


Now let me say that I was not the typical Beat Farmers fan. Being the thrifty college student I was, I used to visit Homer's and raid their 1.99 cent cassette tape bin. Looking for something different I purchased the Beat Farmers' album Pursuit of Happiness.

They were their for Country Dick Montana and could careless about the rest of the band and their music. For those of you who don't know Country Dick was the founder of the band - Wikipedia describes him -"Country Dick Montana was known for lying on his back and drinking his beer using only his feet, like a grizzly bear and bantering with his audiences, whom he often sprayed with beer. After performing a show, he would often walk around the club, shake hands, sign autographs, and chat with fans. " Now as I said before I wasn't the typical Beat Farmer fan, that's because I didn't know anything about the crowd appeal of Country Dick.
So we got there early and got a table close to the stage. The concert started and the music was great, but most ppl didn't seem to care. They keep chanting "Happy Boy" - a song Country Dick sang. I couldn't figure out why no one else seemed to be enjoying the concert. Then it happened, Country Dick took the mic. The crowd surged and we are surrounded by ppl and pitchers of beer.
As Country Dick sings he keeps looking at us sitting at the table enjoying the show. Ppl keep give him beers. Taking a cup of beer he leaves the stage and heads straight for our table. PPl surge around, engulfing him. That didn't stop him, he kept coming until he is sitting right on top of our table. Someone hands him a pitcher, and he starts pour beer for everyone. I'm in shock. Country Dick is sitting on MY table right in front of me pouring me beer. Needless to say that was soo cool.
Song over, he returned to the stage and Joey bursts back into song. They finish the show and were going to do an encore when we had to leave. As we departed we ran into the band at the door. They wanted to know where we were going and said we should say. I touched Joey on the shoulder and told him, you guys rock. I love your music.. something to the idea of I love you with or without Country Dick. I just couldn't believe the only reason ppl had come to seen the Beat Farmers was because of Country Dick. Their music was awesome how could Country Dick be the only attraction?? Guess that shows how young I was. How I wasn't the let's go party and get drunk college kid. That's a different story for a different time though.
I digress though.. the whole point was this WAS the venue for independent music acts and I wouldn't have ever had the chance to see a band such as this without the Ranch Bowl. So that's why my heart, along with others throughout the city, is broken. Corporate America has come in and demolished our Rock n Roll haven. IT"S GONE!!! My kids won't have the opportunity to listen to great new indie bands in this once hot spot.
I just too distraught.. I can't even figure out to end this post :( .. so I will just say May the Ranch Bowl rest in peace.
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