In the beginning, I was a cast member at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire, 2004 season. It was my only year as a cast member in a faire after being a long-time patron of the Ohio faires. I was playing a gypsy, much to my delight (I love gypsies). And one of the first things I remember on the first day of faire, before the gates even opened, was these two guys wandering by (if you can call it wandering) on stilts, then going out to entertain the people buying tickets. From that moment, before I even knew who they were, I smiled any time I saw any of them... which was a lot. They were working the streets harder than some of the cast members! I was really impressed.

Finally, I found out who they were: they were Bardic Wind, whom we all know and love (why else would we be here?). I tried to discreetly wander by the Excalibur stage while they were performing, and pretty much every time I walked through the square, they were there being crazy and entertaining the masses.

At last, the Monday after the faire ended, I went online and found their website... I certainly took my time about it, didn't I? Honestly, I didn't realize they had one until faire was almost over. So anyway, I go to their website and I sign their guestbook:

"I just wanted to say that you guys were a fabulous addition to the GLMF, and deserved both of your awards [Best New Act and Entertainers of the Year]. Even when I was foot-sore and tired, you made this cast member smile every time I saw you! However, if I may say, I think volunteering for the kissing booth was the best thing you guys did all season. *wink* If you guys don't already have a fan club, I think I may have to start one. Hope to see you again at GLMF next year!"

Much to my surprise (and delight), Cameron took the time to reply to my message:

"Giggling Gypsy,
Thanks for visiting the website. Bardic Wind fan club, hehe, you make me blush. I hope you get a chance to visit us at the Ohio Ren. Bring something strange for us to juggle!
Good to have a fan,
Cameron
aka the Drunk on stilts"

It was then that I realized that he thought I was joking about the fan club. Moments later, it had been decided: what better way to prove how cool I thought these guys were than to give them their own fan club?

Before the night was over, the bare bones of the site were up, and I'd posted the address on the GLMF message boards as well as sending it to Cameron. I was delighted when I got his bashful reply, in which he told me I rock and that I get the "most loving fan" award... I'm so thrilled that he likes the site, as undeveloped as it is. He even donated some silly pictures of himself, and offered some ideas for interactive items, some of which will (hopefully) be coming soon.

And there ends the beginning of the saga of The First Unofficial Bardic Wind Fan Club, but hardly the beginning of the end.

In fall 2005, Brandon Detty (commonly known as Brandon the Younger or Harry Potter) got married and left the group, and the remaining pair (Brandon Kamp and Cameron Tomele) renamed their acrobatic show Barely Balanced, leaving Bardic Wind as the title of their Song & Story show. They have many dedicated friends and fans and are getting more all the time. This gypsy will love them no matter where they go or what they call themselves!

And, in our very latest news, we have become the official Bardic Wind/Barely Balanced Fan Club! Things are progressing slowly but surely, so don't forget to come back again soon!