Post by jptheprofessor on Jun 30, 2007 11:56:23 GMT -5
The weekend of April 28-29 was a weekend for the kids! The annual Crazy Fest Amateur Talent Show would take place the next day, but first, Get Closer To The Music, the local nonprofit organization devoted to introducing kids to music, was presenting their 4th annual Music Festival. And Q94 was glad to be invited to be a part of it once again!
Due to renovations being done at the Booker T. Washington Civic Center in Altoona where the event took place the past two years, the Central Blair Recreation & Park Commission offered up an alternate site, the East Juniata Community Center behind the now-razed Long Branch Cafe location in east Juniata. This facility was near identical to the Booker T. Washington Center, and despite the location change, a steady stream of families and kids attended the day's festivities.
From the get-go, it was a busy scene, as youngsters discovered the world of musical instruments. As expected, the drums were the most popular instruments, and guest instructors Bill Hocherl and Lisa Fazenbaker (and later on, Rob Bonsell) helping acquaint kids with drums, drumsticks and proper playing techniques. Jeff Renner helped introduce youngsters to guitars, while other instructors offered instruction on bass and keys. It was a constant cacophony of sound, as the sounds of kids discovering music were amplified by the cavernous acoustics of the Community Center. (Ear plugs and partitions to divide the instrument demonstration area and band performance areas are being considered for next year.)
Bill Hocherl looks on as a youngster gets a feel for banging on the drums.
More youngsters try their hands at the drums.
Bill Hocherl and Rob Bonsell look on as youngsters have fun on the drums.
Rob Bonsell, teaching a prospective future drummer.
Once again, a busy day in the drum area.
Instructor Jeff Renner looks on as young Bob Detwiler strikes a pose with the guitar.
A young lady tries her hand at the keyboard.
Two more ladies try their hands at the keyboard.
Through it all, several bands performed through the course of the day. Spirit Lost was first up, performing their blend of classic, current and original rock; including numbers from Hinder, ZZ Top, Green Day, Godsmack, Foo Fighters, Pink Floyd and more. A highlight of their set was special guest Brian Elliott from Generation Gap singing dual lead vocals with Austin Tepsic on Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell.”
Spirit Lost, kicking off the music at Get Closer To The Music’s 4th annual Music Festival.
Lisa “Woo” Fazenbaker of Spirit Lost.
Guest Brian Elliott of Generation Gap helps sing Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell” with Spirit Lost.
Austin Tepsic of Spirit Lost with guest Brian Elliott.
Generation Gap – this day featuring singer Brian Elliott, guitarists Colton Fouse and Brian Smith, keyboard man Keith Little, bassist Harry Walter and Drummer (and Get Closer To The Music main man) Ed Murvine – then did a set blending rock sounds from the 70's, 80's and 90's, including tunes from Doobie Brothers, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Crowes, Collective Soul, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Goo Goo Dolls and more. The highlight of their set had to be the rendition of War's "Low Rider," where the band welcomed the drum instructors and the aspiring young drummers to bring drums and cowbells to the stage and help keep the beat.
Generation Gap performs at Get Closer To The Music’s festival.
Colton Fouse of Generation Gap.
Brian Elliott of Generation Gap.
Keith Little of Generation Gap.
Harry Walter of Generation Gap.
Ed Murvine of Generation Gap (and Get Closer To The Music).
Instructors Bill Hocherl and Lisa Fazenbaker, plus some young drummers, step up to the stage to add some percussion to Generation Gap’s rendition of “Low Rider.”
Future drummers keeping the beat with Generation Gap.
One more time, Generation Gap and a bunch of happy youngsters.
In their full hair and sleazy headbanger regalia, Hair Force One – sans new keyboard player Roman – then took the audience back on an 80's hair-band joyride, rocking the auditorium with numbers from Def Leppard, Poison, Bon Jovi, Tesla, Skid Row, Cinderella, Twisted Sister, Guns N'Roses and more.
Hair Force One brings a little bit of 80’s decadence to the Music Festival.
Victor Synn of Hair Force One.
Again, Hair Force One.
Iva and Phillip of Hair Force One.
Michael of Hair Force One.
A pair of folks cut the rug to Hair Force One.
