Bruce Ainslie, bless his heart, founded this event so that even rank amateurs could have a chance to play before a live audience. After three years, he's still waiting for those rank amateurs to show up, because some of the best, finest bands and musicians in Spokane have been coming back to play more every year without the political overtones. Moreover, it's the only place in town where you can hear your favorite bands, all while chowing down on some of that good Longhorn Barbecue.

I finally tracked down Alan Troupe and his Swing Music Band earlier this summer when they were playing at a gig near the Tri-Cities. It isn't every place you can go where you can hear this brand of swing music, but if you remember the name Bob Wills, you can figure the rest out for yourselves. What a delightful evenings entertainment.