A spur-of-the-moment show

Cowboy hats in Portland are not a common sight. Especially not on the night after Christmas on Mississippi Ave in N. Portland. But walking onto the Mississippi Studios stage Saturday, Gabe Rozell (rah-zell) wore not only a cowboy hat, but also boots and denim shirt. "Thank y' ver' much," he announced, sounding quite reminiscent of Elvis, as he proceeded to secure a harmonica around his neck.

Gabe Rozell and the Decency started off the fantastic lineup of artists of the night, which included Rollie Tussing and the Diminished Seven, leading up to the main act: Drunken Prayer.

Rozell's blend of country twang, blues and rock produce a kind of just-can't-help-myself toe-tapping and urge to sway along with the music. Even though his songs have quite a story behind them, keeping with the true country tradition of recounting one's sorrows, you can't help but feel at peace listening; Rozell is a real country crooner evocative of Johnny Cash. With a deep, raspy voice only fit for a country musician singing the blues, Rozell has, without a doubt, found his calling,.

The mellow pace did not, however, deter the inspiration to move along with the music. After a particularly soothing song, he proclaimed his intention to increase the tempo, but "not too much," he added with a grin as he leaned to take a few sips from the can of PBR strategically placed at the base of the microphone. Although the drawl would suggest otherwise, Rozell is originally from Portland, and all members of the band currently reside here. In fact, members from all three bands are either native to Oregon or have relocated from all over to call it home.

Joel Meredith, of Blind Pilot and the Meredith Brothers band, is one that was born and has remained an Oregonian. However, that doesn't mean he doesn't move around. Rozell explained that Meredith "lends himself around" to various bands; an expert on the pedal steel guitar, which may be the most interesting instrument to witness, it is no surprise he is a hot commodity throughout the city.

The second hour of the show featured the extremely talented Rollie Tussing and the Diminished Seven giving us the feeling we had been transported straight to the Bayou, complete with a washtub bass! One would believe, or at least suspect as I did, that Rollie had been born and raised somewhere in bible-belted marshlands of the deep south. Originally from Michigan, Tussing grew up listening to old 78's from the depression era and was ultimately inspired to create his own. The sounds of the banjo, drum and bass worked in perfect harmony and although many songs were wordless, you wouldn't have known from the crowd's delight.

As if the music courses through his veins, Tussing's body lurches seemingly involuntarily, yet with complete control, as he plays. Several in the audience followed suit, dancing without abandon, the music taking control. In my own entrancement, I hardly realized my own body bouncing to the rhythm. It is obvious that the members of the Diminished Seven are doing what they love most; laughing and smiling through the entire set. Periodically, Tussing announces their plans to slow the setlist down but, inevitably, and almost unintentionally, the music gains speed and, once again, the beat commands us and before we realize we're dancing along with the band.

The audience trickled in throughout the night, everyone already established friends, and soon there was a significant crowd; it seemed all concert-goers had appeared to see Drunken Prayer. Not a single person in the crowd was able to keep from dancing and swaying during the set. During Take a Walk, a particularly upbeat song, reminiscent of music from the '50s, everyone did 'the Twist.'

Drunken Prayer's songs are such a compilation of styles, it's hard to pinpoint exactly how to characterize it. Many songs touch on or focus on death or God, but are not sorrowful; listening, you cant help but smile.A song begins almost as a ballad, moves into blues and even soul at times, with moments of heavy metal mixed in throughout. The best description is a type of blues-rock: the music an electrifying infusion of classic rock jams, the vocals pure blues.

Tonight, the band was in full force, featuring all five members of the group. The lead singer, Morgan Saint Christopher has accumulated this rotating cast of players throughout the years and across the states. Originally Morgan Christopher Geer, lived in Ashville, NC up until 5 years ago and now calls Portland home. The ebbs and flows based on the availability of the members, but Geer continues to perform with or without total attendance. He and Joel Meredith will be going on their own to do the show in Seattle in the upcoming weeks, for example.

Mississippi Studios, which opened as a recording studio in 2003 and went through renovations to become what it is today is a fantastic venue both to experience shows, as well as to perform. The artists mingle with the crowd before and after the show, the audience can get as close as touching the stage, dancing in the open ground floor music hall, or may sit comfortably upstairs enjoying the great view from the balcony. Conveniently located on N. Mississippi Ave. it sits amidst the many trendy and up-and-coming bars, restaurants and shops.

The show was a great success with a much larger turnout than expected for the day after Christmas, and the artists all had a great time performing and supporting each other...as did I.