Don Potter helped craft the sound of The Judds — the acoustic harmonies and guitar textures that made Naomi and Wynonna one of country music’s defining acts — and played sessions with Dolly Parton, Elton John, and Mark Knopfler along the way. On Sunday, September 20, he comes back to Rochester for one afternoon hour at Abilene Bar & Lounge. The show is sold out, which tells you something about how much this city still claims him.
About the Show
Potter built his following in the greater Rochester area as a member of The Showstoppers in the late 1960s, then partnered with fellow Showstopper Bat McGrath on a duo that embedded itself in the regional scene. The two even opened Hylie Morris' Alley, a coffee house on West Ridge Road. Together they collaborated with Chuck Mangione on the landmark “Friends and Love” concert, recorded live at Eastman Theatre in Rochester on May 9, 1970. Potter helped conceptualize the event, including proposing the dramatic opening where Mangione walked out alone with his flugelhorn in front of the curtain before the orchestra joined. Both Potter and McGrath were inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
His Nashville chapter opened in the 1980s and ran for decades. Working as a session musician and producer, Potter contributed guitar and vocals to more than 100 hit records. He is credited with creating the sound of The Judds, shaping the acoustic harmonies that defined Naomi and Wynonna’s early recordings. That work put him in sessions with Hank Williams Jr., Trisha Yearwood, Etta James, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss, Faith Hill, Lyle Lovett, and Mark Knopfler. Potter has spoken about the value of spontaneity in the studio — that mistakes often produce “the freshest thing” — and that instinct comes through in a live setting this intimate.
Potter now lives in North Carolina with his wife Christine, where they operate Potter School Haus, and has continued to perform in the western New York region.
Venue & Logistics
Abilene Bar & Lounge at 153 Liberty Pole Way is a 200-capacity bar and music venue in downtown Rochester. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.; music runs 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The one-hour format suits the room.
Tickets
This show is sold out. No ticket price was available from sources at the time of publication. Check the event page for updates.