The Honky Tonk Man
BY RALPH MANCINIBY MANCINI
EDITOR
Fans of the old country sound of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and the like will be in for a springtime treat this Saturday from 1-9 p.m. at Riverside Park in Downtown Washburn as “Freight Train” Todd Haugen will be on the scene to provide a smattering of family-friendly entertainment.
Haugen’s iconic train whistle will reverberating throughout Main Avenue and down the local alleyways when the high-energy performer takes the stage and engages the crowd with an electric mix of toe-tapping western swing followed by assorted renditions of the chicken dance and bunny hop that the kids can join in on.
“I’m very traditional country,” said the Mandan-based crooner, 54, when describing what he brings to the table in each of his appearances. “I go from 50’s country to 90’s country, and some early 2000s, but not that much. That’s my roots.”
