This time, Woods was on tour with a drummer, Larry Fulford, a new album, With Love from Brushy Mountain, and a wonderful opening act in Caleb Caudle. Plus, it was a Saturday night and a birthday celebration for Mark Potter, a fellow music writer from Ninebullets.net.

First off, let me say having Fulford on drums was awesome. So much of Woods’ songs build around riffs and accented chord changes that having the percussion accented them perfectly. Really, it was treat to see these two throw down a solid 90 minutes of music.

The music, you ask? Well, Woods is never one to just stick with a single era of his songwriting, he covered songs from The Matt Woods Manifesto and With Love from Brushy Mountain. The drunken revelers hollered out titles and Woods had no problem tearing through the songs, which showed the tightness he and Fulford have built up.

If you have not checked out With Love from Brush Mountain, head over to Woods’ Bandcamp page and pick it up. You will not regret it.

Getting the night kicked off was North Carolina’s Caleb Caudle.

I will not try to sell you on much knowledge of Caudle’s music. I watched and greatly enjoyed his CXCW entries this year and also listened to his album, Paint Another Layer on My Heart a few times, but I was not well-versed on his music by any means.

Well, that was then and now, I have listened to the two albums I picked up a few times or more. Caudle has a great delivery live and, just like Woods, had no problem meeting a request or two from the audience.

Despite being the last night on the road followed by a direct, nonstop drive back to North Carolina, Caudle took his time and let the songs come to life in a way they only can in a live format. There are stories and emotions that cross through facial expression and guitar playing that Caudle adds effortlessly into his performance.

Just like Woods, you get the whole story live and in person. Check out Caleb’s new album and his past releases at his Bandcamp page. You will be glad you did.