It is now officially spring...where most people's thoughts turn towards "warm weather pursuits" such as baseball, gardening, fishing, or even just being able to go for a nice evening walk without fear of getting frostbite. I think this is that wonderful time of year when the members of our band start to shake off the cobwebs (from a, limited playing schedule in the winter months), and look towards the coveted outdoor playing dates of the spring and summer months. No more frozen hands from metal speaker handles and mic stands. No more leaning into the back of Ken's truck to grab a chord bag, only to find you have winter road debris (mud, salt, and slush) all over your new jeans. No more feeling like you are constantly on the verge of having the flu. These are the days where fifty degrees might as well be eighty, because the shorts drawer of my dresser is officially open for business.

Due to the recent upswing in weather patterns, I have been inspired recently to break from my normal hibernation-like routine, and catch two outstanding shows at the Night Eagle Cafe in Oxford, NY. The first of these shows was folk and blues legend Chris Smithers. As his weathered fingers danced on the fret board, and black shoes tapped with a metronome-like quality, I couldn't help but to be swept away in a lyrical tapestry of life, love, and loss. The pictures painted were of places traveled, and the regret of feeling like there is so much more to see (with not enough time to see it). At times he reminded me of a wandering minstrel (who carried nothing more with him than a guitar and the clothes on his back) looking to hop the next train that will take him anywhere, all the while, documenting these life experiences in his memory to divulge at a later date. And where is this road weary traveler going? Who knows...maybe you'll just have to buy the next album to find out?

The other show I recently had a chance to see was the Jeremy Wallace Trio. I had met the blues-man a few months earlier at a music conference in Monticello, and was chomping at the bit to see him do his thing once again w/ his vintage National Dobro. This time he had friends with him. On this night, Wallace gave us a glimpse of his versatility. New (very folk-like) material were placed amidst classic country and western songs (in addition to his normal lineup of swampy blues), which made for a very eclectic and interesting show. I had arrived at the Night Eagle fully expecting an evening of straight-up blues only to be pleasantly surprised by a variety of styles that contained the "Wallace" spin. Raspy and honest, not once did he and his compadres fail to deliver "the goods" as they fed the audience a steady diet of dobro and bad jokes throughout the evening. The show (with it's sense of casualness) was definitely well worth the price of admission. Incidentally...for those of you who missed the Jeremy Wallace Trio, you will get a second chance to catch them at Fetish Fest on July 7th and 8th at the Wingood Homestead in Guilford.

Fetish Lane is an American Roots Music Band. Members include Ken Held, Israel Lorimer, Ed Gliha, John Edick, Darrin Trass and Brian O'Connell.

Photography featured on this website was done in large part by friends, fans and family of the band including, but not limited to the following folks: Nikki Bisaha, Sarah Lewis, Aliscia Gaucher, Stacie Edick, Noelle Dasilva, and Johann Cash.

Website design and construction by: Thirsty Fish Graphic Design and Fetish Lane.