Pandeiro at the Hoot!

Just a short note to say that my friend Jerry and I were pressured/encouraged into playing at the Hootenanny, the local country-music open-mic in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, last Monday. It's a very local, very genuine scene - the same locals come week after week. There's a surprising amount of talent, actually - some great guitar, singing, banjo, and the tiniest little harmonica I have ever seen, accordions, goofy songs ("Glory glory HalleLUUU-jah, MY SUMMER GUESTS ARE GONE!") and even a guy playing a train whistle.

So naturally Jerry and I signed up, and he played guitar and yodelled while I accompanied him on pandeiro. I think it's the first time there's been pandeiro at the Hoot? The highlight was definitely Jerry yodelling his way through "Ol' Montan" (that's the one that goes "I'm going buy me a painted pony, I'm gonna ride ride ride away"). Which, who knew, turns out to make an EXCELLENT fast samba. The Hoot crowd gave us an extremely warm response. Or as our friend Taylor put it, "You guys got a whoop!" My little contribution to bringing samba to the Wild West. People were walking up to Jerry for hours afterwards saying "Nice yodellin', mister! (and I got one "And, you, there, nice job on that little tambourine!")

Taylor and Jamie then brought the house down with a heart-rending rendition of "Angel From Montgomery" that actually made me cry. My god, Jamie has a Voice. OK, so maybe not every song needs a pandeiro, but Ol' Montan definitely does.