CLUB REVIEW : Barndance: The Cool Side of Country

Functioning like a scaled-down Grand Ole Opry every Tuesday, the Palomino, North Hollywood’s venerable cowboy stamping ground, hosts Ronnie Mack’s Barndance--a 2 1/2-hour show celebrating the cool side of country.

Mack, who began the hoedown as a radio show in 1988 on Cal State Northridge’s FM station, aims to offer the kind of music mainstream country music stations generally avoid. Focusing on “traditional alternative” American roots music, the Barndance opens with a house band that warms up the audience for such performers as Rosie Flores, Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys, Lucinda Williams and John Doe. (Doe was one of the singers who appeared at the last Hank Williams birthday tribute, where he performed for an audience that included Bruce Springsteen and his wife, Patti Scialfa.)

Some of the Barndance nights pay homage to specific greats, with guests performing three-song sets celebrating such performers as Williams, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Willie Dixon. (The next birthday tribute is May 9 in honor of Rick Nelson.)

The audience, an all-ages mix of cowboys, tattooed rockabilly types and punkers, will no doubt expand when the Barndance becomes a radio show again on June 1. KXLU-FM will be dedicating an hour of time on the first Thursday of every month to the Barndance, starting with a taping of Tuesday’s Pete Anderson performance. But that’s no excuse to miss the show live. Not only is it always free, but Mack saves the last hour for an open jam. Don’t be surprised to see the likes of Marty Stuart, Brian Setzer or Travis Tritt taking the mike.

* Ronnie Mack’s Barndance, every Tuesday at the Palomino , 6907 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. All ages, no cover. (818) 764-4018.