Fall finally arrived on the evening of Friday, Sept. 18, and we all felt it. The air was crisp, devoid of summer humidity, filled with a delightful smoky scent from the smattering of fire pits surrounding the Barefoots Joe patio. Students shuffled around as we prepared for the night’s entertainment: The Kernal with Rob and Jay. Like many people there, I was excited to hear some live music again, especially now that those opportunities are so rare. Everyone reclined in lawn chairs or sat on spread out blankets to watch the concert, the first of the fall semester. A hush fell over the chattering crowd as Rob and Jay stepped onto the stage.
At first glance, brothers Rob and Jay Griffith seemed quite different from each other—one sported jeans and a tee shirt, the other khakis and a button-down. When they began singing, however, their voices blended in satisfying harmony. Their connection to each other was palpable, as was their engagement with the crowd.
The duo performed a few opening songs, mostly alternative numbers with notes of folk and country, offering bits of wisdom like “forgive them, even when they are not sorry” and “it won’t end here, your faith has got to be greater than your fear.”
After a brief intermission, Joe Garner, aka “The Kernal,” stepped onto the stage. Native to Jackson, he spent five years as a Union admissions counselor before pursuing a career in music. Friday night’s performance was his first since February.
Clad in an acid-washed button-down and a wide grin, The Kernal greeted the audience before launching into a set of energetic tunes. His music was unlike anything I’ve heard before—country-style, but with an alternative twist.
I knew immediately that The Kernal is a storyteller at heart. All of his songs followed some sort of narrative, occasionally a humorous one, and focused largely on details. He wrote one song just by driving around and writing whatever he saw. He wrote another about a futuristic version of Taco Bell, which he introduced by asking if we were fans of the restaurant. Unsurprisingly, the crowd of fast food-loving college students gave a resounding cheer.
Later in the show, Rob and Jay joined The Kernal on stage, and the three sang a few songs together. Together, they had a light, easy rapport and an obvious passion for music. Rob and Jay and The Kernal each expect to release new records some time in the next few months.
After the show, I asked junior marketing major Chloe Jenkins about her experience.
“The outdoor environment was so cozy, and the performance was casual and fun,” said Jenkins. “Overall, it was a chill, relaxing way to start the weekend.”
Junior nursing major Rachel Faulks had similar sentiments. “The concert was a great kickoff to the fall season. It brought a sense of community that I feel like we’ve been lacking during the pandemic.”
