Mickey Raphael Welcomes Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Billy F. Gibbons, Margo Price, T Bone Burnett and More for Debut Headline Concert at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville (A Gallery + Recap)

Photo Credit: Peter Shapiro

Last night, Dec. 3, Mickey Raphael touched down in Music City for his long-awaited debut headlining concert at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville. Through 50 years of performance, the harmonica virtuoso has worked up a first-rate resume as a session star and road warrior, accompanying the likes of Waylon Jennings, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Ray Charles and earning acclaim as a member of Willie Nelson’s faithful Family since 1973. Given his reputation as a secret weapon for Americana’s biggest names, Raphael was bound to welcome some of his famous friends, but the caliber of his “VERY special guests” went above and beyond high expectations.

For his first-ever stand as a bandleader, Raphael welcomed support from The Honchos, longtime collaborator Chris Stapleton’s backing band featuring bassist J.T. Cure, guitarist Mike Eli LoPinto, pedal steel player Paul Franklin, drummer Derek Mixon and keyboardist Lee Pardini, formerly of Dawes. A few days out from the ensemble show, the harmonica icon named an intergenerational mix of stars set to join in the celebration, including Jason Isbell, Margo Price, and T Bone Burnett and more, all of whom returned the favor after previously hosting contributions from Raphael.

Together, Raphael and his dream team delivered a 25-song set lined with singalong covers and ripping jams that amounted to an immersive account of country rock’s past, present and future. After introductions and a warm reception by the Nashville, Tenn. crowd, Raphael kicked off his performance with a salute to his near-lifelong musical relationship with Shotgun Willie, inviting singer-songwriter Waylon Payne to the stage for “Whiskey River” and “On the Road Again.” Former Miles Davis band saxophonist Bill Evans joined in next for the red-hot soul stomp of “Compared to What,” trading solos with Raphael and playing through to “Coming Home.”

Payne returned for “Fast Train,” which also featured Nashville-based country star Price. The vocal powerhouse lent her talents to a three track-run, including her recent Billy Strings collaboration “Too Stoned to Cry” and a spellbinding take on The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You.” Folk-rocker Amos Lee bolstered “Brenda” and “El Camino” before Raphael stepped into the spotlight for a lyrical, heartwarming harmonica treatment of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Shortly after, the artist welcomed storied producer and guitarist Burnett for “He Came Down,” “Come Back” and “(I’m Gonna Get Over This) Some Day,” the three originals that open his recent album The Other Side.

Grammy-winning Americana mainstay Shelby Lynne graced the stage for her own “Gotta Get Back” and Nelson’s “Night Life,” priming the audience for the highly-anticipated appearance from Isbell. The 400 Unit bandleader and Nashville institution kept the Willie cuts coming with “Pancho & Lefty,” then presented his recent fan-favorite “Strawberry Woman.” The packed house came to a roar as Raphael moved into his final act and introduced his first surprise guest: legendary ZZ Top guitarist Billy F. Gibbons. Gibbons brought on heavy-hitting blues for a cover of B.B. King’s “Caledonia” and “Baby Please Don’t Go,” then brought the house down with flaming solos on the ZZ Top classic “Gimme All Your Loving.”

When it seemed Raphael’s headline debut couldn’t be any more memorable, the new bandleader tapped his final guest of the evening. Stapleton sauntered onstage to join his crew and, after a pause for applause, poured his soul into a deeply stirring run of “Georgia On My Mind,” followed by his trademark “Outlaw State of Mind.” The packed house never had a chance to settle before all the evening’s artists appeared again for a massive collective finale, welcoming the crowd to cheer along to the fitting conclusion of “On the Road Again.” 

Proceeds from Raphael’s triumphant first-ever headline show were committed to Outlaw State of Mind, Chris and Morgane Stapleton’s vital and multifaceted charitable fund. The artist’s long-awaited spotlight moment began with a pitch from Brooklyn Bowl owner and Relix publisher Peter Shapiro—an unexpected career shift that Raphael embraced after some consideration. “I had no ambition to do this,” the harmonica ace shared with The Tennessean, “but over time, it occurred to me that if I didn’t try it once, I’d end up on my deathbed wondering why I never took the gig.” Today, fans in Nashville and beyond are grateful that he took the chance and eagerly anticipating his return to the road in 2025.

For more information on Mickey Raphael, visit mickeyraphael.com. Get an inside look at Tuesday’s show in the gallery below, courtesy of photographer Nick LeTellier.