Flanfire

South by South Slaughter Creek -- Dave and Cindy's little bit of heaven, complete with sheep, a creek with water enough to fish, swim, and even sink a boat. And Peter Rowan's magical mystery tour through his own Hobbit kingdom (someone at the barn dance said he looks like Bilbo Baggins) into pure joy. And to think - we were down there for only nine hours after getting there at four and missing some early music and fun.

I had been anticipating my first view of Billy Brent Malkus and the Sapphires (though I wonder about the resemblance to the 1950's rhythm and blues trio) and another dose of Sis DeVille. All good (later) but much much more. Of course, the barn dance is all about the joyous spirit of Leeann Atherton - the woman of whom it has been said, "In my seven years of playing with her, I have heard her miss - what - one note." But never a beat.

I strolled in about four, just in time to catch the end of Modern Agriculture and the startup of Jelly Jar - and all of Kim DesChamps' solo guitar set. The weather was PERFECT! Of course, it had rained on Saturday afternoon, and the sky broke wide open Monday morning - but we got to look up at the moon all night long. Those who do not know must also realize the entire place (also at the real barn) is being filled with the smells of beef, chicken, sausages and what all being BBQed (sometimes people even bring smoked salmon) and with all of the various potluck food that people are encouraged to bring along. There are also ample beverages covered in the suggested donation, but people bring extra to share or fortify themselves with over a long day. No one has ever left a barn dance hungry (except by choice) - or unhugged.

As I worked a stint at the gate, I missed much of Texas Hot Flash (except I could hear them from afar and they sounded GREAT!) and Tom Cobb, but I got back up front for Sis DeVille and was rewarded by perhaps their most powerful show EVER! Okay, all of these women have their OWN bands (only drummer Lisa Pankratz who is also a fine singer is not currently fronting one), and all of them are wonderful in their own way and Austin institutions to be sure (okay, Cloud 8, bassist AnnMarie Harrop's new band, is in this group only by projection), but not even Carolyn Wonderland or Shelley King (or the still newlywed Floramay Holliday) can all by herself bring such power and energy to the stage as these five women do when they dress up and flout their talent to the southern rock sounds that are unmatched anywhere. Not only can they play just about as well as the classics (the Allman Brothers, Lynard Skynard, 38 Special, and my old pal Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart), but each one of the quintet is far easier on the eyes (sorry gals) than both of the Allmans and both of the Van Zandts and all of their band mates.

Women like the power, and men like the energy -- and everyone likes the songs. So when Shelley King announced after one smokin' number that it was time for her BOYS to get on stage (plus bassist Bonnie Whitmore), there were cries of "MORE SIS DEVILLE" that did not die down until (out of courtesy) the folks welcomed twin leads Kyle Judd and Kris Brown plus Kim DesChamps sitting in on pedal steel (and the always on time Perry Drake on drums) for what had to be a 45-minute set packed into about 20 minutes. When will Austin City Limits wake up and put Sis DeVille on a big stage in September for all the world to see? I guarantee this band would light up the night and sell more product (even without CD's yet) than anyone else.

We cooled down to a nice acoustic set on the brand new acoustic stage that is Dave's own creation. In addition to being a physicians' assistant in heart surgery (and his surgeon was at the barn dance), Dave is an accomplished artist and craftsman, Harley rider, and all around wonderful guy to hang with. A real Renaissance Man. Wife Cindy (another Harley rider in her own right) is blessing us all by her own presence and his as well.

Back to hot music with the Keller Brothers - with Mike taking a break from touring with Doyle Bramhall I and Corey hustling back from another of his many gigs playing drums for Marcia Ball. The boys got a HUGE break when Leeann herself joined them onstage for the leadoff song. They could not miss afterwards. Then back to the acoustic stage to catch Warren Hood (fiddle in this group), Slim Richey, and two others playing acoustic jazzy stuff as Yo! Gadjo! Warren had to play and run to his 10 pm gig at MoMo's ... and we had to run back to the main stage to catch Billy Brent and the Sapphires.

It is hard to describe the joy of a band that honors my hero Gram Parsons with "proper" dress (not nudie suits yet, but all black outfits with all the proper metal) and a version of Ooh Las Vegas that might be better than Gram's. I am still learning the names of all the players (who are, to be sure, Austin pros), but Rebekah on co-lead vocals is awesome! Their next gig is "opening" for the Onion Creek Crawdaddies on April 1 at Hole in the Wall (starting at 10) - just do not ask questions and GO!

I was hanging out talking to friends and listening to great music when I got approached by a half-pint woman with what turned out to be a central California accent. Her name is Teresa, and she was telling me all about her new friends, Quincy Harper and his band, who in her view should have been playing on the main stage (and indeed they likely will be next time). So it was no surprise that somehow Quincy got an extended acoustic stage set with his all-electric band that smoked the house like the BBQ guys who had quit for the night. Quincy and his dad Boyd (rhythm guitar and vocals) are the songwriters in the group, and Boyd's father was a member of the Light Crust Doughboys (the greatest band in Texas half a century ago that was NOT headed by Bob Wills).

Quincy has this gravelly voice that belies his 23 years of age -- and he is apparently getting to be a pretty hot property for a boy from Fredericksburg (and oddly he has yet to play Bandera but has been focusing on college towns like San Marcos and College Station). Playing alongside these guys (with Ned Brown on bass and a drummer whose name escapes me) is a 16-year-old kid named Austin Roach who reminds me of a young Kenny Wayne or Jonny -- hot licks! This very unknown (to this audience) band won a lot of fans in half an hour or so.

But it was getting late - Peter Rowan did not start until 10:30 - the official ending time for his set. So what? He played - with Leeann's coaxing - until 12:30 am -- and we danced. And swayed and sighed and laughed and even cried a little on one or two of his songs. Pete had Jeff (forgot his last name, but he's from Blanco) on percussion and he was always tasteful and timely, and he had imported the flower of Santa Fe - Carolyn Gilchrist - on mandolin and vocals. She'll be touring with Bill and Bonnie Hearne later this spring - but we MUST get this woman back to Austin. Her spirit was gentle and her playing and her presence sent at least one of my younger pals into outer space -- as it did me!

Tish Hinojosa showed up to do a duet or two at the start of the set, and the venerable Billy Joe Shaver stayed until almost the very sweet end (out with US, not on stage). Billy Joe has been having an inner ear infection and he tripped and fell earlier in the day - but Saint Renee Fuqua - who is a wonderful massage therapist - came to his aid and enabled him to stick around. Word is that Cindy fed him something special too! It was a joy to watch him enjoy the music and the comfort and care of so many who were honored and overjoyed by his presence. Heck - he's even more special than Beatle Bob (who was NOT here this year).

I will not try to describe Peter Rowan's music other than to say the beauty is in the simplicity (a simplicity that is born of many years of practice and the zen of life). He is not trying to impress us with his technical proficiency (which is truly there) or his persona but rather to invite us on a journey not bound by space or time. The music was sooooo good that Clark Drake and his mom stayed until the very end......