Staff Photographer Corey Woodruff shot soul/roots rockers JJ Grey and MOFRO, supported by the bright and emerging Athens/Atlanta outfit Ponderosa, at the Pageant. He shared with us his thoughts and his photographs:

Still surfing the tsunami-like success of his latest record, Georgia Warhorse, JJ Grey brought a warming dose of Florida soul to a frozen yet adoring crowd last night at The Pageant. Armed with only an acoustic guitar, Grey eased into his set with the aching “King Hummingbird”, but his talented septet MOFRO made their presence known soon after as the show shifted into rock-n-roll territory. Taking up nearly the width of the Pageant’s ample stage, the group’s size belied their stripped-down yet full sound.

By the time Grey and MOFRO lit the fuse on the Southern rock bombast of “Georgia Warhorse” mid-set, the die-hard fans along the stage barrier had been singing and nodding along in lockstep with the band for several tunes. It took just a few bars of “Warhorse” for the rest of the venue to recognize the title track and transform into a synchronized ocean of bobbing heads. Speaking of the crowd, I’ve always admired the variety of fans that Grey attracts: blues and soul fans, hirsute rockers and jam band freakers. It’s a testament to the band’s versatility and widespread appeal for sure, but Grey emanates such an inexplicable, infectious energy that he’d likely draw a crowd just by reading the weather forecast.

Consider his formidable writing talent, multi-instrumental abilities and road-tightened backing band and you start to understand why he garners fans across a diverse variety of genres.  Whether he was strumming a guitar, wailing on his harp or banging away on a tambourine, Grey worked the apron of the stage with the presence of classic entertainers like Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., or even that Elvis Presley guy.  Certainly heavy praise, but well-earned.

I’m compelled to mention the opening act as well. While nearly everyone I spoke to at the show had never heard of Ponderosa, and while the floor of Pageant was nearly bare as singer Kalen Nash sauntered on stage, massaging licks from his slide guitar, by the time the band left the stage they had blown every damn mind in the building. Ponderosa’s stomping pyschedelic rock was tempered with a healthy dose of Southern flavor as they displayed both the bluesy swagger of The Black Crowes and the epic twin-guitar soundscapes of My Morning Jacket.  You will hear more from this band. I, for one, can’t wait.

See more of Corey’s photos in his Mofro gallery.