JOHN HIATT & THE COMBO – Superstar songwriter returns to The Handlebar, Sept. 20, 8:30pm.
We never thought this would happen. A star as huge as John Hiatt returns. This time, though he’s bringing along some additional firepower. The last time Nashville’s elder statesman and songwriting god played The Handlebar was way back in 2004. Now, he’s showing up with his four-piece Combo. What we remembered as a marathon of solo-acoustic paradise will morph into a blistering rock ‘n’ roll revival from the same guy who brought you more hits than Derek Jeter. “Thing Called Love,” “Tennessee Plates,” “Feels Like Rain,” to name a few, and he’s got a new record out, Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns, his 20th. “Hiatt’s music is so damn infectious,” says Popmatters.com that you want to take a sip out of the flask with him.” After all, our returning hero has performed with everyone from Ry Cooder to Nick Lowe, and his songs have been covered by anyone who matters: Dylan, Emmylou, Willie, the Nevilles and more. Welcome back indeed.

JOHN HIATT & THE COMBO – Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns, on CD, available at Horizon Records