European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 15, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Yoakam fans the fires on a sweaty country by Jon Connor staff writer e want Dwight we want Dwight Quot hot sweaty fans chanted inside Barbarossa Halle in Kaiserslautern Germany earlier this month while fanning themselves As if it were going out of style. It was a few minutes past 10 p.m., and the capacity crowd of 2,500 was getting restless. If events had gone As scheduled country performer Dwight Yoakam would have been about a Way through his show. But an Accident the night before involving Yoakam s tour bus after a context in Berlin delayed the night s order of events although this sweaty crowd a including Many americans affiliated with nearby Ramstein a arid Vogel Weh shopping area a was t aware of that. Walking on stage illuminated by the Bright stage lights a few minutes later Yoakam looked hot in More ways than one. His rust coloured skin tight leather pants a Blue Jean jacket and a Cowboy hat tipped Down in front just barely allowing fans to catch a glimpse of his eyes pushed the temperature in the Hall even higher. Listening to Yoakam a who has the image of a Cool Laid Back Singer a is one thing watching him is another. He lets his music flow through his body by swinging his Long legs inside and out. And during a guitar Solo he will spread his spindly legs apart and strut across the stage often thrusting his hips in a romantic manner that brought High pitched screams from the women. Yoakam s music is one of Many styles a a blend of traditional country music with today s new harder sound that has. A amps John Bohmer Dwight Yoakam looking Cool in the summer heat struts across the floor. Won Many Rock fans Over in recent years. His Friendly smooth voice carries the twang of yesteryear but delivers a message of heartache Romance and Cadillac. And it s All made better by his five Man band which can get Down and make music with the Best. The sound and image of Yoakam works As six albums of Gold and Platinum can attest. The one hour and 45-minute concert included songs from his last album this is time released last year As Welt As numbers from throughout his professional career beginning front when he burst onto the country scene in the Early 80s. During the show fans a most dressed in country clothing a danced near the sides of the stage. For them it was a barn dance offering Good Offoot stomping sounds of Honky Tonk music. Ending the regular show with Long Black Cadillac Yoakam exited stage right and his band soon followed suite. Within moments he was Back on stage for an encore that began with a Solo Effort with Yoakam singing and strumming his acoustic guitar. He song about Dixieland took on an almost Anthem like Quality As fans rushed to the stage. Arms were swaying above the crowd s Heads As Ypung men lifted their Cowboy hats off their sweaty Heads in a country Salute. The night ended with Elvis Presley s suspicious minds which Yoakam popularized again on the honeymoon in vegas soundtrack. The crowd As with everything else he played that night loved  matter of coarse dramatic doings a see Page 18 local stage production offers three plays in one plus London theater lineup takes on an american flavor. Short subject lands pm the wheel. A a a a driving toward top by Jon Connor staff writer it can t be said that Tom rip Hahn brings a closed mind to his groups sound. Ripp Hahn a band hands on the wheel was in Kaiserslautern recently and opened for country Singer Dwight Yoakam during his debut tour in Germany. The five Man German group from Frankfurt which recently released its second cd has enjoyed National Success and Hopes to Branch out in the future. Quot it s one of the most promising bands in Germany at the moment Quot claims Lead Singer rip Hahn who at 30, is the oldest member of the band. Hands on the wheel has already opened for living legend pop Folk artist Bob Dylan and i3 scheduled to do so again this month when Dylan plays Germany rip Hahn proudly pointed out. The group has also toured with the Hooters which enjoyed top 40 Success in the mid-80s-, and Singer guitarist Nis  successes include numerous articles about the band in German magazines and several television appearances including some in Berlin. A amps John Bohmer hands on the wheel from left Stephan Arnold Rene detroy Ole Rausch Tom rip Hahn and Henning Doms. Rip Hahn who was born in Australia and lived there until age 8 before moving to Germany brings a mixture of styles to the group. He likes traditional and new country music citing Willie Nelson and Mary Chapin Carpenter As some of his favorite artists. Interestingly his Girlfriend is a new age violinist who lives in Nashville Tenn. But it is the sound of the Irish that is near and dear to his. Heart. He said he likes country music because it is Quot very close to Irish Folk  instruments like the fiddle Banjo and accordion and the melodies Are what he loves about Irish and country music. Hands on the wheel a which also includes bassist Stephan Arnold drummer Rene detroy guitarist Ole Rausch and keyboardist Henning Doms a is a Rock band he said but one that has blues and Folk influences. Vocally rip Hahn resembles a Gravelly Bob Seger. Musically the group takes on riffs similar to that of Huey Lewis and the news looking ahead rip Hahn said he would like to be Quot in a position to really work on albums in my own studio Quot and to tour in medium sized clubs that hold about 3,000. Friday july 15,1994 the stars and stripes 15