THROUGH THE LENS: John Hiatt Tribute & The Vero Beach Blues Festival

This week’s column features two events at opposite ends of the country: AMERICANAFEST’s Pre-Grammy Salute to John Hiatt (February 1, 2025) at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, California; and the Vero Beach Blues Festival (February 15 & 16, 2025) in Vero Beach, Florida.

Column regulars were there to catch the action and soak in the vibes. Jim Brock was at the former and captured the tribute, and Kim Reed reports on the latter. Both snapped some nice backstage photos as well.

AMERICANAFEST Pre-Grammy Salute to John Hiatt by Amos Perrine 

Since 2013 the Americana Music Association has held a Pre-Grammy salute and paid tribute to the work of roots music icons such as  Lucinda Williams (2023), Willie Nelson (2020), John Prine (2019), and Emmylou Harris (2018). This year, the association honored John Hiatt. Hiatt, a 10-time Grammy nominee, is well known to ND readers and many others.

For the uninitiated, with albums Bring the Family and Slow Turning and invigorating live performances, Hiatt was huge in the 1980s. Presaging the term Americana, he was Americana for all intents and purposes.

This year’s tribute show was a bit different. In response to the devastating wildfires in the area, Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association, said in a statement, “We’re turning our Troubadour show into a fundraiser, with proceeds going to MusiCares. We hope a sold-out show will help, even in a small way, those who have lost everything.” 

For the 2025 event, Lyle Lovett, Michael McDonald, Roibbie Fulks, Joe Henry, Brandy Clark, Maggie Rose, Cedric Burnside, Little Feat, Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine), Judy Blank (from the Netherlands), I’m With Her, Shemekia Copeland, Joe Bonamassa, The Milk Carton Kids, Los Lobos, and of course daughter Lilly Hiatt, paid homage to Hiatt before an adoring audience, and Hiatt himself. The event was also live streamed.

There were many highlights, but perhaps the one that was the most resonant was McDonald’s take on “Have a Little Faith in Me.” This unparalleled song of redemption could, in lesser hands, border on the icky. But, with only an electric piano to accompany him, and with definite gospel overtones, McDonald’s resonant voice gave it an otherworldly quality that sent shivers up and down my spine as I watched the livestream.

Vero Beach Blues Festival by Kim Reed

Situated on the central Florida’s eastern coast, the Vero Beach Blues Festival is a relatively new festival, but one that has grown quickly since its inception in 2022. Held on the Indian River County Fairgrounds, this no-frills festival may only present five acts each day, but as pre-sale weekend passes were only $20 (not a typo) one cannot complain, especially given the quality of the music.

Another thing that sets this fest apart is that performers were allotted, at a minimum, 90 minute sets rather than the usual 45-60 minutes. This enabled them, and the audience, to move and groove more thoroughly. Moreover, it also seems the fest is geared toward adults as the music ended at 9 p.m. each evening.

The line-up was a nice mix of favorites and newcomers. I was especially looking forward to catching Toronzo Cannon whose 2024 album Shut Up & Play! is an impressive one. I was also able to catch, for the first time: Chris O’Leary, who made a name for himself as the lead singer for Levon Helm & The  Barn Stormers; Louisiana’s D.K. Harrell, likened by many critics to a young B. B. King; and JP Soars’ Gypsy Blues Revue with the dynamic violinist Anne Harris. All of them had fans on their feet clamoring for more.

Nor did the headliners disappoint. Closing out Saturday night, and playing for a solid two hours, were The Fabulous Thunderbirds with frontman Kim Wilson’s unique vocals and wailing harmonica. Sunday night’s closer was the charismatic Shemekia Copeland. 

It was also great to see some favorites again: saxophonist-vocalist Vanessa Collier, Selwyn Birchwood, and seven-time Blues Music Awards winner Victor Wainright & The Train. Count me in for next year.

Click on any photo to view the gallery as a full-size slideshow