This is one of a series of posts expanding on my 50 States in 50 Dates blog by documenting the global touring adventures of George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers and the earlier years of their career.
Quick Links:
- Jan. 30, 1982 – Municipal Auditorium. Nashville, TN.
- Dec. 5, 1982 – National Guard Armory. Nashville, TN.
Municipal Auditorium.
Date: January 30, 1982.
The Destroyers performed as part of Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam VIII.
Venue: Municipal Auditorium. 417 4th Ave. N. Nashville, TN. 37201. USA.
Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/peD3Asg7iZYi85Vo6
Venue Exterior:
1967:
Source: Tennessee State Library Archives.
2021:
Venue Interior:
1972:
Source: Tennessee State Library Archives.
Opening Act: N/A. The Destroyers were part of a large lineup of performers for Volunteer Jam VIII that included the Charlie Daniels Band, Roy Acuff, the Oak Ridge Boys, Crystal Gayle, Johnny Lee, Leon Russell, Dickie Betts, Jimmy C. Newman, Moses Dillard & Creation, Dobie Grey, Chuck Leaven, Jimmy Hall, Duane Eddy, the Winters Brothers Band, Mississippi, Grinder’s Switch, Papa John Creech, Buddy Spicher, Dave Perkins, Richie Cannata, Jamie Nichol, Steve Walsh and Quarter Flash.
Poster / Flyer / Handbill: I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for Volunteer Jam VIII. Please get in touch if you have a scan or a photo that you can share.
Press & Promotion:
Source: Cashbox. Dec. 12, 1981. Pg. 15.
Source: Nashville Magazine. Jan. 1982. Pg. 20.
Ticket Price: $12.50.
Ticket Stub:
Attendance: 9,150.
Source: Billboard Magazine. Feb. 20, 1982. Pg. 56.
Set List:
- House of Blue Lights
- Who Do You Love?
- Move It On Over
Source: The Leaf Chronicle. Feb. 1, 1982. Pg. 5B.
Was the Concert Recorded? Yes. Volunteer Jam VIII was broadcast on the King Biscuit radio network and filmed.
Concert Photos:
Source: YouTube.
Source: The Tennessean. Feb. 1, 1982. Pg. 27.
Concert Reaction:
Correspondent Bob Millard of the Leaf Chronicle filed this positive report about the Destroyers’ performance at Volunteer Jam VIII in 1982:
“Rock fans were treated to an extraordinary display of basic rock music and hyperkinetic stage movements by Rounder Records act George Thorogood and the Destroyers. Thorogood, who recently traveled as the opening act for the Rolling Stones on their 1981 tour, dipped, dived and duck-walked across the stage during a three-song set, which included “House of Blue Lights,” “Who Do You Love” and “Move It On Over.” Twice during his performance, the athletic Thorogood jumped off the stage and walked deep into the front 20 or so rows of spectators without missing a guitar lick. Crowd reaction was phenomenal, as the Boston-based (sic) rocker worked so strenuously that sweat poured down his face.“
Source: The Leaf Chronicle. Feb. 1, 1982. Pg. 5B.
Other Notes: None.
Fate of the Venue: The Municipal Auditorium in Nashville continues to host sports, concerts and other public events.
National Guard Armory.
Date: December 5, 1982.
Venue: National Guard Armory. 3041 Sidco Dr. Nashville, TN. 37204. USA.
Note: The actual Armory building is closer to 3282 Sidco Dr.
Find it on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/dzJx3sCbLtA3nvUn8
Venue Exterior:
1962:
Source: The Tennessean. May 20, 1962. Pg. 6b.
2021:
Venue Interior:
1963:
Source: Nashville Banner. Dec. 13, 1963. Pg. 31.
Opening Act: The Nighthawks.
Source: The Tennessean. Dec. 3, 1982. Pg. 54.
Poster / Flyer / Handbill: I have not (yet) come across a poster, flyer or handbill for the Destroyers’ 1982 show at the National Guard Armory in Nashville. Please get in touch if you have a scan or a photo that you can share.
Press & Promotion:
Source: The Tennessean. Nov. 21, 1982. Pg. 2.
Source: The Tennessean. Nov. 28, 1982. Pg. 38.
Source: The Tennessean. Dec. 5, 1982. Pg. 12.
Ticket Price: $9.50.
Ticket Stub: I have yet to see a ticket stub for this concert. If you have a scan or a photo to share, please send me a note.
Attendance: Unknown. The National Guard Armory in Nashville held 570 people.
Source: Billboard Magazine. October 23, 1978. Pg. 60.
Set List: Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.
Was the Concert Recorded? Unknown. Please get in touch if you have any information.
Concert Photos: I have not yet come across any photos from the Destroyers’ 1982 concert at the Nation Guard Armory in Nashville. Please drop me a note if you know of any.
Concert Reaction: I am still looking for a printed review of this concert. Please drop me a note to point me in the right direction.
Other Notes: None.
Fate of the Venue: The National Guard Armory in Nashville (aka the Clement Nannally Armory) remains in operation for the US Department of Defense. Public access and events at the site were curtailed after a security incident in 2001.
50 States in 50 Dates 