Henhouse Prowlers thrills fans at events, schools, orphanages in Nigeria

By ADA DIKE

 

Henhouse Prowlers

There is a saying in Nigeria that, “Good market sells itself.” This is applicable to music. When a musician or group of musicians release evergreen music or showcase an outstanding performance, their fans would appreciate it and inform their family and friends about it.

Fans gave American musical group, “Henhouse Prowlers,” a standing ovation after their scintillating performances last week Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at Terra Kulture in Lagos.

The four-man band from Chicago in the United States of America, comprising Ben Wright, Jon Goldfine, Dan Andree and Starr Moss, visited Nigeria through the US State Department which selected them to spend a month in West Africa.

The Chicago natives and bluegrass favourites, visited schools, orphanage homes and many centres where they entertained guests with beautiful tunes which are mostly music inspired by the roots of bluegrass.

The crowd nodded their heads and joined in singing some choruses of their songs such as: She’s gone, don’t worry; I’m sitting on top the world, I am just a shadow of the man I used to be, and so on. They performed ten songs including:  ‘Money,’ ‘Caroline,’ ‘Breaking New Ground,’ ‘Drifter,’ ‘Lonesome Road’ ‘Tracking Down,’ ‘Making Whiskey (a memoir),’ ‘Another Train’ and so on.

The audience went into frenzy when the Henhouse Prowlers performed ‘Chop My Money,’ by the Nigerian Rhythm & Blues duo, P’Square. Part of the ‘Chop My Money’ lyrics include:

“...Farabale ko ma lo le
Omo ele I get pepper
Je n ba e soro, kilon sele
If you see her eee-eyes (eeee-eyes)
You no go believe, she’s looking at me
My temperature dey riiiii-rise (riii-rise)
If you see this baby, tell am say 
She must chop my money

Chop my money...”

It was awesome watching them singing the song and playing their instruments at the same time. The musical dexterity they exhibited was a prove that they are professional musicians.

Daily Newswatch gathered that Peter of the P’Square, last week, announced that the group would be doing a remix of hit song, ‘Chop my money,’ with Henhouse Prowlers. He said this on July 4, during the celebration of the American Independence Day which took place at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.

According to Ben Wright, the band was formed nine years ago and it has built a reputation for hard work and nonstop touring, playing music inspired by the roots of bluegrass while branching out into a sound including sentimental ballads, traditional songs and contemporary covers.

Breaking Ground is their most recent album which grew out of collaboration and the time they have spent together.

Explaining the rationale behind Henhouse Prowlers’ visit, the Public Diplomacy Officer, Public Affairs Section, US Consulate-General, Lagos, Mrs. Rhonda Watson, said their visit introduced new things to Nigerians. “The Bluegrass was initially widely accepted in the US, but the music is moving to Africa. It is about celebrating American culture and also learning from Nigerian culture. For example, the ‘Chop My Money,’ song by Nigerian artistes which the group performed is awesome,” Watson said.

She advised the guests to be open to enable them discover their talents either in music, visual arts, writing or whatever they aspire to do.