CRB writes:

>And speaking of regularity, in another sense: any of those who "went
>down Virginia / Seeking shelter from the storm" wanna inform the rest
>of us HMR-list reg-yoo-lars 'bout what we missed at the Capitol City
>Barn (Bran?) Dance this past Saturday? Do tell, folks (CaveMan? You
>out there, buddy? Anyone else who was there, mayhap?)...

Well, first off let it be known that after the funny stuff that's come from the Bran Dance post, I can't take any credit for the typo. I'll admit to my poor grasp of written English, but that was cut and pasted from a NG as it was written.

Road Trip:

Jake (my son) and I shoved off at about 7:30AM Saturday for our journey to VA. Yes, it was raining and didn't let up until we were south of Philly. We stopped off in NYC to pick Greg and his wife Jie and were back on the road again by 11AM. Due to a breakdown in communications, we didn't pick up a fellow list member south of Philly and proceeded on our way from there at 2:30PM after an hour layover. We reached Richmond unscathed about 7PM a full two hours before the doors were to open.

As we were looking for a parking spot, we glanced down the ally that the bar fronts and noticed band equipment being loaded into the bar. We got a great parking spot around the corner and headed for the bar.

In the Ally Katz we found our heroes, Stampfel/Weber/Reisch, sitting around a table in an all but empty brick bar, drawing out their battle plans for the evenings festivities.

We took a short tour of the place, noting the fine renovation of this old brick building, that appears to have been a factory of some sort. We were actually making battle plans of our own, since Greg had been recruited to tape the event for Peter. Noting the placement of the PA speakers, Greg staked out a possible location to record from if Plan A, a board recording, didn't pan out (which BTW didn't, due to the lack of a proper line cord to patch into the board, damn!).

Noticing that the boys had seemed to finish there work, we advanced to the war room and exchanged pleasantries. I was standing by Weber's side of the table and had a nice time chatting with him. He had fun messin' with Jake, while conversing with me, inviting him to sit on his lap. We, Weber and I, finally got it through to Jake that Weber was joking and that in future situations, such as this, he should think of something witty to say in return to the merry prankster.

Weber is a real nice guy and is very approachable. Our conversation took on the feel of an improvisational piece of music, jumping about from topic to topic. I also chatted with Dave a bit, asking how his flight went and other matters of earth stopping importance. He pointed out that he was given a First Class seat and had fun ordering all kinds of stuff with a push of a button (stressing the point by mimicking the task by pushing an unseen button floating there in the bar).

Then it became time to feed the troops. Greg and Jie retreated to the van for a pic-nic dinner they had prepared. Jake and I followed the band and others into a healthfood luncheonette around the corner. The band/crew hit a table in the back, where they ate and were also involved in a video taped interview. Jake and I pulled up a seat at the counter and were joined for a while by Weber as we waited for our pita sandwiches. Weber ordered a large glass of milk. Then proceeded to show Jake how to make it obvious to a group of young ladies, dressed up for a wedding it appeared, that he found them very appealing indeed.

Then it was back to the 'Bran' Dance, where Greg and I picked up posters of the evenings events from Jyl, as well as some posters from past shows that Snock played at. The posters are color prints of original paintings by Jyl's husband Wes. They are the promoters of the Barn Dance and from the looks of the shows represented in the poster collection, they are doing a hell of a job there.

My favorite poster came with a Snock story. One morning Wes and Jyl woke up and noticed a painting for a future event's poster had a mysterious change to it. It seems that while everyone was sleeping, Kornbred snuck into the house and painted himself into the front seat of an old car, driven by what looks like a crazed rat. It's really funny to look at, the whole poster has a deep dark feel to it, and and there, peering out the windshield, is Kornbred with his glowin' green skin. (Note to Greg: Ya left your's in the van, I'll bring them down Wednesday.)

The music for the evening began with a sound check that at times took on the appearance of a solo Weber preformance. Then, off to the side of the room the house band, The Slack Family, broke into a number. The Slack Family is a stringband and there function at Barn Dances is to entertain the crowd while the bands on center stage get ready to play. They are really good and play traditional style stringband music.

Then it was time for what we were all waiting for, The Holy Modal Rounders. The HMR played a short set, sorry didn't write it down or attempt to store it away in this old gray matter. It was all you'd ask for and more. They were to return later in the evening.

This was followed by The Slack Family doing a longer set then before, while The Lancaster County Prison prepared their equipment. The LCP followed with a long set of what can be discribed as, well actually I am speechless. They were really good except I couldn't understand the vocals. It was too loud, but they did play a rip roaring rendition of Kris Kristopherson's "Lord, Help Me Jesus", complete with Bag Pipes.

Anyway, although they were good, Jake and I were getting tired of standing and went outside to sit down. We weren't really outside, as we were sitting in the opening of a rollup metal door behind the bar, that at one time served as the loading dock. That's when Jake noticed the Laser-Light-Pen Imitator. Those of you that saw Seinfeld last week know what I am talking about, as for the rest of you, it's not worth explaining.

Back to the Slack Family and the feature of the evening, an approximately 2.5 hour set by the HMRs. It was very inspired and everything you as a long time fan of theirs would have ever dreamed to witness!!!! Since I am so obviously not a music journalist, and so blatantly write in the style of a 1970s Rock Journalist, that is to say I write about everything except for the music, I will end my story here.

Wait......I forgot to say that after the show we attempted to drive back to NY. Being the only one on board with a license, I could only make it until 5:30AM rolled around. We were somewhere along 95 in Maryland at a rest area. I got about two hours of restless sleep. By 8AM we were off again and Jake and I got home by 2:30PM for Mother's Day. Father and Son made the 1015 mile road trip, saw an incredible show, met some great folks, and all in just 31 hours!

Till later,
CaveMan