Post by jptheprofessor on Apr 21, 2007 12:20:46 GMT -5
Burgi's Roundhouse and Q94 - both tired of all this extended cold winter-like weather and spitting in the face of a forecasted late-season winter storm expected to start this night - teamed up to provide some cabin fever relief on Saturday night, April 14. Burgi's Spring Rock & Blue Fest and Q94 Appreciation Night provided a fun evening of great live music, and a chance for listeners to hang out with Q94 air personalities.
Unfortunately, illness rendered both Adam and Rose unavailable this night, but thanks to all the listeners who stopped by to chat with yours truly and Craig Andrews.
The bands were great! Johnstown's veteran classic rocking trio, The Desperadoes, kicked off the night with a set of classic and vintage rock. Shortly into their set, singer/guitarist Mark Middleton, bassist/singer Mike Suppes and drummer Harold Knappenberger opened the floor to audience requests and invited the Burgi's crowd to tap songs from their over 1,000-song library. The Desperadoes proceeded to perform requests for Neil Young ("Cowgirl in the Sand!"), George Thorogood, The Byrds, Beatles, America, Bad Company, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and more.
Up next was the Tony Mollick Project from Latrobe. For those not familiar with his story, namesake Tony Mollick was seriously injured in a motorcycle-car accident last June, some two weeks before a similar accident seriously hurt Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Tony logged a long period of hospital time, and was able to return to singing onstage during Burgi's first Bluesfest in November. This night, Tony was playing guitar again, and he and his band - including Altoona native Fuzz McGirk on bass and David Blake on drums - were back with a vengeance, scorching out a spirited blues-rock original songs and classics from Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Allman Brothers, Santana, ZZ Top and more.
Making their first visit to Burgi's stage this night was the Sofa King Cool Band from Pittsburgh. Fronted by guitarist/singer Tony Caldarelli and singer/guitarist Simon Beeching, The Sofa King Cool Band played a tasteful selection of classic rock and blues from the Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and more. An added highlight to their set came midway through, when the group introduced a special guest singer, Jessie Rack. She belted out some incredible soulful and bluesy vocals on such numbers as Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit," Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe" and more. The Sofa King Cool Band's first Altoona appearance was well-received; hopefully they'll be back again soon!
And Felix & the Hurricanes slammed the lid on the night with a smoking set of their own brand of blues-rocking originals and favorites. The Hurricanes quickly filled the Burgi's dance floor with original song favorites like "Walking A Straight Line," "Talk About Love," "Cut That Line" and more, plus classics from Badfinger, John Mellencamp, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Eagles, Blackfoot, Grand Funk Railroad, Allman Brothers and more. Late in the set, Tony Mollick joined singer/guitarist Felix Kos, singer/bassist Jeff Clapper and drummer Bob Watters onstage to sing Jonny Lang's "Rack 'Em Up."
Again, it was a fun Saturday night of rock and blues, and performances that were hot enough to keep the forecasted winter storm precipitation nearly all rain! Thanks again to everybody who came out and supported live music, and thanks to the staff and management of Burgi's Roundhouse for the venue and the hospitality!
Here are some photos from Burgi's Spring Rock & Blues Fest:
The Desperadoes kick off the music at Burgi's Spring Rock & Blues Fest.
Harold Knappenberger of The Desperadoes.
Mike Suppes of The Desperadoes.
Mark Middleton of The Desperadoes.
Again, The Desperadoes. This group has been rocking stages throughout western PA for nearly 30 years!
Again, Mark Middleton of The Desperadoes.
The Tony Mollick Project.
Once again able to strap on his guitar, Tony Mollick.
Again, Tony Mollick.
Altoona native Fuzz McGirk of The Tony Mollick Project.
The Tony Mollick Project triggers some dance floor action at Burgi's.
Making their first Altoona appearance, The Sofa King Cool Band from Pittsburgh.
Tony Caldarelli of The Sofa King Cool Band.
Simon Beeching of The Sofa King Cool Band.
Again, The Sofa King Cool Band.
Singing some guest lead vocals for The Sofa King Cool Band from Pittsburgh, Jessie Rack.
Felix & the Hurricanes quickly fill up the dance floor during Burgi's Spring Rock & Blues Fest.
Lead Hurricane Felix Kos.
Bob Watters of Felix & the Hurricanes.
