Musicians Pack Club Bart for Hank Williams Tribute Night

Cowboy hats, fringe, Western shirts, scores of local musicians and at least one feather "fascinator" (look it up), were all present at on Wednesday night to celebrate the life and music of the man, the myth, the legend – Hank Williams.

Megan Frye organized the event, inspired, she said, by Bob Dylan and Tom Waits tribute nights she attended recently.

"I wanted to give all my friends a chance to come together and play," said Frye. "And I thought Hank Williams' music would bring together all walks of musicians."

Joel "Jelly Roll" McCune (of Duende!) simply dazzled with his guitar solos on the night's first two songs, "Honky Tonk Blues" and "Why Don't You Love Me." McCune was playing those songs with John Holk of The Sequins ... but other than that, musicians were flying on and off stage for one song, two songs, in various combinations, ad infinitum.

Steve McCauley, better known as Stevers McFever, went solo, doing double duty on guitar and harmonica for "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" and "Lovesick Blues."

Frank Howard Woodman IV, known around town simply as Woodman, looked at his performance as a fun exercise in musical diversity.

"I don't know much about hillbilly music," Woodman said before he played, "so I'm out of my comfort zone. But I love learning, so I've been twangin' out at home and scaring my wife."

There were so many other performers running up and down the few stairs to Club Bart's unique behind-the-bar stage that it was hard to identify them all. But some who have not been mentioned yet were Ryan Dillaha ("Cold Cold Heart"), The Sequins' Carrie Shepard ("I Ain't Got Nothin' But Time"), Frye ("Lost Highway" and "You Win Again"), Jessica Carmichael ("I Can't Help It [If I'm Still In Love With You]") and so many more.

The performance of the night was by a supergroup of musicians who are well-versed in this type of music. John Holk of The Sequins is perfectly comfortable in his cowboy hat. He played with many different people this night, but it was "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," which he played with fellow honky-tonkers Jeremy Mackinder (bass) and Travis Harrett (drums), both of Whitey Morgan and the 78s, that really knocked the socks off.

Tiny Bart's was standing room only by 9:30 p.m., and that was just 15 minutes in, so you know it was one helluva show.

Local musician Steve Gamburd put it this way: "Hank Williams is some good old country music, and (a tribute night) lets people put their own spin on it. I'm not an expert on country, but this is just ... well, it's a treat."