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Past Honky Tonk House Concerts
June 22, 2006, The amazing Wayne "The Train" Hancock!
| <<<<< Inaugural Honky Tonk House Concert >>>>> June 22, 2006 Come and listen to my story 'bout a man named Jay. He and Tammy-fair are great folks in every way. Then one day they hosted a house show, And on through the rain come a Tex-tornado (Wayne that is, Hancock, cupcake-aholic) My apologies to Lester and Earl.... Written by Denise Williams Our friends Jay and Tammy hosted their first house concert on a rain-drenched Thursday evening. Rick and I drove up from TN and as we got closer to their home, Streetsboro OH, the rain got heavier and harder. One spot found flares marking water flowing over the highway and we crept cautiously through. As we checked into our motel we heard talk of flooding in the region. No surprise considering what we had just driven through. We unpacked and headed over to see Wayne Hancock at Honky Tonk House Concerts! Pulling up to Jay and Tammy's, the rain had let up to a drizzle and we joined them in the garage where they had moved the furniture and TV that normally live in their den. Tammy was setting out the spread on a buffet table (chips, dips, veggies, cupcakes, and Jay's awesome guacamole and equally amazing mexican chicken dish) and Jay was attempting to quiet his nerves with beer. He was in turn worried that because of the abundant rain either Wayne would be unable to get to them, or Wayne would arrive but the audience wouldn't show. But the rain ended just as Wayne arrived and the crowd was not far behind. Wayne is traveling with guitar player Eddie Biebel, stand up bass player Chris Darrel and Gina (who's last name I missed) who is a fine singer in her own right. Jay welcomed them and they unloaded their gear. Wayne seemed a bit remote and took a seat in the quiet of the empty-for-now music room. Eddie and Chris mingled in the garage, having a bite to eat and enjoying the Billy Joe Shaver DVD on the telly. They made kind remarks about Billy and expressed much respect for Eddy's talent also. I made myself a plate and took it into the den to eat at the bar, finding myself alone with Wayne. I broke the uneasy silence by offering to bring him some grub, which he politely declined, adding that he just wanted to sit a moment and get the feel of the room. I asked whether the heavy rains had made their drive as challenging as ours and we chatted a bit. I finished my plate and went back out to the garage, leaving him to himself again. After a short while, during which I noticed both Wayne and Jay missing, Jay reappeared in the doorway to the garage and invited us all inside as Wayne and the band were starting! They were already a bar or two into their first tune as we took our seats. Wayne's earlier remoteness or shyness was not to be found, clearly he was now in his element. Wayne and the band moved casually through his extensive material, talking to the crowd between songs, taking requests, discussing what number to do next. They were totally engaging, Wayne told that he was offered money to leave the short, two bar intro off the beginning of 87 Southbound. Without the intro, however, he felt it was just a normal country song and he wasn't interested in that. He shared a new song from his next CD, due to be out in October, called Lord Take My Pain. After an excellent 45 minute set including Johnny Law, Highway 54, and Milk Cow Blues, they took a break and returned in even better spirits! Although originally planned to be done playing at 10:00 they requested to play until 11:00 and mused about going all night long. Wayne commented he wanted to make it worth our while to have come out that rainy night. Highlights for me of the second set included Hwy. 66, Viper, and Thunderstorms and Neon Signs. At one point he joked they should call his friend Hank III and invite him over. It really felt like he was having as much fun as we were! Wayne also invited Gina up to do a tune, she chose T for Texas and tore it up. What a neat added bonus. After a two song encore the crowd reluctantly allowed Wayne and the band to call it a night. But no one was in a big hurry to leave. Folks bought CDs, which Wayne signed, enjoyed more good eats, had their picture taken with Wayne, and talked amongst themselves about what a great concert it had been. Many, MANY cupcakes were consumed, virtually all of them by Wayne. Seems that...um...performing! realllly gives him the munchies! Finally it was just Jay and Tammy, Rick and myself, Wayne and the band, and a couple heavily inked gentlemen (one of them a tattoo artist) remaining. As the talk turned to potential tattooing, and the cupcakes ran out, Wayne called the night to an end and we followed their van out the drive and into the Ohio night with hearts full of great music, stomachs full of good food and cheer, and faces sporting nothin' but smiles.... Jay and Tammy are great hosts and have a nice space for house concerts. The room is cozy but not cramped, with a capacity in the 25 to 35 folks range. It is decorated with music and sports memorabilia making for a cool atmosphere. They have installed a bench along the back wall, which they invite artists and attendees alike to autograph. If you have yet to experience the incomparable up-close access to the music that house concerts afford, and you are in the vicinity of Streetsboro Ohio, do yourself a HUGE favor and make your way to Jay and Tammy's place. I know we will be back! Well now its time to say goodbye to Jay and all his fun They would like to thank you folks and invite you to drop in You're all invited back one day for music revelry To have a heaping helping of their hospitality (Honky Tonk House Concerts, check their clever website, great music, Y'all come round now, ya hear?) http://www.honkytonkhouseconcerts.com/ http://www.waynehancock.com/index.htm http://www.myspace.com/waynehancock http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=6500071 http://www.myspace.com/eddiebiebel |