Post by jptheprofessor on Nov 13, 2006 18:57:39 GMT -5
(Since the temperatures outside have cooled off for another year, I thought it would be fitting to revisit a warm season event...even if it did happen inside!)
Sometimes things don't go as planned, evidenced when Holiday Bowl in Altoona announced their first-ever Beach Party. The original plan was for this bash to take place outside in the parking lot of Holiday Bowl, with sand brought in. However, due to legal issues (thanks PLCB), the event had to be moved indoors to the bowling alley; a beach party without the sand.
It actually worked out for the better in one sense; the weather forecast for this night called for thunderstorms, and during the course of the evening storms and rain moved through. So had the Beach Party happened outside, it would have been interrupted and rained on.
Inside, though, it was a party. Some karaoke kicked off the festivities as I did a Q94 live radio broadcast.
A round of karaoke - here featuring Q94 Calendar Girl Tricia - kicks off the Beach Bash.
Next was Felix & the Hurricanes. As local Nashville country hopeful Ricky Lee was headlining the event, and a number of his fans were already in the house, the Hurricanes leaned their set more towards a country direction; along the way mixing in renditions of John Michael Montgomery's "Sold (The Grundy County Auction)," Eddie Rabbitt's "Driving My Life Away," and Brooks & Dunn's "Neon Moon." The group also did some southern rock classics such as Blackfoot's "Train Train," Marshall Tucker Band's "Heard It In a Love Song" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's ever-popular "Sweet Home Alabama," and also did one vintage pop classic, the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody." The remainder of their set featured established Hurricanes original song favorites such as "Lonely One," "On the Bottom Again," "Cut That Line" and more. The Hurricanes' blend of sounds worked well with this country-leaning audience, and kicked the party up to the next gear.
Felix & the Hurricanes kick up the party a notch at the Holiday Bowl Beach Bash.
Again, Felix & the Hurricanes.
Q94 Calendar Girls Jen, Tina and Tricia pose while Felix & the Hurricanes play.
After the Hurricanes finished, there was entertainment during the intermission, courtesy of the Soulmen Rhythm & Blues Review. This was a Blues Brothers tribute show I first saw several months ago at Crazy Fest. Jon Naugle portrayed Jake, while Alex Hilton played Elwood. These guys did the whole nine yards - suits, briefcases, handcuffs, dance moves, and the pair sang three tunes - “Soul Man,” Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood” and Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock.”
The Soulmen Rhythm & Blues Review.
Some youngsters put the beach balls to use during the Soulmen Rhythm & Blues Review's performance.
Once again, the Soulmen Rhythm & Blues Review.
Up next was Generation Gap. This band had a personnel change since I last saw them, with former RetroActive keyboard/guitar man Keith Little replacing Don Hughes in the roster. Keith, singer Brian Elliott, lead guitarist Jarrett Bickel, bassist Harry Walter and drummer Ed Murvine mixed rock of the past three decades; doing songs by the Goo Goo Dolls, ZZ Top, Collective Soul, Fuel, 5 Man Electrical Band, Van Halen and more. Generation Gap ignited the night’s first dance action during Black Crowes’ “Jealous Again,” and provided several highlights along the way; including Jarrett’s smoking guitar solo during Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy,” Keith showing his singing abilities on Outfield’s “Your Love,” and some age-geared humor directed towards Harry when the group devoted Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” to our troops (Harry was a veteran of which war? Spanish or Civil?). Generation Gap picked up momentum as they went along, and their set won some new fans by the time all was said and done.
Generation Gap rocks the Holiday Bowl Beach Bash.
Generation Gap's new keyboard man, Keith Little.
Brian Elliott of Generation Gap.
Generation Gap ignites some dance floor action.
