Tag Archives: Franklin County Sweethearts

“That Train Keeps a Rolling . . .

The other day my music-guru Dennis LeBeau phoned from East Brookfield, Massachusetts.

“Come on down to the South Barre Rod & Gun Club on Sunday, my sons and I are playing a gig!”

Where?

“You know it, it’s just across the Mass-Central line south of the Barre/South Barre town line. We’ve got some great bands. Real talent. You’ll like it!”

Lively live music clip

[Click on the video clip (above) for an inspired interpretation of Johnny Cash.]

Mass-Central's line from Palmer to South Barre passes right in front of the South Barre Rod & Gun Club (located off Route 32).
Mass-Central’s line from Palmer to South Barre passes right in front of the South Barre Rod & Gun Club (located off Route 32).

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As it turned out, I was well familiar with the crossing. Over the years I’ve worked this location for photographs of Mass-Central freights.

Mass-Central is a weekday operations, so my Sunday visit was strictly about the music.

Country music has its railway influences, and in the end this tied together nicely.

Dave Pike and the Good Old Boys. That's Dave in the cow boy hat, and music guru/railway photographer Dennis LeBeau on bass.
Dave Pike and the Good Old Boys. That’s Dave in the cowboy hat, and music guru/railway photographer Dennis LeBeau on bass.

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Dave Pike & the Good Old Boys, The Franklin County Sweethearts, and The Jays, were all playing. These bands have some crossover and were all helping each other out. You can find them on Facebook.

The audience was more lively than these beasts.
The audience was more lively than these stuffed  beasts.

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The Franklin County Sweethearts; Rosie Porter playing bass and singing with Tommy LeBeau.
The Franklin County Sweethearts; Rosie Porter playing bass and singing with Tommy LeBeau.
The Franklin County Sweethearts; Rosie Porter playing bass and singing with Tommy LeBeau and Lexi Weege.
The Franklin County Sweethearts; Rosie Porter, Tommy LeBeau and Lexi Weege.

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The Franklin County Sweethearts; Rosie Porter playing bass and singing with Tommy LeBeau, and Lexi Weege.
The Franklin County Sweethearts; Rosie Porter playing bass and singing with Tommy LeBeau, and Lexi Weege. (Here I’ve de-saturated the color for a period look).
Rosie Porter steps in for a song or two with Dave Pike and the Good Old Boys.
Rosie Porter steps in for a song or two with Dave Pike and the Good Old Boys.

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Three LeBeaus (Dennis on bass, Tommy on drums, and Paul on guitar) backing Rosie Porter.
Three LeBeaus (Dennis on bass, Tommy on drums, and Paul on guitar) backing Rosie Porter.

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