Well, folks, this weekend was rockin'! Lucas Schoolhouse started it all off for me. Tommy Lee did a great job letting you all in on the fun. Saturday at Knuckleheads was jammin' as well. The Slick Bros. opened for the guys. It was a rockabilly show complete with electric guitar (for the guitar heads out there I apologize for my ignorance past that fact), drums, acoustic guitar, and bass. They weren't bad musically and got the crowd ready for the masters. This time they were outside. I haven't been to the "beer garden" or whatever they call it before... guess it's always been to cold before. Although it kept threatining to rain, it was just sprinkles, which was fine by me. Of course Webb had everyone jumpin' out of their seats, and quite a few people were on the "dance floor". While there I met a couple from Fayetteville AR (I think) and another couple from Witchita KS and MonsterMaker was there, too, so there were some fellow travelers there. I wish I had a playlist, but I didn't think of it until later. MM or MB did you?
Lincoln's Zoo Bar couldn't have stuffed many more people in it last night. MonsterMaker & Mother Bear were there, too. It's a really small place and the stage is miniscule, but that did not mean that it wasn't an enthusiastic bunch. Charlie Burton & the Dorothy Lynch Mob were an entertaining opening act for the guys. The place went wild when Webb and the guys took the stage. Except for a minor equipment glitch, the show was nearly flawless and the crowd was loud and lovin' it.
During this weekend I heard 5 or 6 songs that I have never heard live before, and I gotta say I was wowed. I have never heard any version of 4 of the songs by Webb and the guys. Webb, If you haven't any plans to add them somewhere on an cd, you might think about it. Superb!
Also, thank you Webb for the acknowledgement for the "Massacre" on stage. I will likely see you guys sometime again this fall. Until them I will have a great memory of these 3 shows to tide me over.
Webb's Weekend Groupie, Jo

By the way I took photos at all three shows, that I will try to send to the powers that be for everyone to see. As this is a new camera and I am nearly computer illiterate, any input you guys and gals can give me on how to do it would be greatly appreciated.

Jo, was a pleasure to finally meet you.We might have to coordinate our Webb travels or something. And speaking of the Zoo show,that Zoo bar show was SOLD OUT!!! I did not get a set list. I think the highlight had to be the Petula Clark cover of Downtown with Zoo Bar inserted instead. I too have some pics although I'll probably be doin' some photoshoppin' to make them the best I can. Thanks to Webb for the shout out as well. I was honored to run the swag station. Glad I could contribute some pics for the swag table. Who knows what goodies I'll have the next time you guys show up! Webb, what was that other old song you were improvising to? I recognize it, just can't think of the title or who it's by? Great show Saturday and Sunday although I think I went to bed around 11:00 and fell asleep around midnight only to have to wake up about 4 hours later for work, ugh! Hopefully the powers that be will bring 'em back this way before Christmas. Webb (or is that Webby, Webb?) certainly has a following here and that was evident by the sell-out show and the crowd that turned out for a Sunday show. Had a blast!

Monstermkr aka Mitchell

jo, youre right, we are from fayetteville. jay has been listening to webb since before he was shaving..it meant alot to us to be able to go and see him and the boys in person. i'm a total dork and all, but hearing 'the rest' live was fabulous and a special moment for both of us. we look forward to seeing senor wilder again..maybe we will see you too!
laura
ps elvis lives apparently...

Wow! Kudos to Jo for attending all 3 shows of the Midwest Massacre Marathon Tour. I had been looking forward to Knucklehead's for quite awhile and that was great. Jo, MM were there as well as all of my good friends from here in KC as well as some high school chums I haven't seen in 30 years. ALL WEBB FANS! Whole lot a dancin' going on.

Sunday, I got up and looked at my lawn that needs mowin' and said, "Hey girls, wanna go to Lincoln to see Webb?". I just couldn't stand it knowing that the show was only 3 1/2 hours away and if I missed it I would have to wait and indefinite time to hear them again LIVE. My darling Sallie replied, "Mom you should go and see Webb." And I went. Following the call of the Wild(er).

If you compress matter it creates heat/energy. That is certainly what happened at The Zoo Bar. From the spacious stage at Knucklehead's to the compact area in The Zoo Bar (Remaniscent of the original Grand Emporium in KC) I rolled in at 5:30 and was told that if your looking for a ticket you'd better get it because there are only a few left.

