When I see a band I love, I get nervous. I get nervous because I very much want the bands I love to do well and be successful. My nervousness comes from the fear that bands I enjoy will not draw a crowd. Strong attendance is critical to a bands success.
Penns Peak is by far the biggest room I have seen Railroad Earth play. It was only a few years ago that Railroad Earth was happy to fill small bars and clubs. Penns Peak is a venue for popular, national acts. Even before the winter storm warning, I did not expect Railroad Earth to fill much of this huge room. As we drove up the mountain, through accumulating, driving snow, I expected a disappointingly small turn-out. I was wrong.
On a snowy, Sunday night, Railroad Earth filled Penns Peak. The parking lot was full of vehicles and covered in snow and ice. The snow and the scene had arrived at Penns Peak.
Cabinet, a young acoustic band, opened the night. These guys are young. Some of them do not look like they are old enough to buy a drink. Regardless, this is a band that can jam and excite a large crowd. The band was so popular with the fans that they managed to draw an encore out of the crowd. Encores for opening acts are rare and these guys deserved it. I hope that this young band can keep it together and continue to pursue their potential.
Where Morristown was quiet Jim Thorpe was estatic. The crowd was fired up and ready for a party. I was treated to another personal favorite and rarity, "Drag Him Down". I had not seen the band play this song in years. Just like the night before with "Everything Comes Together", I knew that it was going to be a great show from the opening note. "Drag Him Down" and "Elko" provided more rock n roll than the whoe previous night in Morristown. Railroad Earth slowed it down with "Black Bear". Lyrically, "Black Bear" brims with hints of winter hibernation, making it a fine choice for a snowy night in the mountains. At this point, the band was drawing the crowd in and letting the energy of the night settle like the falling snow outside. The rest of the show consisted of high, energy songs ranging from folk to rock. My personal highlights included "Daddy-o" (six part harmonies!) and Warhead Boogie (dark, aggressive, warhead siren jam). Before beginning the encore, Todd wished everyone a happy new year before beginning Grateful Dead chestnut, "The Wheel". On this night Railroad turned this song into an anthem by increasing the tempo and the fans joined together for an inpiring sing-a-long chorus...
"The wheel is turning and you can't slow down,
You can't let go and you can't hold on,
You can't go back and you can't stand still,
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will."
With a timeless song celebrating the circular seasons of life, Railroad Earth wished their fans a happy new year. As we drove down the mountain through the still falling snow and ice, I reflected on our New Years 2008 road trip. We had visited with family and friends. We enjoyed a beautiful hike at Jenny Jump State Forest. We shared a winter storm with friends and strangers. We experienced a growing band, still searching the peaks and valleys of their creative potential. For all of this I was grateful. Of course, I was also tired. But with fatigue, I looked forward to a quiet, January in Bloomsburg with my wife. Through cloudy January, we would reflect on the year passed and look forward to the road to joy ahead.
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