Rockphoria wows the Strand Theatre

A rock ’n’ roll Christmas extravaganza graced the stage at the Strand Theatre as the musicians and singers of Rockphoria  jammed –out to and for packed houses twice this past weekend.

“This was the rock show to see in Shelbyville this year,” said Joey Gaudin, of Smashed Productions , after Friday’s performance. Strand volunteer Bob Schlick agreed, and if standing ovations are any indication then the crowds on each night concurred.

“This is the best Rockphoria show yet,” Schlick said, about this the third production of the concert series this year at the Strand by Smashed Productions. The twin weekend shows featured “one hit-wonders” from the past four decades performed by local musicians and singers ranging from 18 to 60 years of age playing to an all- ages audience; from infants to the elderly.

Indeed, the crowd during Saturday’s performance had to be getting tired after repeatedly rising up and sitting down so many times for standing ovations to honor the finely-tuned musicians and rhapsodic, spell-binding singers gracing the stage.

“This is an amazing group of musicians up here and it’s a privilege for us singers to perform with them,” said Glenn Yarwood, before one song.  Each of the nine singers vocally soared and shined individually, as well as in melodious harmonies throughout the shows.

From the opening lyrics by Scott Shrader, who nailed a challenging and intricately scaled song to the closing crescendo of the entire cast jamming and singing in unison, this was, indeed, a concert extravaganza for the ages. The twin shows were exciting, often exhilarating, evenings of music by an accomplished ensemble of seven instrumental maestros, several singing divas and a few richly-toned dudes crooning, screaming and wailing songs that tend to stick in your head.

Each of five divas on stage displayed a wide range of vocal skills, from the big, often sassy, yet sweet voice of Bryanna Justice through the sultry lullaby-like voice of Amanda O’Connor to the smooth, rich, velvet tones of Aimee Yarwood.  It was, however, the final two songs of the first set that hushed, stunned and flabbergasted the crowds. First, Tre Dillman’s version of “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” captivated audience members with her voice which floats, lilts and soars across songs  like a blues-filled butterfly. It was, however, Willandra Macklin’s rendition of “I Will Survive,” which stole the show. Her rich, silky-soul- filled voice defies description. It is just the pure singing of voice that becomes an instrument in itself, a voice that gladdens brain, body and booty.

As for the dudes, we’ve already noted the younger Shrader vocal skills and it should be noted that the lead guitar work of his older brother Gary also defies description; his is a finely- honed talent that needs to be heard to be appreciated: words alone can’t do justice to his passionate play. The same inspired instrumental skills, talents and passionate play were evident in every band member. Each individually and in unison rocked supreme across the catchy song lists of Rockphoria.  This extremely rich, instrumentally sound and fluid group is made up of rhythm  guitarist Laura Harmon,  bassists Jim “Biscuit” Wisker, keyboardist Dave Rasche,  drummer Jim Whitacre,  percussionist Don Williams and the aforementioned Shrader on lead guitar. This band even morphed bigger on stage and fatter in sound as Gaudin grabbed his guitar to join the musical celebration during a raucous Chuck Berry inspired finale.

As for the crooning dudes, Bobby Toon belted out two funky, blues inspired tunes that wowed the crowd, Larry Brandt sang with a throaty, intentionally jaded voice and Glenn Yarwood’s voice echoed each song he sang, be it raining g down softly or jumping like jazz across the stage. Even the MC, Andy Erickson, got in to the act as the entire ensemble gathered on stage during the final rousing set of songs performed crescendo-like that capped each night’s show.

In short, Rockphoria lived up to the hype and delivered on its promise to gather a hand-picked all- star cast of talent on one stage.  This concert series, conceived by Gaudin, should only continue to grow in strength, skill and style during its future incarnations. As a matter of fact, anyone who enjoys quality music and singing should see any and all these performers each and every time they perform in any musical guise. There be talent in town and it enjoys, revels in and is passionate about playing for and to you.

