‘Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house, there was nothing left to eat, not even for a mouse. So, we finished our coffee and got ourselves dressed, then headed toward Surrey Center for a post-Christmas brunch with a side of live music. I know that doesn’t rhyme, but French Market Grille was our brunch destination promising to serve up a heaping helping of music by local artist Keith Gregory.
Dean and I were one of the first parties to arrive that late Sunday morning. When we asked to be seated near the entertainment, we were placed in a cozy booth right next to the bar.
The lunch menu swam with so many delicious options that it was difficult to choose just one dish. At first I considered a hot, steamy bowl of French Market Grille’s signature red beans and rice but instead opted for a Cajun catfish po’ boy. Dean ordered the Cajun chicken po’ boy. We both needed a little Louisiana heat to help us jumpstart our day and were thrilled at the amount of food we were given. The sandwiches were packed with meat and the hand cut chips were hot, crisp, and simply perfect.
The wait staff was accommodating and extra friendly, making us feel like regulars right from the start.
Keith Gregory arrived shortly after we placed our orders and set up at the bar directly across from our table. He began his set a few minutes before noon. After preparing his guitar, he opened his set with a James Taylor classic, “Shower the People.” I knew then and there that our decision to come for brunch was a good one.
Keith played a continual stream of music, strumming an acoustic guitar and singing classic 70s soft rock songs, including Jim Croce’s “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song.” Each song segued into the next, delivered by Keith’s smooth voice and shimmering guitar work that lent a calming ambiance to an already peaceful room. His music selections were the perfect accompaniment to our brunch. I enjoyed the way he made each song his own, jazzing up “Stray Cat Strut” by the Stray Cats while mellowing out on “Stuck On You” by Lionel Ritchie. Other songs he covered included “Moondance” by Van Morrison, “You Were Always on My Mind” by Willie Nelson, “Make it With You” by Bread, and “Piano Man” by Billy Joel.
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It was joyfully obvious that Keith loved the songs he played. He sang each tune from the heart and with such feeling that one would have thought the songs had been written by him. Keith’s nimble guitar work and gentle vocals carried with them a bit of a folksy-jazz touch, if that makes sense, giving a fun and new take on the old favorites. The musical styling reminded me a lot of Tracy Chapman as Keith sat at the bar armed with a beautiful voice and a single guitar. Other instruments would have distracted and taken away from the music pouring forth from his soul and fingertips. I could have stayed all afternoon just listening to him perform.
In no rush to leave, Dean and I ordered and shared a slice of lemon cream pie, savoring each bite of the light and heavenly confection as we savored each song. The citrus dessert was the perfect end to a delicious brunch. As he finished singing “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder, Dean and I got up to leave. I dropped a tip in the jar and thanked Keith for a providing such a wonderful performance.
Keith Gregory performs on Sundays at French Market Grille beginning at noon. If you enjoy soft rock classics and delicious Louisiana-style eats, I highly recommend checking his calendar and making plans to catch him at the restaurant. He also performs at other venues all around the CSRA. Follow him at www.keithgregory.com. He is one of the friendliest musicians I’ve ever met and I know we will see him again, and often.
Located in Surrey Center at 425 Highland Avenue in Augusta, French Market Grille serves the best in local Cajun cuisine. Check them out at www.thefrenchmarketgrille.com.
Looking to enjoy some live local entertainment this weekend? Look no further than Guns For Hire who will blast into Carolina Ale House at 7 p.m. Friday. Also on this first Friday of the month, go back in time and relive the beats at 90s House Party at Joe’s Underground where the fun starts at 9 p.m. On Saturday, catch Keith Gregory at Suite 10 in Evans starting at 7 p.m. Also on Saturday, Gabriel Flores takes the stage at Doc’s Porchside in Grovetown. Show starts at 8:00 p.m.
Francie Klopotic is an author, artist and music aficionado living in Augusta. She writes The Night Beat column the first and third Fridays of each month.
