I had spent the months leading up to NYE steeped in anticipation for a night of fun and rowdiness with my two favorite bands in North Carolina.  When the pairing of the Booty Band and Barefoot Manner for New Years was announced, I knew that this would be a night of hilarity and fun that I wouldn’t want to miss.  I’ve been incredibly busy over the Fall, so I looked forward to the Barefoot-n-Booty NYE Party as a great way to end the year and blow off some steam.  However, in the weeks leading up to the show, my thoughts on the night took on entirely different connotations.  Once Dave Kleiss announced his plans to leave the band for a promising opportunity in Florida, I reeled.  What had been gleeful anticipation turned into a realization that another era would be ending in the music and world of Barefoot Manner.  As the night of December 31st approached, I looked forward to a performance of David Kleiss classics, and hoped I wouldn’t be crying all night.

Maggie, Andy, and I arrived at the Lincoln just before 9:30 and walked in with Walter and Kara, who we had run across outside.  We purchase tickets, wander through the crowd and say preliminary hellos.  We spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Kleiss.  We shared a brief moment with David and offered our congratulations and best wishes for Florida and his future. 

We found some nice dancing real estate in time for Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band.  The Booty Band played their set and finished around 11:35.  As much as I had anticipated the pairing of these two bands for NYE craziness, the news of David’s departure had radically changed my perceptions on the night.  My thoughts were focused squarely on Mannerland; everyone else seemed superfluous.  When the clock inched towards midnight, signaling one last dance with David Kleiss, the celebration I was having with dear friends remained bittersweet. 

Jeff Garland and Al Ingram from the Booty Band commenced with the NYE Countdown, and 2007 was under way.  The curtains were opened, revealing Yo Mama’s Big Barefoot Manner Booty Band.  The two bands launched into an enthusiastic James Brown cover “Get On the Good Foot” to get the party started.  Once the Booty Band left the stage, Barefoot Manner unveiled one last “High Life Day,” which hadn’t been played in months.  They then delivered a set of Kleiss sung tunes including “Glance,” “Worth,” “Caribea,” “Airplane,” “Roots,” “NC Sunrise,” “Swingin” and others. 

I’ve always enjoyed the rare “Dreams and Me” on Barefoot setlists, and really hoped that they would play it one last time.  Maggie and I have also always enjoyed David’s renditions of Bob Dylan’s “Meet Me in the Morning,” feeling that this song showcased David’s voice in the most bluesy area of the Barefoot Manner spectrum.  Considering that I had a hankering for these two songs in particular, I was thrilled when they were busted out sequentially early on in the show.

As the night drew on, I shared hugs and laughter with all my friends, but was more somber by the conclusion of “NC Sunrise” than I ever thought possible.  This song has always reminded me of celebration, and the enjoyment of life.  I was having trouble with the "celebration" part, as the reality of David's departure was beginning to weigh on me.

When Walter joined David for a soulful, yearning “Where Do We Go,” I sat there speechless.  As all the Barefoot fellows joined Walter and David for one last performance of “Barefoot Blues,” I thought about some of the things that life has taught me.  Life is fragile and precious.  Enjoy your good moments, because you never know when they will be taken from you. 

David Kleiss brought his "A game" to every Barefoot Manner performance.  His playing, singing, and heartfelt lyrics were the model of consistent excellency. I thought about how he was moving forward in his life to new adventures and new opportunities, in the same way that I should in my own life and career.  No one was dying.  And Barefoot Manner was not dying.  So, I sat there and reflected on that, and felt a new sense of determination for the upcoming year. 

There will be lots of work to do in 2007.  And there will be lots of fun too.  And if I savor my moments and maximize my enjoyment of the “good times,” then I can live without regret.  And that seemed like a resolution worth making as I began 2007.  We shared goodbyes and hugs with our friends in Mannerland and sauntered out into the night ready for laughter, camaraderie, more Barefoot Manner shows and the next year. 

