Bill Kirchen

TROY - Bill Kirchen's Honky Tonk Holiday Show made its annual stop at the Hangar on the Hudson Saturday night. I can sum up the sumptuous two sets by saying Bill and his Silent Knights (Jack Saunders on bass and drummer Rick Richards) were perfect but never perfunctory.

It probably takes a very special artist in order to persuade Peter Bruntnell to haul himself up north to fill a support slot. Peter explained that he'd booked a coach ticket to Manchester, only for the coach driver to be taken ill and an ambulance called for him part way into the journey.

McCabes Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, USA

Although they share very little in terms of sound, there was a definite feeling of synergistic magic in the air when the pair shared the same stage.

Known as “The King of Dieselbilly” and “The Titan of the Telecaster,” Bill Kirchen has a distinctive, powerful style as a guitarist. There's twang, but it rocks hard, and it grooves.

Bill Kirchen Live In Concert In the USA

Kirchen, one of the best guitar players alive today and unchallenged master of the Texas/rockabilly/trucker song/biker bar genre rarely plays in bars any more, but it’s conceivable.