May 25 2008: The Benders - Middle Earth Music Hall, Bradford VT

Caitlin and I had planned to see this show on June 1. But then we figured out that it was happening the weekend prior, aka the weekend my folks and sister would be in town. So after a little thought we just decided to pack Mom, Dad and Anna into the car and head north.

It was the last show to take place at Middle Earth, and for their last hurrah the owners flew various Benders members in. The guy on slide came from Taiwan. Bassist from Flagstaff. Guitarist from Nashville. And Bow (banjo) and the mandolin player were already around, presumably with nothing better to do.

It was a great show. The Benders are Caitlin's favorite group, and she used to see them all the time in Boston before they scattered. And they were fabulous live. Played all the hits, and a bunch of tunes I didn't know but really really really enjoyed. Bow was great to hear sing and play, and bassist's songs were nearly as good as Bow's. Amazing slide and mandolin playing. Dad said afterwards that he'll probably never see any group so talented play again.

And, um, the second encore was started up with "Stairway to Heaven." I'm not shitting. And yeah, it sounded about as rough as you'd imagine it would. Shame they hadn't just stopped after one encore, which ended perfectly with "Can't Wait." And man was it fun to hear "Can't Wait" live.

Finally hit the road at 1230am, and rolled back into Northampton a few minutes before three. Caitlin and I in the front with gas station coffees, the lion's share of my immediate family asleep in the back. Good times.