I woke up early Friday morning with an unusual spring in my step, as I was ready for a vacation from Greensboro and two days with Barefoot Manner during MannerBoat weekend. I have plenty of work to do, which makes the morning pass quickly, and before I know it, I'm heading out the door down to my car for the beginning of the weekend. I gather my belongings, pick up my boys from their schools, and make the trip to Durham, where we are to pick up Sherry for the ride down to the coast. I'm an hour later than I had intended, which mires us in the traffic crawl that accompanies Friday rush hour. We all keep good spirits, and before too long, we're on the other side of Raleigh grabbing a bite to eat. Margaret would be joining us Saturday morning, so Sherry and I make the drive with the kids on Friday night, hoping to catch Barefoot's Friday night performance in Beaufort. We get there later than I hoped, so after letting the boys visit with the Barefoot Manner fellows for a bit, I take them home for bedtime and return in time to catch the second set.

We spend Saturday engaged in various activities before MannerBoat. Margaret arrives just before lunch. We all ride down to the beach where we meet Hank, Leo, JennBugg, and Ann playing Bocce. Hank displays excellent Bocce form with high, arcing tosses that precisely hit their marks. I, on the other hand, can't find my footing on the beach and teeter precariously from throw to throw. Eventually more of the Barefoot and Heybro crew rolls up, as Shawn, Lauren, Dave, Rebecca, Scott, Jen, TJ, and Hillary stop by to enjoy an afternoon on the beach. The braver souls venture into the water, while I sit in my chair enjoying the sights, but lacking the courage to swim. We conclude our afternoon at the beach, and I go home for a two and a half hour nap. I get up feeling groggy, but rested, drink a Margarita and start formulating our strategy for the night. We eat a fabulous dinner of fresh shrimp and Maryland crab cakes, plug the kids (and grownups) into "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" then head off for MannerBoat.

As we arrive at the ticket booth at the marina, we offer our names, get our bracelets, and take stock of the scene. Jen from HeyBro Productions wishes us a good time. We see some notables moving about, but decide to wander around the Beaufort marina, awaiting clearance to enter the boat. We hear the tedious strains of bad acoustic guitar carrying down the boardwalk and walk away from it instinctively. Once we are given the nod to board, we gain entry into the lower part of the ship. The fellows were upstairs arranging the last details of a soundcheck. Once the engines start to rumble, and the top deck is opened, the MannerBoat heads out into the water. The occupants of the boat are bouncing in time to the MannerBoat Theme Song, featuring banjo, beatbox, and the spirit of hilarity. I look around and see smiles everywhere.

Barefoot Manner takes the stage and opens the show with a lovely "Caribea" before segueing into "Someday." Midway through "Caribea," I'm hearing each stroke of the mandolin, and it's sounding great to me, so well-balanced in the mix. I think to myself that the guys are especially sharp and precise sounding, even out here on the water. Barefoot Manner took the stage "dialed in," and never looked back, galloping through two energetic, wonderful sets. First set highlights included the previously mentioned "Caribea," a spotless "Little Man > Pulse > Little Man," a frenzied "Crosseyed and Painless" and a "China Cat > EMD > Rider" that had the whole crowd singing. MannerBoat returned to port at midnight in order to refill their ravaged alcohol stores, which had been decimated by the thirsty Barefoot horde.

Once the MannerBoat returned to sea, Jeff asked everyone on board to scream and yell as loud as they could, and the boat erupted in a thunderous, boisterous ovation. From there, Barefoot Manner delivered enthusiastic versions of many Barefoot classics. This included a thumping "Hard to Believe," (heavy on the Kishore) a joyful "Swingin," and epic "Mudafunk." The "Mudafunk" featured a "Night Rider Theme Jam" in techno-grass fashion that had many smiling. Sing-along classics (both old and new) such as "Lower on the Hog," "Ace of Spades," and "Killing Floor" were delivered with their usual charm and enthusiasm. The fellows closed the second set with the infectious Grasscats song, "85 on 85." After enthusiastic applause resulted in a "NC Sunrise" encore, the MannerBoat patrolled the harbor and offered up disco dance music for the voyage home.

The Barefoot fellows finally got to enjoy some of their own party at this point, as they grabbed refreshments, mingled with the crowd and took pictures. The MannerBoat reluctantly pulled into the dock sometime between 2:30 and 2:45, and the crowd dispersed into the night. After the boat had unloaded, and everyone had said their goodbyes, we headed back to the beach house for some much-needed sleep. The MannerBoat was a resounding success, with spectacular performances across the board.

