A bit off tread, but as you mention Hank Ballad, nice story told to me by Joe Hunter (Funk Brothers) one. He was touring with them late 50's. Had been to a gig somewhere in the deep south. On the way back they get stopped by a white patrol man. 'Where do you guys think your going, shining a tourch into the car. Joe jumps out as he is up frount, and tell's him he's Hank. Patrol man is not in a good mood and everyone is thinking the worst. Suddenly Joe notices a Lodge ring on the guys finger. Now he had worked with some lodge guys back in Detroit and had listen to their storys of secret hand shakes and codes etc. So he says some thing like. We're travling across the desert of the lone tree...... At this the patrol man changes mood gets all friendly and tells Joe, that if the group will give him a song on the side of the road, they can move on in peace. So all the group get out, do 2 vocal numbers by the side of the road. All get back in the car, and after a few silent moments burst into fits of laughter. Then the booming voice of Hank comes from the back. Joe you ever tell anyone your me again and your fired. More laughter.....
Funny, but scary too