Murry Hammond, Rhett Miller, Ken Bethea and Philip Peeples a very long time ago, apparently. (File photo)
Ushering in my 46th birthday with Rhett Miller at the Twilite Lounge at midnight Friday did not make me feel old, maybe because Rhett still looks like that ubiquitous teen folkie-turned-serial lady-killer. This, however, does make me feel just shy of ancient: Hitchhike to Rhome, the first studio album from the Old 97′s, turns 20 on Saturday. Seems like only, um, 18 years ago (?) that Miller, Murry Hammond, Ken Bethea and Philip Peeples were holed up at Crystal Clear Studios cutting the record, which featured such future live-show standards as “Stoned,” “Drowning In The Days,” “Dancing With Tears” and “4 Leaf Clover.” Nevertheless, here we are: the 20th anniversary, complete with the due-out November 17 re-issue of the record featuring 12 rare and unreleased tracks, including the band’s original demos.
It’ll come on two CDs or two records, because, after all, vinyl’s where it’s at (again). Engineer Rip Rowan wrote about making the record then and remaking the record now over here, because speaking of feeling old … the Nixons? But there’s more to this anniversary than the requisite deluxe do-over.
Ken and Philip send word this morning that the band will embark upon a four-city Texas tour in December commemorating the album’s release. It kicks off December 10 at Sam’s Burger Joint in San Antonio (where the Deathray Davies will open), stops a day later at the Parrish Inn in Austin (featuring Homer Henderson), moves the next day to Fitzgerald’s in Houston (again with the Deathrays in tow), then wraps on December 13 at the historoic Majestic Theatre in lovely downtown Dallas with Eleven Hundred Springs’ frontman Matt Hillyer as the opening act. Christmas comes early, y’all. The circle is now complete: The Majestic’s being booked these days by Mike Schwedler, who managed the 97′s when they cut the record.)
Says the missive from the 97′s, here’s what to expect during their four-night waltz across Texas: “The festive night will feature the band performing Hitchhike to Rhome in its entirety, as well as a second set of tunes from their extensive catalog. Come for an evening of nostalgia and revelry.”
Tickets go on sale Friday. Till then, the promotional video featuring some kids who look a lot like the Old 97′s.