James P. Jones || Photographer

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Gerry Beaulieu is the rhythm guitarist in a band called Nashville Bound. I know Gerry through his son, Mike, who is one of my oldest Rhode Island friends (Mike was my second client after we moved here). Gerry and I seem to rub elbows at the various parties Mike has over the course of the year. At each occasion, Gerry is always talking about this young vocalist; Charlene Marie (only 17 years old). He says she's the real deal, so I wanted to check out a show. Gerry, besides being entertaining at parties, is a tremendous musician so I take his opinion seriously. So, Amie and I headed over to Pawtucket to Veterans Memorial Amphitheater this evening to see the band; it was quite a nice venue.

I'd never seen Gerry all cleaned up, it was a shocker. He even looked respectable in his yellow button-down and pointed boots. As for Charlene, she is remarkable. More so because of her age. She is very aware of the audience and keeps the show interesting. Needless to say if she wasn't an exceptional vocalist it wouldn't be a story, but she is. Go figure, a Rhode Island country star. I guess we have farms here too. An odd side-note; although I spent my teen years in Japan, I was actually introduced to Country (real, old fashioned) on Armed Forces Radio - the only english language radio available.

As for the photos (this being a photography blog - I have a suspicion that people are going to find this blog not because of my insights into photography, but just to see the band), well, it was certainly simpler than an indoor venue with multiple temperature lights. I seemed to miss a lot of the show peering through the viewfinder. I tried to split my time enjoying and shooting. I was not an official photographer - thus I tread carefully and didn't go for certain angles. I shot handheld, low ISO, mostly long lens, DR @ 400% on the S5 Pro. The lighting was a big reason I went out to the show (if it had been crappy out or noon-day sun I may have skipped it). The timing was such that the sun could really add a directional pop on the images. It worked out just about right (the band came on as the sun was getting a bit low). I am always reminded that I must chase the light - I think I could have taken cool photos with a crappy disposable film camera in today's light.

If Charlene Marie goes big, it'll be nice to have some stock in her early years (stock photo that is). Maybe next time I'll just enjoy the music.