Van and Abby Normal!

September 4, 2018

I think one of the greatest cover bands Iowa has ever seen or heard is "Abby Normal." You may recognize that name as something you once heard in a Mel Brooks movie. I got invited to one of their shows a few nights ago at the Covered Bridges Winery north of Winterset. Some think I'm prejudiced because Tim and Jana West are friends of mine.  I love those two, but even if I hated them I would have to admit they are part of a phenomenal band.  I listened to them waaaaaaaay longer than I should have the other night and I didn't want to leave, but the fact that I had to get up at 2:45 the next morning to do a radio program finally made that decision for me.

In my music jockeying days on radio I played almost everything I heard them do.  They did a "name that tune" on one song.  I didn't get it in 2 notes, but I got it in 3!  Long Train Running!  Doobie Brothers!  They didn't ask, but I also could have told them it is 4:25 long with a 17 second intro, which is excellent for a high energy jock like me to intro over! The ending fades...no cold ending.  Can you see why I got into their stuff?!?!

Abby Normal had a challenge that night.  The were scheduled to play out on the patio, but it had rained all day and at set up time the radar said more was on the way. So since rain and electronic equipment are not being a good combination, they set up inside and after all that work at their 7 pm start time the radar said, Oops! No rain after all.  Personally I'm glad it worked out that way. A huge crowd of us were crammed in like sardines loving every moment of it.  

Hats off to the Covered Bridge Winery and the band for the way they handled it.  It couldn't have been better.  If you get a chance to go to that winery, go!  If you get a chance to hear Abbey Normal, go!