A  FINE BUFFET OF CONCERT CHOICES FOR THE REDNECK ROAD DOGS Dennis and Brenda Kippa Your faithful Redneck Road Dogs haven't been running up and down the back roads of our area as much as usual lately. While we have been able to catch a few good shows recently (we'll find time to tell you about some of them soon), the main thing that wiped the concert slates clean was that just  about all of our favorites disappeared for about a week or two. They all stopped what they were doing and followed each other up to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The occasion was the annual Americana and Texas Music and Ski Festival. Now in it's 29th year, it's said to be the world's largest ski trip. To music fans, though, it is a gathering of everyone who is anyone in the field of Texas and Americana Music. It sells out every year as fans flood the ski resort and prepare for six days of non-stop concerts, with three official venues this year, plus countless areas where musicians gather to hold impromptu jam sessions when they are not scheduled to perform. Think of it! This year's event showcased 40 (forty!) of our favorite bands. One thing we have learned in our time wearing our “music reviewer”' hats is that music players are also music fans. Once in awhile, we get the opportunity to speak with band members after their performances. When that happens, the conversation almost always goes to the subject of other bands. They all have their new favorites, just like we do. So you can imagine the lively times that occur when all of these talented people actually get together. It must really be something to behold. The reason I'm telling you all of this is that this year's event – held for the six days that began on January 5th – was broadcast via the internet. For the total princely sum of $15.00 per computer (which meant $7.50 for each road dog), we were able to watch all of the live events, each evening. The most difficult part for us was having to choose between the three stages, because each one held three or four concerts each evening. In addition, during the daytime, certain events were rebroadcast from the prior evening. This extraordinary string of performances gave us the opportunity to see Lincoln Durham as the first event on the first night. Having missed a scheduled Durham concert a few weeks ago, we were delighted to get to see his raw and gritty fare. As one of the more unusual songwriters out there, he began his second set with “My music is not for happy people. I'm willing to admit that. So just take your meds and let's get on with it”. His favored instrument was the dobro, but at one point he brought out a big cigar box, all taped together with a long pipe attached, with one large string affixed to it all. He explained, “It's important to know this is not supposed to sound good, but we'll get through it”.  He wore a mustache that was so exaggerated that sometimes his constant smile seemed to belong to it, rather than to his face in general. He ended his show with “It's an honor to come out and do this stupid little show that I do, and I thank each and every one of you”. Another favorite songwriter was Will Hoge. He came to the stage looking every inch like a Bruce Springsteen look-alike, both in what he was wearing and the way he stood and delivered his amazing songs. His songs have been covered by several other artists, which made some of them sound very familiar. However, we both loved his voice and couldn't imagine that anyone has done better with them than he does. One event that we especially enjoyed was a concert by three songwriters: Dale Dillon, Hayes Carll and Paul Thorn. They seemed to really enjoy being together onstage, performing their own and each others' songs, while keeping the audience fully entertained with their easy banter. On another night, a tribute to Dale Dillon was held. About ten artists performed one of Dillon's songs each, and added a few words about their times with him. At the end of the performances, Dale Dillon delivered a very moving song and a heartfelt thank-you. He added that Lee Ann Womack's version of one of his songs drove him to tears that were impossible to conceal.  I confess that her beautiful treatment did the same thing to me. We cannot bring this too-long but also all-too-brief accounting to a close without mentioning four of our all-time favorites in this Americana field of talented musicians. The great Uncle Lucius delivered two amazing concerts. As always, we simply cannot say enough about these guys. Their concerts came on the second and third nights of the MusicFest, and by that point the crowds were rowdy and well-sauced, thanks to the beer and whiskey sponsors of all events. Still, a hush came over them as Lucius delivered their music, especially the beautiful “Keep The Wolves Away”. The other three bands that we have reviewed in previous articles – The Statesboro Revue, Midnight River Choir and Shinyribs – also left their audiences slack-jawed at times and just plain rowdy-happy at other times. Nobody keeps an audience involved with the show better than Stewart Mann of The Statesboro Revue.   As soon as their show was over, they were packed and off on their European tour, which we have been following on their Facebook page. They are bringing their amazing show to very excited audiences in Germany, Spain, France and Belgium. We are thrilled for those guys. Okay, everyone, there's only so much space our generous newspaper editors will allow us, even though they've never cut us yet. As you can surely tell, we love having the opportunity to tell you about these hardworking singers and songwriters. We can never stop being amazed at the miles they travel, the lonely roads they see, and the sometimes scant audiences that receive them. Yet we absolutely never see any of them greet an audience with anything less than happy appreciation. It is a special breed of God's children that are called to do this work, we believe. Their dedication to their craft inspires us every time. Your faithful road dogs will keep running up and down the roads chasing after them and bringing back their stories as long as we can in hopes that you will be touched by them the way we have been. Enjoy!