extra hard, however. Those of us in the seats all passed around those little portable fans that look like something else and wrapped paper towels soaked in water around our necks and several friends were lovely enough to bring me cold club sodas with lime, but it was … challenging.
That’s not to say I didn’t have a great time. I most definitely did.
Before I was a passionate Supernatural fan, I was a passionate music fan of a couple of bands who I saw live many times, often happily crushed up against the stage. I love live music, it’s one of my favorite things. There are few things more joyous than singing along with a crowd of people who all love the music and the band playing.
I love Louden Swain, alot.
And I love Radio Company, alot. I’ve been a fan of Steve Carlson’s music since the year I discovered it, back in 2007 – the same time I fell head over heels in love with Supernatural. And now that he’s teamed up with Jensen – I mean, who doesn’t love Jensen singing?? I was blown away the first time I witnessed him turn into a rockstar in front of our astonished eyes at that long ago Vegas con, and he continues to evolve as a performer.
Sidebar: Long ago, even before that night in Vegas, I was part of a group of twenty people who got to hear Jensen and Steve play some songs for us at (I think) the first Nashville convention. He was nervous, although it was the most receptive audience ever and they actually sounded amazing. Later that day I was in the green room and he came over to ask me to tell him honestly how he was, was he any good? I think I convinced him that a) he was great and b) he should do that more often.
I’m really glad he eventually believed it.
So while I considered saying nope and leaving to find some AC, once the music started, I was captivated enough to put my discomfort aside for the most part (and privileged to be physically able to do so at least for a limited time). Swain was amazing as always, and then there was a huge cheer as Jensen and Steve and their awesome back-up band took the stage.
Apologies for being shallow, but WHOA. Everyone knows I love Jensen’s long hair, and along with mostly-bare-arms-black-tee-shirt, hair blowing in his face – let’s just say I was screaming my enthusiasm right along with everyone else.
I thank Chuck every day that Danneel loves his long hair and Kripke kept it for Soldier Boy, because nobody cares what I think, but do I ever agree with them!
