Photos and Words by Alexa Kravitz
Graham Nash took to the stage at Sandy Springs’ Byers Theatre on Sunday night for a sold-out performance that left the audience captivated from start to finish. The evening kicked off with the classic Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song “Wasted on the Way.” Nash and his band segued into “Marrakesh Express,” and throughout the show, they kept the CSNY hits flowing, interspersing them with selections from Nash’s solo work and his time with The Hollies.
After performing the first handful of songs, Nash shared with the audience two things he wanted everyone to remember: the first was that he wants to be here making music and, secondly, that he aims to perform each song with the same passion he had while originally writing them. Both were apparent in soulful singing and accompanying storytelling. He recalled many stories of relationships and experiences that inspired the songs he wrote. One of the most memorable was his telling of the creation of “Cathedral”—a song born from an acid trip while at Stonehenge and the nearby Winchester Cathedral.
The band Nash assembled was exceptional. Todd Caldwell played the keyboard and organ along with vocals, while Adam Minkoff and Zach Djanikian swapped effortlessly between guitar, bass, drums, mandolin, and tenor sax, sometimes playing more than one instrument simultaneously, as well as lending their voices for harmonies. Nash moved between guitar, piano, and harmonica. The band’s chemistry was undeniable, and at times, closing your eyes might have made you forget that it wasn’t Crosby, Stills, or Young singing along with Nash.
As the night drew to a close, Nash shared a poignant memory from his time in Laurel Canyon with then-girlfriend Joni Mitchell. On a chilly winter morning, they passed by an antique store, where Joni fell in love with a vase painted with flowers. When they arrived home, Nash started a fire while Joni put flowers in the new vase—and from that simple moment, the iconic opening lines of “Our House” were born. After Nash performed the song, it was met with the night’s third standing ovation.
Nash wrapped up the evening with “Teach Your Children” as the encore, inviting the audience to sing along. It was a night filled with memories and joy, and Nash’s warmth, humor, and generosity on stage made it an unforgettable experience for everyone in the room.
