If San Francisco was once home of the Haight-Ashbury section, Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead, and their Deadheads, then the Central Pa. equivalent is the area club scene playing host to acoustic duo Dann Ottemiller and Dave SanSoucie, Hexbelt, and the Hexnuts.

For this Fly feature, I took in the duo at The First Capital Dispensing Co. on the corner of Pershing Avenue and Philadelphia Street in York, where they play every Monday night. The First Cap, as it is widely acknowledged by regulars, is a place where cultures and styles mesh - hippies and yuppies, bohemians and power ties mingle freely and easily. Hexbelt has a large and loyal following from York to Harrisburg to Lancaster, and Hexbelt's lead man, Ottemiller, along with SanSoucie can be found spreading the love and their music to enthusiastic responses somewhere in the area.

Michael Axe, one of three First Cap managers says, "There isn't much to do on a Monday night in York. They play great music and have a great connection to their audience." Bartender Jim Godfrey agrees: "Mondays is one of our best nights. I love working it, because I love the music and the whole bohemian atmosphere. We usually have a more upscale crowd, but these guys get the younger crowd in with their music, and it's always different, and always fun. The appeal is that they can come and just be themselves."

Ottemiller arrives sporting a freshly shorn new 'do that will surprise some Hexnuts, carrying a weathered guitar case that has seen its share of the road. He's a native of York who has fulfilled his desire to be a full-time musician. He and SanSoucie have played together for about three years now. "I was in Europe playing," says SanSoucie, explaining how fate and circumstance brought him and Ottemiller together, "and playing regularly, but I felt I had gone as far as I could as a musician. I needed to push myself, so I came back to the states and Pa. I started doing session work as a mandolin player in Nashville, eventually got hooked up with Dann, who, in my opinion, is the only decent songwriter in York. When I ended up back here (York), I immediately called Dann and said, 'You gotta hire me.' At the time, Granfalloons was doing an open mic night which they asked me to host, but I agreed only on the condition that I could have Dann with me." Thus, a partnership was born.

Ottemiller is the principal songwriter and pens all the lyrics and most of the music. He is an introspective man, and the more emotional of the two. In addition to their duo collaboration, Ottemiller and SanSoucie also play with Hexbelt, which has undergone a lineup change. To the rest of the world it's still Hexbelt, but those on the inside now refer to it as Pretzel. In addition to Ottemiller and SanSoucie, the new lineup features Anthony Aguire on drums and Tim McDermott, a recruited fan of Hexbelt, on bass.

McDermott's story is much like that of Ripper Jones (the fan of Judas Priest who was eventually invited to join the band he loved to replace the departed frontman Rob Halford). Their music fits no discernible category. It's an interesting fusion of rock, folk, blues, funk, and bluegrass, and Ottemiller doesn't even try to describe it. Influenced by everyone from Bob Dylan to Soundgarden, Ottemiller says he is "only interested in good music." The rest speaks for itself, and it speaks to those who routinely follow them.

Ottemiller's intense emotions show in his lyrics and stage performance. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and admits that "it is sometimes difficult to get up in a bar full of people having a good time and play something that was written from a very personal place of pain or human hurt. It can be hard to entertain when you don't feel like emotionally sharing yourself at those times." But this is the magic and power of the music, and what makes them special. The audience feels the emotion, and is not there to just listen. Or just dance. Or just have a few drinks. Their audience comes to feel, to move, and be moved by the music - where sharing one's pain becomes an emotional release and healing. What is the appeal of these two admitted blue-collar musicians? There's no better place to find out than at one of their regular shows.

They take the stage and Ottemiller references the lack of attendance on this incredibly rainy night. But the crowd starts to filter in. Melanie, a dedicated Hexnut from Greencastle, is the embodiment of the mindset of the Hexnuts. A true free spirit, she speaks honestly and openly of spirituality, music, and hope. She could expound at length on how these topics intermingle. Swaying and getting lost in the moment with eyes closed, she is moved by "the lyrics themselves with the music. They are honest and to the point. It's all about love and family and feeling universally connected. They [Ottemiller and SanSoucie] are so real." Josh, a Harrisburg percussionist, caught them at the Blue Star in Lancaster and concurs. "It's the music they play that moves you, and the words are so powerful."

By 11:30 both Ottemiller and Sansoucie are losing themselves in the moment. They go to places musically that few understand, and have a wonderful chemistry together. SanSoucie's mandolin is the perfect complement to Ottemiller's rhythmic acoustic guitar. Ottemiller's voice calls to mind a cross between a young Tom Petty and young Bruce Springsteen. He sings of loss, pain, and a social conscience - his lyrics capture the struggle of everyman in a complex world. The men, not just the women in the audience, relate, as if this is the anthemic voice of their own emotions as well. By midnight, the place is packed; shoes come off, bare feet are seen, and the diversified assemblage surrender themselves to the music and the emotion by moving, swaying, keeping time, and singing along. As the faithful followers say, "It is like this everywhere they go."

Although SanSoucie says, "We play about 200 gigs a year or so," he always makes time for benefits and social causes. "I get paid to play in bars," he continues, "but I'll always say yes to benefits because it is a way for me to give back to the community." He uses his talents to help inspire others to the causes as well, like playing the Bell Socialization benefit and Ralphstock in memory of their fellow musician and friend Ralph Weyant Jr., who lost his battle with cancer. He says he "likes to think of himself as a blue collar musician. I can say I was able to accomplish and say something as a musician, and pay the rent as well." SanSoucie is an intelligent man, who has none of the ego that can go with this territory. He doesn't mind Ottemiller being out front, recognizing the power the two have.

Ottemiller smiles and says, "I have no disappointments, really. I see what we have created, and the focus of being a better musician has been my goal. I hope to play till I die. It's the magical, communal power of music that keeps me going."

They have a Web site for their fans, www.davesansoucie.com, and have hopes of recording an album together soon. SanSoucie says, "I can't imagine doing anything else. The business - the travel, long nights, and time away from home - is hard, but every year I get to play in a place I never thought I would. Last year was the Bottom Line in New York City." When asked what they hold most important, both men list family and friends and love before music. Ottemiller has two children: Dylan, a daughter named after one of his influences, and Zeke, who, like his dad, aspires to become a hockey player.

Seeing these two musicians play live is to understand why the glowing praises are heard. Their music offers hope, peace, and love, with an awareness seldom heard from other performers. It recalls a more sedate period of time, yet doesn't come across as dated. It has struck a responsive chord, and their shows are reminiscent of a love-in: they love their audience as much as their audience loves them.