People were pumped. The place was packed. There was energy and heat. The crowd hadn't seen Webb & the Beatnecks for years and they were hungry. WW & the Beatnecks provided. Adlibs, spontaneous reactions, we were at critical mass. Too bad there was no room to dance but that seemed to be okay. Plenty of foot stompin' and head bobbin' , arm wavin', you name it. Swag flyin' and Webb signin'. And Jimmy, Tom and Bob graciously indulging the loving public at Knucklehead's and The Zoo Bar.

You guys rock. It is said that Art shakes the dust off of everyday life. Well, Webb Wilder and the Beatnecks blasts the dust off like a powerwasher cleans a deck.

Thanks guys! Looking forward to the next time. Maybe Webbfest?

MotherBear

I have seen Webb six or seven times over the last dozen years or so, and I've never seen him better than the show at the Zoo. With Charlie Burton opening up with his usual hillarious set, which was more rocking than usual due to the Mezcal Brothers' lead guitarist playing with the Lynch Mob, and with our little group drinking as much Moose Drool as we could to sate our Sunday early evening thirst, we and everyone else in the sweaty, wall to wall packed Zoo were primed for Webb.

His set was incredible. Guitarist Bob Williams may be a tad stoic on stage, but good lord, can he play guitar. Particularly the slide work was amazing. And Webb just keeps getting getter--singing, guitar slinging, and making up lyrics to ancient pop songs. Bob Comet and Jimmy Lester were their usual energetic, rocking selves.

"Jimmie Reed is the King of Rock and Roll" was perfect, "The Rest Will Take Care of Itself" was beautiful, and "Jumpin' Jack Flash" to close the show was raw, raucous rock and roll at its best.

Over the last two to three years, my wife and I have been able to see Webb Wilder, The Blasters, The Mezcal Brothers, and The Rumblejets playing at great venues like Knuckleheads in Kansas City, the Zoo Bar in Lincoln, and Murphy's in Omaha. It's great to see real music still alive and well and to get out and have a great time. Everyone, keep supporting the bands, the music, and the great venues that still are keeping the freak flag flying.

We sure appreciate everyone's attendance and enthusiasm at the shows this weekend- it was great to rawk and tawk with y'all. Gigs like these really make the 12+ hours in the Econoline on the way home go by quicker!

Right on! I echo Tom's sentiments 100%! Thanks so much to all of you who came and double thanks for all the compliments posted here. I know some of you like Monstermaker and Motherbear covered some miles yourself to see more than one show. Jo covered many miles to see ALL three! Thanks! Ya'll rock, too! WW

Glad to see you guys all made it back home ok. I will look forward to seeing you all again - hopefully soon.

Jo

Now I remember the other song you were improvising to. It was Where Did Our Love Go by the Supremes wasn't it? Webby Webby.

MMkeeshan

Yeah, I think so. I've also been fond of substituting lyrics to the tune of "I Only Want To Be With You" by Dusty Springfield. BTW, MM, thanks a heap for being our jolly swagman in Lincoln. Thanks a bunch to Chris as well, who did it in St. Louis. WW

My pleasure. I now know what a sardine feels like! Glad you sold out the Zoo. Now that you've been back to Nebraska don't be a stranger!

MM

Knuckleheads photos courtesy of Deb:

http://www.webbwilder.com/?goto=fan_photos&gig=75

Hunter

I'm sure MM and GiveMeASign will also contribute. I wound up running the batteries down in my camera. I measure the energy level of a show by how many hat twirls we get from Webb. Sort of a Webb-O-Meter if you will of how amped Webb is. One, maybe two at Knuckleheads. THREE at The Zoo Bar. The guys were on fire Sunday.
Speakin' of hat twirl, check out http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=35620936

Excellent photo, Deb. I especially liked the close-ups of Webb and Tom. Good job!

Jo

Thanks, Jo. I'll be watching for some of yours. Were you able to get any images from the Zoo Bar?
Deb

Deb:

I did. I don't know how good they will look when Hunter posts them. It's a new camera, my first digital, so we will see.

Jo

Jo's photos are online:

Lucas School House, St. Louis, May 31:
http://www.webbwilder.com/?goto=fan_photos&gig=76

Zoo Bar, Lincoln, NE, June 1:
http://www.webbwilder.com/?goto=fan_photos&gig=77