Dave Quick had told me about Elvisfest several years ago,  but I was unable to attend until this year.  All of Dave’s events are top notch,  so I knew that it would definitely be worthwhile, even bravign colder than usual weather here.   Finding the venue was easy, and while parking initially appeared so bad that I was All Shook Up,  I was very lucky.    I entered the hotel in the middle of the Straight 8′s set, and there such a crowd by the band that I was unable to get close enough to take photos.   But even from the back, there was no question that they are very good.   The first few songs I heard were proof that there would be some Good Rockin’ Tonight.  The Stages were aptly named Heartbreak Hotel and The Jungle Room.

The crowd was a bit different from Heavy Rebel, but everyone seemed friendly and the focus was clearly on just having a good time.   The crowd seemed to about an even mix of Rockabilly types, Elvis fans, and regulars.At unfamiliar events, I tend to hang back a bit and observe for awhile, and I found a nice spot right beside the jukebox.   Coming down the steps, a rather cute girl stumbled and nearly fell on top of me.   When I asked her if she were OK, she appeared to think it was a come-on, but really it wasn’t, and fortunately she seemed none the worse for her near fall, so I thought That’s All Right Mama.   Richard of the Bo-Stevens came by and said hello.  Greg admired my T-shirt, which incidentally happened to be a B0-Steven’s shirt!

When The Straight 8′s great set ended I immediately  headed to  the stage to make sure I had a front row spot.  A few minutes later the Bo-Stevens began setting up, and when they began playing it was hard not to Shout It  Out. First,  they did Homage to the King with  a rousing cover of “Blue Moon”, followed by “Burning Love”, and “That’s All Right/Mystery Train”.    To my delight, they soon launched into one of my favorite songs of all time,  the Bo-Steven’s own “My Baby Got Gone”.    Performing songs from both “Can’t Never Could” and “A Little More Road” such as “12 Ounces”,  “One More Town”, “Stop” and “Saturday Night”, as well as  classic ’50′s  numbers like “Little Sister”, the Bo-Stevens proved once more that with  this kind of music, Any Place is Paradise.  Richard played with his usual flair and energy, while Greg’s guitar strings were  smoking with blistering chords.  The versatile Jeff  added harmony, and put the pedal to the metal of his steel guitar.  Can you really have this kind of music without a little mandolin?  Nope.  Meanwhile, the Reverend slammed the drums like Judgement Day was dawning, while Daniel slapped the double bass with serious aplomb.  It was time to seriously Rock- A-Hula, baby.    Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better,   Richard invited the talented John Howie, Jr. to the stage.  The Bo-Stevens set ended all too soon.

Between bands the DJ  put on a 50′s extravaganza while several couples began swing dancing, and everyone had a generally good time.  Next up was Killer Filler, with their roaring mix of Surf, Soul, and Rock N’ Roll.   How Can You Lose when add a little Cha-Cha to the mix?  Soon Killer Filler had he audience dancing like we were in trh tropics instead of the middle of the coldest spell of the year.

I wandered out to the Jungle Room, where the immediate drop in temperature reminded me that we were indeed far from the tropics, but with the incomparable John Howie, Jr, and the Rosewood Bluff on stage, the chill was soon forgotten.   Everyone was putting some serious mileage on their Blue Suede Shoes, while John Howie and his crew laid down some serious high octane country, underground style.  The crowd was very forgiving when I weaved my way to the stage to take some pictures. On the way I ran into Dave Quick, who was as solicitous and  affable as usual.    John Howie Jr and the Rosewood Bluff have some of the most energetic fans around, who were clearly thrilled to see the band.  I thought I recognized one of the girls who was right in front of the stage, but I was not sure, until John called some special guests to the stage, none other Richard Boyd and Billie Feather.   The girl was indeed the talented Billie Feathe, lately of the Bo-Stevens and currently a member of the simply amazing Darnell Woodies.  John Howie and friends brought the set to a rip-roaring finale that insured no one in the audience was standing still.

Afterwards, I spoke at length with Billie, who is certainly one of the nicest pople in the local music scene as well one of the most talented.  She introduced me to John Howie, Jr.  who is also very friendly.  I look foward to seeing them both on stage again.

Afterwards I made by way to the even more frigid parking lot, and the thirty something odd miles home.   David Quick kas once again put on a truly enjoyable  event. Even is Elvis isn’t your Teddy Bear, you are sure to have a good time at Elvisfest.  Due to a malfunction I was regretfully unable to get any video footage, but I hope that the pictures give some idea of this fine event.

I was there! (Thanks, Billie.)