At this point, Osterburg’s Devin Claycomb, who gained recent notoriety as a contestant on CBS’ The Early Show’s “Living Room…LIVE” contest, played his first show in front of an audience. Devin was expectedly a little nervous, but demonstrated a clear, strong voice on songs by Kenny Chesney, Bob Seger, his own originals and more. Although he was nervous and made a few beginner errors along the way, Devin still received a warm and supportive response from the assembled audience; he especially received some nice applause when he sang a song for his wife called “My Angel.”
Osterburg's Devin Claycomb performs during an intermission.
Capping the evening was Ricky Lee & the Mustangs, performing their blend of country originals and favorites. The group did two sets, along the way performing a number of songs from Ricky’s new album, Genuine, plus favorites from Brooks & Dunn, Travis Tritt, Kenny Chesney, Chuck Berry, John Mellencamp, Big & Rich, Loggins & Messina, also the Mary-sung version of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “I Feel Lucky.” Ricky again was a dynamic, robust performer who constantly worked the audience and kept the show moving; along the way having fun with his veteran cast of Mustangs, including Randy Rutherford and Rick Wertz on guitars, Fritz Wyland on bass, Mary Villani on keys and Clint Carothers on drums. Ricky Lee & the Mustangs kept the all ages crowd dancing, from young children to older folks, including Ricky’s number one fan, Caroline. Towards night’s end, with the party still going strong, Ricky left Rick Wertz take the lead microphone for Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music,” before Ricky and his Mustangs ended the night with one of his most popular songs, “My Kind Of Girl.”
So, despite circumstances moving the show inside, Holiday Bowl’s first ever Beach Party was a moderate success. The vibe was happy and upbeat, and everybody in attendance appeared to have a good time enjoying some good live music and fun. Show organizers were optimistic, and indicated that the Beach Bash Concert will return next year.
Ricky Lee & the Mustangs cap the first Holiday Bowl Beach Bash.
Again, Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Clint Carothers of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Fritz Wyland and Randy Rutherford of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Ricky Lee.
Rick Wertz of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Ricky Lee & the Mustangs keep the dance floor busy.
Randy Rutherford of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Again, Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Once again, Ricky Lee.
Mary Villani of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
One more time, Ricky Lee.
Sometimes things don't go as planned, evidenced when Holiday Bowl in Altoona announced their first-ever Beach Party. The original plan was for this bash to take place outside in the parking lot of Holiday Bowl, with sand brought in. However, due to legal issues (thanks PLCB), the event had to be moved indoors to the bowling alley; a beach party without the sand.
It actually worked out for the better in one sense; the weather forecast for this night called for thunderstorms, and during the course of the evening storms and rain moved through. So had the Beach Party happened outside, it would have been interrupted and rained on.
Inside, though, it was a party. Some karaoke kicked off the festivities as I did a Q94 live radio broadcast.
A round of karaoke - here featuring Q94 Calendar Girl Tricia - kicks off the Beach Bash.
Next was Felix & the Hurricanes. As local Nashville country hopeful Ricky Lee was headlining the event, and a number of his fans were already in the house, the Hurricanes leaned their set more towards a country direction; along the way mixing in renditions of John Michael Montgomery's "Sold (The Grundy County Auction)," Eddie Rabbitt's "Driving My Life Away," and Brooks & Dunn's "Neon Moon." The group also did some southern rock classics such as Blackfoot's "Train Train," Marshall Tucker Band's "Heard It In a Love Song" and Lynyrd Skynyrd's ever-popular "Sweet Home Alabama," and also did one vintage pop classic, the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody." The remainder of their set featured established Hurricanes original song favorites such as "Lonely One," "On the Bottom Again," "Cut That Line" and more. The Hurricanes' blend of sounds worked well with this country-leaning audience, and kicked the party up to the next gear.
Felix & the Hurricanes kick up the party a notch at the Holiday Bowl Beach Bash.
Again, Felix & the Hurricanes.
Q94 Calendar Girls Jen, Tina and Tricia pose while Felix & the Hurricanes play.
