MOONSHINE STILL HALLOWEEN IN GEORGIA

One thing I have always loved about spending Halloween with the absolute best funk-rock 'n' soul band, Moonshine Still, is their ability to pinpoint the most perfect themes to create the atmosphere for spookingly good fun. This year was no different. The boys that make up the band, coupled with a handful of loyal, hard-working family fans, were able to literally transform Milledgeville's nightclub, Capital City, into a dazzling 1920's speakeasy (with an underground brothel). If you thought the "Moonshine Still Freak Show Carnival" was fabulous last year, you definitely would have enjoyed the time travel into the past that was "Moonshine Still Halloween 1924." Between the card playing corner, the bar filled with bottles of "contraband," the crates and sacks of "bootlegging" materials, the classy tablecloths and candles, glittery stars and "oo's" dangling from the ceiling, carved pumpkins, and maybe some of that bootlegged liquor I got from the Still, I was convinced I had traveled back in time!

I was amazed to look through the longest eyelashes ever, and see many great characters from the time of the mid-20s Prohibition period. Among those who showed up in classic duds included all of the flappers and 20s-style gangsters (male and female) one would hope to show at a 20s party, Charlie Chaplin, Betty Boop, the mailman and paperboy, characters from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, and the Madam with her "ladies," who seemed to be trying all night to dodge the Keystone Cop and his big, scary stick! If that wasn't enough to get this 20s party going, here come Scott Baston (lead vocals and guitar), Ray Petren (bass and vocals), Will Robinson (drums and vocals), Bill Jarrett (percussion), David Shore (lead guitar and super low vocals), and Trippe Wright (keyboards and Billy Joel vocals) decked out in the slickest zoot suits... Hats, tailored Moonshine Still scarves and all! To top that off, Jason James (the sound man) and Scott Holcombe (on lights, although, throughout the night it was rumored that he actually had a drum machine, keyboard, or some kind of instrument, because of how actively he ran the light board) had the band's back with great style in matching zoot suits, their own special gangster-style, tailored Moonshine Still scarves, hats, and authentic Tommy guns for their utmost protection. It was really amazing how fashionable a Halloween this was for those in attendance at this rare Moonshine Still event.

Fortunately for those who couldn't make it over to Milledgeville this Halloween, Ms. Leah Yetter, photographer, a.k.a. one of the best damn "ladies" of this 1924 night, was in attendance and well equipped to document such an event (amazingly, she was able to retain the digital camera, even through time travel). Among the many obvious photos taken of the outstanding costumes, there was the most awesome "Moonshine Still Halloween 1924" picture board, which made for quite humorous photos as well.

As if the carefully crafted atmosphere and thoughtfully creative costumes weren't enough to crank up the party, the music just pushed us over the edge. In the first set, Moonshine Still opened the show with a completely original and authentic 20s jazz number, shook the place with a crowd favorite, "Bread," and even invited my favorite mandolin player, Spencer Taylor from the middle Georgia band Red Line Express, to the stage for a beautiful version of "Living on a Dream." After the costume contest, the band shook the place with the second set of a lifetime! They kicked it off with an older crowd favorite, "Trees," made their way into "Vial," and I seem to remember a great deal of booty shakin' on another old favorite, "The Great Deceiver." The crowd was begging for more, so in true Moonshine Still form, the boys sent us off with a brand new tango-style song called "Tunisian Night."

Another facet to the Prohibition vibe of Moonshine Still Halloween 1924 was that there was actually a moonshine still set up around the usually modern merchandise table. In order to purchase the new Moonshine Still CDs, Moon Over Georgia, one of the cool new long-sleeved maroon t-shirts, or 3/4 sleeve, light blue ladies' jerseys, you actually had to see the authentic Moonshine Bootlegger, played impressively, as always, by Moonshine Still's "Big Mama," Rentz McCants.

The extent to which Moonshine Still went for their 1924 Halloween party simply reflects the dedication they display on the road. Ever since this band has had the means to tour and the "gigs" to play outside of Macon and the surrounding counties, they have been on a non-stop journey to spread the "Tao of Moonshine" up, down, and across the country. I would say they are definitely on the path leading to the success they deserve as artists and musicians. If you insist on evidence of the infinite talents that co-exist within this great line-up, visit one of the many upcoming shows they have arranged for all of your body rockin', head bangin', funkin' skankin' needs. Moonshine Still will be in Clemson, South Carolina on Friday, November 14, 2003 at The Joint; Gainesville, Georgia on Saturday, November 15, 2003 at Loco's Deli; and at the 5th annual Thanksgathering in North Carolina on November 29-30, 2003. After giving thanks for the beauty that is, was, and lies ahead, they will begin the gorgeous trek out west to tour with the San Francisco band Tea Leaf Green.

Finally, what we've all been waiting for since the blow-out at the Georgia Theater last year: the New Year's Eve Pajama Ball with Moonshine Still in their hometown of Macon, Georgia at the Crown Plaza Hotel Ballroom! If you missed Moonshine Still Halloween 1924, you simply MUST NOT miss out on the New Year's Eve celebration. We all know everyone who DID participate in the Halloween extravaganza will be there to ring in the New Year, because they know Moonshine Still is going to kick it up a notch into 2004!

If you want to find out the next time Moonshine Still will be in your town, visit www.moonshinestill.com for more information.

Words by: Terri Sapp
Images by: Leah Yetter
JamBase | Georgia
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