Rest For Recliners …

When our son Dalton married Leslie nearly 18 years ago, we booked a small Roswell band called “Banks and Shane” for the rehearsal party.  The popular two-person band was outstanding, and, a fun time was had by all.

A couple nights ago, my WW and I decided our recliners needed a rest, so we took a look at the local entertainment lineup in our little town of Woodstock.  Could it really be that “Banks and Shane” was playing at the MadLife Stage and Studios just a couple blocks away?  Yes, and the only other question was whether to walk or drive.

After calling to reserve a high-top in the cozy balcony – our favorite perch at MadLife – we decided the cold and windy evening merited valet parking.  After our two-minute drive, we were sitting comfortably at the high-top looking down as patrons filled the theater.  It was an orderly crowd, and we looked down from the balcony to a sea of gray hair.  This was going to be a really good night.

When Banks Burgess and Paul Shane took the stage, they did not look much different than 18 years ago.  They had three band mates but the focus almost always was on the group’s namesakes, Banks the shorter of the two whose hair had changed from blonde to gray, and Shane, trimmer than in 2002 and still much taller than Banks.  Banks warned the crowd quickly that everybody might want to take a swig of their stiff drinks so it would help them recognize the popular songs.  But, these two have not skipped a beat, so to speak, since they first started performing in 1972.

Old high school friends would have loved it.  Jackie Downs, in particular, would have jumped up and led the shagging in the crowded spaces between the tables.  Jackie could have won every shag contest since 1965 if she had a mind to, and this was vintage shagging by 70-something-year-olds who were re-living the good times of their lives and loving every minute of it.

After a hint of “Proud Mary” in the opener, the crowd joined in on “Sweet Caroline” and then went nuts with “Hunka, Hunka, Hunka Burning Love.”  Some songs just never get old.  We weren’t missing our recliners at this point.  And why was it that I never learned to dance?

Banks and Shane sarcastically shared some details about their growing popularity and resulting notoriety.  Like when they performed in a small Georgia town and were honored to crown the fruit cake queen whose name they could not remember.  Which led straight into “What’s Your Name …”.  One fun-loving fan nearly pulled a hamstring dancing to “Wake Up Little Susie” but settled down to “Dream, Dream, Dream.”

Of course, these guys were absolutely spoofing about their notoriety.  Since the rehearsal party for us 18 years ago, their popularity has skyrocketed.  Their down home, southern act has carried them to Munich, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and London as well as Georgia’s governor’s mansion for galas and inaugurations.  They also opened for Alan Jackson although Shane likes to point out that “Alan Jackson actually closed for us.”

My WW and I did not know what to expect after 18 years, but the young guy who valeted our car gave us a hint.  “Banks and Shane? They were here earlier to warm up, and they actually sounded very good,” he said as though he was surprised.  Then again, this was a kid with tattoos who probably was born 18 years ago and had never even heard “Hang On Sloopy.”

The show went by much too quickly.  By the time “Wild Thing” and “Georgia On My Mind” were done, you would have thought the crowd – not to mention the band – would be ready for a break.  No way.  We still had several songs to go, including “Rocky Top Tennessee” and “Rock Me Mama.”  With time running out, Banks and Shane satisfied requests for some more shagging music, including “It’s All Right” and “With This Ring” followed by “Build Me Up Buttercup.”

By the time the band closed with “Desperado” and “Honky Tonk Blues” the crowd was howling for more.  Had the MadLife theater schedule allowed, Banks and Shane likely would have obliged.  It seemed they enjoyed the evening as much as their fatigued fans.

Thank goodness our recliners were waiting.  They hadn’t missed us.  And vice versa.