Tails From
The Top Dog

8/13/04 - Well my Polka peeps, things are starting to kick into high gear for us as the schedule starts to get thick at the end of the month when we travel to San Francisco.

But first.....we must re-cap our annual trip to the Bethlehem Musikfest! As always, we had great crowds and made new friends and fans. Saturday afternoon we played the alternative stage to an unexpected full house. We thought the audience might be a little slim since we played at 3:00 in the afternoon, but we were pleasantly surprised with an extremely large and receptive crowd. We had several folks come up to us after the show and say that they never liked Polka music before but after hearing LM and the Boxhounds, they were hooked. Another person said that a friend dragged them to the show when they really didn't want to come, but after hearing us said, they'd never miss one of our shows ever again! So, we rock on and the conversion continues!

On Sunday night we played the Polka stage and once again were glad to see so many young people. Not just the "drunk fest" kids, but a younger crowd that was there solely for the music. We had the usual assistance in the first set, from the "chicken lady" on the choreography for "that song about that bird". Then, for the second set we had two young guys get up on the stage and "rock the chicken"! I've never seen so many people diggin' on the yard bird dance. Here again on this stage we had people come up and tell us that they loved the twist we were putting on the Polka and thanked us for helping to keep it alive by giving some old favorites a little update.

There were the usual few who said that the drums were too loud, but hey folks, I thought Polka was all about the two beat? That usually comes from the drums people! If you don't want to be inspired to get up out of your seat and get your 2/4 on, stay home and listen to your stereo. There were plenty of older folks there too who did not have a problem with the drums and they too loved the Boxhounds version of the "New Polka"!

The ride up and back to PA was pretty uneventful, but thanks to my friend Lee Pharris, we now have XM Satellite radio in the winnebego. If you haven't checked out satellite radio yet, do yourself a favor and get on board. It was great to be able to listen to music (any style), the news, talk radio and comedy. It definitely helps keep you awake during that 2-5 am driving slot!

So, til next time, keep your Polka ears to the ground for the new sounds from the Boxhounds. The new record, Wooden Heart, should be available for requests at your fave radio stations. See you soon!

AMF,
CK

Best lines from this trip:

Some strangers at the Olive Garden (with slightly low I.Q.'s I think) to Lynn....Marie - "So we're trying to figure it out, Mom and three sons?"

Lynn....Marie - "I think we may have a bathroom problem"