Back in 1998, New York gave me the first stamp on my passport.
Since then, I’ve collected plenty, and almost all are from trips across the ocean to see one Richard Speight, Jr. But while I’ve flown in and out of Newark and JFK several times over the years, nothing had taken me into Manhattan since Dolly Parton’s ‘Halos and Horns’ show in 2002. So to be back in the city that began my love affair with the USA, to see ‘Dick Jr. & The Volunteers’ play a show, was super exciting.
The trip also coincided with an anniversary.
The first time I met Rich, at a con in 2013, I walked face-first into a closed door. Bounced off, and had the black eye to prove it.
12 years to that very day, and our first interaction of my New York weekend is bookended by another door.
As my friends and I sit on the floor catching up, Rich and Rob stalk past us. Rob gives us a wide eyed “Hi!” and a wave, with Rich shooting off a brisk “Good morning” before disappearing through one of two doors to the backstage area.
A beat.
Then Rich flies out of the *other* door like a scene in a French farce.
“Rain!!!”
The symmetry of those two moments? It was kind of perfect.
Team FanWorld didn’t do much of the Jersey con – this trip was very much about seeing New York. But one thing we were determined not to miss was the Post-con-cert. As it was, this ended up giving us our first teaser of the lineup for the Monday night show, by introducing us to Meredith and Forrest. I was familiar with Meredith through her 2023 album ‘Greyhound’, but this was my first time hearing her live. Even competing with the noisiest aircon unit in New Jersey, her voice is a magical thing. There’s something of Linda Ronstadt to her tone, and while there’s power behind it, her vocals in this acoustic session were delicate and dreamy. And having a highly accomplished mandolin player in the mix ensured that this Bluebird Café inspired event felt straight out of Nashville.
And Nashville met New York the very next night, when ‘Dick Jr. & The Volunteers’ made their Manhattan debut.
It was, in many ways, the best ‘Dick Jr. & The Volunteers’ show yet. I loved this venue. Great accessibility, friendly bar staff, and a decent sound mix.
And then there’s the lineup. Yes, Emma was much missed, but Meredith brought a different flavour to the songs, and a different dynamic with Richard, which was so much fun to witness. Her sensitivity as a vocalist provided the perfect contrast to this rough and ready incarnation of ‘The Volunteers’.
What a blast too, to hear Jason Manns with a full band. I’ve been attending his shows for as long as I’ve been doing cons, and his set at Mercury Lounge made me appreciate him anew and fall in love with old songs all over again.
Billy Moran, you remains the coolest. After so many years of casually blowing our mind with his musicianship in ‘Louden Swain’, seeing our unassuming guitar hero take so easily to the spotlight as a frontman has been a revelation. His solo songs are so beautifully layered – I notice another little detail each time I see him play.
Kudos are due, too, to the rhythm section – Mark had a phenomenal show. He just fits The Volunteers sound so well, and I get a lot of joy out of how much fun he is clearly having any time I see him play. And it seems so right having someone the band and audience have known and loved for so many years finally join the party. As for Nick, well he’s just one of those guys who is great value in a live line-up. He’s extremely charismatic as a performer, and I found my eye going to him so often during the set.
And I’ve said it before, but I have to reiterate - Give Richard Speight, Jr. a guitar, always. The difference it has made to him as a frontman is immeasurable. This show, the axe in question was a sparkling Tennessee orange, and it was electric. I think that was a big part of why this show felt so different. Even down to Rich’s stage wear (an Imogene + Willie Opry shirt and a $15 thrift store Western hat), the vibe was outlaw, all the way. The line-up was pared down, but Rich was amped up – and there was just something about the raw, chaotic energy that I crave in live music.
I’ve never been a huge fan of a tight set. A big reason I adore ‘The Rolling Stones’ is that after six decades, their shows still sound like they’re jamming together for the first time. They’re superb musicians, sure, but they sound so loose. And ‘Dick Jr. & The Volunteers’ hit that sweet spot in NY. Rich’s vocals have gotten better every time I’ve seen the band since their 2019 debut, but at Mercury Lounge, he sounded more relaxed than ever before. It’s been such a fun journey to watch him grow as a vocalist and front manwith each show, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
After the show, we made the short walk across the street to The Library, a delightfully grubby dive bar. You know the kind of place - barely lit booths and sticky tables, a graffiti-covered bathroom with a dodgy lock and an abandoned pint of beer; an obscure cult movie playing on a TV in the back. The perfect setting for an after-show hang. I’ve been to a few of these now, but this was the one where everything really fell into place. Holding it somewhere separate from the venue meant that we weren’t on a clock, and that helped the chilled atmosphere hugely. Fans were able to just relax and hang out with their friends, knowing they’d get their time with Rich, Billy, and Jason.
As has become our tradition, we ended the night with some truly lamentable pizza, before saying our goodbyes to friends and heading back to our hotel. And on that note – if you’re looking for a truly original budget stay, I highly recommend the Carlton Arms on East 25th. Eccentric is an understatement. Just avoid room B9 if you’re not a horror fan…
RAIN, RSJrFANWORLD
My very first trip to New York is going to be nearly impossible to top.
The show at Mercury Lounge was absolutely electric. Everyone was at the top of their game, and it’s easily one of the best performances I’ve seen in a long time. Watching Jason Manns with a full band, seeing Mark Sheppard completely come alive behind the drums, and then being swept away by a flawless set. It was an experience I’ll never forget. What blows me away every time is the sheer amount of talent in their circle. Just when you think the lineup is already stacked, another musician steps in and completely raises the bar again. I’m so grateful that they’ve introduced me to so much new music, and I never take for granted how lucky I am to see them live, even if it’s just once or twice a year.
The after party was literally perfect, even though we had to swap venues the guys gave everybody so much of their time. Getting to experience how the guys felt about the show as well as see them react to what the fans thought is a huge highlight, and I just enjoy seeing people smile and laugh together.
But the one thing I always enjoy most about these shows is the audience, and I count my lucky stars not for not only being able to spend time with so many great friends, but to feel so much support from people I’ve never even met. Supporting Fanworld, and supporting my artwork.
And as I've previously said, to all of the guys, thank you for helping me find my life’s purpose.
