The Honey Brothers

Dory here.  I don’t know where to start except to state the obvious rhetorical question: HOW FREAKING AMAZING IS THIS? We took a long walk from the hotel to the Washington Mall, each block more and more people, until every street was jammed. Yet amazingly enough, we ALL made it in timely fashion to stand near the Washington Monument about 100 yards from a “jumbotron” TV. I don’t think we’ll ever be surrounded by such a mass of humanity ever again. Especially such a beautifully cool mass of humanity, all watching TV together. It was like a Super Bowl party, without the lime-flavored nachos and the salty halftime show. As the dignitaries began to approach the crowed cheered each one. It got comical when Joe Biden came on the TV and the everyone cheered - then when they cut to Bush everyone booed - then they cut back to Biden and everyone cheered. It sounded like one big word: “YeaaaaaaaaBooooooooooooYEAAAAAAAA!“

When it came to the speaches everyone got so quiet you could hear a pin drop.   The million people hung on every word. When Aretha sang the national anthem the delay from all the speakers echoed off the monuments and around the mall.   When the preacher came up to off the invocation many hissed and muttered due to his politics, but several people said “it’s alright, let us pray.“  And it was incredibly moving to pray with all of those people for the best for our country, our president, and our world.

But i sure could have used a hot toddy.   i think i’m still thawing from standing on the Washington Mall for several hours.   memories grow even fonder as i get feeling back in my toes.

Later that night we played the historic 9:30 Club for the Rock the Vote Party.   You couldn’t ask for a better night and a better crowd.  And we all were in awe as the Dresden Dolls took the stage after us.    Afterwards we headed for Red and Black, a totally great bar/venue with super cool staff.  

i felt like it was New Years Eve all over again.  a momentous New Year - a New Era, in fact.  And in fact, it is.   

 it’s funny, I’ve been in NYC my whole life and I’ve NEVER been to Times Square to watch a light-ball get lowered down a pole… and I can safely say I never will.   Same with everyone in the band.   (Hmmm… I probably shouldn’t knock it til i tried it).   The inauguration seemed the complete antithesis - an immensely important and meaningful event with an appropriately immense crowd. 

Did I mention how freaking awesome this touring van is?   I’ve toured a LOT in my day, and it makes a big difference to have some nice wheels.   I’m loving it, as does Sonny Honey (Dan Green), who similarly has traveled far and wide.   I mean, you can actually stand up in this van.  And there’s wifi… and we’re touring the east coast… so each city is practically on top of one another.

On the way out of DC we brunched at The World-Famous Florida Avenue Grille.   It was jam packed with inauguration revelers for good reason: some of the best hotcakes north of the Potomac.   It was personally thrilling to meet a bunch of people who worked on the Obama Campaign, who were fueling up for their big “Staff Ball” that evening.  Good people, all around.   Honey DuContra INSISTED we sing a couple of old-skool Honey Brother folk songs for the diners…  i tell you, that brother has chutzpah.   Everyone seemed to appreciate “Drunkard’s Lament” - but honestly, I don’t think anything could have ruined the sunny mood inside The Grille.

Now we’re in the van driving from our one-night stand Baltimore.    A humble and down-home rock rock experience after the DC thang.   Philly, here we come.  

Anyway, parting thoughts, as per DuContra, “FUCK GUANTANAMO, IT’S GONE!!!“

-Dory Honey

January 21, 2009

Posted: 01/24/09