In Biblical times, God protected the children of Israel by shielding them from the plaques that attacked Egypt. While the Egyptians were inundated with hail, there was sunshine in Goshen, the Israeli camp. It seemed that the Lord was shining down on us as we gathered to talk with The Loyd Bohnam Band. Sever weather abound through the Hill Country with tornado warnings in the area, but it seemed to skirt its way around us providing a cool southerly breeze and set the scene for the laid back evening and another edition of the Marti’s Back Porch” adventure.

Unlike many bands nowadays that have incorporated two band member names or even fictitious characters as their name, there actually is someone named Loyd Bohnam. Now Loyd says his music career began in Gospel as the music director of his church, however, he loved music as a child, and began his journey of playing when he was given a guitar in the 5th grade. He learned to play, one chord at a time, from different people that came in and out of his life. Through the years, as he perfected his talent, he never felt the confidence to do anything with it until he was older. He said if he would have known how easy it was to put a band together, he would have done it when he was 10. Of course, the perfect combination has come about over time.

The Loyd Bohnam Band has that perfect combination with Spence on bass, Larry on guitar, and the designated drummer, B.J. This particular heavenly night we were treated with memories of starting in music, excitement of current successes, and dreams for the future.

Larry was also in 5th grade when he received a guitar from an uncle. He remembers the first song he ever learned: “Boston You’re My Home” and he also remembers the first 45 he ever bought: “Magic Carpet Ride”, purchased at Woolworth’s for 42 cents. Now for all of you under the age of about 21, a 45 was a record, not a gun. A record? Yeah, it was made out of vinyl and…oh, never mind, if I go there you might want to know what Woolworth’s is next. : ) Larry’s first gig with Loyd was in 1990 at a bike rally which was a fund raiser for the March of Dimes in Bandera. He played a wireless guitar and was truly wild (what? this mild mannered gentleman??) standing on tables and playing all over the room. The “Magic Carpet Ride” has not stopped since.

Enter Spence Thompson, a modern day super hero. He is kinda like one of those toy “transformer’s”, changing from “pool care company guy” by day into “musician” at night. He said that Ace Freely told him through his lyrics on his albums to go into music in the 6th grade. You know he’s a super hero if he can hear voices between the lines of music….or he could just be a nut case. And speaking of nut cases, how did B.J. make the decision to play the drums? He made the decision when he saw Keith with The Who blow up his drum set. I’m sure it was a while before his parents decided to get him his own set after hearing that comment. That’s probably why he first started “drumming” on Hubba Bubba bubble gum buckets. OK, these guys are really not nuts, music just spoke to them. And when you hear all these guys together, their music will speak to you.

As we sat back to enjoy the acoustic show, The Loyd Bohnam Band (LBB) charisma began to shine. As we were treated with music from their newest CD, to be released later this summer, each of us could relate in one way or another to their original songs. Loyd had a gleam in his eye and a grin on his face when he sang “That Grin”, a story about that house that is in the parking lot of the Boerne Walmart. Now haven’t you wondered about that? And who of you can relate to being “awakened” by a porch light, headlights, or the sunlight? Well, their song “Moonlight” will shed some “light”. LBB share’s real life and real Texas in their songs like “Daddy’s Dream”. We all know how life can get when someone else has a dream for our lives. And how many of us have gone fishin’ with high hopes, only to catch a “10 Pound Buzz”. Been there…. once. We were all moved, we cheered, and we applauded to each and every song LBB through our way. The chemistry of this team was outstanding.

As always, I have a few of my friends join me for these exciting “back porch” interviews, and on this particular night, my neighbor “Paula” decided she needed to play the “part” of Paula Abdul, giving out a critique of the performance. Now she will be the first to tell you that she is a “southern girl” from Southern Alabama, as she reminded us all that night. She let her impression of LBB rip: “You guys are great. Great vocals….you sound Southern….with Texas in your soul!” Wow! Could you not describe LBB any better than that?

LBB says that the key can be applied to all of our lives: being happy with what they do. They feel that the crowd that they play to, entertain them as much as they entertain a crowd. When they began to play what they loved, it came across on stage and demand for them has skyrocketed. They write together, play together, and are gaining success together. They capitalized on each others ideas and the writing process has just “gelled”.

Everyone, keep your eyes open for the CD release party for later this summer at the Sisterdale General Store. This CD is one you will want to get your hands on immediately. Also keep your eyes, right here for their up and coming concerts while they are on their 2005 “Turn It Up” Tour. It’s all about volume, not necessarily audio but consumption. You won’t want to miss them when they are in your area. It is a treat you’ll be telling the grandkids about, if you can remember.

The LBB finished off our heavenly evening with something that we all get caught up in and that’s the “Rat Race”….. “racin’ the rats, just ain’t for me”. As I watched this great performance, I was reminded of lyrics by Buster Jiggs,….”heaven is a red guitar and a cadillac….” Well, we had “heaven” at “Marti’s Back Porch” watching Loyd pound ‘em out on his red guitar…..and nobody seemed to mind that the only thing that was missing that night was the cadillac.

For concert and booking information call Spence Thompson at 830-377-7420.

MA