Submitted by:  Terrance Aldridge

This independent review does not express the opinion of the Strand Theatre.

Christmas cabaret celebrates music of the Season

“‘Tis the season” and to commemorate and musically celebrate the holidays, The Strand Theatre hosted a Christmas cabaret; “Stockings by the Fire” performed by Tim Spradlin and friends twice this weekend.

“This is an outstanding facility and I’m proud to be here,” Spradlin said opening Saturday night’s concert, which he promised would be like an old-school Christmas variety show.

Indeed, Spradlin kept his word during this evening of rousing vocals of the three distinctly talented singers and the inspired play of the lone musician on stage, Jeff Kunkel. This eclectic celebration of songs ran a harmonious gamut from cabaret music to blues, funk, and jazz-inspired tunes to two stunning operatic performances by local singer, Cindy Houpt,  that hushed the house.

I don’t generally like, nor listen to, Christmas songs or musical theatricals but Saturday night’s  show was a very entertaining and lively show that fulfilled Spradlin’s pledge to create a seasonal variety show.

Spradlin, who earlier this year performed a “Beatles Show” at the Strand, seemed a lot more at ease in the spotlight of cabaret music and within the format of stage musicals.  He was especially strong in songs building from soft refrains to rousing passions associated with Broadway productions. His vocal range and style of presentation seems suited to both belt out show-tunes and then to sing soft nostalgic laments of remembered love, gone wrong.

One thing that especially caught my mind’s eye Saturday night was the joy and enthusiasm of Spradlin’s willingness to share the spotlight with talents different and more diverse than his own.  His unpretentious stage manner was made obvious by the first guest singer he ushered into the limelight of the Strand Theatre:  Denise Sherman of Indianapolis.

This rather short woman with a deep- barrel of voice repeatedly channeled up spiritual reincarnations of Bessie Smith, Aretha Franklin and other female blues legends in the course of the evening.

However, for most people in the theatre and even for Spradlin the unexpected highlight and the spotlight of the weekend of performances by Houpt, a singer from Shelbyville.

“If you don’t already  know, after tonight you will know what a  treasure this community has in Cindy,” Spradlin said introducing her.

Houpt’s first song during the opening set was a sassy, semi-vampy version of “Santa Baby,’ that evoked the jazz-age   tone, style and persona of Helen Kane, better known as the voice of Betty Boop.

It was during the second set that Houpt stole the show, first with a sweet sonorous psalm- like version of “Oh Come all ye Faithful.” It was, however, her next song which hushed the crowd and sent chills up –and- down the collective spine of the crowd, according to audience members. In this extended operatic variant of “Ave Marie,” she displayed a divine voice to sing a divine song.

It was a mystical journey into the high art of an unbelievably sweet, rather angelic voice. A voice alone that reaches deep down inside you  and grabs your soul and transports it to another world… a bright, resonant world of pure, un-distilled artistry.

Spradlin, in fact, was so impressed by Houpt’s talent that he arranged, rehearsed and then performed a duet with her which brought the crowd to its feet for standing ovation.

Walking in to this seasonal concert I wondered how Spradlin could fuse the often bawdy style of cabaret music with traditional Christmas songs.  Later, as I walked out of the Strand Theatre, this didn’t seem to matter; even my inner Grinch was satiated and just happy to have witnessed and enjoyed an exceptional night of magic and music.

Submitted by:  Terrance Aldridge

This independent review does not express the opinion of the Strand Theatre.

Twice this weekend, the glaring spotlight of Indianapolis media shone down upon the city of Shelbyville, and each evening the focus was a poignant reminder of a community reaching out to support its soldiers overseas.

On consecutive nights (Friday and Saturday) family, friends and music lovers gathered at the Strand Theatre to enjoy a Christmas musical and thank, talk with and send holiday greetings to local members of the 38^th Combat Aviation Brigade serving in Iraq.

