Concert On The Tracks: An evening with Thomas Csorba

On February 4, Thomas Csorba and Kevin Johnson drove for 13 hours from Houston, Texas to Opelika, Alabama in the hopes of serenading a coffee shop of music lovers. Side Track Coffee's lofted ceilings carried Csorba's hammering guitar melodies throughout the open space, but it also carried the chatter of a few less attentive listeners.

Side Track Coffee, located in downtown Opelika, kept its front door locked during Csorba's set, forcing eager listeners to use a separate entrance (and not interrupt).

People claimed their seats in front of the makeshift stage. Others ordered coffee, played card games, talked with friends and waited for Csorba's southern roots set to begin.

Thomas Csorba and Kevin Johnson ready their instruments as a crowd slowly gathers. As people pile in to hear Csorba and Johnson, their conversations grow louder.

"It's Hungarian," Csorba said after finishing his first song, as a friend asked from the crowd "how do you even spell 'Csorba' anyway?"

"This next song is about the music and how much it means to me," Csorba said, hardly audible over the roar of conversation now building in the back of Side Track.

As Csorba and Johnson tune up for their next song, a listener looks over at those talking by the coffee bar.

The Side Track baristas kept busy on Feb. 4, as Csorba's concert brought in almost 100 people.

Dragging couch pillows to the floor, listeners sunk down in front of Csorba and Johnson to hear the remainder of their set.

"I think we'll do a cover," Csorba said, glancing over at Johnson. Csorba picked softly at his electric guitar's strings. C to G to A minor to C. In his low, smokey voice, Csorba began to sing his "Valentine's serenade": Can't Help Falling In Love.

The crowd shout-sang along: "Wise men say, only fools rush in." Csorba grinned as he silently picked his guitar, letting the crowd sing for him.

With the crowd finally attentive, Csorba closed with his newest single, "Fifty Miles," a soulful rock anthem about missing home.

to listen to the playlist, click here