Review: Cindy Cashdollar, Redd Volkaert and Bill Kirchen

by Rick Landers.

A full house at the Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia, on July 24, 2008, warmed up quickly to Tele-wacker Redd Volkaert and swing steel artist Cindy Cashdollar as the two traded electrying riffs throughout the club. A bit later, another Tele-giant, Bill Kirchen, emerged with The Hammer of The Honky Tonk Gods to lay down some dazzling string swing.

Whenever Cindy Cashdollar’s name is on the billing, you can bet on a great show. But, when you fill the bill with a couple of Tele players of Redd’s and Bill’s caliber, you trigger a frantic run on tickets.

The evening was flush with Western Swing including Redd’s tribute tune to Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant, “Diminishing Flames,” that swung low and deep. But, it took a hearty Volkaert belch to set things right with an audience that roared with laughter when he offered up, “We just ate. So, 'scuze me!” From that point forward, everyone was, well, family and the porch belonged to Redd, leaving Cashdollar shaking her head and smiling.

Volkaert kept the audience in stitches when he deadpanned, “I wanna mention my new CD. [Long pause] There are 16,000 in the lobby for sale.”

Redd and Cindy traded hot licks on Waylon Jenning’s “Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line,” with Volkaert lashed up to a Glendale Telecaster and blonde haired Cashdollar pushing magic out of her vintage Fender steel. Later, Redd and Cindy would tune in to some ‘70s tracks, including the Boxtops’ hit, “The Letter,” and The Allman Brothers Band’s still beautiful instrumental, “Jessica.”

Teletwanger Kirchen stepped on stage noting his high regard for Bob Dylan, then strolled into some late fifties Santo and Johnny Farina gold with a buttery version of “Sleep Walk.” Kirchen flung some rock, rockabilly and blues at his Birchmere fans in a great set that included Commander Cody’s “Rockin’ Over China,” Kokomo Arnold’s “Milk Cow Blues, “ and Dylan’s “Tom Thumb Blues.”

Kirchen, Volkaert and Cashdollar had “flames coming out of the side,” with Bill cranking out a high velocity “Hot Rod Lincoln” from his Tele, unleashing and channeling an array of guitarists including: Link Wray, Freddie King, Roy Orbison, Iggy Pop, the Ventures, Earl Scruggs, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Redd Volkaert, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Howlin’ Wolf, Cream, the Beatles, Deep Purple, BB King, Albert King, Ben. E. King and more.

Left to their own devices, the three guitar masters are impressive. Together they proved formidable and unforgettable.

Photo Gallery

Related Links
Cindy Cashdollar
Redd Volkaert
Bill Kirchen
The Birchmere
Michael G. Stewart Photography

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