An especially moving moment came as Saturday night’s moderator Cindy Houpt and the crowd sang a heartfelt rendition of “Wishing you a Merry Christmas,” to the  local soldiers gathered in a desert across the globe.

“I felt blessed to play a part in connecting out hometown soldiers with a little bit of home,” said Houpt, a local, featured singer during the weekend’s Christmas Cabaret at the Strand.

This impromptu serenade was a decision made on stage during the live feed, she said. “I thought it would feel good for them to hear hometown voices sing to them.”

The 140 members of the 38^th Combat Aviation Brigade began their year-long deployment in August as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit is based out of the Shelbyville National Guard Armory and provides air-to –ground support such as “med-vac flights and battlefield circulation,” among other operations.

“I would like to thank all Hoosiers for their support, especially the people back home,” Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowery said, during Saturday’s live internet feed from the darkened, pre- dawn desert of Iraq to the Strand’s movie screen.

On this night, the magic moment of the evening arrived locally at 9:30 as six- soldiers sitting in a military base half-way across the world were about to begin another day in a combat zone, a long way from home.

The internet connection to the battlefield was provided by Comcast and enabled local soldiers like Spc. Scott Wells, to talk in real-time with family members sitting in the theatre.

“My most rewarding experience is probably getting the opportunity to fly around in the Blackhawk helicopters around Iraq,” he said in response to a question. “It’s quite a sight up there.”

As they sat huddled in the darkness each of the six local soldiers also spoke of missing simple pleasures like “real pizza, home-cooked food and family gatherings during the holidays.”

Friday night’s conversations connecting Shelbyville with Iraq was moderated by Emily Longnecker, a reporter from WTHR in Indianapolis.

These moving images of soldiers sitting in a combat zone and chatting with family and friends choked up the weekend’s featured performer Tim Spradlin, who presented the holiday musical “Stockings by the Fire.”

‘’I couldn’t be more honored to help these soldiers connect with their home,” Spradlin, a 20-year veteran of the stage, stammered as the live –feed concluded and the Christmas cabaret resumed.  In fact, Spradlin appeared both awe-struck and reflective on stage after the event which seemed to influence the mood and tone of his next two musical choices: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen ,” and “Someday at Christmas.’

It was a difficult thing to follow up on the emotions of seeing soldiers in the field putting their lives on the line and spending often lonely holidays away from home, but Spradlin and company pulled it off in professional and poignant way.

As both a veteran and a rather unsentimental dude who spent many holidays abroad, I think it is safe to say that the six soldiers huddled in a cold, distant desert –at- dawn were probably very moved to hear hometown voices singing “Merry Christmas” to them. It was a damn nice touch to a rather emotion-filled weekend for the community and its soldiers, especially those who know first- hand the pain and hollow loneliness of duty-filled holidays spent away from friends and family.

Submitted by:  Terrance Aldridge

This independent review does not express the opinion of the Strand Theatre.

Push/Play Rocks the Strand

One could literally feel the music of Push/Play everywhere in the Strand Theatre during Saturday’s night’s two-set show. From the first song to the climactic conclusion, this band’s full sounds filled the historic theater and repeatedly thrilled the crowd.

In short,  Saturday’s musical extravaganza was like having a live band playing in your living room. Physically the rhythm and energy of Push/ Play’s passionate playing tingled up one’s spine and reverberated in your very bones. It was very cool sensation to walk around the building and feel the music pulsing in the walls, up through the floor and into and through the balcony. The Strand Theatre actually vibrated and trembled with music as Push/Play repeatedly built walls and waves of sound from slow swoons to sonic screams and wails.

Musically, this band is very flexible, fluid and subtly flashy in its melodic vocal harmonies and in the sheer technical skill, bravura joy and the impassioned playing. About midway through the first set, a historic romp through rock history from Rhythm and Blues to the Beatles and beyond, I felt that this band should quit their day jobs, record some original music and go pro. The second set was even more splendid and phantasmagoric especially the ridiculously impressive play of lead guitarist Gary Shrader.

