big & rich

The duo made it big with their catchy tune “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy”, and believe me, I like the song. It makes me tap my toes and it just makes me laugh. But what makes me smile more is the affiliation that this duo has to my beloved Deadwood and the Black Hills area. My personal favorite song, “Big Time” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssHnkroH8tI was filmed partially on top of the Franklin Hotel, but also at one of our favorite honky-tonks, the Moonshine Gulch Saloon. This little oasis in Rochford is, remarkably, not really all that well known to “visitors”, but it is surely where you’ll likely find us on most sunny Sundays, and I’m always happy to road trip with friends to visit Betsy and her dogs and listen to a little homegrown music. https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/rochford/food-drink/brewerypubdistillery/moonshine-gulch-saloon

In other Big & Rich happenings, last week Dan had a little bit of excitement on the front sidewalk at Charles. He’s noticed a gentleman walking past, to and from the Pluma area. This week he made his acquaintance and learned that the gentleman was none other than Niles Harris. Mr. Harris is the war veteran featured in the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_OyFoxp_uo “The 8th of November”. He is also the guy who gave Big Kenny his top hat. Apparently Niles has been watching the progress at Charles, and will continue passing by, checking on us. This hero is quite an interesting gentleman, telling of riding his motorcycles thousands of miles to Newfoundland many times over, and collecting his vintage cars. He and I apparently share a love of vintage Karmann Gia convertibles, and Dan reports that we will get along well, as we both tend to have a “colorful” vocabulary. I will look forward to the day that I too can chat with Niles, and invite him in to Charles, or to sit next to the creek on the patio.

Of note to this post, simply is my sincere appreciation for Big Kenny & John Rich because of their apparently big hearts and their rich dedication to the Hills. They didn’t flit in, shoot some videos and flit out. On many occasions, anticipated and not, they’re performing in Outlaw Square, strolling across the casino floor (don’t think that doesn’t break the table’s rhythm!), hanging out at Sickies, or even making an appearance up on Stewart Street. They renovated the old sludge plant and created the Deadwood Mountain Grand, and they continue investing their time and money in to this historic place. I think that’s cool. They’re kind of a big deal.

I think that Niles, Big & Rich are all heroes in different ways. Certainly I thank Niles and all of our men and women who have served and are serving to protect our freedom. Their dedication to the United States of America makes us who we are. To a different, but still important degree, I thank Big & Rich for their dedication to the Hills. Deadwood is saturated with history. Support like theirs perpetuates the restoration and preservation of this golden nugget. I have made good friends there. We undoubtedly knew each other back in another time and it is that karma that draws me back over and over. And we continue making new friends who bring their unique history and stories to Charles and involve her in LIFE again! She is a unique home with budding personality! She’s located at that crossroad of urban prairie and bustling Downtown and awaiting her very own top hat! She’s a bit of a backward mullet… party (loud and energetic) in the front and business (calm and retreat-like) in the back. I think we’re saving a gem and I can’t wait to open her doors to all of our friends. Old and new.