I was in for a bit of a surprise. Before introducing Felix & the Hurricanes, Ed Murvine presented a large plaque to yours truly on behalf of the area musicians. This was totally unexpected, and left me speechless and in awe for several moments. Thanks to Ed, Get Closer to the Music, and all the musicians for the show of support, this was very cool and much appreciated!
Yours truly, receiving an unexpected surprise.
Afterward, Felix & the Hurricanes closed out the afternoon's music with their set of scorching classic and blues rock sounds. Early on in their set, the 'Canes welcomed a special guest to the stage; Bob Detwiler. Bob was the shy youngster who was invited to bring a guitar up to the stage last year and play alongside the Hurricanes. One year later, this youngster has been practicing, and he played alongside Felix, Jeff and Bob for much of the set, helping the 'Canes on versions of "Sweet Home Alabama" (the tune he did with them last year), the 'Canes' own "Keep on Rockin,'" Skynyrd's "Ballad of Curtis Loew" and more. Later in the set, Felix invited the other youngsters up to the stage, and actually turned his one of the microphones towards the kids to let them do some singing or playing if they wished.
Felix & the Hurricanes with special young guest Bob Detwiler.
Felix Kos and Jeff Clapper jam with Bob Detwiler.
Felix & the Hurricanes with special young guest Bob Detwiler.
Once again, Felix & the Hurricanes with a happy Bob Detwiler.
Ed Murvine then closed out the day by announcing the door prize and raffle winners. I was happy - for the second year in a row, I scored a percussion instrument, winning a Latin cajon. I like this instrument – I can play it while sitting down on it!
It was a very good day, and Get Closer To The Music's 4th annual Music Festival was a fun event. It was great to see shy youngsters beam when they started banging on the drums for the first time. It was also very cool to see lots of area musicians bring their own youngsters to the event, and even help out the instructors in showing kids how to play instruments. Hats off to Get Closer To The Music for encouraging kids to discover instruments and music; and thanks to all the Q94 listeners who came and brought their families to participate in this fun event! We'll be back next year!
Making a cameo appearance to sign autographs and take some pictures, local Nashville recording artist Ricky Lee.
Showing his drumming skills to a youngster, Rob Bonsell.
With Rockpage's "Rock For The Troops" in the house, this banner was hanging on the wall for visitors to sign for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Due to renovations being done at the Booker T. Washington Civic Center in Altoona where the event took place the past two years, the Central Blair Recreation & Park Commission offered up an alternate site, the East Juniata Community Center behind the now-razed Long Branch Cafe location in east Juniata. This facility was near identical to the Booker T. Washington Center, and despite the location change, a steady stream of families and kids attended the day's festivities.
From the get-go, it was a busy scene, as youngsters discovered the world of musical instruments. As expected, the drums were the most popular instruments, and guest instructors Bill Hocherl and Lisa Fazenbaker (and later on, Rob Bonsell) helping acquaint kids with drums, drumsticks and proper playing techniques. Jeff Renner helped introduce youngsters to guitars, while other instructors offered instruction on bass and keys. It was a constant cacophony of sound, as the sounds of kids discovering music were amplified by the cavernous acoustics of the Community Center. (Ear plugs and partitions to divide the instrument demonstration area and band performance areas are being considered for next year.)
Bill Hocherl looks on as a youngster gets a feel for banging on the drums.
More youngsters try their hands at the drums.
Bill Hocherl and Rob Bonsell look on as youngsters have fun on the drums.
Rob Bonsell, teaching a prospective future drummer.
Once again, a busy day in the drum area.
Instructor Jeff Renner looks on as young Bob Detwiler strikes a pose with the guitar.
A young lady tries her hand at the keyboard.
Two more ladies try their hands at the keyboard.
Through it all, several bands performed through the course of the day. Spirit Lost was first up, performing their blend of classic, current and original rock; including numbers from Hinder, ZZ Top, Green Day, Godsmack, Foo Fighters, Pink Floyd and more. A highlight of their set was special guest Brian Elliott from Generation Gap singing dual lead vocals with Austin Tepsic on Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell.”
Spirit Lost, kicking off the music at Get Closer To The Music’s 4th annual Music Festival.
Lisa “Woo” Fazenbaker of Spirit Lost.
