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My best friend Brian just picked up a banjo. It’s the RK 35 (Recording King Madison) and not only is he excited, I’m excited for him. So much so, that I’m contemplating picking up a beginner banjo for myself and learning how to play with him. Is that strange that two 42 year old guys have had an affinity for the Americana and Bluegrass genre’s of music as such an early age? Ha Ha, in all seriousness, we really like it, although I will have to give the edge to Brian….he likes it a bit more.
That being said, another friend that we grew up with (and in Boy Scouts together) mentioned that I should find a small figure of a man playing a banjo and have him out on the porch of Sam’s Roadhouse.
I got to thinking about it, and it just clicked…made perfect sense. So much so if fact, I have decided to rename BlairLine’s “Sam’s Roadhouse” for my layout to it’s new official moniker “Brian’s Roadhouse”. Brian even got in on the action and informed me today that out of the kindness of his heart (that’s what true friendship is all about), he purchased Woodland Scenics Jug Band for me and is having it shipped to my house. How cool is that?
Woodland Scenics Jug Band – Note ‘Brian’ (with hair) playing the banjo.
I’m excited about this, because it thematically is perfect for the finished Roadhouse. Imagine driving up a gravel and dirt road, to your your favorite backwoods watering hole to be greeted by this group playing out their hearts content in an informal manner as you suck down a cold one, or two.
So progress on the structure itself – Painted the smokestack with a combination of Floquil ‘Grimy Black & ‘Orange’ to simulate a rusty, soot laden vent. A single overhead lamp piece was carfully assembled and painted before being applied with tweezers and white glue near the front entrance. The ‘iron’ bracing of the lamp was painted with acrylic Hunter Green, while the shade itself is acrylic ‘Flat Black’. Only one was attached thus far so that it could dry and cure before I place the second one on the side of the building.
Signage was cut out using a straight edge and #7 X-acto blade. TIP: use the graphite of a lead pencil to shade the edges of the signs to help dull the bright white paper they are printed on. It’s a little extra work, but it helps in the ‘aged’ look of the signs, so the bright edges don’t contrast the rest of the build so much. Because the signs are small, take your time, lest you accidentally bend, tear, or otherwise damage them. Each were applied with white glue. (Future pictures will show the other sides and back as well). This is all subject to interpretation and your own personal likes and desires on which sign, how many, and their actual placement. Personally, I kinda like the semi-random cluttered look up front. It gives Brian’s Roadhouse a personal touch, as if he just added various signs over the years. Tell me what you think in the comment section.
