NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
We've just returned from a grueling journey to the 21st Annual Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival, which has been one of our all-time favorite events since we first set foot there way back in 2001. The setting is starkly gorgeous beyond compare, high on the Western slope of the rugged Grand Tetons. It's a magical place. The communal vibe is always strong, the backstage hang is always spirited, monster jamz and Rocking Good Times always ensue.
Flew into Idaho Falls Saturday evening on a CRJ puddle-jumper. The weather held firm - no bouncy-bouncy upon approach. All our baggage arrived without delay and with no obvious signs of tampering. We piled into a minivan and made haste for the mountains. After several wrong turns, a stop for square ice cream cones, some unscheduled roadside calisthenics (as we waited for a sizeable herd of Mormons to cross the road), and a few red onions, we pulled into the Grand Targhee Resort just in time for the traditional Saturday night Targhee closing set by our good friends and heroes the Sam Bush Band.
Sam's closing set at Targhee always culminates in a group jam featuring anybody who's within shouting distance of the stage wings. In all, 22 musicians were spotted on the main stage at midnight - Sam's band plus such luminaries as Tim O'Brien, Darol Anger, Rob Ickes, Bill Nershi, Tony Trischka, Drew Emmitt, three out of four Waybacks, etc. A noble cluster of highly skilled, emboldened and energized magicians united by sheer will to jam and by a collective delirium that only high-altitude oxygen-deprived summer nights can engender. RGTs abounded. Word.
I hear that the after-party was most epic as well. Elastic flying monkey slingshots. Spastic wind sprints up the ski hill. Much spirited rejoicing. A bit of mild food poisoning. The usual. Sorry to have missed it.
I myself missed the jam due to the fact that I was prowling around in the dark, with night-vision goggles and infrared equipped digicam in hand, hoping to capture some footage of the elusive mythical nocturnal beast know to many as the Teton Tingler. No know photographs exist of this mischievous critter. Some locals claim it resembles a squirrel with the legs of a Rockette, others say it’s without a doubt half chicken, half chooge. All we do know about it is that in certain Teton Valley towns the Teton Tingler lurks in the shadows of our slumber, fingers curled around the doorjamb, watching us, waiting impatiently for those first signs of soporific surrender then lunges forth with a desperate keening howl and a bony thumb upthrust. Don’t you dare turn your back on the Teton Tingler.
** CHECK THE NEW T-SHIRTS FOR SALE ON THE WAYBACKS MERCH PAGE!! **
HeyGuessWhat? We're in California for the next 10 days. Come find us. We gonna buy you candy.
Come play with us. Send your friends.
Fri. AUG. 15, 7:30 pm private party - Sacramento, CA SOLD OUT!!
Sat. AUG. 16, 7:30 pm OAKSONGS CONCERT SERIES- Oak Run, CA
Our second appearance at this lovely series hosted by the OakSong Society, a Shasta County non-profit
dedicated to music education. Outdoor show at the Gray Pine Farm.
Sun. AUG. 17, 5:30 pm HIDDEN VILLA- Los Altos Hills, CA SOLD OUT!!
You probably won't be able to get into this show, but please do check out the Hidden Villa website to see if any last-minute tickets become available, and to get a feel for the fine work this non-profit is doing
to teach California school kids about the environment, sustainability and social justice.
Mon. AUG. 18, 10 pm CRYSTAL BAY CLUB- Crystal Bay, NV
In the Red Room of North Lake Tahoe’s most happening Crystal Bay Casino.
Blow off your stupid job. Spend the rent. C'mon. You know you want to.
Tue. AUG. 19, 10 pm CRYSTAL BAY CLUB- Crystal Bay, NV
In the Red Room of North Lake Tahoe’s most happening Crystal Bay Casino.
I just need a hundred bucks. I'm getting a real strong vibe from this dollar slot machine over here. It's gonna hit. I know it. C'mon. Help me out. It's gonna hit. I know it. I feel it. Help me out. C'mon.
Thu. AUG. 21, 7 pm FREE KRSH BACKYARD CONCERT- Santa Rosa, CA
Backyard opens at 5:30. Our most esteemed colleagues Houston Jones open at 6 pm.
Fri. AUG. 22, 9 pm GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL- San Francisco, CA
CD Release!! Don't bother pointing out that LOADED has been out since March, jERKY.
It's our first SF show since the release date. Our friend the most certainly very alluring Larkin Gayl opens.
Sat. AUG. 23, 2 pm private party - Woodside, CA
We'll be in the pool by 6 pm. We'll have grilled meats for dessert.
And then, after a brief rejuvenation, we head east:
Thu. AUG. 28 9 pm MEXICALI LIVE- Teaneck, NJ
Fri. AUG. 29 7 pm IRON HORSE MUSIC HALL- Northampton, MA
Sat. AUG. 30 2:30 pm RHYTHM & ROOTS FESTIVAL- Charlestown, RI
Sun. AUG 31 8 pm STONE MOUNTAIN ARTS CENTER- Brownfield, ME
Mon. SEPT. 1 7 pm UNITY CENTER- Unity, ME
Wed. SEPT. 3 8:45 pm RAM'S HEAD TAVERN- Annapolis, MD
Co-bill with the amazing Erin McKeown, who starts at 7:30
Thu. SEPT. 4 8:30 pm GRAVITY LOUNGE- Charlottesville, VA
Fri. SEPT. 5 8 pm SUN MUSIC HALL- Floyd, VA
Sat. SEPT. 6 9 pm DANIEL BOONE DAYS- Boone, NC
Sun. SEPT. 7 7 pm FORTY ACRES- Chapel Hill, NC
October will see us back in the Bay Area for a return to HARDLY STRICTLY. We can't wait!!
Then, a string of dates up and down the Pacific coast along with the incomparable Danny Barnes. Stay tuned!
Our performance schedule is eternally a work-in-progress, so please be sure to keep your good eye on our calendar page for updated info as new performance dates are confirmed and added,
We hope to see you soon.
Until then, we remain
Yours in humble servitude,
Joe Kyle Jr. and the WAYBACKS
joe@waybacks.com
www.waybacks.com
P.S. On July 23, 2008, in Effingham, IL, the Waybax did indeed bowl over 600 as a quartet. 603, to be exact. I guess I owe all of you a cherry phosphate.