Down Home Up North & Loving It! by Weezilou

Down Home Up North & Loving It!

An evening at the Old Miner DIner doesn't get more quaint than this! Our friend, John Barr *, sang to a packed house last night. I think that adds up to 10 tables and about 40 people, not counting the folks dining outside on the deck. This restaurant is part of The Ovens Camp Ground, so outside, camp fires filled the air with the lovely smell of burning wood. This is where I was when we saw the sail boat passing by.

All of the performers you see here do gigs of their own, but with John, they wear caps emblazoned with "JB BOB". They kept us guessing until they said it stood for "John Barr Backup Band", some silly, self-deprecating humour! To the right of John is Steve Chapin on guitar. His brother, Harry, was best known for "Cat's in the Cradle" before he died in an accident. The whole family is musical and take turns performing there. Tom Chapin & The Chapin SIsters were at the table next to us, also enjoying the show.

...and so we spent the evening, 3 hours of excellent music with only one break, no cover charge and a delicious dinner! I'd always lived a "Big City" life, but this has become my happiness and my comfort zone!

* John is from Scotland, and besides being a fabulous singer, he's a superb chef (his other job!) He sings without a trace of an accent, but when we chat, I often have the dickens of a time understanding our common language! Makes me think of our 365 friend, Issi Bannerman. (And it gives me another idea for a thread that might be fun...)
Love the picture and the accompanying explanation. Now if we could have the music added to the words! I noticed you were at Thr Ovens where Bob Argabright stayed. What a shame you didn't connect. I know you all would have enjoyed the occasion. Well, as you said, there is always next year!
August 8th, 2015  
@allie912 I'd actually written him to ask him to join us here on this evening, and that's when he replied that they'd already left! (The sailboat I posted is also the view from the camp-ground road) If you would like a bit of John's music, just put "Weezilou" into a google-or-Youtube search; a year or two ago I posted a number of John's songs. My ability (and camera choice) have improved since then... In this clip at the Kitchen Party he sings a line or two from the song, "Sonny"... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5EnnMdB66o at 2:25
August 8th, 2015  
Wonderful story and pic! Lovely evening! I so miss the music of Harry Chapin.
August 8th, 2015  
@photographycrazy The world can ill afford to lose the pipes of wonderful singers/musicians! So glad you recognized the name. His family is keeping the tradition alive, and it's quite amazing to have it so accessible "just in the neighborhood"!
August 8th, 2015  
looks like fun bet it sounded great too....
August 8th, 2015  
@jack4john Oh this would have likely been everything you'd love, John! He sang several Irish and Scottish songs...so beautiful!
August 8th, 2015  
Looks like a wonderful evening. I'd love to live somewhere like that.
August 8th, 2015  
Oh I envy you...this shot is great & sounds like you had a wonderful evening
August 9th, 2015  
how wonderful to have all that talent. i recall seeing a video of a concert by tom and the chapin sisters somewhere and they are excellent.
August 9th, 2015  
looks like a fun evening... i love when musicians come together and play. and how wonderful that you get to enjoy the chapin family!
August 9th, 2015  
I think you've captured the atmosphere! That Scottish accent sometimes defeats me when we visit our daughter (she's English of course!) in Glasgow.
August 9th, 2015  
Quite the crew
August 9th, 2015  
Great capture of the music show and people listing.
August 9th, 2015  
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