Haunted Windchimes tapped for spotlight on Prairie Home Companion

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It’s the kind of phone call that every band dreams about.

On Monday, the Haunted Windchimes heard they were handpicked to perform on “The Prairie Home Companion” when it plays the World Arena Oct. 29.

“Right now, I’m trying to keep my excitement in check,” said Inaiah Lujan, a founding member of the Pueblo group, which also includes bassist Sean Fanning, guitarist Mike Clark, Desirae Garcia on ukulele and Chela Lujan on banjo.

Still, you can practically hear his ear-to-ear grin on the phone.

Over the last five years, the Pueblo band has created an enthusiastic following with its lonesome and raucous downhome folk. It often performs locally, although it also works an ever-widening touring schedule. In 2010, it was also tapped to open for Arlo Guthrie here.
The Windchimes, as fans call them, will be the only regional band to appear. Montana singer-songwriter Stephanie Davis and Virginia folk duet Linda and Robin Williams are also on the line-up. The band expects to play two or three songs.

But of all the many regional bands, why the Haunted Windchimes?

“I have to think it’s the music,” says agent Scott O’Malley, whose company represents country greats Don Edwards, Norman Blake and others. “Some groups, it’s like ‘Listen to track No. 6 and turn it up real loud and it’ll blow you away.’ With this group, it’s not one specific song. It’s collective genius.”

An estimated 4 million listeners tune in each week to “Prairie Home Companion.” It’s heard in 590 public radio stations and abroad on America One and the Armed Forces Networks in Europe and the Far East. Still, O’Malley won’t say the gig is a career maker.

“You know, I wouldn’t never jinx it by saying anything like that,” said O’Malley, who has booked other clients on the show. “All I know is that the power of this show is no little deal.”

For their part, Lujan and his bandmates are still in shock.

"I mean, people like Neil Young play the World Arena," Lujan said. "It's pretty much reserved for huge things. I would never have imagined playing the World Arena."

He admits that he has begun to dream a little bigger than normal.

“To the grandiose mostly. I’m hoping that it will open more doors and give us the opportunity to get bigger gigs nationwide."

He laughs, like the one kid who actually got a pony he'd wished for.

“All you’ll get out of me now is joy, pure joy. We just want to take in the moment.”