Like a fresh burst of nitrous oxide in the dentist chair, there is something satisfyingly simple and melodic about watching a solo Mike Cooley strum and sing his songs in an intimate setting with 200 other guests. At the Highline Ballroom this December 5, 2018, Cooley worked his way through two dozen songs and shared his (in many cases) reworked solo versions of favorite Drive-By Truckers songs. Click here for the full set-list.


I have written now and again about “characteristics of the fans” that follow the bands featured in the Thunderbird Ranch Ramble.  It’s no secret that I think Drive-By Truckers have the best fans.  Balanced with big, jump on the table fun and an ernest politeness/respectful way to the music, Mike Cooley appears to have the same mojo as the flock that follows the Drive-By Truckers to their gigs.


Wilco fans are number two on my list. The fans of both bands have many similar, and few differences.  Wilco a little more high-brow and nerdy. The Truckers are also more apt to carry a boot knife, something I always respect from somewhat domestic guys.  Also although talking music with Wilco front-man would be a hoot, I’d take hanging with Mike Cooley or Patterson Hood over Jeff Tweedy any day. (NOTE: After reading Tweedy’s new book, I am even more convinced as it confirmed for me the things I love about Jeff Tweedy and the things turn me off.)


After Mike Cooley strolled to the lone folding chair set front-center stage to start the show, he greeted the crowd with a hardy, “Hello to the best music fans in the world.” It become the first note “circled” with and an asterisk written so hard it left remnants on every page in my pocket-sized show notebook.

In this Highline up-close and personal setting, show participants have a better opportunity to notice Cooley’s great one-liners that fill his songs… such as in Marry Me when he says, “Just because I don’t run my mouth doesn’t mean I’ve got nothing to say.”


Other favorite lyrics shared tonight by Cooley include…


“Good ideas always start with a full glass.” from Pulaski.


“It’s like bringing mama flowers and tracking dog-shit all over the floor. Jesus made the flowers, but it took the dog to make the story good” from Cartoon Gold. (I’d like to know if Mike Cooley was paying homage to the great John Prine lyrical style and sound.)


“I used to hate the fool in me, but only in the morning. Now, I tolerate him all day long.” from Perfect Timing, which he played as his eighth song that night and marked Cooley really getting in a groove with more elaborate redux of popular Truckers tunes.


In true Truckers fashion, the guy (Nick from Long Island) sitting next to our crew bought us a round of Jack shots for helping him enjoy the show. Those that know me, know I don’t ever go near Jack, but in this case… I shared in the fun.


Thanks to Mike Cooley and the Highline Ballroom for putting on such putting on such as a great evening of music fun.


Keep flapping…


Merry Christmas.


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