CLARKSVILLE, Mo –Jesse Vaughn and Brayden Reynolds entertained more than 65 people at a May 2 concert sponsored by Raintree Arts Council.

The show was held at The Apple Shed in Clarksville. Both musicians paid tribute to legendary artist David Allan Coe, who died at 86 on April 29.

Reynolds performed three Coe tunes, including “The Ride” and “You Never Even Called Me By My Name,” which Coe once described as being “the perfect country and western song” because its last verse referenced mothers, trains, pickup trucks, prison and drinking.

The Old Monroe musician opened with “Take It Easy” by The Eagles. He mixed classic tunes such as “Luckenbach, Texas” by Waylon Jennings with newer hits such as Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over.”

Another highlight included an unexpected, but compelling, take on “Purple Rain” by Prince. Other songs included “Killin’ Time,” “Check Yes or No,” “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” “Swingin’ and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

Vaughn paid homage to Coe with “Long-Haired Redneck.” He played for two hours, opening with the Glen Campbell favorite “Gentle On My Mind.”

The Elsberry native sang a lot of traditional country, with songs such as “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash, “Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Kris Kristofferson, George Strait’s “Amarillo By Morning,” “Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard, “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers and several Hank Williams songs, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “Move It On Over.”

Vaughn channeled Joe Diffie on “Pickup Man” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox.” Before doing “All My Exes Live in Texas,” he let the crowd know that the song was a tradition because a grandfather once performed it karaoke-style.

“He gets mad every time I ask him” about it, the musician said.

Vaughn also mixed in “Already Gone” and “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” by The Eagles, “Do You Want to Know a Secret” by The Beatles, “Everyday” and “That’ll Be The Day” by Buddy Holly and “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins.

After getting requests, Vaughn sang “Old School Country,” a tune he co-wrote with former Elsberry resident and Nashville music producer Bill Whyte. He also performed a new original, “Stand Tall, Sing Loud.” Another original may end up being called “Ramble,” but Vaughn admitted after the show that he hadn’t officially named it yet. The 21-year-old performer concluded with the gospel-inspired “I’ll Fly Away.”

Raintree’s next events are the Missouri State Chili Cook-Off from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 13 (featuring the band Cornet Chop Suey) at the Clarksville Riverfront and the “Crazy for Patsy” concerts at 2 and 7 p.m. June 27 at the Bowling Green High School Auditorium.

More information about the organization and its events is available at www.raintreeartscouncil.org or on Facebook.

 

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Jesse Vaughn performs May 2 at The Apple Shed in Clarksville. The opening act was Brayden Reynolds. (Photo by Brent Engel)