REAL STORIES FROM REAL BARTENDERS >>>

I've been a bartender for a long time. I have met countless freaks, jerks, pervs, sweethearts, rockstars and crazies. Even though it's a physically and mentally exhausting job, these are the colorful people that make it all worthwhile. Well, that and the tips.

I'd like to share with you some of my personal experiences behind the bar, along with the stories from some of my fellow bartenders. Each week - under the clever heading of "Behind Bars" - I will dig into my memory bank - and the incident log books that all bars keep - to bring you some of my favorite stories.

Names of bars, bartenders and patrons have been changed or withheld to protect the innocent.

And the not so innocent.

Cheers!

This week: Big & Rich

One benefit of bartending is meeting semi-celebrities like Elvis impersonators, Chippendale dancers and the occasional rock star.

And Olympia seems to attract celebrities of all status for one reason or another.  Jared Leto filmed the movie Prefontaine on the streets surrounding Sylvester Park. Adrock from Beastie Boys has been known to pop into Old School Pizzeria. And just this December, Uncle Andy from Weeds was spotted eating pancakes with his mom at the Westside IHOP.

But, nothing could brace this little town for the arrival of Big & Rich. You remember that song, "Save a horse, ride a cowboy"? That's right, those dudes showed up in numerous downtown bars not too long ago, sporting a white limo, cowboy hats and a big bald bodyguard in a business suit. Say that five times fast.

While the country stars appeared to be having a rough night (not being doted upon, losing a credit card) there were a few people excited to catch a glimpse of the dirty duo. One young blonde thing jumped up and down squealing about one of them singing her a song ... she just didn't know if it was "Big" or "Rich," that sang it to her.

After a night of longnecks and mixers, the country singers rounded up an entourage of mud-slingers and construction workers and - apparently touring the casino circuit - headed out to The Little Creek Casino in Shelton. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I suddenly have a hankering for a can of Skoal and a bag of chili Fritos.

LINK HUB - PREVIOUS "BEHIND BARS"

LINK: Tales From the Incident Log Book

LINK: The Tip Jar

LINK: Aural Adventures

LINK: Smooth Transitions

LINK: The Pooper