It was quite a year for music in Wichita.
This year saw the return of The Embarrassment, Wichita’s contribution to the college-rock scene of the early 80s. (That goes back, kids — a forgotten time before the term “alternative” had gained or subsequently lost its meaning.) Their two-night stand at the Road House was the good kind of nostalgia, reminding us graybeards of the power of the Embos and of delightful debauchery in the room that was once the Coyote Club. Ah, youth.
Split Lip Rayfield gave us plenty to smile and cry about as well. After guitarist Kirk Rundstrom was diagnosed with terminal esophogeal cancer last March, Split Lip reunited with mandolinist Wayne Gottstine and took to the road with a vengance. This fight isn’t over, as evidenced by the Last Show Ever (two so far, and may there be many more) and the re-emergence of the psychobilly Scroat Belly.
At the songwriters circle, we had another successful year culminating in Guitars for Kids, as usual. This year, we put 12 guitars into the happy laps of Wichita children.
As for Masters & Hardin, we abandoned our years-old residency at the Artichoke. Under the name Back Porch Buddha, we have refocused ourselves on collaboration with local musical luminaries. First up will be a night with drummer Steve Hatfield (who brought the rock for Bryan’s 2002 release “Thundar the Boy Giant“) and bassist Jon Probst. These guys are amazing, and they’ll help us unveil Back Porch Buddha’s first incarnation in early 2007.
Again this year Dennis rode his bike for, like, a squillion miles on long road treks; Bryan tried another half-dozen times to quit smoking. Maybe 2007 will be the year.
There was more, of course: Mark Aid helped our good friend Mark Horton through medical difficulty (he’s fine now, thanks), and this year’s Songwriters Grudge Match was wildly successful. Potlatch reunited (after a mere 30 years) for a year-end show this Saturday. Bassist Aaron Underwood returned to his post in the Terry Quiett Band.
So thanks, everybody, for 2006. And let me be the first to raise a glass to 2007.