Fountain Park variety with McGuffey Lane

If variety is truly the spice of life, then life in Fountain Park will get “spicier” this week as we welcome McGuffey Lane. If you are a reader of The Times-Bulletin, you had the opportunity to learn about this band from the interview published earlier this week. Founding band member John Schwab is also due to interview with Chris Roberts on WKSD 99.7-FM this Thursday morning around 7:35 a.m. If you want to discover more insight into Friday night’s concert, tune in this interesting interview.

McGuffey Lane, named for the origin of the band on McGuffey Lane in Athens, was formed in the 1970s and became one of the most popular regional bands, playing all over Ohio and the tri-state area. As with many bands of their time, Rock was their style, although Country certainly was a big part of their sound. Over the years, McGuffey Lane has become known more as a Southern Country Rock Band, with the use of mandolin and steel guitar to go with the typical guitar, bass, drums and vocals.

People who went through college in the ‘70s and early ‘80s are very familiar with McGuffey Lane, as it seemed the group was playing on High Street in Columbus or Anderson Arena in BG or you name it university in Ohio every other month or so. They had an enthusiastic and loyal following.

After taking some time off (as many bands tend to do), they returned in the ‘90s and continue performing, with three original band members to go with four newer ones who have recaptured the sound that made them a warm-up act for the likes of Charlie Daniels, the Judds, and the Allman Brothers.

Just this month, McGuffey Lane came out with a brand new CD appropriately titled “10”, as it is the group’s 10th recording. It will soon be available at Walmart and Best Buy stores, and I am sure you can pick one up this Friday night in the park.

So far this summer, we have enjoyed the beach sounds of Papa Doo Run Run, traditional brass band music with the Old Crown Brass Band, blues from Blue Lunch, pops from the LSO, ‘50s-‘90s music with Endless Summer Band and, last Friday, the Motown sounds of Touch.  We will now throw a little Southern Country Rock into the mix and see how you like it. I think you will enjoy the soup when we’re all done adding the spices! The last flavor will be Zydeco and the Cajun sounds of New Orleans with Tom Rigney and Flambeau as they come to the park on August 13.

I have heard so many compliments on the Endless Summer Band. It seems people really enjoyed their show. You can vote them for a three-peat as “Best Music” by IndyChannel.com. Here is the link if you care to place your vote for Endless Summer Band: http://ctvr.us/esbprestige.  If you really enjoyed their music, they would appreciate your support.

News from the NPAC is that 9-year-old piano phenom, Ethan Bortnick, who will be performing in Van Wert on October 5 at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, will be featured on a PBS special on Thursday, August 19, to be broadcast on WBGU-TV.  

PBS will be airing more specials as part of its campaign and Ethan Bortnick is one of their featured artists. Mark your calendars and set your DVRs for 8 p.m. WBGU will be mentioning his performance on October 5 at the Niswonger PAC.

The Toledo Symphony’s “Harry Potter meets the Symphony”, a wonderful family Halloween show and concert, is now on sale, while the Charlie Daniels Band concert at the NPAC on September 18 (our season opener!) will go on sale this Friday, July 30. Get your tickets quickly, if you haven’t already!

FINÉ.