Threatening rain doesn't dampen mood at Awendaw Green Sea Turtle benefit show

For those of you out there who have yet to check out Awendaw Green, you're missing out on what used to be one of the Lowcountry's best-kept secrets.

I say "used to be" because after seeing the crowd that showed up for this weekend's show headlined by Webb Wilder, it became obvious that the word has spread about East of the Cooper's Awendaw Green.

Last Saturday's show benefitted the sea turtle programs of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and the Sewee Association. In addition to Wilder and his band, the show featured Jeff Norwood, The Whisperjets and Holy Ghost Tent Revival. The folks who run Awendaw Green had gone all out for the event, setting up a covered stage as well as tents for the food and merchandise. Rented chairs had been set up around the stage in front of the big red barn, and some folks had even brought their own camp chairs. The atmosphere was laid back, almost like a backyard get together as people talked, ate hamburgers and hot dogs, and sipped beverages.

First up was Jeff Norwood, who recorded his latest CD at Awendaw Green's recording facility. Norwood plays a mean slide blues guitar, and folks who showed up early were treated to a healthy dose of Norwood's music. Definitely check out the Camden native's CD, "Awendaw," if you're a fan of the blues.

The Whisperjets followed Norwood's set. This group of Mount Pleasant teenagers has always been fun to watch as they developed their sound and watched other bands that came to play at Awendaw Green. Over the past couple of years The Whisperjets have gone from a nervous yet determined group of high school marching band members to a talented and confident band. The thing I love about The Whisperjets is that no matter how good the band members get, and they were really good on Saturday, they don't take themselves too seriously. Standout tunes from the band's performance included "Midnight Shift" and "Rob Zombie," the latter apparently being the first song the band's lead singer ever wrote.

Holy Ghost Tent Revival was up next. I first saw these guys earlier this year at a show at the Pour House on James Island. The Greensboro, N.C.-based band plays a combination of blues, tin pan alley and bluegrass. To say that its members get physically involved in their performances is something of an understatement. The musicians jump, run and vibrate around the stage as they play. The band's spirit is contagious. Within minutes of Holy Ghost Tent Revival taking the stage, there were audience members dancing in front of the stage.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see Holy Ghost live, make sure you do the next time the band is in town. It is easily one of the better live acts I have experienced in recent months.

Finally, with rain threatening, it was time for Webb Wilder. Wilder plays his own unique form of retro rock and roll. Folks who frequented the clubs around town in the '90s will probably remember Wilder fondly as the musician made frequent stops in the Holy City. Wilder still plays a mean guitar, and Saturday night he brought a crack backup band he dubbed The Beatnecks. In addition to longtime bassist Tommy Comet, The Beatnecks included drummer Marshall Richardson and guitarist Rick Kurtz, who has a regular gig playing with Delbert McClinton. Wilder and the band served up a generous helping of material from his latest CD, "More Like Me," including songs such as "Too Cool For Love" and "Still Water Runs Deep" as well as older material.

There are great things going on at Awendaw Green just north of Mount Pleasant near the Sewee Outpost. Check out the venue's Web site awendawgreen.com for upcoming shows and check out the Wednesday night barn jams each week.

Contact Devin Grant at chucktowncritic@yahoo.com.