5/14: Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City (yee-haw!)

May 14th marked another epic entry into the Clintons’ history book for several reasons: first, it was the maiden voyage of the Beamur, our newly decked-out Clintons/Jim Beamobile (which looks very badass, might I add); and second, it was our first (and hopefully not last) time performing at the Bucking Horse Sale in beautiful Miles City, Montuckett.  We had no idea what to expect.  Like our 2007 performance at Knievel Days in Butte, we had heard so many stories about the madness that usually ensued that we were kind of ambivalent about whether or not that performance would mark not only our final show, but our final evening altogether.  That’s right–we thought we were going to die.  

Good news–we didn’t!

We rolled into the Miles City fairgrounds at about 4 p.m. and promptly set up our equipment.  After a tear-jerking vocal check courtesy of yours truly, we got some grub, mingled with the locals, and popped open a couple of beers.  Josh and I did, anyway.  I don’t know about Levi and John.  Our short performance began at 7 p.m. with a thunderous “Three Day Bender” and didn’t let up until the last guitar squeal of “Jesus.”  Personally, I enjoy short sets because I feel as if we have a bigger impact on the crowd and leave them wanting more.  You know, just like a comedian who leaves after the final and oftentimes best joke of his or her routine.  (Note: not like Dane Cook, whose routine doesn’t contain any jokes.)  We played 13 songs, rocked them all, and left something to be desired–just like gentlemen always do.

Soon thereafter, the great Darryl Worley took the stage.  In case you haven’t heard of him, Darryl Worley is a country star whose patriotic ode to the victims of 9/11, “Have You Forgotten?”, was #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country chart for an unprecedented seven weeks.  I guarantee you’ve heard that song before.  His first song was very energetic and catchy and quickly roused the crowd into party mode.  

And then disaster struck.

(Note: Don’t see this.)

During his second song, Mr. Worley was rocking out on his Fender Stratocaster guitar, minding his own country business.  And then, all of the sudden, a lid from an offstage Tupperware bin got picked up by the wind and was guided directly into Mr. Worley’s forehead, knocking him to the ground.  As he rolled around on the ground, no doubt dazed and a little dizzy from getting clocked in the noggin, his band quickly put down their instruments and escorted the injured Mr. Worley to the local hospital to stitch up the fairly decent-sized gash on his forehead.  

Understandingly, the crowd was fairly worried that Worley’s departure marked the end of the show.  It’s safe to say that a lot of people would totally say, “F**k this,” after getting pelted in the forehead with a whatever-the-hell-it-was.  That’s probably what I would’ve done.  But about an hour and a half later, Worley showed just how much of a high-class gentlemen and performer he is by returning to the stage–with a smile on his face and a large bandage on his forehead–and giving the Miles City crowd one hell of a show.  ”‘Rub some dirt on it.’ Isn’t that what they say around here?”  he asked the crowed.

They responded, “Yes, that’s what they say around here, Darryl Worley,” in the form of raising their glasses and shouting incessantly.  

After his show, the four of us went downtown with some friends of ours and tied one on like it was nobody’s business.  What happened after that is confidential, but I can tell you that we all had a great time.

Highlights:

–Our barmaid, Andrea, bared a striking resemblance to American Idol and country star Carrie Underwood.  I think I pissed her off by continuously asking her to sing Kelly Clarkson songs.

–You remember Josh’s description on the old site, where it said, “Many have tried to go drink for drink with THE DAWG only to wind up in the hospital or dead”?  Well, I didn’t go to the hospital and I ain’t dead, bitches! HEH!

–For some reason, John thought it was hilarious that I went to the vending machine at our hotel wearing nothing but my boxers and my boots.  My feet were cold!  What the hell was I supposed to do?

Setlist:

I’ll post it once I find it!