A few days before the House of Blues show while I was busy being busy, I was e-mailed with the imperative "you should get yourself to the HOB show". So I put busy on hold, threw a bag into the car, and aimed for the big Mickey Ears on the horizon. I arrived at the HOB just as the first day of the show was winding down to find 41 artists all set up including (in no particular order because my brain just doesn't follow orders), Ab the Flagman, Mr. Imagination, Miz Thang and Brenda, Lila Graves, Jim Shores, Paul Flack, Willie-Willie, Bucketman, Eric and Joe Legge, Missionary Mary Proctor, Ruby Williams, Harry Teague, Big Chief and Swamp Rose, the Laster Blasters, Roy Minshew, Kim Clayton, Brian Dowdall, Pat Juneau, Purvis Young, and lots of other people who are wondering why I forgot to put their name in this list (if your name is not included it's either because I never can get everyone's names and faces to come out of my brain when I ask them to or I think you are just plain evil). The booths were filled with color, energy, smiles, and the hopes for a great show (or for a good dinner). I was giddy by the time I made it down the first row and found:

Of course, just as I made my way to the end of the first row of booths -- it was time to head out and do a quick "get pretty" turn-around to be back in time for the Private Collector's Party at the HOB. The HOB put out a nice spread -- complete with Alex the folk musician to entertain us. The buffet line curved around a display of goodies including catfish bites, mini-jalapeno muffins, artichoke and spinach dip and right up to the bar where the free beer, wine, and well-drinks kept our artists finely tuned and lubricated. I managed to sneak a few shots at the party: