Colorado fife-and-drum duo, fixture at tea party gatherings, splits over political differences

Colorado tea party music duo splits over politics

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A Colorado fife-and-drum duo that became a fixture at tea party gatherings has split up over political differences.

Fife player John Weins, of Johnstown, says he has parted ways with snare drummer Mel Hilgenberg because the two strongly disagreed over candidates for Larimer County sheriff.

Weins and Hilgenberg performed as the Liberty Leaders, wearing tri-cornered hats and other Revolutionary War-era garb.

Weins owned the costumes and drum and says he’ll continue to perform with a new drummer.

Both members of the erstwhile Liberty Leaders told the Fort Collins Coloradoan that the duo’s breakup shows the friction between moderately right-of-center Republicans and more conservative Republicans.

Information from: Fort Collins Coloradoan, www.coloradoan.com