Barefoot Manner: An Influential Side
An Interview
by
Jennifer Harp

There are many musical groups and artists that leave an impression upon us, the listeners, at some point and time in our lives. Some of these help us through the hard times, while some cause us to remember the good. Then there are those few who follow us throughout our lives, carrying us through the bad, the good and the mundane. Barefoot Manner is one of those bands, with the kind of music that crosses several genres and can make even the most stalwart listener feel the contagious beat of their original songs.
Beginning as a trio in 2000, this group of down-home, back porch artists became a quintet by 2003. The next few years saw these talented musicians touring heavily while working on album after album. David Kleiss, Shawn Chase, Walter Hensey, Jeff Garland and Hank Smith were the backbone of this Caribbean infused bluegrass group.
New Year’s Eve of 2005 was an ending and a beginning for this long running band. Walter Hensey retired and Leo Kishore came on board. With the most positive of attitudes and the best of original bluegrass music, Barefoot Manner has changed little over time. As a group who, some say, is best heard live, they have left their own mark on this industry, becoming an influence named by many; new artists and fans alike.
I was fortunate to have a chance to chat with them at The Old Town Draught House in Greensboro, NC, before their set that night, opening for Sam Bush. The humbleness of these guys and their genuine love for what they do came across in our conversation. Amongst the joking around with each other, the members behind this wonderful music discussed how they feel about becoming influential and their plans for the future.

J: I have talked with other bands recently in this same genre of music, Beaconwood and The Avett Brothers specifically, and both groups had nothing but good things to say about you guys and the positive influence you have been, and still are, to them as musicians. How does that make you guys feel to know that you have been this ‘driving force’, so to speak, for newer groups, especially the younger set, such as Beaconwood, who are just teenagers?

David: It’s sort of, like, coming full circle, so to speak, because there are obviously many bands that influenced us. So, to do that for another group is like “coming of age.”

Jeff: That’s what Leftover Salmon did for you, right?

David: Sure. Yeah, exactly.

J: I’ve noticed a lot of younger fans at the all age’s shows and festivals. They become interested in learning to play instruments, such as the banjo, the mandolin, the bass, because of watching you guys perform. I know personally, and from talking with other Barefoot Manner fans that have children, the increased amount of interest in these instruments specifically. It’s not so much the drums and electric guitar anymore. Does that influence your performance at the ‘all ages’ shows vs. the ‘adult only’ shows, when you know that a younger group is going to be there?

Hank: Well, it’s sort of like, you’re trying to stay true to what you’re doing and stay true to the music no matter who they are. It’s up to them how they experience whatever it is that we have to offer. It’s not so much like we cater it one way or the other, we just play. Then whoever likes it, likes it. It’s not set to one specific crowd, the Bonnaroo crowd...

Jeff: Whatever that is... (laughs)

J: Is there going to be a new album from you guys coming out soon? It has been while.

Jeff: Yep, we’re going to the studio in September.

J: Who writes the majority of your songs, the lyrics and the music? Is it more like a group effort, or is it like you’re sitting at home alone, come up with something and take to everyone else?

HANK: It just depends on who came up with it. Everybody’s got their own different way of bringing something to the table when we have a rehearsal or something like that. I know Shawn and Dave like to have a bit more of a group thing, everybody has an input. They’ll come

Leo Kishore has impressed me with his aggressive, yet deft touches on the bass, his down-to-earth demeanor and the quickness with which he has learned so many staple songs in the Barefoot repertoire. Many bands suffer through personnel changes, while Barefoot Manner has shown a renewed spark since Leo's unveiling at the Boone Saloon in February. With eleven shows under his belt as the new bass player and the beginning of Festival Season just around the corner, Leo took a few moments to share his thoughts with me.

E: Now that the newness has worn off and things are falling into place, what has been the most rewarding part of joining Barefoot Manner? What has been your favorite show to date?

Leo: Personally, being in a band with Jeff again is huge...I believe this is our fifth band together...He really just is one of my favorite dudes. I can't quite put a finger on why, but he seems to be great at everything I am not, and we tend to complement each other well. Favorite show? Well, they all have rocked so far, beyond what I could have expected. The Boone Saloon on my first date was totally exhilarating, and of course coming back to the Lincoln is something that means a lot to me. I have played there a couple of times, usually as an opener or a fill in bass player, but never as a member of the headliner to such a crowd. Some dude came up and gave me a piece of paper that said “Leo Rocks!" I don’t know who has paper and writing utensils at shows and I don’t know if that is really true, but it felt great!

