Who is a serious fan who likes the Beat Farmers? Or at least Country Dick Montana?

I am a serious Beat Farmers fan. The first couple of albums are terrific, with Buddy Blue on guitar. Country Dick is one of the best people I ever met, but I must say his vocal contributions are not what keeps me playing those LPs.

I saw them in college once (during my Mojo Nixon/Green on Red days) and became obsessed with them in an NME way (i.e. for about a week). My mom HATES them. God bless Country Dick, may he rest in peace.

they made some excellently twangy roots rock on disc. but onstage, the one time i ever saw them in new jersey, it was all yawn, yawn, yawn while waiting for the country dick mini-set, then back to the bar while waiting for the next country dick mini-set. and it was well worth the wait. he was a force of nature.

So-so records, but an experience live on stage. I do remember liking their studio recording of Tom Waits' "Rosie" and the Velvets' "There She Goes."
Saw them in the mid-80s in Providence, at a now-legendary show which got them banned from the club for life. After having played a filthy version of "Lucille," Country Dick decided to "ride" someone from the audience. One game concertgoer obliged and Montana got up on his shoulders. The guy gave way to Country Dick's considerable weight, however, and both came crashing down. Montana got up with fire in his eyes (it looked like he was about to slug somebody) and then jumped onto the bar. "You people need some discipline!" he screamed, while banging on some overhead lights with a riding stick. The evening dissolved into chaos and confusion.
He also managed to cut his hand on a Henikein bottle he was flipping around during one song. He went to a local emergency room, got stitched up and skipped out on the bill.
Years later, shortly before his death, the Beat Farmers opened for the Blasters at a different Providence club. The roof started leaking right above the drum kit. Country Dick kept bashing away while the water pounded his skins. He had a big shit-eating grin on his face. That's how I'll remember him.

jazzbo's story reminded me of country dick's other great onstage talent - he could chug a bottle of beer without using his hands.

man knew how to put on a show.

How timely -- a Rhino Handmade reissue of Tales of the New West, complete with bonus tracks etc.

Buddy was...well, all right. Yeah, opinionated and everything, but still the type of guy that causes me to hate rock'n'roll. Regardless, RIP.

I've tossed a view tunes on mix tapes over the years - they got some juice. Too bad.