There’s a band of vaudevillian minstrels who sing about chicken fishing right in your backyard.
Get the hottest ticket in town and join South Whidbey’s famous foot-stompin’ quartet, the Rural Characters, in their show, “There’s a Meetin’ Here Tonight.” The band will play two benefit shows in support of Whidbey Island Center for the Arts and their Local Artist Series.
This will be the band’s fourth year performing for the benefit.
Local legends Gordy Adams, Tom Fisher, Randy Hudson and Tom Walker take the stage as the Characters at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 on the WICA stage.
Masters of a good time and hugely popular with South End audiences, the Characters will entertain with down home Americana music — from poignant ballads to barbershop harmonies, and jug-band jams to gospel standards.
The concert also features the premiere of The Rural Characters’ film “Fishin’ for Chickens,” a hilarious, homemade homage to the fine art of poultry fishing.
The Rural Characters could likely be called a “band of brothers” as the members have been friends on Whidbey Island for more than 20 years. Their friendship is reflective of their music, and band member Randy Hudson said they often feel like the South Whidbey audiences are so familiar that it’s akin to playing in a friend’s living room.
“The intimacy of the WICA stage is perfect for us,” said Hudson.
The band features the sounds of guitar, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica and wash tub bass. They also throw in some foot bass, banjo and concertina for good measure.
The guys said that performing is a community experience and their shows contain a lot of references to island life.
And as many performers do, the band welcomes other community musicians to join them on stage.
Special guests include “Resonance” with Mona Reardon, Gail Ptacek, Julie Glover and Claudia Walker and the added talents of musical South Enders Siri Bardarson, Diana Lindsay, Paul Houser and Amy Walker.
The Local Artist Series was initiated in 2001 to create opportunities for local artists to perform at WICA. All box office and building rental fees are underwritten by sponsors and fundraising, while the artists receive all box office revenues.
Open to all disciplines, four applicants are chosen through a jury process to perform during each season.
The folks at WICA said that these guys can be counted on to put on an old-time vaudeville act that will make you get off your duff and dance in the aisles.
Tickets are $12. Call WICA at 221-8268 or visit www.WICAonline.com for more information.
Patricia Duff can be reached at 221-5300 or pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com.
