Yesterday, I went to Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic. While it certainly had it’s moments, it wasn’t the best musical experience of my life. I won’t bore you with the details. Instead, let’s put it behind us by listening to some of the bands and musicians I wish had been on yesterday’s bill. I’m not going to write a lot because these performances speak for themselves. Take a gander and I think you’ll be hard pressed to walk away without a new favorite.
Nb: This list is comprised, for the most part, of acts you can see in small clubs all over the country (and in some cases, the world) for under $20. A couple of the bands have transformed into new/related/spinoff groups but, the odds are good you can see most of these folks live in the next year or two if you keep an eye on those club listings.
It was unbelievably hot in that club,
but this was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.
A Welsh-Chicagoan singing about Hank Williams:
One Man Bands
Bonus
You can’t see this band anymore,
but most of them are still playing music.
Howdy y’all! Long time no write, I know. Well, the wait is over & now you get to read about my weekend, you lucky bastard(s?):
Friday night I had a whirlwind affair with the rodeo. I wish I’d gotten to there sooner (I had to work all day), so I could have seen more stuff.
cowsploitation
We intended to see Loretta Lynn, but she cancelled & we got George Jones instead. I love me some George Jones, but unfortunately, the ol’ Possum isn’t doing so hot. His voice was hardly even workable. It was sad. I have total respect for a dude who’s still trying to do what he loves at 80, but dang! that was a crap show! I saw him at Billy Bob’s back about 15 years ago & he was havin’ to take breaks between songs then, so I wasn’t expecting too much this time around…
The Possum's voice lives up to his other nickname: No Show Jones.
The rodeo was quite enjoyable, though! There was some pretty over-the-top patriotism, religiosity & misogyny, but other than that I loved it! I hadn’t been to one since I was a kid, but I’m already plotting my return next year. Turns out, I really enjoy seein’ a man wrestle a beast. Who knew?
Also, the Mutton Bustin’ event (where little kids grab onto a sheep and hang on as long as they can) was as cute as I’d heard it’d be.
Mutton Bustin'
Oh, and there was totally a baby kangaroo at the petting zoo!
Lil' Roo
Then, Saturday morning, I headed right up the road (from my place & from the rodeo) to Green Gate Farms to take a tour.
Green Gate Farm
It was a real nice tour & I learned a couple of things. The highlights were the critters & the artisanal ice cream. Green Gate raises some lard hogs (I don’t remember what they are called, sorry) along with chickens, meat hogs, sheep, goats & a horse. The baby goats were super-cute & friendly…
goaty goats
…as were the baby lard hogs.
lard hogspiggy pets
After the tour, I bought some smoked ham, lard and lamb’s quarters from the farm stand, and tried the ice cream. I got the fresh mint with chocolate specks. It was delicious! Angel Young, the “ice cream & sorbet artisan”, was lovely to chat with, as well.
lamb's quarters (before)
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kedgeree (fish curry)
Yesterday, I made a yummy fish curry from this recipe and I fixed up those lamb’s quarters to go with. (I felt silly buying them at the farm stand, since they grow wild. I intend to forage some more soon. They have, something like 5x the nutrients of spinach.) I just wilted them in some oil I’d fried up some onions & garlic in. They were delicious!!
