Rodriguez at the Ryman – The Solari Library

By Kristen Linton

The lights dimmed, the band entered, Rodriguez took the stage. He hadn’t said a word or strummed a note, but the crowd was already standing. Audience members competing for his attention shouted, “We love you, Rodriguez” “We love you more!” The moment he opened his mouth to sing “Climb Up On My Music”, the congregation was stilled, they took their seats, and paid close attention. Rodriguez had something to say, and we needed to listen.

I didn’t know anything about Sixto Rodriguez until a few months ago when I saw the Academy Award winning documentary,Searching for Sugar Man. I don’t think many people at the Ryman Auditorium on Monday night knew much about Sixto Rodriquez until that film illuminated his talent either. So there we were, just a couple hundred of Sixto’s newest fans, hanging out at one of the most famous music venues in the United States, experiencing this once hidden legend in action.

Rodriguez’s journey to fame really is the stuff of legends, and if you are into that kind of thing, you should watch the film and get to know Rodriguez’s story. You won’t be disappointed to have spent the time.

But if you want to experience the result of his incredible journey, you must go see him live. It’s a concert experience like none I have had before. There are no strobe lights, no smoke machines, no backup dancers, no gimmicks—just a man, his guitar, and his stories.

Be warned: his voice is not a pretty one. It’s filled with grit and pain, and truth. And while not every note is sung in tune, it is refreshing just to hear a real human voice, unproduced and exposed. It’s the only way to sing the stories that he sings. It’s raw and it’s real.

Rodriguez shared his stories for 80 minutes and 25 songs. As the encore came to a close he put his fist in the air and said, “Thank you. Power to the people.” Once again, the congregation was stilled. I scanned the audience who were all in agreement, fists in the air confirming, “Power to the people.”