Captivating portraits take a look inside America's Rockabilly community

[The Midway Rebel]

11. OK article, great photos, thanks for sharing with DU..

The international rockabilly community was one of the first online communities centered around a style of music and I count myself as a founding member. I know some of the folks in the photos and one is a close friend! I

n some ways, my dedication to playing, writing an performing rockabilly music has ruined any chance I had at a normal middle-class American lifestyle.

Rockabilly music is an amazing agent for American foreign policy and a venue for cultural exchange between people and nations. I have met more than a few Europeans, South Americans and Japanese at a rockabilly "weekender."

The weak economy has killed some off some our festivals, especially in the Midwest USA, as well as some of the bands that used to tour regionally.

Most rockabilliies would disagree with the author about the year 1951, however. Rockabilly music as a style really did begin to flower until about 1954.

I'm one of those poverty stricken rockabilly musician/academic types who cannot afford the kitschy retro house, car, clothes, and furniture depicted in the photos. I actually think some of my rockabilly friends are goofy for spending a bunch of cash for retro and vintage stuff. I spend what little I can afford on guitar and amp repairs and settle for jeans, t-shirts, and the cheap pomade.

One thing about American rockabillies, many are political and social conservatives, many more are apolitical and hate politics. Some aren't though. Some of are radical lefties, like me and my pal Chuck Hughes of the Hillbilly Hellcats.