Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#17): Celebrating Slim Cessna's Auto Club.

Cheers! Wishing the always energetic Slim Cessna's Auto Club another 20 years of activity. The band celebrates its double-decade existance this week with three gigs at the Lions Lair in Denver -- a rare treat. Those shows I'll be missing. But luckily I've seen the band at the venue, in the past. The photo above, though, was taken in Fort Collins in the late '90s.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#16): With Slim. On Assignment. Dateline: Denver.

I've always wanted to write about one of my favorite bands of all times: Slim Cessna's Auto Club. Luckily, I just got the opportunity, penning this article for the online revival of Crawdaddy!.

Here's a photo of Slim and I, as I'm grilling him about his music:

Well, maybe "grilling" isn't the right word. I'll go back and edit this blog entry later on -- as I'm wont to do.

And here's a photo of John Rumley of the Auto Club playing pedal steel, bottle of beer nearby, at the 3 Kings Tavern, 3-13-09 (same as above):

Whose turn is it out there to buy me a round of drinks at the Denver Press Club?

(My other photos of Slim Cessna's Auto Club.)

Blackstone Valley Sinners: Slim Cessna's Cold Hard Truth About Christmas.

Blackstone Valley Sinners playing a gig at the Climax Lounge in Denver on May 3, 2003. The Rhode Island-based band consisted of: Slim Cessna on guitar and vocals; Judithann on bass and vocals; and Rich Gilbert on steel guitar, dobro, banjo, piano and backup vocals.

I'll be putting their disc, The Cold Hard Truth About Christmas, on the CD player today and singing along with their version of the old Ernest Tubb song "Christmas Is Just Another Day For Me."

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#15): Munly Fights The Power.

Munly of Slim Cessna's Auto Club spotted in the crowd, mike in hand. Larimer Lounge. October 25, 2004.

(More of my Slim Cessna's Auto Club photos here.)

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#14): Auld Lang Slim.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club bringing in the New Year of 2004 at the Bluebird Theater in Denver.

(More of my Slim Cessna's Auto Club photos here.)

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#13): Halloweenies.

Munly and Slim of Slim Cessna's Auto Club going "Insane in the Samhain." Halloween, 2003. Larimer Lounge, Denver.

(More of my Slim Cessna's Auto Club photos here.)

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#12): A Cool Drink.

Munly of Slim Cessna's Auto Club sipping on a cocktail.

Larimer Lounge. August 2, 2003.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#11): Hellzapoppin'!

Slim Cessna contemplating the fiery pit?

Bender's Tavern. July 24, 2005.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#10): A Tall Drink.

Old Brand Auto Club at the Taste of Colorado festival. From left to right: Slim Cessna (vocals, guitar), Jon Killough (drums), John Rumley (bass), Glenn Taylor (pedal steel), and Frank Hauser, Jr. (vocals, accordion, guitar). As potently smooth as aged whiskey.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#9): Smokin' Cessna.

Slim Cessna taking a Halloween, nicotine break onstage at the Larimer Lounge in 2003.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#8): Sacred Heart Guitar.

The Rev. Dwight Pentecost of Slim Cessna's Auto Club twanging away on his double-necked instrument of devotion.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#7): Hot Banjo Licks.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club member John Rumley during a rare "casual night" for band clothes.

Bender's Tavern, Denver. March 5, 2005 (Although it might have crept time-wise into March 6th at the point this photo was taken).

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#6): Supine Munly.

Munly, a member of Slim Cessna's Auto Club, floored by the power of the music.

Larimer Lounge, Denver. July 31, 2004.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#5): Are You Sure Cash Did It This Way?

Slim, exhibiting post-show exhaustion, shares a smoke with Johnny.

Mr. Cash would approve of Slim, too.

Bender's Tavern. March 5, 2005.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#4): Caught With His Pants Down.

As slim as six o' clock, pants up or down.

Slim of Slim Cessna's Auto Club.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#3): Denver Country Gothic.

Slim Cessna preaching to the soon-to-be-converted at the Gothic Theater.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#2): Busted String Serenade.

Slim Cessna soldiering on with a broken string one night at the Bluebird Theater in Denver.

Slim Cessna's Auto Club (#1): His Name In Lights.

Slim Cessna outside of Denver's Bluebird Theater.