E: What has been the most challenging or difficult thing about joining Barefoot Manner?

Leo: The most difficult thing I would have to say is being a good blue grass player, since it's not a style of music that I had played much before. We initially jammed with Jeff on drums, and it was smooth sailing with a lot of the tunes, just had to figure out the chord changes. But when Jeff gets on the washboard, I get thrown in that traditional bass-bluegrass role. I got decent time, so some tempos weren't so bad to deal with, but at very high speeds I have to admit that initially I was thrown off a little by the 'chop' and the notion that I am often the only dude on the downbeat. Dave is there too, so if I can pick him out it definitely helps. Sometimes I can't, and quite honestly it felt like a million notes were being tossed out and I had no idea which went with what beat. So, that was the thing that required the most practice to get over any 'hump'.

The other thing is the pure speed of Barefoot, its been a while, actually I can't even remember when in terms of a band, that I have played so many tunes at this speed. It's great for my playing. Sitting at home sweating my metronome and drum machine has really been something I had wanted to drill, and this is a place where I have to do it or I won't float.

E: What is the first album that you bought?

Leo: Oh man. Don't shoot me. First ever was Dead or Alive ("You spin me round") on vinyl. (Evan adds: "Like a Record, baby!") First cassette was Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi. First real set of recordings that actually made a difference happened when I was taking a trip to Tennessee with my parents, and I bought Megadeth's "So Far So Good So What," and Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son." Didn't like the Iron Maiden as much as the Megadeth. When we got there, I picked up Slayer's "South of Heaven" and Bad Brain's "I against I." I think all 4 of those had just come out, and the Slayer and Bad Brains really intrigued me.

Keep in mind, I had NO idea what the lyrics were saying, and never did care. Even today, I have no idea what most lyrics are in any song, I just listen for beats and what not. Anyways, after hearing those 4, I pretty much wanted to play a bunch of notes in a very short amount of time. I was playing trombone at the time though, so that was a roadblock right there!!! It was this year as well that Max Roach came to a neighboring high school, and we got to check it out. I rarely have seen such greatness, and really wanted that kind of power, or somewhere near. For years, I was into jazz and metal from there.

E: Where did you grow up?

Leo: Born in Toledo Ohio, moved to Greenville with I was in second grade. I have one sister. Both my parents are Japanese (half Japanese, but both raised in Japan), and occasionally make it back to Japan to visit relatives.

E: What is your favorite “Barefoot” song so far?

Leo: Gotta go with a top 3: Roots, Nervous Breakdown, Things. Then again, some of the newer tunes are shaping up a little more than when I got there, at least as far as my understanding of them, so I think maybe the best is yet to come!

I normally relish the first real snowfall of the year, especially this year, considering how temperate the weather has been. But when I awoke Saturday, February 18th with ambitions for a drive to Boone, snowfall was not on my list of desired variables for the day. I meander through the afternoon listlessly and dejected, but the snowfall never amounts to much. Trevor calls me and tells me that the roads have been fine in Boone, and that we should make the drive.

After all, this is Leo's first show, and I try not to miss momentous Barefoot occasions these days. I've already missed too many…

Trevor picks me up after 4 pm and we begin the trek up to the hills of North Carolina. The drive into Boone was spell-binding. The previous days' snowfall had actually stuck to the mountains, and reflected beams of sunlight peeked through layers of clouds, creating brilliant scenery for our drive. I was mesmerized that night, with the Grateful Dead sounding just about perfect.

We arrive in Boone and park at the Boone Saloon right around 7 pm. The roads were in excellent shape, but snow and ice had accumulated in other places. Trevor and I see Jeff Garland in the parking lot, exchange windy pleasantries, and wander inside for beer and bar food.

We pull up a chair and have dinner with the guys. Jeff shows us recent band pictures from his laptop. I ask the guys about the previous night's rehearsal, and how they are feeling. Everyone seems excited, anxious, and ready to play. It was a nice to visit with the guys before they had to go into "entertainer" mode.