In fact, Push/Play are six very talented musicians who have been in 28 separate bands during their long local careers and have been playing together for about a year. Yet, after hearing their music I think this band should change its name to Plush/Play because of the incredibly rich, plush and fat sounds they coax from their instruments and voices.

Another surprise for me was the amazing vocal range of lead singer Don Williams, a giant of a man, who hit some surprisingly high tones throughout the night as he shared lead vocals with the band and frequently joined in the instrumental rhapsodies evoked and conjured up by this rather magical ensemble of musicians.

Push/Play is practically an all-star ensemble of talent and each member’s skills and love of playing was showcased throughout the night as they repeatedly formed visual and aural walls of guitars across the stage. These nuanced, rich waves of inspired play echoed and ricocheted into the theatre via Shrader’s Claptonesque guitar work, the rhythm guitars of Steve Mathies and Williams, the thumping bass of Bobby Toon, through the haunting keyboard style of Dave Rasche and the smooth, rhythmic drumming of Jim Whitacre. Each musician made his instrument sing throughout the jam-filled evening.

Equally, impressive was the musically challenging array of tunes performed during the 36-songs Push/Play chose for their two-sets. These songs ranged from the heartland rock ballads of Bob Seger, John Mellencamp and Kid Rock to more funk -inspired tunes like “Superlove” and included complex instrumental works by Grand Funk Railroad and The Alan Parsons Project.

Musically, the band built to an impressive crescendo as the evening wore on, which reached an apex with Shrader’s extended solo in “Still Got the Blues.” I’ve seen Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert Collins and other blues masters play live and Shrader can and does evoke just as much raw, primal energy and passion by bending strings. His animated, virtuoso solo was mentally orgasmic and ridiculously impressive and left the crowd standing and applauding in shock and awe.

The audience remained standing during the almost baroque final rush of songs and demanded an encore from this entertaining, emotionally satisfying and exceptionally talented group of inspired musicians. In conclusion, I shall repeat an earlier refrain: if these dudes aren’t professional musicians by choice, they damn well should be.

Submitted by:  Terrance Aldridge

This review does not express the opinion of the Strand Theatre.

The often rebellious spirit of country music with its honky-tonk hymns and moody ballads echoed off the walls of the Strand Theatre Saturday night during a two-set concert by the Eastern Wing Band.

This five-piece band is an exceptionally tight group of musicians who revel in contemporary country songs and classic rock and roll tunes in an entertaining style that evokes the intimate atmosphere of a bar-room.

Originally formed in 1994, by lead singer Ricky Myers, the Eastern Wing Band came to Shelbyville Saturday night to play for family, friends and fans in a concert produced and filmed by Smashed Productions and benefitting the ongoing renovations at the Strand.

The band’s final song of the evening, a tune by Tim McGraw, was dedicated by Myers to a local woman who influenced his life:  his recently deceased grandmother.  Prior to this the band spent nearly two-hours in an extended, musically significant, romp through several styles of country  mixed with smattering of rock tunes featuring a Chuck Berry classic and two songs by Indiana legends Guns N Roses and John Mellencamp.  The band also played an original song “Overheat in a Heartbeat,” a rather haunting and lament-full ballad inspired by love gone wrong.

This band’s version of “Every Rose has its Thorns” was  particularly unique, a slowed down, countrified take on Guns N Roses which highlighted both the fine play of lead guitarist Chris Reeves and the strong vocal harmonies of Myers and bassist Johnny Ray. Equally significant was the hard, fast and crisp virtuoso guitar work of Reeves on Chuck Berry’s classic  “Johnny B Good,” a tour-de-force rendition which saw Reeves walking out among and into the crowd while wailing on his guitar.

However, the primary strength, focus and fan favorites of this band is country music ranging from the tunes of Buck Owens and George Jones to the more modern style of Brooks and Dunn.

