News 8 travels to Las Vegas for San Diego band The Beat Farmers in 1989

In the fall of 1989, News 8 reporter Gina Lew and photojournalist Bruce Patch traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, to catch up with San Diego band The Beat Farmers. The group had been around for several years and made a name for themselves outside of San Diego. The group was known as much for its country-rock style as for its live shows which incorporated humor courtesy of multi-instrumentalist and showman Country Dick Montana (formerly of The Penetrators.) "There's no such thing as a boring Beat Farmers show," one fan told News 8. Gina Lew's story showcased the personality and lifestyle of each member of the band. Jerry Raney and Rolle Love were the family men in the band; Joey Harris was the band's main lyricist; and Country Dick Montana was one-of-a-kind. News 8 even caught Country Dick warming up while listening to Dean Martin. "You need to be inspired on the day of a gig," he said dancing. Sadly, Country Dick suffered a heart attack while on stage in 1995 and passed away. The Beat Farmers disbanded but for the past nine years the surviving members have performed a "Beat Famers Hootenanny" show in honor of Country Dick Montana and another founding member of the band Buddy Blue. See more of local bands from 1980s & '90s here: http://www.cbs8.com/story/39810321/ne...