Jeff Clapper of Felix & the Hurricanes.
Tony Mollick steps up to sing with Felix & the Hurricanes.
Again, Felix Kos of Felix & the Hurricanes.
These folks were having a good time during Burgi's Spring Rock & Blues Fest.
Unfortunately, illness rendered both Adam and Rose unavailable this night, but thanks to all the listeners who stopped by to chat with yours truly and Craig Andrews.
The bands were great! Johnstown's veteran classic rocking trio, The Desperadoes, kicked off the night with a set of classic and vintage rock. Shortly into their set, singer/guitarist Mark Middleton, bassist/singer Mike Suppes and drummer Harold Knappenberger opened the floor to audience requests and invited the Burgi's crowd to tap songs from their over 1,000-song library. The Desperadoes proceeded to perform requests for Neil Young ("Cowgirl in the Sand!"), George Thorogood, The Byrds, Beatles, America, Bad Company, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and more.
Up next was the Tony Mollick Project from Latrobe. For those not familiar with his story, namesake Tony Mollick was seriously injured in a motorcycle-car accident last June, some two weeks before a similar accident seriously hurt Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Tony logged a long period of hospital time, and was able to return to singing onstage during Burgi's first Bluesfest in November. This night, Tony was playing guitar again, and he and his band - including Altoona native Fuzz McGirk on bass and David Blake on drums - were back with a vengeance, scorching out a spirited blues-rock original songs and classics from Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Allman Brothers, Santana, ZZ Top and more.
Making their first visit to Burgi's stage this night was the Sofa King Cool Band from Pittsburgh. Fronted by guitarist/singer Tony Caldarelli and singer/guitarist Simon Beeching, The Sofa King Cool Band played a tasteful selection of classic rock and blues from the Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and more. An added highlight to their set came midway through, when the group introduced a special guest singer, Jessie Rack. She belted out some incredible soulful and bluesy vocals on such numbers as Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit," Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe" and more. The Sofa King Cool Band's first Altoona appearance was well-received; hopefully they'll be back again soon!
And Felix & the Hurricanes slammed the lid on the night with a smoking set of their own brand of blues-rocking originals and favorites. The Hurricanes quickly filled the Burgi's dance floor with original song favorites like "Walking A Straight Line," "Talk About Love," "Cut That Line" and more, plus classics from Badfinger, John Mellencamp, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Eagles, Blackfoot, Grand Funk Railroad, Allman Brothers and more. Late in the set, Tony Mollick joined singer/guitarist Felix Kos, singer/bassist Jeff Clapper and drummer Bob Watters onstage to sing Jonny Lang's "Rack 'Em Up."
Again, it was a fun Saturday night of rock and blues, and performances that were hot enough to keep the forecasted winter storm precipitation nearly all rain! Thanks again to everybody who came out and supported live music, and thanks to the staff and management of Burgi's Roundhouse for the venue and the hospitality!
Here are some photos from Burgi's Spring Rock & Blues Fest:
The Desperadoes kick off the music at Burgi's Spring Rock & Blues Fest.
Harold Knappenberger of The Desperadoes.
Mike Suppes of The Desperadoes.
Mark Middleton of The Desperadoes.
Again, The Desperadoes. This group has been rocking stages throughout western PA for nearly 30 years!
Again, Mark Middleton of The Desperadoes.
The Tony Mollick Project.
Once again able to strap on his guitar, Tony Mollick.
Again, Tony Mollick.
Altoona native Fuzz McGirk of The Tony Mollick Project.
The Tony Mollick Project triggers some dance floor action at Burgi's.
Making their first Altoona appearance, The Sofa King Cool Band from Pittsburgh.
Tony Caldarelli of The Sofa King Cool Band.
Simon Beeching of The Sofa King Cool Band.
Again, The Sofa King Cool Band.
Singing some guest lead vocals for The Sofa King Cool Band from Pittsburgh, Jessie Rack.
Felix & the Hurricanes quickly fill up the dance floor during Burgi's Spring Rock & Blues Fest.
Lead Hurricane Felix Kos.
Bob Watters of Felix & the Hurricanes.
Jeff Clapper of Felix & the Hurricanes.
Tony Mollick steps up to sing with Felix & the Hurricanes.
Again, Felix Kos of Felix & the Hurricanes.
These folks were having a good time during Burgi's Spring Rock & Blues Fest.