Musicians from afar highlight Va. Beer Museum’s farewell to St. Patrick’s Day week

A personal connection to one regular brought some fine Irish music all the way across the country Saturday evening, March 20, and into the Virginia Beer Museum’s rear Biergarten/parking area. Headlining that music with a solo first set was Hank Cramer from Washington state. He was augmented later with banjo accompaniment by Philadelphia-based Ed Kramer.

After playing sound man for the first set, banjoist Ed Kramer, down from Philadelphia for the occasion, joined Hank Cramer on stage. Royal Examiner Photos by Roger Bianchini

And indeed it was a fitting end to an Irish-themed week at the Town of Front Royal’s Virginia Beer Museum dedicated to promotion of the Commonwealth’s home-crafted beers and acknowledgement of the golden beverage’s place in the nation’s history.

In introducing Hank Cramer to the outdoor crowd clinging to the last vestiges of warmth from a setting, first-day-of-Spring sun, Bruce Townshend cited a relationship dating back to younger military service days. We asked Townshend about that relationship and his lasting friendship with the northwestern-based Cramer.

“Hank and I served together for several years in the Army Reserve in the Pacific northwest. He has been a musician all of his life, and once he retired from his military and civilian careers, he began performing nearly full time for a living. This was his first live gig since early last year when COVID shut everything down. He came here at my invitation but has been in this area many times,” Townshend said, adding, “Hank has several CDs out. He is a managing partner of Ferryboat Music LLC and his website is www.hankcramer.com.

Flanked by Irish ‘security’ David Downes, left, and John O’Neill, right, Bruce Townshend introduces longtime friend Hank Cramer to open the evening’s entertainment of a distinctly Irish tone. Below, all the way from Washington state, Hank Cramer brought, not only Irish tunes, but their history and cultural reflections to their presentation.

Townshend then added some historical perspective, some related to this region, to his friend’s background. “His great grandfather and great uncles fought for the Union during the Civil War in regiments from Pennsylvania, and all three were wounded in different skirmishes near Winchester. His father Harry was one of the original green berets and one of the very first killed in action during the Vietnam War.”

During his sets Cramer introduced his material knowingly of the song’s backgrounds, and traced his Irish roots, musical and otherwise, in the entertaining style of Irish folk musicians the world over.

Well done, Cramer & Kramer!!! – And thank you, Bruce, for drawing such talented musicians our way to carry us on with fond memories till next we raise a toast to St. Patrick, his legacy, and the music and culture of the Emerald Isle.

Even the Va. Beer Museum was decked out in green to help patrons bid farewell to this year’s celebration of St. Patrick and all things Irish. Below, a kilted crew plus 2 did their part to keep spirits high.

And thanks to the Virginia Beer Museum, staffers and proprietor Downes for hosting such a fitting end to a week during which the Irish flag flew a leprechaun’s welcome in the breezes along Chester Street.

Bruce Townshend joins Cramer & Kramer on stage for a rendition of ‘Mountains of Mourne’.

Multi-tasking, Townshend welcomes ‘Irish Viking’ Brian Horowitz to the festivities, while below, Mrs. Townshend, Robin, displays a distinctive Irish hostess garb.

From left, Helltown Saloon ‘Curators’ Brooke Spindle and Winter Rogers pause to pose for the camera with Museum proprietor Downes – and which room did you say those good-luck Irish cupcakes were in? – Ah, there they are in the George Washington Room.

Above, Hank Cramer goes a cappella – which he explained got him barred from performing in one city before he learned the proper meaning of the musical phrase. Below, an Irish musician can never be too careful as to what’s coming from behind.

And what was eventually coming over everyone’s shoulder was a still chilly nightfall, despite the official March 20 arrival of Spring.