The scene was rowdy at Liquid Smoke on Dec. 10. The crowd was enthusiastic, ecstatic and genuine. Everyone greeted each other with smiles and open arms. A handful of people even brought their dogs, which all ran around between legs picking up pets and pats here and there.

It was the last show from Murfreesboro’s local ensemble, The Go Show. Fans packed the bar to the gills. From the beginning to the end, the band’s most loyal followers danced and lived in the moment.

“It’s more than just a band. It’s a family,” explained one fan named Kellyn, whom the band calls “Kell Dog.” This kind of close connection to its fans is enveloped in the philosophy The Go Show follows. Honesty and values, gettin’ crunk and good times are all simple ideas and gestures the band gives to its loyal and close knit collection of friends and fans.

I sat down with John D, the band’s drummer, who filled me in on how the band became and what they were about.

“The band began as Go around 2002. Dave B joined in ’04 and we became The Go Show. We all knew each other from Memphis, and we reunited in the ’Boro. It was just about doing it ourselves independently as a team,” John said.

The Go Show is just a piece of Winslow Family Productions.

“In a nut shell, Winslow Family Productions is a couple of different bands that formed and we all help each other out. The Go show, Espaso and The Winslow Family Band are all the musical acts. The name also goes over art shows we do, screen prints we make, and beer that we brew,” the drummer continued.

After over four years of contributing to the cultural aesthetic of Murfreesboro, the group decided to disband. Each member is moving on to different parts of the country to grow individually.

The band started off its final two-hour set with a cover of Frank Zappa’s jazz fusion classic “Willie the Pimp.” From the beginning the band hit the ground running as guitarist, C-Note, delivered a great performance of Zappa’s dizzying guitar work. The first half of the set was sprinkled with some of the band’s classic tracks including “Can’t Take Myself Away.” Fans danced their way in from the front door to the performance and the crowd only grew in size.

The second set was more laid back from the band’s straightforward first half. The Go Show jumped in headfirst with its songs “Living in the Jungle” and jammed into originals “Phantom Power” and “Whirlpool.” The four-piece delivered a very tight and driving performance. They effortlessly blended genres like funk, reggae and blues as the crowd moved and bounced with the rhythm. When the crowd-pleasing closer “Sh***y Face” began, the place erupted. The line between the crowd and the stage disappeared as members from the audience took the mike and exchanged verses creating an off the cuff Freestyle Cypher.

Once the song ended the crowd wouldn’t let the night end. They feverishly chanted in unison “GO SHOW GO SHOW” until the group fired up another song. Afterwards the crowd was still in frenzy, and its enthusiasm could not be contained.

Liquid Smoke’s bartender Mike gave a small speech. “I remember when these guys first came in here. I thought they spent all of their parents’ money on pot and it was the first time they had ever picked up their instruments. I’m glad to see how far they’ve come.” To which the band’s bassist, Phil, responded, “We don’t know how to thank you Mike. I guess we’ll take a couple of these microphones home with us.”

It was finally time for the band to move on and end the night. They played a quick rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Dave B, the band’s trumpet player, stood on top of a stool and played as he looked over a crowd of yelling fans with their arms raised in the air. The crowd remained hopeful as they made their way outside and onto the downtown square. It was a wonderful high point to close a chapter in one of Murfreesboro’s most heartfelt and genuine groups.