Of course, someone less modest, less humble than myself MIGHT speculate that the awesome turn-out was for a fondly remembered returning host.
In any event, the bar had never been so full on a Monday night - apparently owner Steve's appearance on SyFy's "Ghost Hunters" series ("Shamrock Spirits") - has brought forth an cavalcade of spirit-chasing tourists from all over.
Wait until they discover the haunted Bluegrass & Beyond poster (now sporting a St. Patrick's Day hat-wearing Casper the Friendly Ghost - who mysteriously appeared right after the March 17th TV airing)!
Anyway, for whatever reason, everybody was there Monday night...
Even Tony, who I used to think came only to make great music, but who I caught red-handed copying down jokes to use at his own Sunday soiree (oddIy, I don't think he borrowed any of my Tony jokes... and those are the best ones).
Scott dipped back into his Elton John pool to do a beautiful "Love Song", and later, did a short classical set with Mike (the "Banjo Bach") that sounded an awful lot like Masterpiece Theatre (Mouret's Rondeau).
Paddy's sound man Craig (who someone kept calling Mike, or was it "Mic"?) openly pandered to yours truly by doing Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" - and later got Scotty (and all the rest of us) excited about Louden Wainright's "Dead Skunk In The Middle Of The Road". Funny, I didn't think Scott had a car - and where would you even find a skunk in NYC?
Bob took a while to warm up (I didn't want to tell him that the fireplace that he was standing next to was a fake!) - but when he did, watch out - "Take This Hammer" was just the beginning.
Some of the other regulars did their part as well - Karen led "Handsome Molly" and Jon did a couple of good ones - The Dillards "Old Home Place" and "Eight More Miles To Louisville". It was fun listening to Jon explaining to Scott that: "No, it wasn't his Grandpa who wrote it..." (Grandpa Jones, Scotty).
Dan (with Cynthia in support) did a great tag team bass job with Vinny, who showed up just minutes after Dan's departure. I'm not sure that they missed a beat - although they certainly missed each other!
Chris showed off his dobro playing (he's getting serious), and Liz just plain showed off - leading a fiddle tune (on fiddle) after playing for only two months. She can add this to her flat-picking guitar, clawhammer and Scruggs style banjo, mandolin and, apparently, piano playing. Did I miss anything Liz?
Mark re-appeared and led two songs - who ever said that he was shy about singing?
Newbie Kim proved that he understood the B & B concept by knocking off the Stanley Brothers "Midnight Train" and a couple of Beatles songs.
Steve and Scott #2 (big shoes to fill with a name like that at our jam) both contributed with traditional songs "Swing Slow Sweet Chariot" and "Nine Pound Hammer".
And lastly, you all know that I don't like to brag - being a quiet, unassuming, retiring "legend in my own mind" - but co-host Bill and I kicked butt last night.
Bill led "Drive My Car". "All Shook Up" and a seemingly 10-minute version (with Scott and Sarah's help) of the Allman Bros. "Midnight Rider" - fast, slow, medium and back again - it was like being in the United Palace Theatre.
My meager contribution to the evening was Sam The Sham's "Wooly Bully" on banjo - afforded a rare Paddy's encore later in the evening - including an energetic young dancing patron (no, not Tony...) - I thought I was on "Shindig"!
It's gonna be hard to top, but we'll try again in two weeks,
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