White Ford Bronco pre-Covid (photo courtesy of the band)

by Cesse Ip

Petworth News is starting a new article series on local area bands — how to support them, listen to them, and learning more about them — during this strange new time of “Covid-life.” I used this as an opportunity to interview one of my friends, Sean McCauley, who plays bass in DC’s most popular cover band, White Ford Bronco, to talk about their experiences of life as a band during Covid.

In case you’ve not been into the local music scene for the past 13 years, White Ford Bronco has sold out the 9:30 Club 18 times, started dance parties at the Bullpen, and even played at lucky couple’s weddings. Diego, Gretchen, Ken, Sean, and Max make up the popular 90s cover band, White Ford Bronco. Two of the bandmates live in the Petworth area neighborhoods of Columbia Heights and Manor Park.

Sean also recalls that the last bar he went to before the world shut down was Slash Run, a place where he has performed several times!

Pre-pandemic White Ford Bronco was averaging about five shows per month, but when mid-March hit last year, things came to a grinding halt. Like the rest of us, they didn’t know what to do about cancelling their plans going forward. Their gigs around St. Patrick’s Day eventually got cancelled by the venues, and since they book their shows pretty far in advance, they, like many of us, thought things would get back to normal quickly. As Sean stated to me, “Well… we all know that didn’t happen.”

The band members decided to pod up during the pandemic to be able to practice together. They care about each other, and in Sean’s words, they have “Been good about looking out for each other and not doing anything stupid.” They have gotten tested, and have quarantined when necessary. Their pod situation has allowed them to still do a few COVID-safe gigs in the past year.

In the beginning, they recorded a show in Gretchen’s back yard on one of the first nice days in spring. They put it on YouTube, and hoped that it would lift people’s spirits. Then in June, they did a show for 25 lucky, socially-distanced fans at 3 Stars Brewery. The audience members were picked raffle-style via Eventbrite, and all of the proceeds went to charities like Save Our Stages, the ACLU, and Neighbors United for DC Statehood.

They did two shows at Union Stage in the fall, which were also socially distanced and seated. (Side note: can you imagine going to a White Ford Bronco show seated!?) They also had two shows that were streamed – one where people could buy a “ticket” to see it streamed via the Mandolin platform, and the other was one of their Union Stage concerts, streamed to the Bullpen.

A backstage photo from the author at the Rock and Roll Hotel stage (photo Cesse Ip)

They’re not sure how they will proceed going forward, and are still in wait-and-see mode. They did have some tentative Union Stage gigs lined up, but in the end they were cancelled. They are hopeful that they can get some outdoor concerts scheduled for the Bullpen in the Spring.

I asked Sean what they are struggling with, and how we all could support them during this strange time. He said that they are all facing the same challenges as everyone else, and that they deeply miss playing shows.

He said that the best way to support them right now is to follow them on social media. (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) They will use social media to announce when they will have more shows, either streaming or in person.

Lastly, he asked that everyone wear their masks, wash their hands, and get vaccinated! Hopefully we can all bask in some 90’s nostalgia again really soon.

Look for more articles about local area musicians in the coming weeks!