April 17, 2000, Nanny O'Brien's (nee Gallagher's Pub), Washington DC
All images (c)2000 by Christopher Russell
Okay, first of all, thanks to Matt Holsen who graciously plopped into my hand a hobby camera solely for the purpose of taking these pictures. This was the "reunion" of sorts of open-mikers from Gallagher's Pub, now DBA "Nanny O'Briens." It was also the 40th birthday celebration of our patron saint,
Sara Landymore. No, Sara's not in tears in this pic. She is
simply moved by the parade of talent, friendly faces, and assorted barflies from the days of yore (that would be c. 1986 to 1993, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this once legendary venue). Visitors included one-time open mike host
Drew Holland. Gig Diary readers will appreciate this snapshot of the
Hizzboy Elroy co-conspirators David Wiegand and David Stinson (as many of you know, it was here in Gallaghers that I met the latter David's cousin, who I later snookered into becoming my wife). The retro-Irish charm of the
Sisters Hagan is captured here, with Suzanne on the left, and Marie on the right. This pic was made possible by Suzanne's return from Texas expressly for this event.
Filling out the seats were friends Bill Baker, Annette Gallant, and Mrs. Steve Erwin. Fingerstyle duo
Franklin & Harpe resurfaced for an early set. Capitol Hill Cop
George Hardman roped up a band to rekindle his unique-a-billy sound. Keyboard wiz
Daryl Davis was a prize addition to George's entourage. Drew Holland took to the
stage with harmonicist Larry Tapper, dishing out heaping helpings of humor and roadhouse jive. The
petite duo of Melida Root and Fanny Zollicoffer collaborated to bring us fine honky-tonk harmonies. By this point, the evening reached its sweet spot, with a series of D.C.'s songwriter heavies taking the stage. Assisting each of them in turn was John Previti, seen here with his mondo acoustic 5-string bass. Sara herself put John to good use (thanks, Sara, for playing "Steam Engine Train.") Bill Baker did the same, as did the newly chrome-domed Steve Erwin; he and Previti looked for all the world like a pair of hubcaps from a '51 Ford. New-found fans Peggy and Andrea disply what was probably the bargain CD catch of the evening, while Suzanne chats up Michael Cash. It is he, it is rumored, who was the inspiration for Mary Chapin Carpenter's song "A Lot Like Me," from her first album. Alas, Chapin hereself, once a host of the open mike and thus eligible for the reunion, was nowhere to be seen.
