The Modern Amish

Sometimes in life, you simply stumble into greatness.  You’re not looking for it.  You’re on no mission.  You’re simply strolling along life’s highway, trying to stay between the ditches when BOOM!!!  You get gobsmacked in the chops by something which changes you forever.  Something that alters the very fabric of your being & leaves an indelible imprint upon you for the rest of your life.  Oh happy chance that turns our life onto a better path.

Finding The Amish Outlaws was nothing like that.  But it was still wicked cool.  I was surfing the web looking for Amish themed stuff to dress up the blog with & their site had the picture of Amish Snoop Dog I used in the first ‘If they were Amish’ post.  I was intrigued by the thought of a cover band composed of former Amish, read their story, listened to some tunes, & found a new mission in life.

The origin of the Outlaws lies with 4 young Amish men who entered their time of Rumspringa, where Amish children are given a chance to live free of their Amish upbringing for a time before deciding if they want to enter the Amish Church.  The vast majority of Amish children do come back to the church, but these 4 didn’t let the proverbial door hit them in their butt on the way out.  I won’t steal their thunder, but these 4 along joined up with 2 ‘English’ (as Amish folk refer to non-Amish) to form one of the most popular cover bands in their area.

I know what you’re saying.  “You said it wasn’t a life-altering experience, but then you say you found a new mission in life.  What gives?”  Those are two different things.  Totally.  It’s my blog, and I say so.  What’s the mission?  I’ve got to see these guys.  Just check out their set list.  Jay-Z, Rick Astley, 50 Cent, Dean Martin, Led Zepplin, Elvis, & more.  Are you kidding me?  All played by a bunch of guys in traditional Amish attire!  They’re redefining awesome as we know it.  I would’ve headed out already with a good friend of mine, but I don’t think that even I could sell that road trip to my wife around the holidays.

• Me:  Honey, I’m going to have miss Christmas with both of our families this year.  You’ll have to take the kids by yourself.
• Wife:  Oh really.  Why is that?
• Me:  Because I’m headed to New Jersey to watch 6 Amish dudes rock out at a bar.
• Wife:  (Insert your own highly sarcastic & withering phrase here)

Yeah, it could only go downhill from there.  But I still have a purpose before me now.  Other than getting another sushi dinner.  Go check these fine Amish lads out yourself.  And if you’re in the NY/NJ/Penn area, go give ‘em some love.  They took a bold step in life.  For you, for me, for themselves, for the music.  Amish Outlaws, bringeth forth thy rock!