This article is © 2007 THE
THE
DANCING PIGS MARK
FOUR DECADES OF FUN
Date: Thursday, July 19, 2007
Section: TimeOut
Page: T15
Source: Rick Bird
Edition:
With the catchy motto "Dance and Dine with Ye
Syncopated Swine," the Cincinnati Dancing Pigs are at some point
celebrating a 40th birthday this year.
Founding Pig members, so far, have not stepped forward to
recall the exact birth date of the legendary jug band, even if there is one. At
this point no 40th party is planned. But they know it was indeed formed in 1967
and have been at it ever since playing what has been dubbed "
The Dancing Pigs best sum up their legacy at their Web site:
"They have been around since the early years of the Rolling Stones, have
lasted longer than the Beatles and have more living members than the Grateful
Dead."
"It is kind of amazing," said Pigs guitarist John
Marlowe about the group's staying power. "There really is not too much of
a call for jug bands anymore."
Marlowe laments that younger musicians don't seem inclined
to embrace the jug band genre, saying, "Well, we're geezers," noting
current members of the five-piece range in age from 47 to 63.
When the Dancing Pigs were formed, jug bands were being
incorporated into the hippie music culture. "Jerry Garcia was a jugger," notes Marlowe. It was a time when musical
experimentation was the order of the day. The folk music revival rediscovered
Woody Guthrie and blues artists, and younger musicians,
like the Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian, found
old-time jug band music could be hip.
The Dancing Pigs carry on the tradition playing 7:30 p.m.
Friday at the Queen City Balladeers' free Edensong
series at Seasongood Pavilion,
One reason for the group's staying power is they have had a
signature venue that has welcomed them. They have played at the venerable
"People have told us they are amazed how young the
people are that come see us at
The Pigs still feature one original member and co-founder,
Eric Buhrer on jug, slide whistle, kazoo and "other sound-producing
devices." Other members include Keith Baker (washboard, percussion), Ed
Horning (banjo-ukulele)and Tom Beck (bass).
The Pigs are also one of five jug bands featured on a new
live CD, "Jug Band Music? You Can't Be Serious," recorded at
Roots rock: Those craving the world-class roots and
Americana music that Tall Stacks brought to town last fall may not be able to
get it in a five-day roots binge, but Magus Productions (Brenda and John
Madden) has one of its most ambitious schedules ever for late summer-fall with
more than a dozen acts.
"My lineup the next couple months looks like something
out of Tall Stacks," Madden said. In turn, Tall Stacks last year had at
least 14 acts that the Maddens originally introduced to local fans over the
years.
The lineup includes Ollabelle
(Aug. 9) and Rodney Crowell (Aug. 17), who played the festival last fall. In
the next week Madden has three shows: Roger Clyne
& the Peacemakers (Sunday), The Olds 97s (Tuesday) and Will Kimbrough (July
26). The above shows will be at the Southgate House. Upcoming fall acts include
Dar Williams, The Ditty Bops and Shooter Jennings. For
complete schedule, www.magus-music.com">http://www.magus-music.com.">www.magus-music.com.
Best bets: The Ault Park Summer Dance series features the
Modulators 6-10: 30 tonight (free) -- Dweezil Zappa
plays his dad's music at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Coney Island's Moonlite
Gardens ($20) -- The live radio concert of the week features Rob Fetters (psychodots/Bears) at 9 p.m. Monday on WNKU-FM (89.7) as
part of the station's weekly "Studio 89" live in-studio series.