Following in the mold of their successful Monsters of Folk and Roadhouse Revival package tours, Hightone Records unleashed the best of its extensive country/rockabilly roster on America in the fall of 2001 as the Twanbangers. Guitarist Redd Volkaert, Dallas Wayne, Bill Kirchen, and pedal steeler Joe Goldmark backed each other up on solo material as well as country and rockabilly standards. Kirchen's rhythm section Too Much Fun (bassist Johnny Castle and drummer Jack O'Dell) served as the house band. However, the month-long tour came following the tragic events of September 11, when it still seemed unpatriotic to simply have a good time. But it earned excellent reviews and certainly gave folks something to smile about. ~ John Duffy