Womerns likes that

Months ago, I happened upon a series of Youtube clips of a performer who goes by the name of Unknown Hinson, billing himself as the “King of Country Western Troubadours.” Think Conway Twitty as Dracula playing Eddie Van Halen … in no particular order. A friend and I drove up to Asheville’s Gray Eagle today to catch Hinson’s Halloween concert, highlighted by such cult classics as Fish Camp Womern and I Can’t Believe You’re Pregnant Again.

It was a distinct kick to see Hinson in person, but an hour of his guitar virtuosity and bizarre schtick were sufficient, so we headed home after the first set, pleased to have shared airspace with the man whose videos had made such a vivid impression. The concert was preceded by an excellent meal at a Mediterrannean restaurant and a stop-off at the drum circle that materializes downtown like Brigadoon according to a timetable I’ve yet to figure out. I spoke with a woman named Colis, who seemed to be in charge, but she credited a man named Larry with organizing the event. She also dismissed my questions about drum circle protocol, procedure and hierarchy. The spirit moves whom the spirit moves in the way the spirit moves them. End of story.