The Key Club and the Bash On Ash

More Road Photos Than You Could EVER Want to See....Live in Los Angeles and Tempe!

Yes, Little Ramona....there ARE MORE photos. And you wonder why it took us so long to get these all online! Good things come to those who wait!

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T WAIT TO PUT YOUR BR PICTURES ONLINE -- Dateline: Los Angeles -- It's already February 2002 and these shows were back in October! Chuck's hair is longer now, he's opened his birthday and Christmas presents and we hear he's hanging down on Lower Broad with Chris Scruggs.

All that to say...these photos are out of sync. The LA Show happened first. DOH!

T, THE TRAILER MAGAZINE LAUNCHES "THE TRAILER CHANNEL"

Since the debut of the wildly popular, T, The Trailer Magazine, entertainment gurus have been scheming to capitalize on the growing popularity of trailer life. CEO Gary Bennett announced at a press conference Thursday that his company, Bennett Productions and media giant AOL/Time Warner will be launching THE TRAILER CHANNEL in June 2002. "It's gonna be hot outside, folks will want to stay in, have a cool drink and look at trailers," said Bennett. The channel will debut with an exclusive live concert featuring Willie Nelson, Levon Helm and Chris Robinson live from the Bennett Compound in southwestern Washington State.

Chuck stares intensely. Is he:

a) Looking for the Lost Chord

b) Wonderin' if he left the iron on

c) Trying to remember the release date of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" in Canada.

Chuck does his thing on the stage of Los Angeles' The Key Club. He was spotted early in the evening, having nachos at the Mexican restaurant across the street.

Smilin' Jay was also spotted JAY-walking across Sunset Blvd. It was a very quiet night in Los Angeles.....so luckily for us, Jay jaywalked unharmed.

FURTHER FASHION ALERTS FOR THE FASHIONISTAS

Dateline West Hollywood -- We don't know WHO he's wearing but rumors are rife in the fashion community about the supplier of country superstar Gary Bennett's dramatic wardrobe. "I heard him say he got the outfit for FREE," hissed hip designer Betsey Johnson. I would have given him a free outfit but I don't think he would have worn it." Isaac Mizrahi praised the clean lines and simplicity of the matching black jacket and pants. "I don't see even Johnny Cash being that out there. The contrast stitching gives me the chills!" Designers are sure to be swarming around the next BR549 gig -- even if it's just with sketchbooks in hand. "Can't you just see George Clooney or Brad Pitt in this?" raved noted designer and costumer Bob Mackie.

No Joking -- Guess who was spotted in the audience of the Key Club show? Drag artist and recording star RUPAUL. Ru wasn't in drag that night (otherwise he would have been spotted and photographed). Imagine Ru's face as he listened to the sounds of Donnie Herron. You can see it, can't you?

Contrary to the popular song of the moment....THERE IS AN ARIZONA. The Bash on Ash in Tempe, to be exact. More crazy people for you to enjoy!

"I love BR549 THIS MUCH," exclaims Native American Music Award winner Delphine Tsinajinnie. When she's not earning her Master's Degree in Linguistics, she's on the road and listening to BR!

Chuck Mead stops the show in Tempe as a fight breaks out between a crazed fan and some Hell's Angels. "Brothers and Sisters, why are we fighting?"

Nawwwwww.....just pulling your leg!

Profile of a BR549 Fan, Part I

Subject: Delphine Tsinajinnie. Fluent in her Navajo language and knowledgeable about her culture, Delphine is making a name for herself around Indian country. "I learned to love BR549 because of my Aunt. My sister and I drove from Phoenix to Vegas in her car. The CD player was stuck on "Cherokee Boogie" and we listened to that ONE song all the way there and back." Delphine has appeared in a recent TV movie, "The Lost Child" with Mercedes Ruehl. She's working on a new record, too. Not only is she pretty, she's a smart cookie.

I AIN'T EMMITT!

Chuck and boyhood pal Vince, who's a member of the Chippewa Nation. Vince is also a member of cowpunk band Flathead, who has opened for BR the past few times I've seen them in the Phoenix area. Here they imitate an old Indian guy from Lawrence, Kansas. The old guy had a lookalike brother and was ALWAYS mistaken for him. Now say this slowly, in your best Rez accent, "I ain't Emmitt!" Chuck does one of the BEST Rez accents I've ever heard -- outside of the people in my family, that is!

Vince and Arigon compare Chuck Mead stories. Uh-oh....it's gonna be a bumpy night!

Flathead will hopefully be releasing a new CD project soon. Their previous efforts have all sold-out and are hard to find!

Delphine was in heaven following the show. She did the after-show on board "hang" with the guys and even sang them a traditional Navajo song. Maybe that will make up for the bus hitting the deer along the highway!

The conversation began..."Are you Slewfoot?" And, by golly -- they done called it! That's Jennifer Campbell and Brian Olivas. They are new to the Tempe area but longtime BR fans. We rocked out on the front row together. It's always nice to meet folks who are nice...but also crazy for BR. Thanks for making our night, Jennifer and Brian!

FINAL FASHION NOTE FOR THE FASHION-OBSESSED.

The Tempe show marked the return of the Tan suit, brown leather vest and Little Joe hat. As for the pants, note that there was an uneven amount of tuckage in each boot. Now, I thought Gary was a Libra and wanted everything in balance...hmm....

Providing your color commentary on these photos is both a duty and an honor. Gay and Arigon generally have too much fun, laugh way too loud and head-bang during "18 Wheels And A Crowbar." Here, you see them giggling before the show. "Is that Shaw Wilson over there! Oh my god, go over there and talk to him!" I won't tell you which one of us said that to the other one!

There's just something cool about Smilin' Jay. Check out his super suave ensemble! Plus, you can actually see his tats! Right on! Not sure why, but he sure looks like Dean Martin in this picture. We know he loves Jerry Lewis....but hmm...

Jay plays that fast thing, one more time. Slapping action galore!

Go, Jay, Go!

Slap, Jay, Slap!

Paging Shaw Wilson! Shaw checks out the action in the club, pre-show. He does this because:

a) He gauges the mood of the crowd, intuitively sensing which songs the group should play

b) He is looking for smokes

c) He is hoping not to run into Slewfoot and her camera...but DANG, not again!

Smilin' Jay is LOVE! Check him out as he poses for the camera. This isn't the first time...or probably the LAST time he'll smile on cue!

We love you, Smilin' Jay!

Speaking of smiling on cue, Chuck and Gay group together for yet another cool photo. Everyone loved Gay's cow vest -- especially Donnie.

Gary is one of the best dang singers around. The last days of the tour found him in great voice and with very spirited guitar playing. We all like to watch him "make grapes" -- which is what his stomp dance reminds us of. I think he's singing either:

a) Hello Walls

b) Highway to Hell

c) Enter Sandman

Gary: Do you like my hat?

Tempe Audience: YEH, WE LIKE YOUR HAT!

Something y'all missed at the show was Don Herron doing:

a) Stand-up comedy and impressions

b) Hog-calling

c) Rapping

A postcard found in an old shoebox recently revealed that Chuck Mead spent some time as a Madame Tusseaud waxwork at London's Rock Circus. Here, he stands in for John Lennon in the "Beatles At The Cavern" display. No truth to the rumor that he was recently re-wigged and added to the Duran Duran display.

WE MISS YOU BR549!!! Come out and play again real soon! We promise to bring cookies!

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