5GB With Kevn Kinney; Drivin n’ Cryin Play 3rd & Lindsley Nashville, Tonight Nov. 18

By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn

Still some of the coolest and friendliest musicians in the biz, Atlanta boys Drivin n’ Cryin have been kicking it for over two decades with their southern rock, playing with the likes of Neil Young, REM, and Soul Aslyum, and garnering the respect of heavy hitters like Blues Traveler’s John Popper, Edwin McCain, Gov’t Mule and the Allman Brothers Band. With a new 26 year old guitarist in tow (that Kinney swears is the reason that all the young girls are rushing the stage again), Drivin n’ Cryin are playing the 3rd & Lindley tonight. We chatted with the legendary Kevn Kinney before how show tonight at the 3rd & Lindley, about his five favorite gigs, and his desire for someone at Bonnaroo to ask them to play!

What was the first gig you ever went to?

I think it was when I saw Little Richard open for Johnny Winter back in 1974 at the Milwaukee Auditorium. There were all these beautiful hippy chicks, and everyone was on acid. And then you had all the switchboard people floating around taking care off the folks tripping on Angel Dust! I remember Little Richard kept shaking his head and throwing his sweat around, and called it his holy water!

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed at?

Ha! I think last Saturday in Macon! I always think the last gig I play is always the best gig we have played. You never know when your next show may be! But, opening up for REM and Neil Young was pretty awesome. Oh yeah! Also, on my 50th birthday, we were at the 40 Watt, and Mike Mills, Peter Buck, and  John Keane came up and played! It was like being a part of REM! That was probably my favorite show of this year.

What is the best gig you have ever been to?

My favorite show was in Las Vegas at the Hard Rock Cafe. We were opening for the Violent Femmes (we group up together), and I heard that Bob Dylan was playing that night as well. This was back when Bob was not doing so hot, and was wearing hoodies and mumbling a lot. I bought the last pair of ticket for the show, expecting the show to not be one of his finest, but man was I wrong. Bob took the stage wearing a gold lamé suit and started playing some Elvis music. He was playing an acoustic, and doing some Elvis dance moves..it was very inspiring!

Gig you would most like to play?

You know out of the 26 years we have been a band we have NEVER been asked to play Bonnaroo!!!  We have never been invited, so I would really like to play! I don’t even have to headline, I’m just looking for a little 30 minutes worth of stage time!

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

Hmm, how cool would it be to play with Jack Kerouac, and have him come out and play some Drivin n’ Cryin songs! Actually, I think my dream gig would be to be Jimi Hendrix’ guitar tech. And he would be like (in heavily stoned voice) “heeeyyyy, kkkkeeeevvvvnnnn, is my guitar ready? ” And I would be like “Totally Jimi, I got your back!”

Catch Drivin n’ Cryin tonight, Nov.18 at 3rd & Lindley