Los Angeles. Right near the corner of Hollywood and Vine is a

place called Jack's Sugar Shack. Every Tuesday night a man named Ronnie Mack

puts on his Barn Dance, an evening of country and western, rockabilly and

American roots music.

There is no cover charge and everybody's welcome. In

some ways it is like a musician's guild with numerous artists hanging out,

shooting pool, drinking and sometimes even getting up on stage to play a song

or two.

This past Tues. was the ninth anniversary party for Ronnie Mack's

Barn Dance. All the usual suspects turned up to pay their respects to the Mack

daddy. Dave Alvin was shooting pool in the back. Rosie Flores was dancing with

some young stud and James Intveldt was holding court with a bevy of beauties.

Ray Campi, the rockabilly king, showed up with his red, white and blue stand-up

bass to sing a couple of tunes despite a bad cold.

You see, everybody

loves Ronnie Mack. The guy works in a cigar store seven days a week so he can

pay for these Tues. nights. Most of the people just mentioned were at the first

Barn Dance party eight years ago. By the end of the evening more than 20

different artists had hit the stage.

Early in the show, Tony "Wildman"

Conn, who was on the cover of Time back in 1956 as the brightest new

rockabilly star...

Early in the show, Tony "Wildman" Conn, who was on the

cover of Time back in 1956 as the brightest new rockabilly star, came up

and sang "Like Wow" and things really began to heat up. People were packed into

the small room and the dancers all of a sudden started jitterbugging like

crazy. Local bands like The Blazers, the Lonesome Strangers, Russell Scott and

the Red Hots all did quick sets. Rosie and James Intveldt did a couple of

duets. Tim Polecat was actually swinging from the ceiling during his real gone

version of some old Gene Vincent tune. Some guy named Elvis got up there and

rocked the joint and when Levi Dexter sang "Rip It Up," the place was

completely up for grabs.

The crowd looked great, too. There were cool

sideburns, big bouffants, pompadours, bare midriffs, leather jackets, cuffed

T-shirts and chains hanging low. The babes were gorgeous and the men most

handsome. By the time Dave Alvin finally joined Pearl Harbor on-stage for a

rousing rendition of "Fujiama Mama," it was time to go. Oh yeah, Ronnie Scott

played some mean, rocking guitar with the Barn Dance Band, a group of savvy

veterans who backed up almost everyone that played. There was even a birthday

cake. Sugar Shack owner, Eddie, got up on-stage several times and toasted the

Master of Ceremonies in a most profane manner and Ronnie Mack was looking

mighty proud.

Remember, right near the corner of Hollywood and Vine is a

place called Jack's Sugar Shack. Every Tuesday night a man named Ronnie Mack

puts on his Barn Dance, an evening of country and western, rockabilly and

American roots music...