MSM 90s: Harvest Moon, James LeBlanc
9/27/26
By Monica Collier
Hello, Muscle Shoals Meets friends and neighbors. I know a lot of you are still on a Dolly-fueled 9-2-5 high -- and rightly so -- but how about we jump back into our MSM 90s recap?
Thinking back to James LeBlanc's beautiful interpretation of Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" during the Muscle Shoals Meets the 90s main show makes me feel all warm inside. This eighth performance of the second set was so very special. Remember?
MSM's version of "Harvest Moon" was stunning. It was absolutely breathtaking. This one was an actual production, friends. Every single moving part of this performance was obviously so very intentional. I'm sure we have Scott Campbell to thank for the perfect background visuals that added to the chill vibe that was happening on stage during this one. Thank you, Scott. Everything felt ... enchanted.
Let's remember this MSM performance together. James was front and center with his acoustic, remember? Mitch Mann was doing double duty on his acoustic and the harmonica. The legendary Spooner Oldham was on keys and Godfather Fiddle, Kelvin Holly, was there, too, on guitar. I'm pretty sure Chad Gamble was on drums for this one and David MacKay was on bass. Scott Todd and Cissy Guin were supporting from the shadows and our beloved Shoals Sisters, Marie Lewey and Cindy Walker, were singing backup.
Other than James's perfect vocals, the most memorable part of this "Harvest Moon" MSM performance was having Grammy Award winner, Jimmy Nutt, "playing" the broom. Yes, you read that right, the broom. Jimmy's sweep skills were something to behold, too. It may sound cliche or trite but this performance was magical, fam.
Listen, James is forever an artist who's fueled by honesty. No matter the song, he sings with absolute truth. That night at the Renaissance Shoals, his truth was oh so romantic and it felt so right. For those four minutes or so, James and the Fiddleworms and friends transformed the room from a 90s party into a date night. The couple next to me even danced all sweet and lovey dovey. Yes. It was an emotional detour from all the clurbing.
Yeah. This one made me want to fall in love.
Hey! Have I said lately how proud I am to be part of such a generous, kindhearted community? I love the Shoals and I love Muscle Shoals Meets. This is what life is all about, friends.
Stay tuned. More to come.
Dig Worms.
Photo by Devona Hawkins
