Photo by Hank Randall

Twice this past week, Little Feat performed their classic live album, Waiting for Columbus, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. The two-night spectacular celebrated the 45th anniversary of the beloved LP. It featured several notable sit-ins, including Amy Helm, Charlie Starr, Marcus King, JoJo Herrman, and many more. 

Their March 16 performance kicked off with “Join the Band,” which led into “Fat Man in the Bathtub,” featuring Charlie Starr, the frontman of Blackberry Smoke, who stuck around for a take on “All That You Dream.” 

Songs off the iconic album continued, and Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel joined the band for “Dixie Chicken” and “Tripe Face Boogie.” Little Feat played “Rocket in My Pocket” before Jamey Johnson and Nicki Bluhm joined for a take on “Willin.’” Next, the band covered The Fraternity of Man’s “Don’t Bogart Me.”

The single set performance continued with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna sitting in on “Sailin’ Shoes.” Then, Marcus King came out for set ender, “Feats Don’t Fail Me.” For their encore, Little Feat was joined by Amy Helm on “Long Distance Love,” and Marcus King returned to finish the show with “Let It Roll.”

The fun continued on March 17, while the setlist was nearly identical; apart from the band’s choice encores, sit-ins differed from the previous night. Widespread Panic’s JoJo Hermann sat in on “Oh Atlanta” and “Old Folks Boogie.” Then, after a few tunes performed solely by Little Feat, Eric Church took the stage to assist the band on “Dixie Chicken.” 

Soul legend Bettye LaVette then joined in on a cover of Allen Toussaint’s “On Your Way Down” and stuck around for a take on “A Apolitical Blues/ Long Distance Call/ A Apolitical Blues.” Before the band concluded the set, Jeff Hanna took the stage for “Sailin’ Shoes.” Little Feat played “Fool Yourself ” for their encore,” off the 1973 LP, Dixie Chicken. 

Next, Little Feat will continue their Waiting for Columbus: 45th Anniversary Tour at the Atlanta Sympathy Hall on March 22. Tickets are still available and can be purchased here. 

Little Feat

Ryman Auditorium– Nashville, Tenn. 

March 16, 2022

Set: Join the Band, Fat Man in the Bathtub*, All That You Dream*, Oh Atlanta, Old Folks Boogie, Time Loves a Hero, Day or Night, Mercenary Territory, Spanish Moon, Dixie Chicken^, Tripe Face Boogie^, Rocket in My Pocket, Willin’&, Don’t Bogart Me, A Apolitical Blues/ Long Distance Call/ A Apolitical Blues, Sailin’ Shoes#, Feats Don’t Fail Me%

Enc.: Long Distance Love

Notes:

* with Charlie Starr

^ with Tommy Emmanuel 

& with Jamey Johnson 

# with Jeff Hanna

% with Marcus King 

@ with Amy Helm 

Little Feat

Ryman Auditorium– Nashville, Tenn.

March 17, 2022 

Set: Join the Band, Fat Man in the Bathtub, All That You Dream, Oh Atlanta*, Old Folks Boogie*, Time Loves a Hero, Day or Night, Mercenary Territory, Spanish Moon, Dixie Chicken^, Tripe Face Boogie, Rocket in My Pocket, Willin’, One Your Way Down&, A Apolitical Blues/ Long Distance Call/ A Apolitical Blues&, Sailin’ Shoes#, Feats Don’t Fail Me Now 

Enc.: Fool Yourself 

Notes:

* with JoJo Hermann 

^ with Eric Church 

& with Bettye LaVette 

# with Jeff Hanna