Booker Lee and the County Fair (Booker Lee, for short) is a local Gettysburg, Pennsylvania band that plays music described as alternative country. The band consists of two sets of siblings. Josh is the lead singer and also plays guitar, while his brother Dan plays the bass guitar. Kirsten plays the keyboard and also sings backup vocals, while her brother Jack plays the drums. Dan is the lead guitarist, while oddly enough, his sister Anne is tending the bar. The venue, The Garryowen Irish Pub (The GO, for short), is popular amongst locals and tourists alike. They serve authentic Irish food and beverages, and the atmosphere makes it feel as if you are experiencing a little slice of Ireland, right here in Pennsylvania. Ilsa, who has been a good friend of mine since Middle School, has been a patron of The Garryowen since she turned 21 in 2006. She now helps the bar's owner Kevin with his paperwork as well as waitressing and bar tending. Ilsa says the band's guitarist Dan often joins his friend Ali playing cover songs upstairs, at what they call “The GO too”. The atmosphere upstairs at the Garryowen is more relaxed and homely. Couches, benches and coffee tables occupy the space next to the small bar. Dan and Ali sit in old arm chairs next to one another, while patrons make themselves comfortable in any available space, including the floor. Josh explained that Booker Lee & the county fair has a very strong local following. The band stopped playing shows when one of the members was having legal troubles, but they still gather now and then to join their fans and have a good time. He says the Garryowen is the only venue the band still plays shows at. This is because it is within walking distance of all the members, who are often found relaxing there on the weekends. Josh is also the head cook at the Garryowen, so playing the random show here and there is quite simple for him to set up. While Booker Lee is playing, their local fans are sipping Guinness or Irish whiskey, and singing along to all their songs. Josh and Dan's parents are in the crowd, gleaming with pride for their sons. They danced, sang, and drank with the rest of us who range in age from 21 to early 50's. The fan base is a melting pot of people who dress in all different styles from grungy/punky to preppy, and listen to music of many different genres. Ilsa explained that the employees and friends of the Garryowen, as well as the locals (or regulars) are a very tightly knit group. And this group are lovers of many different types of music. “We love all music, anything we can get our hands on!” she says. When bands perform at The Garryowen, the music often starts around 10pm and there is usually only one band in the line up. On this Saturday night in late March 2014 (3/22/14), the set-up was the same. While I would describe the music Booker Lee played as alternative rock and not alternative country, there was definitely a noticable country tone. Not to mention, many of their songs are about love and loss, something you hear a lot of in country music. After their set, Josh, Dan, Dan, Jack, and Kirsten mingled amongst the bars patrons, as we all praised them for a job well done, on an intoxicating show (pun intended!).