Sanctus Real

March 6th was spent in the great city of Bakersfield.  Well, technically people call it “the armpit of California,” but I think it smelled just fine.  If we’re talking about stinky towns in California, lets talk about Modesto and the dairy farms.

Bakersfield is a different animal than the rest of the state.  It’s not beachy.  It’s not wine country.  It’s not woodsy or mountainy.  It’s like a hotter version of Oklahoma.  Think John Steinbeck novels: The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men.

It’s known for oil and “The Bakersfield Sound;” a different kind of honky-tonk made famous in the 50s and 60s by guys like Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and later on Dwight Yoakam.  He’s actually more of an adopted son from my nick of the woods in Columbus.  Also Korn tried to contribute, but “Freak on a Leash” has a slightly different sound than Buck’s, “Act Naturally.”

We scheduled an “in-store” (industry jargon for hanging out) at Berean Christian Store where people could buy our new CD 4 days early and meet us.  They did a great job of promoting the event and it went well.  One particularly endearing flyer even read,  “Meet Bakersfield’s Native Son: Pete Prevost.”

It’s true that Pete loves his city, even if he was technically born in Dallas, Texas. Bakersfield is his home and he’s proud of the heritage.  I’d like to think every city elects an official or some kind of committee that approves this stuff.  Which is a higher rank, “native son” or Wikipedia mention?  Are they like Boy Scout merit badges?  What badge would come next?  I’m pretty sure the Eagle scout equivelant is a street sign…or a crystal palace.

We’ll be back again tomorrow for a show and our official album release.  Since we can’t be in Toledo for it, Bakersfield is the next fitting place.  The rest of us Ohioans feel at home by proxy.

PS…Can someone please make a sign that says, “We heart our Native Son?”

PSS…Dwight Yoakam is from Columbus, Ohio.  I’m from close by. Him and Buck were friends.  I’m friends with your native son…what do you say Bakersfield? Adopted son?

dan