;;Xi?.W*;q: . fITIL FEL Fresh Fish/Quality Meats actually pay us," says Brown, sounding a bit stunned. "We were basically in it for the fun. We still are because we just love the music. [But] gradually, as we've played more together and clearly gotten bet- ter, we started getting a little more ambitious." The band played at a popular folk venue called the Laurel Theater last winter in Knoxville, with resounding success. "We sold out. People were dancing in the aisles, no room to dance, a big hit," says Brown. "We played for a bluegrass festival, interna- tional festivals [and] have received more and more exposure. "What's so much fun about playing in this kind of band down in Knoxville is that even the largely gen- tile community is catching on to this unique Jewish sound," he adds. In between songs, the band explains the genealogy of the music, and peo- ple seem to appreciate that, Brown says. "One of the biggest kicks we had was playing the bluegrass festival in June. We were the only Jews there, and [the audience] loved it. [Klezmer music] has a universal appeal. That's one of the things we try to play up." "It's fun to play Jewish music in Tennessee," adds band member Rob Heller, who says that just 2 1/2 weeks befort,the concert at The Ark, the group has been busy adding new kinds of instruments — whistles, cow bells, odd kinds of percussion. "We think we have the Spike Jones touch." Heller is amused by the band, which he describes as a bunch of "semi-middle-aged professionals strut- ting on stage as if we're rock stars get- ting adulation. It surprised all of us how nice it is to have a part-time job as a Ilezmer rock 'n' roll star,'" he chuckles. Band members say they get along amazingly well and even have a bit of fun while rehearsing. "Very often, we take a piece and make it into a lounge act or a rumba," Heller says. "I think we can lay claim to being the only klezmer band in the entire world with a washtub bass." 0 Tennessee Schmaltz will play at The Ark 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept 6. Tickets, at $ I 1 each are available at the door. Advanced tickets may be purchased in Ann Arbor at the U-M Union Ticket OfEce, School Kids Records; Herb David