If you’re a true music fan, one of those front row, fist-pumping, hair throwing, thong tossing diehards who’ve perfected the two fingered whistle, the rebel yell, and the hillbilly hoot, you’re probably not coming in to work this Friday. That’s all right, they weren’t expecting you anyway, and even when you are at work you’re not good for much –walking around with earbuds, lips pantomiming the lyrics to some deathmetal suicide primer or maybe Achy Breaky Heart. Point is, they know that the real world makes it into your top forty playlist only occasionally and never with a bullet – just often enough to make you realize you’re much better off with the buds in. Besides, there’s no way your boss has anything more important or profound to say than Mos Def, and it’s unlikely that the twiddlers by the coffee machine are telling better stories than Robert Earl Keen – and if the copier occasionally gets off beat to Beck’s Odelay, just walk away, walk away. Every once in a while, however, it’s nice to take your buds out and give your tympanic membrane a beating from the real stuff. This Friday you can start bright and early at Threadgills with KGSR’s Fan Fare Friday, an all day benefit for Family Eldercare featuring really spectacular performers like Hal Ketchum, James McMurtry, Monty Warden, Rocky Erickson, Guy Forsyth, Patrice Pike, the Resentments, and Ruthie Foster, among others. Brian Keane and Rachel Loy kick things off at 7am and the show winds down 13 hours later, at which time you’ll definitely want to stagger over to the Saxon Pub for the Willie Graham Legg Perthes Benefit. Legg Perthes is a rare form of bone degeneration in the hip caused by lack of blood flow. Songwriter/guitarist Jon Dee Graham’s son Willie is afflicted by same, and his insurer recently filed bankruptcy, leaving Willie uninsurable because of his pre-existing condition. Instead of going around throwing bricks through the windows of insurance companies, lobbyists and politicians, the Graham’s friends are taking the high road and throwing a benefit. This one includes some great bands that play only rarely, so you won’t want to miss it. Even if you’ve been drinking and pumping your fist all day. Acts include: The Delinquents, Roky & Sumner Erikson, The Standing Waves, The Skunks, Driver, and, if you and the house are still standing, a soulful closing set by Stephen Bruton and Malford Milligan – a fitting lullaby for a true music fan.
This article appears in June 24 • 2005.
