When Lee Surgerner, of the Just Bluegrass
Band let me know that they would be playing at the Red Lantern Barn
in Brewster, Ohio, I marked it on my calendar. Wasn't sure if I could
make it at first, but then as the time got closer, it was apparent
that I could make it! Yeah! I've talked with Lee through email many
times and felt as if I already knew him, but the chance to see he
and the boys play, and to finally meet him in person, that was too
good to pass up.
Well, my daughters decided that they'd
rather spend the night with a friend that was going away for two weeks
and my friend Dave's kids got the chickenpox so I was flying solo
for this trip. Checking out www.Mapquest.com I decided to try the
direct route and take the country routes diagonally across the state.
(I live in Perrysburg, which is right south of Toledo) Of course,
JD came along as he often does in CD form... just got a copy of the
CD, "Flashback" and I also brought along the Rounder Two
compilation CD... (just love hearing the Dreadful Snakes you know...)
and armed with camera, flyers and some new jams, I was off on the
road, again!
Lots of farmlands passed by, and a few
Amish buggies and many semi trucks, too. The time crept by and I was
beginning to think that my scenic trip was perhaps not the quickest
way there! But it was delightful to wander through all the little
towns where my cell phone didn't want to work well. I gave up on chatting
and turned up JD and was off in my own little world for a few hours.
When I finally arrived at the Red Lantern
Barn, I was in for a treat. Let me tell you, stepping in the huge
building, I was greeted with rustic wood beams, and tons of twinkling
red, white and blue lights, and this great warm feeling crept over
me. It was like a summer camp, or something out of the past, where
you could just envision a crowd of cloggers or squaredancers on the
hard wood floors and the sounds of a great band and good times all
around. Everyone was very friendly and within a few minutes I had
met Denver Kennard, the manager and promoter of the place. A very
nice and cheerful man, he impressed me with his sincerity and enthusiasm
to get bluegrass music up and running strong there at the Barn.
Let me tell you, this is a great place
for a show! If you have a chance, get up there and take a look. Nice
comfy chairs up front, tables for gathering about and the stage and
band tables area is nice and open. Denver told me they were planning
to expand the stage area and they had just built a great warm up room
for the bands off the back of the building. He plans to spoil bands
that come through! They've only been doing bluegrass music once a
month for a few months and already he'd got a national act to come
through next month! That says something, folks... this is a great
place to catch a show. Next month, April 17th, Karl Shifflet and his
band will be playing along with Timberline, a great local Ohio band
and One Way Rider, another Buckeye favorite. This is going to be a
show that you'll need to make sure you go to! We need to support the
national acts that venture into Buckeye country... we want them to
know that Buckeye Bluegrass fans love all bluegrass!
After meeting all the gentlemen of Just
Bluegrass, I went off to take a listen and I was joined by a great
lady, Libby Wilson, a local guitar and bass player and we kept each
other company for the evening. It's one the best things about doing
this website, it's meeting great folks that all really love this music
and are doing their best to nurture and embrace it, support and cherish
it. It's wonderful!
The Just Bluegrass Band really is good,
folks... these guys are really polished up and really fun to listen
to. Not a sour note around, and their entertainment value is high.
They get a place really riled up and enjoying their fine music. A
good mix of original songs, some great classics and a fun mix of stuff
that you're not used to hearing in bluegrass, but makes for good listening!
The place was rocking when they kicked off Great Balls of Fire, that
old Jerry Lee Lewis favorite done bluegrass style! Both Kevin Crabtree
and Lee Surgener are mighty fine at lead vocals, sharing the duties
well and complimenting each other. I was certainly paying attention
to Don Long on the bass, seeing if I could pick up any tidbits for
my own learning, but Don makes it look so simple and effortless! I
could not believe how low Jeff Blankenship slings that banjo of his,
but he makes it sound great. I believe he'd be at home in a rock band
just as well as a bluegrass, he plays that banjo like some rock and
roll bass guitar! Keep an eye on these boys, folks, they will most
certainly entertain you and give you a good value for your hard earn
dollar!
After the Just Bluegrass Band, it would
be hard to follow their act! Colonel Larry Fuller and his band did
their best, but I just couldn't forget the set before! They do have
a great fiddler in their midst, and if you're looking for good old
traditional grass, they do their best. Up from the Kentucky area,
you might have a travel a bit to catch their shows down there. Not
exactly sure when they'll be back this way again.
I got a chance to meet Mark Hardesty of
Timberline too, and I'm looking forward to hearing his band perform
next month. If I can, I'm going to be making the trip back as I'd
love to hear Karl Shifflet and see his group do their magic. I'd gladly
drive out there again... though I did take the turnpike back home
and it cut off an hour from my drive!
My thanks to Lee for his enthusiastic
support for BuckeyeBluegrass.com! He mentioned it first set after
a few songs and I was so thrilled to hear folks clapping and giving
their support for our efforts here. That really lets us know we're
doing a favor for everyone and that means a lot. After the first set,
several people came up to introduce themselves and I was so touched
by some sweet older lady that asked me about my banjo and whether
it was back yet! Oh my gosh, you mean, folks actually are reading
what I'm writing about!!! That just made my day!!! I do appreciate
the bands mentioning the sites, passing out flyers and spreading the
word about the site. It's growing so much and it's all from the great
folks that help to support it! It really is a network of fans and
musicians that I first envisioned 5 months ago. Thank you all!
Well, it was nearly 2 am before I pulled
the old BuckyVan into the driveway to my waiting dogs! They were mighty
happy to see me home and I was mighty pleased to find my warm bed
after a long day of driving and some great bluegrass music! Take my
word, get out to a show at the Red Lantern Barn, you won't be disappointed!!!
(And ladies, you'll appreciate all the nice looking cowboys in the
ladies room. Almost didn't want to leave until I'd seen all those
handsome boys!) A great evening of friends and bluegrass!