Guest Brian Elliott of Generation Gap helps sing Pink Floyd’s “Run Like Hell” with Spirit Lost.
Austin Tepsic of Spirit Lost with guest Brian Elliott.
Generation Gap – this day featuring singer Brian Elliott, guitarists Colton Fouse and Brian Smith, keyboard man Keith Little, bassist Harry Walter and Drummer (and Get Closer To The Music main man) Ed Murvine – then did a set blending rock sounds from the 70's, 80's and 90's, including tunes from Doobie Brothers, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Crowes, Collective Soul, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Goo Goo Dolls and more. The highlight of their set had to be the rendition of War's "Low Rider," where the band welcomed the drum instructors and the aspiring young drummers to bring drums and cowbells to the stage and help keep the beat.
Generation Gap performs at Get Closer To The Music’s festival.
Colton Fouse of Generation Gap.
Brian Elliott of Generation Gap.
Keith Little of Generation Gap.
Harry Walter of Generation Gap.
Ed Murvine of Generation Gap (and Get Closer To The Music).
Instructors Bill Hocherl and Lisa Fazenbaker, plus some young drummers, step up to the stage to add some percussion to Generation Gap’s rendition of “Low Rider.”
Future drummers keeping the beat with Generation Gap.
One more time, Generation Gap and a bunch of happy youngsters.
In their full hair and sleazy headbanger regalia, Hair Force One – sans new keyboard player Roman – then took the audience back on an 80's hair-band joyride, rocking the auditorium with numbers from Def Leppard, Poison, Bon Jovi, Tesla, Skid Row, Cinderella, Twisted Sister, Guns N'Roses and more.
Hair Force One brings a little bit of 80’s decadence to the Music Festival.
Victor Synn of Hair Force One.
Again, Hair Force One.
Iva and Phillip of Hair Force One.
Michael of Hair Force One.
A pair of folks cut the rug to Hair Force One.
I was in for a bit of a surprise. Before introducing Felix & the Hurricanes, Ed Murvine presented a large plaque to yours truly on behalf of the area musicians. This was totally unexpected, and left me speechless and in awe for several moments. Thanks to Ed, Get Closer to the Music, and all the musicians for the show of support, this was very cool and much appreciated!
Yours truly, receiving an unexpected surprise.
Afterward, Felix & the Hurricanes closed out the afternoon's music with their set of scorching classic and blues rock sounds. Early on in their set, the 'Canes welcomed a special guest to the stage; Bob Detwiler. Bob was the shy youngster who was invited to bring a guitar up to the stage last year and play alongside the Hurricanes. One year later, this youngster has been practicing, and he played alongside Felix, Jeff and Bob for much of the set, helping the 'Canes on versions of "Sweet Home Alabama" (the tune he did with them last year), the 'Canes' own "Keep on Rockin,'" Skynyrd's "Ballad of Curtis Loew" and more. Later in the set, Felix invited the other youngsters up to the stage, and actually turned his one of the microphones towards the kids to let them do some singing or playing if they wished.
Felix & the Hurricanes with special young guest Bob Detwiler.
Felix Kos and Jeff Clapper jam with Bob Detwiler.
Felix & the Hurricanes with special young guest Bob Detwiler.
Once again, Felix & the Hurricanes with a happy Bob Detwiler.
Ed Murvine then closed out the day by announcing the door prize and raffle winners. I was happy - for the second year in a row, I scored a percussion instrument, winning a Latin cajon. I like this instrument – I can play it while sitting down on it!
It was a very good day, and Get Closer To The Music's 4th annual Music Festival was a fun event. It was great to see shy youngsters beam when they started banging on the drums for the first time. It was also very cool to see lots of area musicians bring their own youngsters to the event, and even help out the instructors in showing kids how to play instruments. Hats off to Get Closer To The Music for encouraging kids to discover instruments and music; and thanks to all the Q94 listeners who came and brought their families to participate in this fun event! We'll be back next year!
Making a cameo appearance to sign autographs and take some pictures, local Nashville recording artist Ricky Lee.
Showing his drumming skills to a youngster, Rob Bonsell.
With Rockpage's "Rock For The Troops" in the house, this banner was hanging on the wall for visitors to sign for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.