(Above: Pocahontas County file photo by Toby Cryns)

Pocahontas County returned to their old stomping grounds at the 331 Club in Minneapolis for a one-time reunion show on Friday night after taking a 6-month hiatus. The reception was explosive, as the crowd sang along with the local bluegrass heroes throughout their hour-long set. Lead singer and guitarist, Jackson Buxton, led the way as the group of misfits crowded around their single multi-directional microphone and played tracks off their self-titled album in addition to a few other favorites. All the band members took lead vocal responsibilities at different points in the evening, but it was banjoist, Colin Anderson’s stanza at the end of the set that stole the show. Anderson’s tire-iron tenor yelps on the traditional “Diamond Joe” struck a chord with the audience, who greeted the unexpected lyrics with thunderous applause.

Opening the show was up-and-coming local rock/bluegrass trio, LOUDRAY, who showcased their new washtub bassist Curt “Tubs” Perry’s formidable talents for the first time in the Twin Cities. Perry, whose instrument consists of a broom handle strung to a big metal washtub, provided a bottom end to a sound that is anchored by John Stoll’s mature tenor vocals. Meanwhile, Colin Anderson’s banjo and energy on stage provided the crowd with much to crow about. The Sans Souci Quartet closed out the evening.

LOUDRAY will be releasing their first LP in a show at the 331 bar on Feb. 29 with my totally awesome band, Cryns #3. Hope you can make it!