For
over 2 decades The Rudyard Kipling has been the hallmark of alternative
entertainment in Louisville and the most gracious host of many an Insomniacathon.
On June 3rd, Jim James of My
Morning Jacket, Ron and Sarah Elizabeth Whitehead played a Benefit
for Preservation of The Rudyard Kipling.
Due
to skyrocketing operational costs, Louisville's creative Sons and Daughters have
dallied once again to help Ken and Sheila Pyle keep the doors open and
the stage alive at this most unique performance venue.
In
Ron Whitehead’s words, “The
Rudyard Kipling is like Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, only more intimate.
There are no barriers between artist and audience." The Rudyard Kipling opened
its doors in 1983 and has been an integral part of Louisville music culture for
the last 23 years. Spanning genres and generations, The Rudyard Kipling has been
a home to many legendaries: David Amram, Wynton Marsalis, My Morning Jacket, Ralph
Stanley, The John Cowan Band, James McMurtry,Josh Ritter, to name a few.
In
a note written by Ron Whitehead on June 4th, Ron wrote to me:
"The
Best concert I've ever had anything to do with. You've got to understand. Since
childhood I've attended, performed at, produced, and participated in tens of thousands
of concerts round the world. Last night, June 3rd 2007, The Rudyard Kipling Benefit
Concert was The Best.
The
Best Concert of All Time.
There
are many reasons why it was The Best Concert of all time. I'll name a few.
Jim
James (My Morning Jacket) and Sarah Elizabeth Whitehead are my two favorite singers.
They are two of The Best singers songwriters musicians. But there is more. They
have a rare necessary element: deep passionate compassionate hearts. They have
an innate inherent wisdom that is both ancient and childlike. All those elements
birth a charisma that is electrifying.
The
energy at The Rud was electric. 4-hour concert. The audience in rapt attention.
There is more. The union of male (Jim) and female (Sarah) energy produced a duet
unlike any other duet, past or present. Plus. No singers have the courage or ability
to go where Jim and Sarah went at the Live at The Rud concert. They covered the
spectrum of musical genres: from acappella mountain to oldtime to country to blues
to jazz to folk to soul to rock to R&B, from broken hearted spirituals to
steamy romance, and more. In one concert Jim and Sarah proved that they are master
singers in any genre.
The
audience was mesmerized. Not one person, including the performers, will ever be
the same. That includes Carl Broemel (amazing), Andy Cook (brilliant), and me.
The night was more than special, it was pure alchemy. We were transformed transported
to new realms. Spirit and sex became one energy. The Holy Spirit The Great Spirit
moved in us and through us. The Rud was filled with angels with spirits. We heard
angels sing, perform. We will never be the same. My heart is open. Tears of joy.
Amazing Grace."
Ron
Whitehead
June 4, 2007
The Highlands
Kentucky
AHA
After
the Benefit The Pyles wrote:"The beautiful
concert on Sunday, June 3rd by Ron Whitehead, Sarah Elizabeth and Jim James was
a time of Love and Joy. The Rudyard Kipling is blessed to have artists who give
their talents and audiences who support the musicians and this stage. We Thank
You and Love You!"
Ken
and Sheila Pyle
Note
From The Editor: My first time to The Rudyard Kipling
was for the last Insomniacathon in the Fall of 2003. From the moment I entered
the building I knew I was at another great hall of revelation. The ensuing 70hr
+ non-stop Poetry and Music communion was my antinomian baptism to this jewel
of Louisville and came to realize this was truly a pulpit of The Global Literary
Renaissance and the camaraderie I found there that wild weekend continues to reverberate
and was and continues to be the inspiration for this website, Insomniacathon On-Line!
where The Poetry and The Music is 24/7! Here's to the idioms of Inspiration, Illumination,
Education and the Perpetuation of a Global Literary Renaissance! Long may The
Rudyard Kipling stage rage!
Peace all
around! James Walck
