If you know me well, then you understand my love of The Andy Griffith Show. It represents my childhood, aids my nostalgia for times gone by, and is just a great show. No one has ever beaten me at the trivia game (but I haven't played my aunt Lisa, who would give me a good run for my money) and I have all of the black and white episodes virtually memorized. An important part of "TAGS" was the Darling family, a band of mountain folk played in part by a bluegrass band named The Dillards. They aren't very well known, but should be, especially by fans of bluegrass. Or good things in general.

The Dillards have made a habit of visiting the Oakboro Music Hall each summer. I saw them last year and was the first to buy tickets for this year's show. I brought my family and Lindsey along. Everyone in the building had a great time.

Rodney and Doug Dillard are the only original members still playing, which tells me how remarkable it would've been to see the band in the prime of their beginnings—over forty years ago. The amazing thing is that these two men still play as if they were in their twenties—Rodney is 64 and Doug is 69. Rodney still uses the guitar he played on The Andy Griffith Show, and, of course, a big difference you would note immediately if you're a fan of the show, is that he speaks a great deal more. He told stories and joked around before, during, and after the performance. The recollections and stories they shared were very interesting, and the nostalgia factor was nearly maxed out, but the true treat of the event was simply the music. Just like last year, they played "Dooley," "Doug's Tune," and other regulars, but also "Walkin' Down the Line," by Bob Dylan, and a couple old gospel tunes including "Somebody Touched Me." The latter I'm not very familiar with, but Rodney involved the crowd by having them sing different parts. Even if you don't appreciate songs such as that, you would've enjoyed the harmony and volume produced by the interaction of the crowd. Terry Smith again joined the band on stage, and they rendered a superior version of "Orange Blossom Special."

Also, this is how close I was: near the end, when the group was answering questions from the audience, Rodney's microphone stand fell from the stage—I jumped forward and grabbed it before it crashed the floor. He stopped talking, looked down at me, and said, "Well, you're not on drugs, are you?"

We went out back after the show, and I met them again. Not only are they the most talented of all senior citizens, but they're some of the nicest—the kind you'd prefer to be in front of you in Wendy's. I shook their hands, got another autograph, and spoke with them for a minute. Lindsey was very impressed by the whole thing (and wrote about it here). Hopefully they'll come again next year—they're starting to feel like friends.

Commentary

Post a comment