Sep 24, 2013 - Audrey McLaughlin - How I Met Barbara Ann Or The Start of Sagebrush Swing

Somewhere around 1997 I was traveling in the Western Music festival circuit as part of a female trio called Daughters of the Purple Sage.  During this same time Barbara Ann was playing accordion with a Western group called Lone Prairie.  Our paths crossed at a festival or two and I was an instant fan of both the band and her accordion playing.  One late night in Tucson Arizona at the Western Music Association festival we ended up together in the most amazing all female western swing jam session.  The rest as they say is history.  From that night on we began sharing our love of western swing (among other types of music) and quickly bonded to one another.  Soon after, Barbara Ann and a great fiddler, Rodeo Kate, joined the Daughters of the Purple Sage and we traveled as a five piece all female traditional western group for about a year.

In 1999 I made the decision to move to the bay area and join forces with Barbara Ann in a western swing duo known as Sagebrush Swing.  For three years we spent nearly all of our spare time together learning new tunes, honing our harmony singing and creating original arrangements of some of the best western and western swing music around.  We played local gigs at places like the Menlo Park Farmer's Market, a few local restaurants and the Boaz Accordion shop.  We also travelled to western and bluegrass festivals in California, Arizona and Canada.  We shared lots of great music, many hours of hard work, laughter and our share of tears.

These years were pivotal for me as a musician and as a human being.  I learned so much from Barbara Ann, not all of it easy, but all of it so important.  For those years I will be forever thankful.  I am thankful not only for the great times we shared but also for the ways in which we struggled in or working relationship and friendship.  This was perhaps the greatest lesson of all for me.  It is possible to work through the tough times and strengthen the bonds you share if you are willing.  Willing to stay grounded in what is honest and real.  Willing to listen and share even when it is painful and humbling.  Willing to laugh especially at yourself.  Willing to let the love of a good friend conquer all.

In these final months with Barbara Ann we have had the opportunity to talk about all of the times we shared together.  We have faithfully shared our love and respect for one another and honestly shared what we learned together in this journey we call friendship.  What an honor to share these final experiences with her.  Her open and honest approach to dying has been nothing short of inspiring.  I have been blessed to know her and will always cherish the time we spent together.

Barbara Ann and Audrey, June, 2001