It’s Waylon, and maybe some Willie, and the boys, and a girl too.
— The title of the band says it all with renown: Waylon. Obviously with songs of other like artists mixed strategically in. And were not talking about the Lindsay Whalen of the ever-becoming more popular Lynx pro basketball team. Anyway, this Waylon is at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Friday evening.
— Speaking of Friday evenings, when is the last time when there were three reputable bands — not just DJs — playing downtown Hudson at roughly the same date and time and also importantly, bringing in crowds. That was the case last Friday when Chris Miller started things off rather early, acoustically, at the Smilin’ Moose. That was followed by soulful Big Fat Groove taking the stage at Pudge’s, which has now entered into the scene, and they will be back there on another Friday in October, somewhat fitting on the Thirteenth, for another show. A week later, on Oct. 20 for a 7 p.m. start, country-leaning Chaunte Shayne will reprise her performance at Dick’s Bar and Grill that had been the trifecta of the aformentioned music night. On that note, look for her Sweet Trouble CD to be coming out soon. That title seems to fit her, to a degree.
— The death of Grant Hart of Husker Du seems to have brought back the use of the umlaut over the letter U. Fittingly, and with good timing, there is a special at Dick’s of the Jager Barrel, consisting of two shots of this most popular-in-St. Croix County brew, along with root beer. It is termed, Here’s to the an Unexpekted Call. And yes, all this creative spelling includes umlauts over vowels, complete with one over the noteworthy U.

Pudge’s bar and eatery is rapidly becoming your go-to place among local nightclubs with special offerings virtually all week long.
Starting on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. and continuing every hump day is live piano music, ala Bill Joel and Piano Man, in their two-story venue, which has differing facets such as lounge, bar and pool hall, depending on the location of the offering inside Pudge’s.
Then on Thursdays, starting at 6 p.m. and going as long as there are musicians, is an open mic night, a singers’ dream that for most of the last several years has been somewhat hard to find, but usually features the same old stalwarts. But now you can try out Pudge’s and mix and match with a relatively new house band, and show your musical wings with a newer variety of songs on the set list.
Then there is the trifecta, the appearance on Friday night, Sept. 23, of the band Big Fat Groove, playing songs that are old school R&B, rock, blues, soul and jazz, and having scores of tunes on their 54-song set list that dig deep into the vault and are hard to find on anyone else’s play list, rather than being the same-old, same-old. They pride themselves on being able to put on a stellar show despite the nature of the venue or event, so Pudge’s should show superior musicianship. They say they lay down a tight groove, as their name suggests, and add sweet soulful harmonies, being fully functional in their stage production with an all JBL and Mackie PA, great stage gear and a light show for any room.

It’s in many cases several times more than just the bacon, although that’s always the centerpiece of the food, when Bacon Bash hits the area for the fifth time.
— Celebrate everything bacon at River Falls fifth annual Bacon Bash. This two-day festival, centering around this Saturday, Sept. 16, allows you to sample bacon-inspired dishes. The bountiful bash features numerous pig-themed activities for the entire family, live music from several bands, and merchant vendors.
This is an example of the food, which in the spirit of the event is both tasty and quirky, that you can expect at Bacon Bash — with a Badger State twist. “I will have a stand downtown for Bacon Bash all weekend,” said Tony Leone, owner of the West Wind supper club, which is located near the busy north end of the festival area. “I will be serving ‘Wisconsin Cider Beer Cheese and Bacon Soup with Caramel Corn.’ And yes, that is one item.” Although it has about five main ingredients, and it is these combinations that make this extravaganza a true bash, with activities starting in the downtown and working their way all around town.
In other places, like Johnnie’s Bar, you can get stuff like bacon in your bloody Mary, or elsewhere around town, there are fast becoming favorites like bacon ice cream and other bacon-wrapped delights.
— The band Kevin’s Cousin plays the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Friday night, Sept. 15, and Blue Moon Drive on Saturday. Kevin’s Cousin — not to be confused with the Cousin Kevin band out of California — plays balls-to-the-wall classic and current rock ‘n roll, they say. You can tell that by the name of their record label, Hairy Nipple Records. The band consists of — cool name — Baibi on lead vocals, Tommy on guitar and vocals, Randy on bass and vocals, and Charlie on drums and vocals. And yes, you read that right, all four members of the band share the vocal responsibilities. Then, Blue Moon Drive hits the stage with a far different style, straight-up honkytonk, although there again is the similarity of not being confused with a band of the same name out of a little ol’ Texas town. However, you might recognize some of the names of this group, who truly look the part, straight out of River Falls. “We’re Dave Snyder, Al Canfield, Bob Feyereisen and Dave Feyereisen. And we’re always looking for one more perfect gig that can change the world,” they say in a possibly overstated manner online. Influences they name are Merle Haggard, Dale Watson, Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, CCR, Hank Williams Jr., The Mavericks, The Valley Boys and Larry Schorn.
— This sure beats a selfie. In what is probably a first for downtown Hudson, have your picture taken with — and just hobnob with or buy their calendars — members of the Viking cheerleader squad at noon on NFL Sunday game day at the newly revamped Pudge’s bar and eatery. That’s when Minnesota faces Pittsburgh.
— An online announcement has a typo and refers to a popular event as the 0th annual car club show. However, the Willow River Car Club will indeed host its longtime yearly gathering, showing off dozens of vintage cars, this Saturday afternoon at Uncle Mike’s in the town of Hudson.

