What Went Down…

Booze Hounds Bluegrass at the HI-FI

First, let me just say…yesterday was a full-circle musical day.

We hosted and played our first-ever Micro Desk Concert, and it met—and exceeded—our wildest expectations. Honestly, it couldn’t have gone any better: a gritty performance and a room full of our peers who showed up early, before the workday, just to talk, hang out, and connect.

Music has a magical way of doing that—letting people just be and connect.

After the set, a colleague—an accomplished musician in his own right—came up to me and said, “I came in this morning expecting to be entertained…instead, I was moved.” That’s the essence of IndyLocalLive: sharing the live music experience in small venues. In this case, a classroom of all places.

But enough about me. Here’s why it was a full-circle kind of day.

After starting the morning by playing music, my crew and I headed to the HI-FI in Fountain Square to see Chicago Farmer. And with zero disrespect to Chicago Farmer—who absolutely delivered when they hit the stage—can we talk about Booze Hounds Bluegrass for a minute?

Booze Hounds Bluegrass. Holy cow.

They came out and crushed it. Scorched-earth energy. Burned the place down and left it in ashes. A fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, stand-up bass—all coming together to fill the room with a funky bluegrass sound that, if you closed your eyes, would transport you straight to a front porch somewhere in the hollers of eastern Kentucky.

The moment that proved Booze Hounds Bluegrass already has a loyal following?

Naked Neighbor.

Full stop.

I mean…who wouldn’t love a song called “Naked Neighbor”? The whole room turned into a singalong—everybody knew the words. I do now. It’s songs like that, paired with their infectious smiles and genuine banter, that pull a crowd all the way in.

Folks, this is an investment band.

What I means is, buy now, because the price of their stock is only going up. And by “invest,” I mean go see them live. High energy, fun, a little unpredictable—in the best way. The buzz inside HI-FI was palpable. Undeniable.

And true to the roots of bluegrass, these guys are completely down to earth.

After the show, while I was waiting on my Uber, a few band members were outside talking with friends and family. I introduced myself to fiddle player Joe Fawcett—super engaging, generous with his time, even while I did my usual fanboy routine.

But the night’s not complete until you meet the banjo player.

I introduced myself to Eric Reel—who, pardon the pun, is the real deal. We talked for a few minutes, and I asked where they were from. I’m expecting Kentucky, Tennessee…somewhere deep in bluegrass country.

Nope. Noblesville.

Noblesville?!

Holy shit, man—I teach in Noblesville. Cue It’s a Small World After All.

Then I pull up IndyLocalLive on my phone to tell him I’d love to work with them and share their story. He sees a photo of our current Featured Artist, A.M. Radio Indy, and says, “I know those guys. We all hang out at Mark Rohrer’s store, Reno’s Music. Tell Mark (Munz of A.M. Radio) he owes me a guitar.”

Perfect. Because I’ll be seeing A.M. Radio Indy tomorrow night at Guggman Haus Brewing Co.

Like I said—music has a magical way of doing that.

Letting people be.

Letting people connect.

Connections made.

Rock on.