No man is so foolish but he may sometimes give another good counsel, and no man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master. ~Hunter S. Thompson
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| Evergreen Grass Band, Irie Sol, and Jess McChesney |
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| Written by John Abbott | |||
| Sunday, 03 April 2011 18:03 | |||
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Another big night of music in Chippewa Falls as three of the downtown bars stage music. It was a rainy night in Chippewa, but yet the Sheeley House was packed with people. Later, when we went to Every Buddy's Bar & Grill, it was a full house as well. When we got to the Snout, there were quite a few people there as well. So despite the rain, people were out and having a good time. I think what tied the night together was the excitement, energy and stage presence all three of these bands had.
Evergreen Grass Band plays a variety of music, that seems somewhat flavored by an Irish flair. What it makes it different than any of the other bluegrass bands around the area is energy. And who knows, maybe that's why I think they sound Irish. When I hear the band, I think of the steerage compartment on the Titanic. The band playing wildly, the crowd all moving. It is a great experience to be in the homey environment of the Sheeley House listening to Evergreen. Highly recommended.
Evergreen Grass Band plays at the Sheeley House the first Friday of every month as part of their regular music schedule. This is a formula that is attempted at many other bars, but I have never seen it succeed anywhere other than the Sheeley. In other bars, a band comes in and has a successful night, sometimes the bar will book that band as a regular feature. What almost always happens is the crowd dwindles as the months go by. Not so at the Sheeley House where they have regularly scheduled musicians all month and it works out great! I don't understand what makes it work there. Maybe the restaurant?
Singer Lars Nelson on stage with Irie Sol at Every Buddys Bar and Grill in Chippewa Falls
When our beers ran empty it was time to move on. This time to Every Buddy's Bar and Grill (the former Jensen's the former Pretzel's, the former et al) where it was the first time I have seen Irie Sol at this new music venue. They played a good performance and as good showmen, provided some great, standing on the bar entertainment. Thats why we are out for live music instead of listening to it on our home stereos. At one point the two trumpet players were standing on the middle of the bar, playing their hearts out. It was great! Also of interest in the show, band founder Chris Williams's son Solomon (maybe right name?), was on stage with the band. He did a great job in this, one his first public performances.
And, though the band sounded great, the really wonderful news out out of the visit to Every Buddy's was tonight, for the first night since they had opened, you could ACTUALLY SEE THE BAND! The bar has added stage lights in the week since I was there last. No more back lighting! No more siloGreat news to us music fans, this means they are serious about keeping their stage filled. The more live music in my town the better as far as I am concerned. Between a now lighted stage, and Wednesday night dollar burgers, this place is becoming one of my favorite venus.
Joel Pace with the band Irie Sol croons to us from the bar.
While there, we also talked to Jess's older brother, a true vulgarian, who through colorful language described the joy of hanging out in his little brother's basement listening to music. Its pretty cool to have your biggest fan out there working the crowd and drunkenly "Whoo hooing" every note. I love seeing family support for musical endeavors.
Jess McChesney and his Magic Carpet Show on stage at the Snout Saloon
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 03 April 2011 18:38 |