— This Saturday, all day, is also a time of competing motorcycle rallies. There is of course the annual Flood Run, but also being featured is a rally to benefit our troops that starts and ends at the Star Prairie Sports Bar, and for a reasonable price both before and after the riding there are also plenty of eats. But we still recommend that caramel-corn soup thing in River Falls, for eating while along the route.

Pro football is here, whether or not you’re a Lite weight:
— You can celebrate the best of NFL football with Miller Lite beer at The Mill, to kick off the new season. Their variety of specials include a pair of 16 ounce cans for $6, a offering that in terms of volume is noteworthy for being far-between the one drink and full-bucket options you see most places (think of it as one beer for each half). The Green Mill offers these and other such specials virtually any time pro football is being played, Sundays, Mondays or Thursday nights. But its only good for the regular season, so don’t wait, and it might be observed if you’re a Vikings fan hey, the your team might not be around with their season through the postseason.
— Jeff Carver will play Mallory’s on Saturday night, and be the fairly new guy sandwiched between Wade and Ella last Saturday and Kyle Kohila next Saturday.
— And that pattern continues on the patio at the Smilin’ Moose this weekend, with Tim Howe on Friday evening, Andrew Hanson on Saturday evening, and Wally Joseph on Sunday afternoon. Hey, I swear I’ve seen that last guy around! Simply said, that type of local recognition will help when competing with football.
— An ad seen at various places across the area, in which the Leinie’s Summer Shandy brew is hawked as the last gasp of warm weather hits us, even if the boys of summer are gone — switching to pro football — to invoke Don Henley: “Wings and beer don’t have a season, and fans have no off-season,” the ad reads, and so the story goes …

— Chaunte Shayne, who will play three local shows in the period of a week, is largely country styled and has a distinctive voice, at times soft and soulful, and at other times ranging widely up and down within a few notes to go on a higher intensity run. She has just the right, minimalistic amount of country twang in her voice, and along with it the sass to take on a tune like Shania Twain’s “Any Man of Mine.” That noticeable yet low-key attitude is apparent in stories introducing songs, which show her great intonation and ability to hold notes. She’s an unforgettable and beautiful, leggy and darkly exotic young woman with just as beautiful a voice. Both are impossible to miss, as is the fact that she’s a workhorse when it comes to playing a lot of gigs. To see for yourself: At Art on the Kinni in River Falls at noon on Saturday, Sept. 9, then later that day at 6 p.m. at the Village Inn in North Hudson as part of their 12th anniversary party (along with smoked brisket and ribs, and prizes and a visit by shot girls), then back to River Falls for the Bacon Bash at 1:30 on Saturday, Sept. 16.

