Concert(s) review: Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours

The band's name itself caught your eye, didn't it?

Well, two weekends ago, I had the enormous pleasure to see this fantastic band in concert two nights in a row--in Newton, NC and at Lenoir Rhyne college. And I'm here to tell you, these guys put on a tremendous show.

Led by Antsy McClain, the purple suit-wearing, pompadour-stylin', leg twitchin', joke tellin' ringmaster, the Trailer Park Troubadours set the stage for an evening of fun and music in the simple innocent background of the trailer park of Antsy's youth, Pineview Heights.

Antsy's songs radiate from the heart of Americana, a hopeful, true-to-life, funny, and at times poignant background that bursts from the musical palette and hits home hard...and permanently.

Supported by a loyal following of fans--the Flamingoheads, Antsy bounces across the stage for three hours of music, stories, and laughter. The music is also supported by a slideshow that runs behind the action for the duration of the show, enhancing some of his songs, and at times bringing even more levity to the show by displaying some laugh-out-loud advertisements such as "Mabel's Bait Shack and Sushi Bar...Follow your nose!" and "Antoine's Comb-over Barn." As something of an authority on funny...only those with an absolute lack of humor will be able to keep from laughing during this show.

The true stars of the show, however, are the songs. From the amusing story songs such as "I was just flipped off by a silver-haird old lady with a honk if you love Jesus sticker on the bumper of her car" to ballads such as "Falling in Love in America," Antsy's songs are well-written, clever, heartfelt, and just plain inspired.

I can't recommend these guys enough--give them a listen on youtube or visit their website at www.unhitched.com.

Enjoy the ride!