Back Porch Buddha is a shape-shifting beast, a moving musical target. With Bryan Masters and Dennis Hardin at its chewy center, the Buddha is by turns rockin', twangy, jazz-infused or tuxedoed -- depending on the other players in the room.
Here's Back Porch Buddha by the numbers:
Bryan and Dennis have performed around the state since 1993, opening up for Dwight Yoakam, James McMurtry, Robert Earl Keen among others. Apart from their long residency at Wichita's storied Artichoke Sandwich Bar, they have also appeared regularly on stages at the Walnut Valley Festival, the Orpheum Theatre and the Wichita River Festival.
Bryan Masters is a fixture in Wichita's vivid songwriting scene. Founder and host of the Artichoke Songwriter Circle since 2000, Bryan has ended up in the winners' circle at the Kaw Valley Songwriting competition, PrairieFest and the Walnut Valley New Songs Showcase. Formerly with Shoobachs, Stick Men and Howdy, Bryan has found his home as half of the Buddha.
Dennis Hardin's fretwork is the stuff of legend 'round these parts. Famed for his fire-breathing repertoire on a 1934 National resonator guitar, he is also a skilled mandolin player and vocalist. Formerly with newgrass pioneers Cause for Concern and Stick Men, Dennis also built a multi-instrumental reputation with Matfield Cafe and the folk duet Kim & Him.
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Hey Buddha Boys...I can't believe we so scrupulouly removed every iota of evidence from the scene except the mannequin's let fore-arm. Perfect crime my ass!
Thanks for the add and Good music. Enjoyed your stuff and playing my stuff for all at the Artichoke last month artists night. Will see you there again. All the Best Vince
Hello, and thank you for requesting to add to my friend space. Welcome new friends!!! I’m sorry it has taken me a while to get back to you, I’ve been really busy lately with correspondence and all. I hope that you are well. I just finished listening to all of your music, I really enjoyed it, the songwriting, the playing and the words. Really great!!! “One Candle” I really like the story-telling style of the lyrics mixed with the blue grass vocal harmonies, what is really interesting is that I kept feeling like any second a guitar rhythm would break in and pick up the song and take it from there, but I’m glad my expectations proved wrong. Without all the instruments behind the voices the song seems more like a prayer and therefore gives it an ever so subtle spiritual feel to the whole piece. There is also an incredible intimacy to the track for the fact that it is just voices, as thought you are performing in my house, very personal. (continued below)
(continued from above) “Nobody” gets right into a driving groove, or at the very least seems to get right down to business. There is an interesting piece about a person or entity that falls beneath the notice of other people and things. But it is as thought it is a harsh realization of ones inability to fit in somewhere, or on the other hand, it could be the song of someone fallen on hard times finding it difficult to pull themselves out of the slump, the depression, perhaps. My favorite line in the song is “There’s only two things I can count on, that nothing and nobody”, really a great lyric. Although my above impression picks up on the possibility of hard times, it is the above quoted lyric that also suggests “the only person one can can count on is themselves”. “Good Man Down” has wonderful, complementary guitars woven together. Lots of irony in the lyrics, very intelligent and clever, particularly the line “the night is as black as a bible and wild as a broadway whore” Considering the name of your project, much of your lyrical content reminds me of Koan, which are Buddhist tales of monks who achieved enlightenment in the most unusual ways, often times these monks would be drinking excessively, taunting other monks, acting like clowns, stuffing themselves full at every meal, but in all of these seemingly deceiving stories, which are humorous no doubt, contain that instant of achieving enlightenment. The name Koan, I believe is Japanese for these Buddhist tales which come from China, you might want to check them out if you don’t already know about them. (continued below)
(continued from above) “Mona Rigby’s Houseboat” is also clever lyrically in its story and phrasing, very appealing, entertaining in a way that many people can relate to as well as have a lot of fun with. To me it sounds like the both of you (and the rest of the band?) are having such a great time creating such music. I’ve spoken predominantly about the vocals, but you have a really great way of locking the sounds of two guitars together so perfectly that it is sometimes difficult to tell them apart, or there is a sense that it is just one guitar. I think the acoustic guitar inspires that kind of articulation, makes it seem as though anyone can do it, but as for me I couldn’t play an acoustic to save my life. Really great and energetic playing. I think you were right on target with the message you sent me “...you might like it” because in fact I do. Really great playing, really great songs, I wish I could see you play them live. But it seems you don’t even know where “WICHITA????” is. At any rate, let me know when you upload new music, I would love to hear it. I would also like to hear from you regarding my own music any thoughts or comments are welcome. I look forward to hearing from you, DAVE in California-
I thought you'd found big-time fame cuz you were playing on my radio... then I realized it was just my laptop...god I love technology... and Grace...AND you are way too young to be a grandfather. peace. moe(mo)
Mercy! That boat ride was so good, I've not made it back to Michigan yet! Riding the big wave of music in Atlanta...writing songs, drinking whisky - writing songs about drinking whisky. And making plans to visit Winfield this year, with good luck and a little help.
My seatmates for the headliner show stopped me on board to tell me all about his guy at open mike and how fantastic he was - she wrote down his name to show me, because she thought I'd be interested...some dude named Bryan...oh wait, that's you! peace