With Labor Day around the corner, music options include the isles of the St. Croix River and just off that river into Hastings:
— They don’t call it Beer Can Island for nothing. The presence of nightlife there will be elevated when local singers (with acoustic guitar) Amanda and Kyle set up on “the island” and give a middle of the St. Croix River concert as soon as nightfall comes on this Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
— And this from another local singer, Garret: An end of summer hootinany like none other, with some of the best musical talent the immediate region has to offer, will go on this weekend in Hastings, although word of it up toward Hudson is understandably slim.
— And to start the weekend, Shiner’s in Lakeland will close out its entire summer of Thursday night music with Dan Rumsey. Every weekend, a group called the Soiled Doves has hosted a singer-songwriter stage — with nary a repeat in the lineup that has included, in order all summer, Justin Bell, Teague Alexy, Tony Cuchetti, Tommy Bentz, Tony Ortiz, Ben Tomandl, Fizz Kizer, Jay Arnold, Joel Kachel, Jeff Arundel and Mary Cutrufello. Lauren Hay has stepping in twice as guest host. The music goes from 7-10 p.m.
— The antique span leading to Houlton may be coming close to falling down of late, much like London Bridge, but the Lift Bridge Brewing Co. is still in the mix. The Stillwater company is keeping the stream swirling with the promotion at several local bars of its mango blonde ale, the fruit presence of which is topical for this season, with summer coming to a close.

It really wasn’t nip and tuck, as Buck Tucker playing a few miles northeast from downtown Hudson, where they are well known, is our pick of the week, (but you could also consider really indulging in Third Street Brew House beer):
— They may be decidedly local, but still have attracted novel and rave reviews — like you might expect of a vital Twin Cities cover band — from the staff at Meister’s in Boardman. That group of light rockers, Buck Tucker, takes the stage there on Friday night with its intruiging set list, which includes Footloose (by Blake Shelton, rather than the original movie version), Your Mama Don’t Dance, by Kenny Loggins himself, and a bit of Little Willie by Sweet and Red Solo Cup by Toby Keith thrown in. But they play all styles of rock — classic, contemporary and southern — and start the party early, at 7 p.m.
— Mallard’s in Bayport invites patrons to enjoy a Sunday afternoon on the St. Croix River with Third Street Brew House, featuring a specialty cask, hand rolled cigars, raffle prizes and bottomless beer available. And you thought pristine waters were all that were available!
— The Smilin’ Moose seems to trot out added new local music during off times, and the trend continues with Andrew Hanson on Friday evening, who comes all the way from Erskine, Minn. to perform his standard acoustic performance. (As opposed to the tried and true — and safe — offering of country-based Tim Sigler on late Sunday afternoon).

School starts and Pepper Fest in North Hudson starts, take your pick, or both:

— Its hit the books early this year in the Hudson district, Aug. 17, in part because of ongoing construction considerations, and Dick’s Bar and Grill is stepping up to the plate by offering a group of four brunch-based specials to come to the aid of stressed out parents. Most noteworthy are the “Sophiemosas” for $5. That’s just got to be named after some downtown stalwart, and one or two possibilities immediately come to mind, one of them who last year ditched the serving gig and entered the ranks of the teaching establishment.
— The Pepper Fest band lineup started as being typically steady and predictable, then branched out with its plans. The Dweebs close out the fest on Sunday night, like seemingly always, but only take the stage until 10 p.m. The night before, Paisan is out and the Roger Allen band is in. Also new, at least to the Pepper Fest but not to North Hudson, is Jawsy from 4-6:30 p.m. providing “beer garden entertainment.” And maybe the biggest difference would be, of course, the addition of one-man-bander Jeff Loven to open the fest’s music on Friday night. This is a gig he said he’s eyed for a while, but now its finally coming to fruition.

Catch up with Kachel (you’ll have to move fast) and then Switch, to Don, and then Hale, to Jud:
— The Smilin’ Moose continues to entertain with live music entertainers relatively new to the scene. While the act on Friday evening, June 11, Joel Kachel, is an old hand as far as local performances, some new blood will be musically infused and continue the trend of switching it up with the acoustics of Don Switch, Saturday, Aug. 12, and then will change it up a bit for an earlier start on Sunday with Jud Haley, (we’re assuming no relation to Bill Haley and the Comets).
— Speaking of Kachel, he’s been busy locally, with a gig at Dick’s Bar and Grill late in July, another at Shiner’s in Lakeland in early August, and also performing acoustically at Mallory’s on Saturday, Aug. 12, as the joint known for its rooftop bar for a bit now has made a foray into live music on Saturday evenings.
— This could be double trouble, with two servings of alcohol. The Next Stop in Houlton is offering a boilermaker drink containing not only Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, but it’s paired with your favorite beer.
— This one’s a dilly of a play on words. Kozy Korner in North Hudson has a Wednesday, June 9, special of the aptly named Kozydilla for only $3, and no, we’re not playing you.

No its not Korn, but there are bands at various venues, and also a chicken (two types) and corn feast at the Willow to wrap up the weekend:

— Who doesn’t love fried or grilled chicken, yes you get two different varieties, when attended the long-popular and long-running, chicken and corn feed at the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt, which will go on again on Sunday, Aug. 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Not to invoke the old-school rhetoric of one-man-bander Jeff Loven yet again, but “winner, winner chicken dinner!” Plus beans, sweet corn and coleslaw, to boot. It’s a half-chicken dinner for $13 and a quarter-chicken dinner for a price that’s also very competitive, $10. Proceeds go to Hudson Hockey. And there of course is live music and dancing on the nights before, Blind Dog on Friday and The Strangers (who also are local enough to possibly be at the feed) on Saturday.
— A wordy sign in the window at Stone Tap, lists a mission statement for the environmental project behind the band Le Lunez, and it weighs in at more than 400 words. That might not waste paper, but what about ink? Anyway, if you want to help the cause, there is a concert at Wyld Tymes in Minneapolis the evening of Aug. 12, so plan ahead. What, you’d like to know more about the cause, and maybe read up about it a bit in the days before the concert? Sorry, I know this is on the Internet, but we insist we don’t have the space for the entire mission statement. And they call us Old School journalists ink-stained wretches?
— When the Smilin’ Moose web page lists its bands, it states at the end that there is an all-call for new acts to submit their information and possibly play the summer patio. This approach appears to be getting results. Yes, on Friday evening, its the Old School with locally based Dave Burkart, but then on Saturday and Sunday prior to sunset, its more two-first-named relative newcomers in Bruce Bernice and Wally Joseph.

— If you can make it to the Washington County Fair in Lake Elmo, Minn. on Thursday, June 3, you can see an example of members of the Badger State invading the Gopher State, not the other way around, as the Western Wisconsin Truck Pullers Inc. does its thing at 7 p.m. There is admission charged; hey, being from Wisconsin, they will need funds for buying cheese.

Get the news skinny on the new version of The New Skinny here:
— The New Skinny is back performing together after a three-plus year hiatus, on Saturday evening, July 29 at Dick’s Bar and Grill — and already showing their signature comic touch by calling this their first annual farewell tour. They are taking a different approach this time around, being more selective of the shows they play, because of having families and careers come first. “We are only planning on a show or two a month, if that,” said Brando Clark, drummer and vocalist. There are no lineup changes made, a rarity both locally and regionally these days. Josh Lassi is on vocals and guitar, Josh Davitch on lead guitar, and Rick Smith on bass and vocals, in addition to Clark. “We are-learned all the cover songs we played as well as new covers, and we are working on original music, too,” Clark said. “Hoping to rekindle the love of music we shared for eight years as The New Skinny. Back in action and ready to rock!” And they do like their “shots” (see the similarity in the item below).
— This weekend the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt has them both and the names sound much the same, the bands Slapshot and Shotgun Wedding. The first is on Friday evening, July 28, and the second Saturday. Slapshot is, as you might guess, a blast. Its a cover band that plays rock’s greatest music from the 80s, 90s and the “very current.” Energy and participation is what they strive for, seeing to it the crowd is not just watching, but interacting. Slapshot has been entertaining crowds throughout the Twin Cities for more than nine years.
When it comes to Shotgun Wedding, they say they change up their set list, which is equal parts pop/rock and country, on a regular basis, and that enables them to include songs as hard-to-find-listed as All That Bass by Meghan Trainor.