Waybacks and HBR at Knotty; 49er Ball for charities

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Nine string musicians and a drummer are combining forces for a co-bill tour that will feature two must-see California bands: The Waybacks and Hot Buttered Rum. Their musical styles fit well together. Expect a high-energy affair full of bluegrass, rock, blues, gypsy swing and jazz at 10 p.m. on Saturday at the Knotty Pine in Victor.

It would be hard to forget the Waybacks’ performance in August of 2005 at the Targhee Bluegrass Festival - one of the all-time greatest stole-the-show moments I’ve encountered at a festival packed full of heavy-hitters. I was taken aback by this band I’d never heard of, as were the strangers around me.

The band improvises, effortlessly transitioning between styles. Their “jams” maintain a level of focus and direction few improvisational bands are capable of, but their appeal is more than that. The mesh of unexpected grooves, perhaps a rumba here and a honky-tonk number there, keeps the listener glued to each note.

The Waybacks have been through some lineup changes since their last visit, for Music on Main in Driggs last summer. Co-founder, finger-style guitarist and vocalist Stevie Coyle has since left the band to pursue a solo career and guitar instruction. The remaining quartet - virtuosic guitarist James Nash, fiddler Warren Hood, bassist Jo Kyle Jr. and drummer Chuck Hamilton - just finished mastering their first studio disc with the newly trimmed lineup, “Loaded,” to be released late March.

While Hot Buttered Rum has traditional bluegrass instrumentation, they lean towards the acoustic rock end of the jam-grass scene. What sets the band apart is their commitment to environmental sensitivity. Not only do they have a ‘green tunes’ page on their website detailing songs related to environmental issues like sustainable energy and water rights, but for the last five years the band has been touring the country on vegetable oil and biodiesel. The band takes it a step further with their merchandise by selling merchandise from a sustainable source.

“There are no wars fought over vegetable oil,” said vocalist-mandolin player Zac Matthews on the HBR website.  “As the band gets bigger and we’re playing festivals where there’s tons of people, we’re able to show them our bus and that it’s viable to use vegetable oil.”

The band’s 2005 disc, “Red Alert! Live,” exposes the chameleon-like nature of their live show. The compilation pulls from three nights at the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins, Colo., and features three original tracks as well as covers of “Whipping Post,” “Thrill is Gone,” and “We Want the Funk.” The band also released “Whitewater Ramble – DVD: A,” of their Halloween 2006 show at the Aggie.

Tickets are $15 at the door. Call 208-787-2866 for more information.

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Imagine, for a moment, Jackson Hole - circa 1896.  The Kelly School was just built, the single post office renamed, and the Wyoming Tribune reported the possibility of a new town, Grand Teton, at the north end of Spring Gulch. A winter like this one made transportation a daunting challenge. Cabin fever set in.

It has been 112 years since the 49er Ball was established to combat cabin fever. The ball has continued nearly every year since 1896, with the exception of a few war years, and the Jackson Hole Lions Club has been running the show for the last 15 years.
This year’s ball will be in the same spirit as the first - gambling, live music, and an evening of dancing with a hefty dose of country, western swing, rock and bluegrass from Boondocks. You’ll surely find plenty of games like Black Jack, Texas Hold ’em, and Craps to entertain, as well as Madam Moon on hand to tell your fortune and Old Time photos to capture the moment.

Most importantly, the event will benefit three local causes. Part of the proceeds will go to Uplift Wyoming, which supports youth with, or at risk of, emotional, behavioral or learning disorders. Other proceeds will purchase large band instruments to be used by elementary and middle school children who cannot afford them. The remainder will stay with JHLC to assist locals with eye care.

The 49er Ball runs 7 p.m. to midnight this Saturday at the Virginian Lodge, with dance lessons kicking things off from 7-8 p.m. and music beginning at 8 p.m. Included with your $15 ticket is a chance to win a $1000 raffle. Tickets are available from any of the four queen candidates - Lana Crabtree, Christie Maurais, Patty Navratil and Denise Scherr-Thoss - or by calling Cindy at 733-6071, or at the door. The candidate who sells the most tickets is crowned queen.

Courtesy Photo
Hot Buttered Rum


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Waybacks and HBR at Knotty; 49er Ball for charities | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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