A few weeks ago, I saw the Carolina Chocolate Drops performing before a full house in an auditorium in Rochester, MN. I got the impression that most in the audience had not heard them before, although they'd spent almost a week giving free performances in libraries and schools around the Southeastern Minnesota area.
They wore street clothes, so costume was not part of the entertainment. They were selling the songs rather than themselves. I thought they'd loosened up some since the last time I saw them (about 2 years ago), which improved their rapport with the audience. Dom Flemons, particularly, has developed some Uncle Dave Macon moves that add liveliness without distracting from the music. He also dances and plays the bones at the same time.
Their program was eclectic, but did not bastardize the styles they were presenting. They were able to entertain and enlighten a general audience without alienating a traditional-music snob like me. Now that's a schtick worth copying.
Lyle
