A version of this post was previously published on my Radio Barz blog.

The Beat Farmers almost ruined me for live music. Two dynamite shows at The Canal Street Tavern in Dayton, Ohio, July 1986 and September 1987, were the two most bombastic, wildly enjoyable live music experiences ever. I could have stopped going to shows right then and lived off the memories of those two performances for the rest of my life.

The Beat Farmers' music propelled me through mid- and late-1980s road trips, all-night listening parties, and summer BBQs. The band mixed country western and rockabilly sensibilities with chunky, raw power chords. Imagine Buck Owens playing with ACDC. And they had a wild card like no other band before or since -- drummer, singer, and raconteur Country Dick Montana.

I loved the originals like "Bigger Stones," "Never Going Back," "Riverside" and "Selfish Heart." And the Farmers had the best taste in covers, from Bruce Springsteen's "Reason to Believe" to Neil Young's "Powderfinger" and Country Dick's rowdy rendition of Johnny Cash's "Big River.” Here are three live performances from the Farmers.

PS: One of my life’s proudest moments was having Country Dick Montana throw a full picture of draft beer at my chest. I caught it and barely spilled a drop. Long live Country Dick. Long live Canal Street. Long live the Beat Farmers.