A Paddy's Day bonus

Back in 1999 we were enjoying a sold out concert at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, where Steve Earle was stirring up some serious bluegrass with the Del McCoury Band. They had been touring in support of The Mountain, a damn fine album that received favorable reviews and even had Earle’s most fervent alt-country fans ready to dance a jig. Well, all but one in the Guthrie audience that night.

Some clown behind us kept shouting: “Play ‘Guitar Town!’ Play ‘Guitar Town!’ ” Which was hilarious, since Earle had put a lot of trouble and bad times behind him since his 1986 debut album, and this was a night to feature songs like “Carrie Brown,” “Harlan Man” and “Leroy’s Dustbowl Blues.” Needless to say Earle did not play the request. He did stare the guy down and muttered something with which Del probably took offense.

We can’t for the life of us remember if Earl played “Galway Girl,” which may or may not have been written (it appears on Earle’s 2000 album Transcendental Blues). It certainly would have been appropriate that night, just as it is today.

Thanks to our buddy Psycho Ward for reminding us...