Dallas, TX
October 5, 2002
~ Gregg
Happy Birthday Chappy!!!!!!
First and foremost, I want to say that. Saturday October 5, 2002 was a night to celebrate several things but I’m getting a bit ahead of myself. Let’s go back shall we?
When we last left our intrepid protagonist he had arrived back in Dallas a mere 12 hours after leaving… The trip was more than worth it as the boys had left Antone’s with the roof torn off and everyone wanting more but damn I was tired!
There actually were three acts playing that evening but to be honest, I didn’t get much out of the first performer – so little that I can’t even remember his name. Sorry y’all but I gave it my best and I just wasn’t pulled in by any of his originals … the covers were serviceable but other than that, I just wasn’t into it.
After chatting a bit, The Weary Boys fire up the runaway locomotive that is their live show and we wander up toward the stage a bit to get the full experience. Prior to the show, I had promised a full tilt avalanche of music and The Weary Boys didn’t disappoint by playing for a good 40 or 45 minutes plowing straight ahead with foot stompin’ good time music.
With all deference to Mr. Blackwell and his worst dressed lists, I’m wearing what Tracy likes to call (and patiently tolerates) my “goin’ out in Dallas” shirt. To be fair, she is right in that I wouldn’t wear the shirt to a show at any venue in Austin except Antone’s. It is very “Dallas” with it being a black bowling style shirt with LARGE flaming dice embroidered on the front. I mention this only because when The Sopranos walk-on starts, I immediately think I could wear my shirt to Bada Bing if I ever get a guest spot on HBO’s hit series.
It had been a good while since I’d been to a show with someone who hadn’t been to an RK show before so I was especially interested in her impressions of the songs and the show in general. I made it a point to introduce the songs to her right after they began and tried to give any backstories that might exist. Being smitten with “Desolation Angels”, I was particularly curious as to her impressions about that song … as I suspected, she was as blown away by it as I continually am.
As I mentioned earlier, it was an evening to celebrate. I believe it was after the band finished another jaw droppingly beautiful rendition of the Stones “Wild Horses” that Cody took a minute and temporarily made us all close personal friends of the Braun family. Sitting atop Cody’s amps was a video camera, which he then used to capture the next few minutes. As Cody then explained, sometime in the next few days, his grandfather was going to celebrate a birthday and he wanted us all to join in and send birthday
With Chappy now everybody’s favorite grandfather, the show rocked on. Jon Dee Graham’s “Laredo” is quickly moving up into one my favorite “rockin” song spots as Willy’s vocals puts emotion into the lyrics that I can’t even begin to do justice with words. Adding to the sonic pleasure is the screaming growl
Pulling an Ernie Banks doubleheader with a roadtrip thrown in just for fun left me exhausted but certain of one thing… I’m doing everything in my power to get to Idaho for the Braun Brother reunion next summer so I can personally share a drink with Chappy and hear some stories. I mean we’re all family now right?
Happy Birthday Chappy – No doubt you’re proud, as you’ve got some great grandsons!
After taking care of all that was required on Saturday, I got a short nap in and prepared for a second consecutive evening of RK. Whenever possible, I like to precede a Deep Ellum show with sustenance from Sol’s Taco Lounge. If you’ve never been, go sometime. It’s located on Commerce St. and is immediately adjacent to the famous Adair’s Saloon. I haven’t ever had anything that wasn’t delicious and the bartender always treats me right if ya know what I mean … wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
With dinner taken care of, I made my way to the venue for the evening – Trees. I wanted to make sure I arrived early for a couple of reasons … first off, The Weary Boys were opening and second, I was initiating a new RK fan to her first show. A co-worker who had heard many an RK story finally was able to make her first show and I was determined to make sure she got the full experience. Actually now that I think of it, there were three reasons – the last being that I wanted to make sure I got my spot up front for pictures etc.
It was after my friend arrived that I it hit me again how there is a big difference between Dallas and Austin in terms of RK craziness. Dallas just doesn’t have it yet – Sometimes I feel a bit guilty about that as I want to be a good ambassador for the Dallas music scene but mostly, I’m appreciative. Appreciative for the fact that I don’t have rush to the front of the stage the instant the opening band finishes their last song to ensure I get a spot up front; appreciative for the fact that I don’t get bumped and shoved every 2 seconds during the show.
I’ve met many new friends at RK shows and this one was no different as I finally got a chance to say “hi” to Katherine – a fan I had seen at pretty much every Dallas show. I also met her friends Angela and Christy who share her love of RK. Not only did I get to meet new friends but everybody in the building felt like an honorary friend of the Braun family with what happened next.
greetings to Idaho. Shots were delivered to the stage, the house lights raised a bit and everybody was asked to raise a toast to Chappy. I’m proud to say that Dallas, TX sent some rousing birthday wishes on up to Idaho that night.
that the new Vox delivers for the song’s opening licks. “So Lonely” closed as the encore and I continue to find new subtleties every time I hear it. I always think back to reh’s mantra of “roots, roots, roots” whenever I hear the instrumental strains of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” flow like honey from David’s guitar.