2011 Miami Valley Music Fest

Written by Jimmy Cummings

As Chubby and I ventured out to Troy, Ohio for the 2011 Miami Valley Music Festival, I couldn’t help but think about the fact that this marked the first time this summer that we were without our wives. This meant Chubby and I were on our own to set up the tent and get settled into our camp, (tasks usually performed by Kim and Lisa), so needless to say it was going to be an interesting weekend. But we did manage to get our tent up and everything set up in time to relax for awhile before the first performers took the stage. We were greeted by two of the organizers of the event, Brad Centers and Brad Denson as the pair put the finishing touches on what promised to be a weekend of great music from a very diverse line-up that was being headlined this year by Ohio’s own ekoostik hookah. The line-up also included many bands from the Miami Valley including Yellow Springs’ Soul Rebels and Blue Moon Soup, Dayton’s Paradijm Shift and Magic Jackson, and Troy’s Lost on Iddings to name a few. The festival also had other entertainment as well including the talents of Nocturnal Arts, belly dancers, and local artist Jennifer Noren.

It was a beautiful Friday afternoon when the first performers took the stage. The stage was open on all ends and made it easy to get great shots from any angle. The backstage area was stocked well all weekend for the performers and organizers did a wonderful job taking care of vendors, bands, and volunteers. Bowen Chaney was the first group to perform and the guys kept campers and those just arriving entertained as everyone got settled in the beautiful Troy Eagles Campground. Blue Moon Soup was going to be the workhorse of the festival; the band was scheduled to play three sets over the weekend. If you have ever seen these guys you know they were up to the task. There were several artists this weekend that I that I haven’t seen before, like Dayton’s M87 and the host band Lost on Iddings; but the festival also brought favorites like Magic Jackson and The Spikedrivers, and of course ekoostik hookah. This was going to be an awesome weekend.

When Dayton’s M87 (em-ate-seven) took the second stage I couldn’t help making the comparison to the progressive rock band Porcupine Tree. The hard pounding rhythms and heavy guitar riffs filled the campgrounds; these guys were impressive. M87 consist of band members Tim Hobbs, Jason Yanity, Colin Moore, and Josh Johson. I can’t wait to hear more from this band, these guys ROCK! The Clark Manson Band was another band that caught my attention. The band brought their blend of Modern Country and Classic Rock to the main stage and folks seem to come out of nowhere to catch the band from Columbus. Front man Clark Manson had the crowd dancing and the girls screaming, especially when they performed the Bad Company hit “Feel Like Making Love.” The headliners for the evening was the host band for the event, Troy’s Lost on Iddings. The band has a unique sound that quickly seeps into your soul; with songs like “Cruise Control” and “Sweet Eugene” the guys had the campground grooving to some great late night tunes. Lost on Iddings was a great choice to end the first night of music; these guys set the mood for what was to come.

Many campers were awakened by the sound of some Ohio Bluegrass Saturday morning when Blue Moon Soup took the stage for the second time. I love these guys; in addition to being great musicians they are one of the hardest working bands in the state. Paradijm Shift was on the bill for Saturday as well, led by the vocals of Lyle Runner and the guitar of Chris D. This was my first time seeing Lyle with the band and it won’t be the last; these guys were outstanding. The day was just getting started when Nine False Suns took to the main stage. This was another of those bands I was looking forward to seeing for the first time so I was front and center when the guys started their set. The band puts their spin on Rock, Funk, Reggae, and Jazz and blends them together for an original sound that is all their own. These guys put on a great show and I would strongly suggest putting them on your “must see” list.

The solo act of Kris Hanson was also on Saturday’s line-up. Kris’s one man show has been a show stopper at many festivals this year and for good reason; the guy is incredible. When he is setting up the stage you think you are getting ready to see a three piece band, but then he gets introduced and you realize Kris is the band. Not only is he an amazing musician, Kris is also a great entertainer and very expressive as well, making him a lot of fun to photograph. He is also a good neighbor as Chubby and I found out over the weekend. Soul Rebels from Yellow Springs continued the musical onslaught and grooved the main stage with their brand of what I call “Soul Reggae.” These guys bring a lot of energy to the stage and Johnny Dreadlocks smile is contagious. Soul Rebels is one of those bands that just make you feel good regardless of what life might be throwing at you.

Saturday’s entertainment also included the ladies of Kira’s Oasis Bellydancers. These gals put on quite a show as was evident at the crowd that assembled when the ladies began their performance. Someone had to follow the belly dancers and that task was set squarely on the shoulders of the band SOL. The high energy Rock band blew up the stage proving they were right choice. As the sun began to set, Wib Schneider and Shank Bones brought their brand of progressive Rock to the campgrounds. When I asked other bands who they were anxious to see, many of them said the same thing; Shank Bones. That’s a pretty good compliment for the band from Columbus. While the band was playing I noticed that the backstage area was buzzing, then I spotted Jesse Henry of the Spikedrivers; this guy always seems to draw a crowd. As Jesse and the band prepared for their set, Brad Denson came up and told us that there was a storm brewing and it was coming this way.

As The Spikedrivers took the stage, all eyes were on Jesse, Sweney, and the band and not on the ominous clouds coming our way. The band was didn’t seem to mind, The Spikedriver were well on their way to stealing the show when Brad Denson came to the stage to tell folks that the storm was near and to take shelter if things got rough. Organizers were prepared to move the festivities inside and keep the show going if Mother Nature unleashed her fury, and unleash it she did. Not 10 minutes after his announcement, the winds picked up to around 60MPH and all hell broke loose. Everyone was scrambling to make it to the shelter and the winds took its toll on easy-up canopies, tents, and even the stage. Chubby and I were trying to cover up all of the equipment as was the sound guy. I look toward the stage area and I see Jesse Henry, Charlie Roark, and a host of other band members and volunteers holding up lights and covering amps, speakers, and anything else that wasn’t tied down. We had problems trying to keep our easy-up intact, but thanks to a couple of ladies and a gentleman, somehow we were able to save it. I am still not sure who those folks were, (hard to concentrate on faces when your holding on for dear life), but thank you so much for your help, you were AMAZING. Incredibly, no one was hurt and as far as I know no one lost any equipment in what was a horrific storm. Unfortunately we later found out that this same storm hit the Indiana State Fair destroying the massive stage there and killing 5 people. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those families and to those who were injured.