Note: Live Music Spotlight is a feature on performers who play music in bars and other venues. These artists are very dedicated and hard working. They get very little to no radio airplay and don’t make a lot of money. Still, they do it for the love of music and performing. Live Music Spotlight gives them a little bit of recognition.
I went to J.D. Legends tonight to see FireBall Ridge, which is a duo made up of Jennifer Azbill and Jeff Ketcham. It was my second time seeing them perform. The first time I saw them perform, they only played for 15 minutes. I was very happy to get to see them do a longer show.
I was impressed because of the diversity of the songs they performed. I heard them perform classic country songs from artists such as Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton. They also played songs from band such as The Cranberries. Jennifer does the singing and she has a phenomenal voice. Many of the songs didn’t even showcase her vocal range. There were songs that did and they literally made sit and pay closer attention.
I’ve had the chance to talk with Jennifer briefly since I saw them perform the first time. She is very nice and it is clear that she loves music. She and Ketcham are a part of another band called Shifted Fate, along with Norm Bowling and John Keenan. I have not seen them play together as a band yet, but I hope to catch a show very soon.
Another thing that I liked about FireBall Ridge was their original songs. They were so strong that I probably wouldn’t have been able to tell if Jennifer hadn’t announced they were playing an original song. I really would like to hear more of their original material.
Rick Amburgey is an experienced journalist and country music fan. He can be contacted at @ViewsCountry.