After they wrapped up recording of their upcoming album in Nashville this week and before heading home to Chicago, the Henhouse Prowlers took the Analog Stage at the Hutton Hotel on Tuesday night. Throughout the performance, the four members of the band circle the mic and one another, alternating lead vocals and blending three-part harmonies on a set list ranging from humorous (“Living the Rich Man’s Dream”) to serious, including “Jane Addams,” written by mandolinist Jake Howard about the Chicago woman who “came up with the idea of social work” and “The Devil’s Horn,” written by banjoist Ben Wright about a tragic truck accident.
In preparation for promoting their new album, they did something they say they have never done before: played the same song twice in a row to capture “Little Flower” on video. After the first time, the audience shouted, “Play it again.” They did the same after the second time.
They sang several songs from their 2021 album The Departure. Guitarist Chris Dollar introduced “Me and My Traveling Gal” about the six months he spent traveling in a van with his wife and his guitar. “We’re still married,” he reassured the audience. Also off the album, they performed “Time Poorly Spent” written by bassist Jon Goldfine.
The Henhouse Prowlers, with their obvious chemistry, bring a unique energy to their performance. These guys have fun playing their music, ensuring their audiences have fun too.
The evening offered some guest appearances as well. Fiddler Laura Orshaw of the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys joined them on “Subscription to Loneliness.” They noted that she plays twin fiddles with Becky Buller on the new album. They were also joined by “Nedski and Mojo”—banjo player Ned Luberecki and guitarist Stephen Mougin, who is producing their new album at Dark Shadow Recording. The song featured twin banjo picking by Luberecki and Wright. Former band member Todd Livingston joined the last few songs on dobro.
The band also highlighted their travel as Bluegrass Ambassadors as part of the U.S. State Department’s cultural diplomacy tours. They played Sura Yako, brought from Kenya and sung in Swahili, and “Chop My Money,” with Nigerian flavor.
After leaving the stage, the band returned for a stunning acappella rendition of “Gospel in Review.”