After the Hurricanes finished, there was entertainment during the intermission, courtesy of the Soulmen Rhythm & Blues Review. This was a Blues Brothers tribute show I first saw several months ago at Crazy Fest. Jon Naugle portrayed Jake, while Alex Hilton played Elwood. These guys did the whole nine yards - suits, briefcases, handcuffs, dance moves, and the pair sang three tunes - “Soul Man,” Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood” and Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock.”
The Soulmen Rhythm & Blues Review.
Some youngsters put the beach balls to use during the Soulmen Rhythm & Blues Review's performance.
Once again, the Soulmen Rhythm & Blues Review.
Up next was Generation Gap. This band had a personnel change since I last saw them, with former RetroActive keyboard/guitar man Keith Little replacing Don Hughes in the roster. Keith, singer Brian Elliott, lead guitarist Jarrett Bickel, bassist Harry Walter and drummer Ed Murvine mixed rock of the past three decades; doing songs by the Goo Goo Dolls, ZZ Top, Collective Soul, Fuel, 5 Man Electrical Band, Van Halen and more. Generation Gap ignited the night’s first dance action during Black Crowes’ “Jealous Again,” and provided several highlights along the way; including Jarrett’s smoking guitar solo during Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Pride and Joy,” Keith showing his singing abilities on Outfield’s “Your Love,” and some age-geared humor directed towards Harry when the group devoted Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” to our troops (Harry was a veteran of which war? Spanish or Civil?). Generation Gap picked up momentum as they went along, and their set won some new fans by the time all was said and done.
Generation Gap rocks the Holiday Bowl Beach Bash.
Generation Gap's new keyboard man, Keith Little.
Brian Elliott of Generation Gap.
Generation Gap ignites some dance floor action.
At this point, Osterburg’s Devin Claycomb, who gained recent notoriety as a contestant on CBS’ The Early Show’s “Living Room…LIVE” contest, played his first show in front of an audience. Devin was expectedly a little nervous, but demonstrated a clear, strong voice on songs by Kenny Chesney, Bob Seger, his own originals and more. Although he was nervous and made a few beginner errors along the way, Devin still received a warm and supportive response from the assembled audience; he especially received some nice applause when he sang a song for his wife called “My Angel.”
Osterburg's Devin Claycomb performs during an intermission.
Capping the evening was Ricky Lee & the Mustangs, performing their blend of country originals and favorites. The group did two sets, along the way performing a number of songs from Ricky’s new album, Genuine, plus favorites from Brooks & Dunn, Travis Tritt, Kenny Chesney, Chuck Berry, John Mellencamp, Big & Rich, Loggins & Messina, also the Mary-sung version of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “I Feel Lucky.” Ricky again was a dynamic, robust performer who constantly worked the audience and kept the show moving; along the way having fun with his veteran cast of Mustangs, including Randy Rutherford and Rick Wertz on guitars, Fritz Wyland on bass, Mary Villani on keys and Clint Carothers on drums. Ricky Lee & the Mustangs kept the all ages crowd dancing, from young children to older folks, including Ricky’s number one fan, Caroline. Towards night’s end, with the party still going strong, Ricky left Rick Wertz take the lead microphone for Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music,” before Ricky and his Mustangs ended the night with one of his most popular songs, “My Kind Of Girl.”
So, despite circumstances moving the show inside, Holiday Bowl’s first ever Beach Party was a moderate success. The vibe was happy and upbeat, and everybody in attendance appeared to have a good time enjoying some good live music and fun. Show organizers were optimistic, and indicated that the Beach Bash Concert will return next year.
Ricky Lee & the Mustangs cap the first Holiday Bowl Beach Bash.
Again, Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Clint Carothers of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Fritz Wyland and Randy Rutherford of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Ricky Lee.
Rick Wertz of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Ricky Lee & the Mustangs keep the dance floor busy.
Randy Rutherford of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Again, Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
Once again, Ricky Lee.
Mary Villani of Ricky Lee & the Mustangs.
One more time, Ricky Lee.