After dinner, Trevor and I gather up the forces from Greene's Motel, have a few drinks and get ready for the show… We pull back into the Saloon before 9:30, and are anticipating a great evening. After a 2 song sound check and 20 minute break, the 2006 version of Barefoot Manner takes the stage.

The crowd moved towards the front, and warmed to the boys quickly. Barefoot Manner began the 2006 Spring tour with a wonderful "Little Man" that got the locals' toes tapping. After nice renditions of "Caribea," "Reflection," and "Al-Qamar" the crowd got more enthusiastic and boisterous, and the dancers began to outnumber the wallflowers for "Things" and "Barefoot Blues." The Barefoot boys continued on in that fashion through a spirited, high-energy first set that culminated with nice versions of "Mudafunk," "Airplane," and "Worth," which has taken on added shape since Mannerland V.

The second set began with 2 newer Barefoot songs ("Glance" and "Someday") before Dave asks if people are ready to "dance." Barefoot Manner slides into overdrive with a frantic "Nervous Breakdown." By the end of "Nervous Breakdown," the whole dance floor was moving. From "Nervous Breakdown" they dove into "Roots," and have started 2006 with an incredibly likable set of favorite originals. They closed the second set with several nice numbers, including "De La Luz," "Cool Breeze," (featuring excellent banjo / bass interplay) "Pencil Song," and a rollicking "NC Sunrise" to send everyone home.

The 2006 version of Barefoot Manner has taken the stage without missing a step, or stubbing a toe…

Barefoot Manner has received some exciting news lately, as Deering Banjo Company has offered Hank Smith an artist endorsement. In the next few weeks, Deering will custom-build Hank a Maple Blossom with a radiused fingerboard. Hank joins such other diverse artists as the Kruger Brothers, Peter Rowan, the Indigo Girls, and the Smashing Pumpkins in receiving endorsement from Deering Banjo. I spoke with Hank about the impact of this endorsement, and he offered the following information:

“I approached Deering asking if I could purchase a radiused fingerboard from them…When Deering responded, they informed me that they don’t supply parts from the custom shop directly to the consumer, but they would be interested in providing me with an artist endorsement. Barefoot Manner will benefit from this in that the band name will be associated with the Deering Banjo Company. Acoustic Syndicate’s banjo player, Bryon McMurry also has an endorsement. He and I have spoken at length about his deal and can’t say enough good things about them. It’s also a nice thing to have a ‘sponsored artist’ in the band, as it gives the band a more professional edge.”

According to Hank, he will be promoting Deering at workshops and festivals and displaying photos of him with the instrument in future liner notes. Hank has indicated that the terms of the endorsement were agreeable as he “supports their craftsmanship anyway” and added that this would be “advantageous for all parties involved.”

Hank remarked that this development “has also inspired the other guys to seek endorsement. Everyone in the group should have a sponsorship of some type. They are not hard to pursue, I have found, and companies want and need to work with artists, especially those whose focus is on quality.”

In what could prove to be an exciting time for Barefoot Manner, an already bright future just got brighter…

Starting today, everyone may notice a brand new face lift to the Barefoot Manner website.

The website template was created by Mark Kleiss, brother of Barefoot's guitar player, David Kleiss. Programming was accomplished by Trevor, at Eternity Designs.

The site uses a custom CMS system for management of all content areas of the site, as well as special scripts placed on the server to handle redirection of pages based on old URI's. There were also custom setlists database, roadjournal, events scheduler, and image gallery created just for this website and written in PHP. There are also other various scripts that handle simple functions such as image rotations and streetteam/contact management.

Check it out when you get the chance, and stop by the message forum and offer some kind comments if you feel so inclined.

We Miss You Jerry!
Jerry Photo Tribute

first off, Terrapin, thank you so much for the wonderfully nice things you said. You made my night. Being as I have a full time job, these days, i haven't been able to read nor post as often as i would like... but either way... i thought i might share my first experience with barefoot manner....

