Here at the Barnyard we listen to a lot of music, whether we’re brewing beer, or drinking it.  We pretty much never listen to today’s radio stations because they all feature just add water music, rock, country, rap, whatever, it all sucks.  The only radio station that has a chance at the Barnyard is Country Legends 106.9 from Topeka because of it’s focus on 50’s and 60’s country, We spend most of our time with CDs from local or regional bluegrass and Americana music. We have created ‘Barnyard Stable of Bands’ as a way to drum up some local support for our favorite bands and CDs. We will update the Stable regularly, especially when new bands or CDs catch our attention.  First up…

Truckstop Honeymoon

Mike West and Katie Euliss are some of the most talented songwriters this side of the Mississippi. The stories and experiences they share are as real to me as if I had been there. The first time I heard ‘Mama Cried‘ I thought “How do they know my mom?” Midwesterners such as Heath and I  can truly relate to songs like ‘Capital Hill‘ and ‘Wichita’, which both hit  a little too close to home. Yeah, you’ll smile and chuckle but remember this, it’s your life they’re singing about.

It would be too easy to call them a bluegrass band. They effortlessly infuse cajun, rockabilly, old-timey, and classic country into their songs. Coupled with years of recording they have a song list that will keep your attention and draw you back for the next show.

They are a husband and wife duo with a commitment to family that shows through their music and live performances.  I have on many occasions taken my wife and children to see them at all-ages shows at the Replay Lounge, not to mention the Wakarusa Music Festival. At the Replay you have to watch your step so you don’t trip over one of the dozens of children running around the joint, three of which belong to Mike and Katie. These shows make it possible for us to go out, no babysitter needed. Thank you Truckstop. The lyric ‘There’s no finer place for a family, than along the Lost Highway‘ couldn’t be truer.

These two spent many years producing music in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina flooded their home in the 9th Ward. They were on tour at the time (with their kids) and were unable to gather their belongings for several months. They are the subject of a documentary film about their return home for the first time after the flood. Eventually they decided to set some roots in Lawrence, KS and make run of it. And you thought George W never did anything good for Lawrence. I’m gonna  send him a thank you card. They now operate the 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor where they record the music of others along with their own here in Lawrence.

Truckstop Honeymoon tours the world and are currently in Australia until April. Their next show in Lawrence will be at the Bottleneck on May 15th.  It won’t be all ages so I may not make it but I’m certainly going to try.  Please swing by their website and show some local love.  And in case you were wondering, they really did have their honeymoon in a truckstop. That’s what you get for marrying a musician.

To me, it was the hottest ticket in town. Others met it with no less anticipation, but presumably less giddiness. The event was a free beer tasting from the masters at Barnyard Brewing, with a performance by the Iowa-based Americana/folk pop band She Swings, She Sways. That’s enough to brighten any rainy day, and guests came out in droves despite the uncertainty of what weather was in store on Aug. 15. Because of damp conditions and the dubious notion of setting up drums and electrics during an on-again, off-again rain shower, She Swings, She Sways was limited to a four-piece acoustic set.

I chatted with drummer Jason Bolinger while four members played, at various times, acoustic guitars, bull fiddle, accordion and trumpet in a nine-song set list which began the moment the rain cleared. She Swings, She Sways is from Ottumwa, Iowa, and Bolinger said the band tours the Midwest and South at least three times a year. When they’re not on tour, “we’re weekend warriors all through the year,” Bolinger said. Troy Morgan, the man on bull fiddle – an upright, fretless acoustic bass – teaches at a local community college during the school year. The band tours in the summer and over winter and spring breaks. “We’re going into the studio for winter break,” Bolinger said. “Hopefully next spring we’ll get a new record out.”

The sound She Swings, She Sways creates, even as a limited four-piece acoustic edition, is good fun. The band produces sensible, folksy pop songs. Their pop isn’t of the “American Idol” variety, but they aren’t your uncle’s folk band outfit, either. They are catchy in the foot-tapping, head-bobbing, occasionally hand-clapping sing-along sense. And Bolinger assured me that they sound even better as a full ensemble. On this night, She Swings, She Sways played mostly original songs, such as “What I Wouldn’t Do,” and “Highway,” and they covered a few classic tunes, such as “Time After Time,” and “Ring of Fire.”

Unfortunately, the band had to pack up and leave after playing to make it to their next show in Iowa. Although the band admitted they weren’t heavy drinkers, they still missed out on some tasty brews.