The Second Annual Dayton Does Dayton Tribute Show is back at Canal Street Tavern February 3^rd and 4^th. The show features 19 of the areas hottest bands playing tunes from Dayton’s past and present. Last year’s show was a huge success and organizers have things geared up for another great event.  I had a chance to talk to Organizer/Promoter Louie Wood Jr. about the event and asked him how the concept for the show came about.

BMM: How do you describe the event when promoting?

LWJ: “I tell people it’s a music festival where local bands cover acts from Dayton’s past and present then they do the songs in their own unique way as well as their own originals. Plus I tell them that we are the only city that is currently having festivals like ours. Most tribute shows have one or two bands that travel around and do the make-up and costumes and focus on one particular band. Here we focus on original bands doing a few tribute songs from Dayton area bands plus let them highlight their own tunes; that’s what makes these shows unique. It gives people a chance to see some bands they have never heard of before that are here in the area. There have been about five or six bands that have played these tribute shows that have a following because people have caught onto them at these tribute shows.”

And he’s right, last year Chubby was there to video tape the event and turned me on to The White Soots, Orange Willard, and C. Wright’s Parlor Tricks.

BMM: There are 19 bands spread out over two days correct?

LWJ: “Yeah, the bands are given 30 minutes, half of them are originals and the other half is covers. And we ask them to learn about three cover songs of around three minutes each. They have ten minutes to start their set after the band before them clears the stage. I tell the bands to play their best originals, the ones their fans like the most.”

BMM: Is it difficult keeping things moving?

LWJ: “We put a lot of logistics into the show as well; Jay Madewell is our stage manager for these shows and he keeps things organized and going smooth all night. I tell Jay to cut set times if the bands are taking too long to set up. We try to make sure to keep the show moving. We have a DJ in between bands and will have a secret guest MC that announces the bands and help keep the show lively.”

BMM: Was Canal Street your first choice for a venue for the event?

LWJ: “The reason we have Dayton Does Dayton at Canal Street Tavern is that as you know Mick Montgomery and Canal Street Tavern was one of the first places that hosted live music in Dayton. So I thought that was a good choice to have the show there. There is plenty of room on stage and the sound is always great plus they have a very friendly staff. It’s a very open minded music venue. One thing about Canal Street is when people come to Canal Street Tavern they are coming for the music. They are not coming out just to hang out with friends and drink beers; they are there to see the bands.”

BMM: Is there anything else that you would like folks to know about Dayton Does Dayton?

LWJ: “Just that we offer music from many different genres represented. For this show there is Punk, Funk, New Wave, Rock, Rockabilly, Bluegrass, and Jazz. There is something for everyone.”

What a great way to hear new fresh sounds and relive some of Dayton’s past. Two days, 19 bands, special guest MC, and one of the best venues in town; what more could you ask for. Thanks to Louie Wood Jr. for taking the time to chat with us and give us the low-down on what Dayton Does Dayton is all about. Tickets for the show are only $5.00 per night with plenty of free parking and a lot of great music.