It was Mannerland 1 that first brought me to Barefoot Manner. I had discovered the festival through a boyfriend and we decided to go for 2 reasons... 1) it was cheap and 2) Larry Keel. So, a few days before the camping extravaganza I recieved a notice from a barefoot fellow that there was a young woman who needed a ride out to snow camp... so of course i volunteered. oh man what was i getting myself into?....i had never allowed someone i didnt know to enter my life like this before... so it was completely thrilling and scary all at the same time. this wonderful young woman was GRASS CAT, or Christine to others. her boyfriend had to work that weekend and she had decided to go on with out him... the first thing she asked was "can we put this AWESOME BAREFOOT MANNER magnet on the back of your car?" uhmm, i didnt really know what to say... being as i had never heard them before, but i relented and we were on our way....

when i arrived at mannerland i was shocked at how intimate it was... and the first person i saw was shane carol with his long dreadlocks. i started to wonder what i had gotten myself into at that point... but then i saw jeff running around witch his cowboy hat and then learned that he had just gotten engaged (to genevieve of course), i met some really wonderful people, like Grady, who i recognized from the Guilford College radio... after a few hours i was definetely enjoying the people and the great environment.

when the music started i wasnt too impressed. the other bands were.... okay... but nothing like what i wanted. then barefoot came out... and honestly, i wasnt impressed with them either. i attribute it to the fact that my boyfriend was a dickhead and wouldnt leave me alone so i could try to check it out, alone, and personally... and i ended up goingg to bed shortly after the first set began. the second night... the same thing... i left the festival wondering if i had wasted my money... even tho i did enjoyed Larry.

so... yes... i didnt like barefoot manner at first ... but i soon realized it wasnt THEM that i didnt like... it was other people and they were kicked out.

a few weeks later my phone rang and to my surprise it was christine. she wanted to go out to chapel hill and see barefoot at the mellow mushroom. at the time she was unable to get out there herself, and pizza sounded pretty good, as well as the inticement of being able to drink soem beer... i was down. so i drove her out and somehow made it in to the 21+ show, which i was able to do countless times following. WHOOT!... so anyway, i guess i had quite a bit to drink because i started yelling at the band while htey were playing like a complete idiot... telling them that they were awesome and i was so glad to be there... i remmeber specifically yelling at jeff when he tried to get me to shut up by saying "we are recording this for an album" (hint to ashley: shut up)

Then, they played some amazingly fast song, that if i remember correctly, was Barefoot Blues. My feet took on a life of their own and i was in for it. i didnt stop dancing the rest of the night. i was stuck... completely glued and after the show christine had to DRAG me out of the restaurant.

from that moment on, for the longest time, i never missed a show... unless it was 21+ and somehow, even that didnt always stop me... but regardless... something in those guys really clicked with me that night...

spinning spinning spinning, they just kept me moving.

it's amazing to me that i can be completely exhausted but barefoot just keeps me going. their talent passion and kindness are three things that i will never forget.

and i havent stopped dancing since.

and walter, i came, i saw... so now... you can kiss MY butt (yeah! in your face bia!)

     This passed April I rolled into Asheville on fumes.  My car sat in a lot most of the time while I walked about smiling and reuniting with many friends.  Somehow I ended up at The Deerfields a month before Smilefest and an opportunity to capture the final phases of the mainstage construction.  I took some video, and even hammered a fair number of nails into the structure.  The night before Smilefest 2005 arrived, I was on the roof of the structure with a couple buddies, tacking on the tar paper by starlight.  I couldn't help but feel blessed, having been able to participate as I had.  My soul feet were certainly freed up and ready for the joy that danced about all weekend long.  When Barefoot Manner was on, I suddenly found myself up front dancin about with the kind joy and freedom I hadn't experienced since my childhood.  Well, the dancing spirit just continued to move freely through me throughout the entire festival.  And, I haven't forgotten the sunny impetus provided by the Manner Family I've come to know.  Few names remain in my memory, but the spiritual exchanges we shared are unforgettable.   

     Dawn, the morning after Smilefest, I was one of a great few roaming around gathering my possessions and cleaning up some leftover debris, I made aquaintance with a couple of Mannerland folks who's names I have since forgotten.  This was a special moment we shared, standing in the same area we had been dancing while Barefoot Manner played their set.  And I am determined to reunite and to smile big with them once again. 

    Fortunately a special friend in Asheville handed me the Mannerland 5 information. 

See ya'll,

jason