Mac Leaphart is a singer/songwriter, playing a blend of country and rhythm and blues the Charleston City Paper describes as, “a rowdy set, which seems to meld Gram Parsons with the ‘Sticky Fingers’ era Rolling Stones.” He has shared the stage with Hayes Carll, Ryan Bingham, Robert Randolph, Todd Rundgren, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. His 2008 independent release, Line, Rope, Etc. was chosen as one of the best albums of the year by the Charleston City Paper. He is not a man of many words (as you will see) but clearly his music doesn’t reflect that. He joined us for our 5GB before his show tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
1982 or 83 Ray Charles at Freedom Weekend aloft in Greenville, SC.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
Any show that ends up with my friends onstage, arms around shoulders, sharing microphones, singing Bob Dylan, or the Band, or the Faces or something is always a fine and substantial evening.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
-Don Williams @ the Newberry Opera House, Newberry, SC
-Pink Floyd (The Division Bell Tour) @ Death Valley Stadium, Clemson, SC
What is the gig you would most like to play?
The next one on the schedule. I love to entertain. I guess if I could play in Willie Nelson’s living room or something, that would be pretty sweet. He probably has a big backyard, too…
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
Booker T and the MG’s plus Floyd Cramer on keys and Ralph Mooney on steel…
Catch Mac Leaphart tonight at Smith’s Olde bar
