Publication: Austin American-Statesman [US]
Date: November 4, 1997
Section: Entertainment
Page Number(s): E2
Length: 314 Words
Title: "Prince Party-Goers Get The Royal Wave"
Written By: Chris Riemenschneider

Hank Williams and the ghosts of country music may have been turning over in their graves, but the 1,000 Prince fans who crowded the Sixth Street Hang 'Em High Saloon were probably only turning over in their sleep following the singer's after-show party'' there late Sunday.

For some, just catching a glimpse of the guy they now call the Artist might have been enough to leave them reeling all night. For most, though, the fact that they paid $15, stayed out until 3 a.m., and stood inside a sawdust- seasoned, Hee Haw''-like country bar with a bunch of other scenesters just to see the singer wave from a balcony may have left them on edge.

The Artist, who showed up around 1:30 a.m. and stayed for about an hour, shot some pool in a closed-off upstairs area and mingled with members of his entourage. Occasionally, he walked past the railing above the crowd, drawing cheers from below. And that was it -- no music (a DJ was provided) and no words.

Money raised from the party did go toward Love 4 One Another, a multi-cause charity organization set up by the Artist, but that didn't appease some attendees.

If I see any more spandex, I'm going to puke,'' said one fan who left before the singer showed.

It was certainly an unlikely scene -- dance-club goers, yuppies and a few slackers together under one, barn-like roof.

Brian Montgomery, general manager at the Hang 'Em High, said his bar earned the sought-after event through connections with the keyboardist in the Artist's band, who's friends with Ray Vaughan of Taboo, who's friends with the bar's owners. He said the Artist's people hosted after-show parties at country bars in other cities, too, so the singer didn't mind the scene.

And we love it,'' Montgomery said. There's a certain amount of prestige about being able to say Prince was in your club.''