One of my favorite musical artists of all time is Pat Green. He wrote a song titled “Me and Billy the Kid” which appeared on his self-released album, Here We Go, LIVE in 1998. I had the pleasure of seeing him last night in one of my favorite places, George’s Majestic Lounge on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, with one of my favorite people, my brother-in-law, Will. Hence, the title of this post.

Great night. First of all, I went to retrieve a refreshment from Will’s garage refrigerator, and I had two choices, Bud Light or Moose Drool. Easy choice. I despise Bud Light, but consider Moose Drool to take a backseat only to the wheel in the evolution of man. The evening was off to a great start.

Baby sitter in place, Will’s kids tackling each other and sliding on their knees from one end of the hardwood floor to the other, over and over and over, we set out for Dickson Street. Now, music acts start late at George’s, and we are old, so dinner was in order. While sushi at Wasabi was tempting, it didn’t really seem an appropriate choice for an evening of kick-ass country music and beer drinking. Doe’s Eat Place, on the other hand, was just the ticket. At some point, I will have to write about the original Doe’s in Greenville, Mississippi, one of the treasures of the south. While Doe’s on Dickson pales in comparison to the original, it is pretty damn good. Fried shrimp, gumbo, drop biscuits and yes, more beer.

Following dinner, we headed down Dickson to George’s. Best, I can recall, this was only the second time I have been back to George’s since law school. During law school I may have attended George’s more than I attended class. The last time I was there was to see Steve Earle. I can say that George’s has evolved since my law school days but it is a great place for live music. This comes from George’s website, www.georgesmajesticlounge.com.

George’s Majestic Lounge is the oldest and longest-running club and live music venue in Arkansas. Although live shows on a regular basis began in the early 70′s, many loyal locals recall social events, dances, and music out on the old patio as far back as the 1930′s. George’s was the first bar to integrate in the late 50′s, the first bar in Northwest Arkansas to offer color television, and the first pizza delivery service in Northwest Arkansas. We house an extensive library of University of Arkansas Yearbooks dating back to 1911, and often askng patrons to sign our yearbooks.

George’s is perhaps best known for the incredible musicians that have graced our stages, bringing the best in local, regional, and national acts through our doors. Some artists of note that have performed at Georges through the years include Robert Cray, Leon Russell, Little River Band, Delbert McClinton, Eddie Money, Pat Green, Derek Trucks, Sam Bush, Tower of Power, Leftover Salmon, Bob Margolin, Chubby Carrier, Tommy Castro, Coco Montoya, Anthony Gomes, Bernard Allison, Michael Burks, Charlie Robison, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jason Boland, Dark Star Orchestra, Steve Kimock, Martin Fierro, North Mississippi Allstars, Robert Randolph, David Lindley, Big Smith, Cate Brothers, Oteil Burbridge, and so many more.

For those of you that don’t know Pat Green, you should. Back in the day, and back in the day was a hell-of-a long time ago for me, I was big on Robert Earl Keen and Charlie Robison. My younger brothers kept telling me stories of a guy in that same genre, Texas country, that was taking Texas by storm. He was a regular in the bars around Lubbock, where he was a student, and so were my younger brothers. As I understand it, the first albums I got hooked on, Dancehall Dreamer, George’s Bar and Here We Go were self-released and produced with money Green borrowed from his parents. Green was criticized early in his career for writing songs about Texas, tacos, beer, and road trips. Easy to see why he was a hit in the Texas college bars and also so endearing to my younger brothers. While his newer stuff is good, and probably closer to mainstream country music, my favorite album is probably Three Days. I absolutely love the song he performs with Willie Nelson, Threadbare Gypsy Soul. I strongly encourage you to check out some Pat Green music.www.patgreen.com.

I also encourage you to see a band at George’s. Wish I could go back tonight. The Lemonheads are performing It’s a Shame About Ray in its entirety. Word of warning, if you reserve a table, which I also recommend, make sure it is in front of EJ. The funniest moment of the night last night found us at the table EJ, one of Will’s friends, reserved. Now bear in mind, it is almost 10:00 and we are on a fairly small covered patio surrounded by 750 of our closest friends. These 750 friends have been drinking for hours, some possibly for days, and are in a frenzy for Pat Green to come on stage. Now EJ is a rabid Pat Green fan. By this time, EJ has already been out to visit with Pat Green to get an album poster signed to hang in his office. In other words, he likes Pat Green. The other thing you need to know about EJ, for the purpose of this story, is that he ain’t small. I’m guessing he goes 6 foot, 275 pounds. To quote Will, he’s as deep as he is wide. So, we are standing around a table sagging under the weight of a mountain of empty beer bottles when a particularly well heeled gentleman taps EJ on the shoulder. Naturally, we all lean in to eavesdrop on this conversation.

In a perfectly polite manner, this gentleman proceeds to ask EJ if there is any possibility of our table, and in particular EJ, sitting down once the show starts because he and his wife are seated behind us. In an equally polite manner, EJ responds, “I’m sorry, but there is absolutely no chance of that happening.” The gentleman just stood there, mouth agape. He looked to his wife and then back at EJ, clearing determining whose wrath he would rather face, his wife’s or EJ’s. As the guy was stammering for something to say, EJ cuts him off at the pass with, “I’m also sorry that you happen to be seated behind the biggest mother f***er in this bar.” About that time, Pat Green takes the stage and the gentleman proceeds to slink back to his table and scowling wife. I am happy to report, however, that about halfway through the show, the man and his wife were happily standing on their seats getting their Green on.

On my drive down the mountain today, Pat Green hit the nail on the head:

It’s a two day old burrito on a lukewarm beer to go, on the Sunday side of a road trip weekend, and Lordy I was feelin’ so low, when somebody flipped on the jukebox, and I heard old Bob Wills say, “won’t cha’ stay all night stay a little longer”, so I held on another day.