What we eagerly expected and got from the Molly Tuttle show at the Arlington on Sunday was a friendly thrill ride and a warm ‘n’ fuzzy continuation of the rise of the “newgrass” sensation, singer, and guitar flat picker extraordinaire. Tuttle’s Santa Barbara fanbase has been fortunate to watch her steadily upward career path, through virtually annual shows in the progressively larger venues of SOhO, the Lobero, Campbell Hall, and now the big dream factory of the Arlington, presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures.
Last weekend, she easily packed the house, fueled by the popularity and now Grammy nominated — and yes, poppier — album Goodbye Little Miss Sunshine.
What we may not have expected is that Sunday's many shades of country affair would also be a celebration of musical women of country. Not only is Tuttle’s strikingly fine band an all-female outfit, but the headliner also handpicked two impressive female singers to open the evening — the artists known as Meels and Kaitlin Butts. Remember those names. And get thee to a Google search.