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What I thought would turn out to be a great night quickly went down as one of the worst I’ve ever had at White Water.  I went out to see Ben Nichols (pictured) & Christopher Denny.  I knew Nichols was playing solo, and I was under the impression that Denny’s band would be in tow, but they were nowhere to be seen.  Instead, the packed bar was greeted to one of the more interesting round robin shows I’ve seen. 

Nichols would play a song, and Denny would follow quickly with one of his own.  I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the biggest Denny fan out there, but I give him credit where credit is due.  The one thing I’d forgotten about a show with Nichols headlining was the rabid amount of douchebags he brings out of the woodwork.  I felt like I was a real life part of that one website that chronicles douchebags & the women they date.  For reference it’s here.  It was eerily similar to some of the people on that website.  I know it’s not Nichols’ fault, but man those types are not fun to be around in a small bar considering my friends & I are nothing like them.  However, to each their own.

I saw very quickly that they weren’t there for Denny.  Most everyone just paid attention when Nichols sang Lucero’s bigger hits, Sweet Little Thing, Nights Like These, etc.  Then they would turn around and basically bitch about the fact he was playing his new solo stuff, and that they didn’t really like it.  What’s the point of going to a Nichols show if you aren’t there to hear his solo material?  I mean really. 

I kicked myself out of the bar at around 11:30.  I knew if I didn’t leave the night might end very poorly for me and some unsuspecting person.  I wish I’d stuck around to catch more of the show, but it was just one of the worst, most tension fueled atmospheres I’ve ever been in.  I love White Water, but I just wasn’t feeling it that night.  I hope the next show proves to be less off kilter. 

--L