Billy Mack Hill performs with Government Cheese at Ellis Place in Bowling Green KY. Photo by Pennman 2/12/2011.

It was a night filled with more widespread anticipation than I’ve seen in a long time here in Bowling Green. From what I hear, people in these parts have always had more than a fondness for Government Cheese. So if absence makes the heart grow fonder, the time that has passed since the last time the boys got together explains the fantabulous time everyone had at this reunion concert. And it was part band reunion, part class reunion, as it was obvious this show brought close friends together who may not have seen each other for awhile. And that was great, because the band would not disappoint. In fact, I would say they exceeded all expectations.

Having recently put out a two disc, 43 song anthology album, Government Cheese 1985 – 1995, the time was right for a couple of live performances (the second one was at the Rutledge in Nashville later in the month). I didn’t count, but I’m sure they played at least half of those 43, probably more. From the opener, “Oh Yeah” (which perfectly fit the crowd’s mood), to the end of the second set (heard “Kentucky Home” near the end), the place was jumping. And so was the band. You could tell both the sellout crowd and band were feeding off each other, and that always makes for a great show. The music and the room were hot, but that didn’t stop people from dancing all night long and working up a sweat.

The band was tight and really on their game right from the start. There was not even a speck of time to wonder if Government Cheese could pull it all off. And you just couldn’t complain about the set list. With favorites such as “Mammaw Drives the Bus”, “A Little Bit of Sex”, “Penn Station”, “Growing Up to Stand Still”, “For the Battered” (perhaps my favorite – nice guitar work by Tommy Womack), “Fish Stick Day”, “Come On Back to Bowling Green”, “The Shrubbery’s Dead”, and “Kentucky Home”, how could the Cheese fan go wrong? I was wondering how many in the crowd had never seen the Cheese live before, like myself. Well if there were others they should be true believers now. Made me wonder where I was when they played New York back in the day. Obviously not in the right place.

As I mentioned, everyone was on their game. Skot Willis’ vocals were right on, Billy Mack Hill and Joe King were an awesome rhythm section (absolutely loved the drumming, and Hill did some nice vocals on “Penn Station”), and Chris “Viva” Becker brought his own energy into the mix on guitar. If I could, I would have definitely been at the Rutledge show. It was just that good. 

If you’d like to get a taste of what you missed, go get that CD now. It’s available at Great Escape Records & Comics here in Bowling Green and on tommywomack.com. There are live cuts and previously unreleased material on it, so there would be your live concert experience. And one can only hope they’ll find the time to schedule some more shows. I know not everyone who wanted into Ellis Place got in, so how about another boys? And if they do, don’t miss it. I don’t think it matters if you are familiar with them or not; it’s just a great show filled with good rock and roll.  

Government Cheese played at Ellis Place in Bowling Green KY on 2/12/2011.

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman