Schweitzer Fest '07: A Multimedia Review
When Schweitzer Fest rolls around each year, our community comes together to enjoy the festivities. From the food to the rides and carnival games, the atmosphere is one of celebration. It also, however, is a time when people get together to hear great music. And while Perry County might not always seem to be a place where great bands come to rock, this year’s Schweitzer Fest proved to be quite the magnet for great music.
During the festival week, more than half a dozen bands brought their sound to downtown Tell City. Though all tastes could not possibly be accommodated, it was hard for this critic to find fault with the variety selected. Whether a fan of country, bluegrass, classic rock or modern rock-and-roll, there was plenty to be excited about for nearly every music fan.
Tell City's own "Above The Law" performs in the Schweitzer Fest beer garden.
Among the standouts, Tell City’s own “Above The Law,” featuring Bill Huff and Rob Gladish on guitar, Tony Hollinden on bass, Dave Arnold on keyboards and Josh Huff on drums, rocked the beer garden Thursday night. Playing everything from sixties-era art-rock to seventies r&b and eighties pop-rock, the band kept a relatively small crowd energized for several hours. Standout tracks included an excellent cover of the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin” and a midnight performance of Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music, White Boy.” Variety and strong musicianship proved to be the band’s selling points.
Tell City's Elsie's Shack, performing in the beer garden Saturday night. 
Elsie's Shack drummer Carl Sommers owned the stage during the band's performance.
They weren’t alone, however. Saturday night, a much larger crowd packed onto main street to hear another local act, Elsie’s Shack. The four-man rock act featured Louie Harbarville on rhythm guitar and vocals, Justin Bosley on lead guitar and vocals, Sam Graves on bass and Carl Sommers on drums. The band brought fans to their feet with covers of Mellencamp (“Play Guitar”) and Stevie Ray Vaughan (“Pride and Joy”), but were generally capable of rocking everyone from Eric Clapton to the Rolling Stones without breaking a sweat. The band played the Schweitzer Fest last year and brought the house down. They’re close to becoming a fixture, and that’s a great thing.
Josh Mahoney and the Second Chance Band playing early Friday night.
Fans of country music enjoyed Josh Mahoney and the Second Chance Band, which brought a flair for contemporary country to the stage Friday night. Lead singer Josh Mahoney and his band handled “Copperhead Road” by Steve Earle with real verve, and the fans enjoyed the modern covers of the likes of Keith Urban and Chris Cagle as well. Leo Gronquist and Friends opened the festival with an acoustic blend of soft rock, alt-country and bluegrass. They handled everything from Jim Croce to Willie Nelson with flair. After early hiccups including forgotten lyrics on an Alison Krauss song, the band recovered nicely and proved capable of entertaining the Wednesday night beer garden crowd.
Firm Foundation entertains a small group of fans Saturday afternoon.
Damascus Road, featuring (l/r) Victoria Backer, Ryan Backer, Gene Jones and John Backer.
But among the Schweitzer Fest’s biggest musical surprises was the solid afternoon of gospel music performed Saturday. Firm Foundation, an Owensboro touring group, had the Statler Brothers’ sound down pat through their mix of standards and originals. Meanwhile, Perry County’s own Damascus Road, a contemporary gospel band, played a variety of interesting covers – including “Personal Jesus” and “The Man Comes Around” by the late Johnny Cash. The band featured Victoria Backer on keyboards, Gene Jones on guitar and vocals, Ryan Backer on drums and Victoria’s husband John Backer on bass. The band played well as a unit, and the beautiful harmonies were a true highlight.
All things considered, this year’s Schweitzer Fest proved to be a goldmine for those in the area who have long argued that living in Perry County doesn’t have to mean missing out on great music. Add a rap music night to the beer garden next year and there won’t be a musical stone left unturned for the festival’s 50th Anniversary next August.
- - - - -
To see videos from Josh Mahoney and the Second Chance Band, Firm Foundation, Damascus Road, Elsie's Shack and Above The Law, visit my YouTube page:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=theindiecritic1982
When Schweitzer Fest rolls around each year, our community comes together to enjoy the festivities. From the food to the rides and carnival games, the atmosphere is one of celebration. It also, however, is a time when people get together to hear great music. And while Perry County might not always seem to be a place where great bands come to rock, this year’s Schweitzer Fest proved to be quite the magnet for great music.
During the festival week, more than half a dozen bands brought their sound to downtown Tell City. Though all tastes could not possibly be accommodated, it was hard for this critic to find fault with the variety selected. Whether a fan of country, bluegrass, classic rock or modern rock-and-roll, there was plenty to be excited about for nearly every music fan.
Tell City's own "Above The Law" performs in the Schweitzer Fest beer garden.
Among the standouts, Tell City’s own “Above The Law,” featuring Bill Huff and Rob Gladish on guitar, Tony Hollinden on bass, Dave Arnold on keyboards and Josh Huff on drums, rocked the beer garden Thursday night. Playing everything from sixties-era art-rock to seventies r&b and eighties pop-rock, the band kept a relatively small crowd energized for several hours. Standout tracks included an excellent cover of the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin” and a midnight performance of Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music, White Boy.” Variety and strong musicianship proved to be the band’s selling points.
Tell City's Elsie's Shack, performing in the beer garden Saturday night.
Elsie's Shack drummer Carl Sommers owned the stage during the band's performance.
They weren’t alone, however. Saturday night, a much larger crowd packed onto main street to hear another local act, Elsie’s Shack. The four-man rock act featured Louie Harbarville on rhythm guitar and vocals, Justin Bosley on lead guitar and vocals, Sam Graves on bass and Carl Sommers on drums. The band brought fans to their feet with covers of Mellencamp (“Play Guitar”) and Stevie Ray Vaughan (“Pride and Joy”), but were generally capable of rocking everyone from Eric Clapton to the Rolling Stones without breaking a sweat. The band played the Schweitzer Fest last year and brought the house down. They’re close to becoming a fixture, and that’s a great thing.
Josh Mahoney and the Second Chance Band playing early Friday night.
Fans of country music enjoyed Josh Mahoney and the Second Chance Band, which brought a flair for contemporary country to the stage Friday night. Lead singer Josh Mahoney and his band handled “Copperhead Road” by Steve Earle with real verve, and the fans enjoyed the modern covers of the likes of Keith Urban and Chris Cagle as well. Leo Gronquist and Friends opened the festival with an acoustic blend of soft rock, alt-country and bluegrass. They handled everything from Jim Croce to Willie Nelson with flair. After early hiccups including forgotten lyrics on an Alison Krauss song, the band recovered nicely and proved capable of entertaining the Wednesday night beer garden crowd.
Firm Foundation entertains a small group of fans Saturday afternoon.
Damascus Road, featuring (l/r) Victoria Backer, Ryan Backer, Gene Jones and John Backer.
But among the Schweitzer Fest’s biggest musical surprises was the solid afternoon of gospel music performed Saturday. Firm Foundation, an Owensboro touring group, had the Statler Brothers’ sound down pat through their mix of standards and originals. Meanwhile, Perry County’s own Damascus Road, a contemporary gospel band, played a variety of interesting covers – including “Personal Jesus” and “The Man Comes Around” by the late Johnny Cash. The band featured Victoria Backer on keyboards, Gene Jones on guitar and vocals, Ryan Backer on drums and Victoria’s husband John Backer on bass. The band played well as a unit, and the beautiful harmonies were a true highlight.
All things considered, this year’s Schweitzer Fest proved to be a goldmine for those in the area who have long argued that living in Perry County doesn’t have to mean missing out on great music. Add a rap music night to the beer garden next year and there won’t be a musical stone left unturned for the festival’s 50th Anniversary next August.
- - - - -
To see videos from Josh Mahoney and the Second Chance Band, Firm Foundation, Damascus Road, Elsie's Shack and Above The Law, visit my YouTube page:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=theindiecritic1982
posted by Jonathan Sanders @ 11:54 PM
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