Who are these Red Hots, the top-billed professional performers at the Hoppin' John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fidders' Convention 2009? This quartet that looks as if they are from at least three different bands played in the square and contra dance tent after the official square/contra dance, for which the band for that was the cleverly-named Chrystal Methodists played. We have some video of them (pretty good band) to share in the coming days, but not just now, because this is about my new favorite band of ALL genres.
The Red Hots are one of the best TRUE Old-Time bands that defy easy classification. Check our blog (you are there now) www.AdventurousMuse.com for commentary in the coming days. The Red Hots are in an interesting musical space between square dance band and concert band and jam band, yet they are all and much more! I think that they have some sort of magical/hypnotic/trance inducing powers as well...the weird thing is that you hear this type of commentary about the Red Hots from a lot of people.
We Actually had trouble getting the gas money and vendor fee together...yet somehow we made it to the 2009 Hoppin' John Old-Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention out of loyatly to the Hoppin' John folks more than anything else, as consumer (yes, that would be you!) money-hoarding behavior associated with "interesting" financial times had depleted our reserves over a 2-year period and there was not much fight left in us to design and make great musical instruments or sell great musical instruments by others. We don't need to get onto that soap box...I think that everyone reading this knows where I stand.
Experiencing a magical musical experience can cure a lot of pain, frustration and I guess supressed anger as well.
Seeing and hearing what just might be the best band I have ever heard (with the cutest bass player of ANY band!)... "wicked great!" a friend called them: The Red Hots reminded me why we do what we do, which is design, make and sell the best traditional and innovative musical instruments available and, yeah, they are more expensive than Wal*Mart (if they sold innovative musical instruments).
This is the first of many Hoppin' John 2009 videos we will be making over the next few days...ENJOY this small part of the Red Hots' performance that ended at about 3:30 AM!
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