Guitar-phenom, Marcus King has been lighting up Monday nights, serving up soulful shows for a worthy-cause. He kicked off his month-long series on July 13 with an electrifying performance of his latest record, El Dorado. In partnership with the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project, King delivers Four of a Kind, Live From Nashville, as a benefit to MusiCares. The shows serve a dual-purpose as a fundraiser for music people in critical need, while temporarily fulfilling the live music void facing the music-loving world.
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Last Monday, July 20, King’s creative cohort, Billy Strings, joined him on stage for an all-night jam. Accompanied by the vocal talent of Maggie Rose, the two guitar aces battled between amps, doubling down on the definitive talent of their emerging generation of fast-grass, blues-drenched, Southern rock.
“It’s probably been a while since you played an empty room, ain’t that right?” King joked as Billy Strings joined him on stage, alluding to the overwhelming attention the artist has quickly acquired.
With a similar sonic taste and rivaling levels of talent, the two artists honored shared inspirations. A revered rendition of Gram Parson’s “Hickory Wind” led them into a politically-charged performance. They paid tribute to Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, and others along the way. Before wrapping up, the two put down their guitars for a brief moment, exhibiting powerful vocals in an acapella-style solo from “Power To The People.”
Episode three aired Monday, July 27. King stepped away from the country-soul displayed in his first episode, and the rootsier-blues shared on episode two, rocking out with a special guest, Brent Hinds. The episode title, “The Marcus King Trio,” refers to the stripped-down set. Unlike the previous shows where the stage was adorned with multi-instrumental supporting talent, this week opened with only King, his bassist, Stephen Campbell, drummer, Jack Ryan.
Later along in his edgy setlist, he welcomed Hinds, a fellow guitarist who King introduced as a “new friend,” on stage. The musician is best known as a member of the Atlanta, Georgia metal band Mastodon. King held the spotlight with gritty vocals, strapped with his trusty strings. Hinds dueled with the young prodigy for the role of fronting guitarist, while Ryan kept time on the rock show, erupting into sporadic solos.
Next week, The Marcus King Band plans to bring the series full circle with an exceptional performance of The Last Waltz. The final show will feature friends from all reaches of the music world. King invites Jennifer Hartswick, Devon Gilfillian, Early James, Elizabeth Cook, Ida Mae, Maggie Rose, Nicki Bluhm, and Sierra Ferrell on stage for a dynamic delivery of the timeless classic.
All net ticket proceeds will be donated to MusiCares, with tickets priced from $10 to $40 for all four nights of entertainment and a “Full House” promotion. Additionally, through the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project, Spotify will match the proceeds up to $10 million.
Each episode of Four of a Kind is available to stream on-demand after it airs until August 11. Purchase your front row tickets to see Marcus King and Friends live in Nashville. Catch up on all you’ve missed and secure your spot to next week’s finale – you don’t want to miss this.