Eastern Wing Band emphasizes the jamming aspect of country, especially in the animated fiddle and keyboard style of Preston Kerns and Myers’ tenor crooning, which works exceptionally well  on slow-ballad like tunes, where his crooning style resonates well with the talents of the seasoned musicians who make up this very professional sounding band.

“I think that the Eastern Wing Band put on a very good show and have a very good energy between them,” said audience member Stephanie Jones. “I hope they come back to play again.”

In short, Saturday night’s show was an entertaining and lively tour of country music performed by an accomplished 5-piece band of skilled musicians who revel and seem to live in the music of Good Ole Boys. It was a concert full of fat sounds, raucous energy and smooth harmonious songs as this band varied its tempo and style to fit the many moods and tones that comprise country music.

Submitted by:  Terrance Aldridge

This review does not express the opinion of the Strand Theatre.

In some celestial sphere the muses are surely smiling down on our town after Wednesday’s night recitative tribute to local veterans at The Strand Theatre by students in the Shelbyville High School Band.

“We were able to, as a band, use our common interest to honor these veterans and it was vey rewarding for me personally to talk with these people and I thank them for sharing their stories with us,” said Jessica Cossairt, a student- musician turned historian and videographer.

Like a crescendo building to a fortissimo, it was a reverential and poignant evening which fused the classic arts of history, music, theater and rhetoric with the more modern art of cinema that evolved and revolved, like a tone-poem, around a dynamic community. These student- driven musical, video presentations focused on the experiences of 10 local men and women who served in the armed forces and then returned home and continue to serve, this time locally.

“Words will never be enough to say thank you to our veterans,” said Skylar Aichinger, a student composer and musician during this musically inspiring evening of remembrance.

Simultaneously, these hymns to service served as a hands-on learning experience for the 120 music students involved in the year-long project, centered on a leitmotiv of community.

“Thank you, veterans, for all your acts of excellence and greatness and for your greatness to our community,” said Chris Davies, a student trumpet player, composer and video interviewer during an emotional introduction to one of the commemorative, cinematic vignettes.

Significantly, the multi-tasking skills and creative efforts of the students, the intergenerational inter-action of the interviews and the artistic blending of history and music were but a few beats of the rather exciting themes explored in this local inspired and driven project.  In particular, the educational counterpoints of learning and applying new skill (21st century technology) to the arts were a striking accent within the creative tones of this production.

“I came into this thinking running a camera can’t be too hard, but man was I wrong,” said flutist Cassie Warren. “I learned and experienced so much from behind the camera.”

In addition to acquiring new vision as historians, journalists and cinematographers, each student- musician involved also stressed the benefits of the collaborative process of the polyphonic program.

“It was a great experience to have the composers playing their works in class with us,” said Hillary Smith, a video journalist and French horn player. “It really helped in the interpretation of the music.”

Each veteran-inspired video vignette blends the cantata tones of voices with the sonata sounds of instrumental music composed, scored and written by several SHS music-theory students .

“Being a composer for this project has been fun, exciting and touching,” said Riley Anspaugh, a composer and trumpet player in the 90-piece Woodwind Ensemble, which performed and recorded the patriotic songs that accompany and accentuate each interview. “It has been great to honor our veterans through music.”

The long, often tedious process of capturing creativity and then seeming to effortlessly mix it with history, reverence and celebration of community was a hallmark of this year-long project funded by the Indiana Arts Council, according to SHS band director Russ Smith. This Arts in Education Grant conforms to the 21st Century Learning Initiative, known as the “New Tech Model” and is designed to  artistically honor Shelby County veterans.

“This grant has opened my eyes and given me a whole new respect for our veterans,” said Greg Clements, student musician. “This is truly one of the most moving experience s of my life.”

According to Smith, the students involved spent roughly 150 to 200 hours, over the course of nearly a year, creating this orchestral archive.

“When Mr. Smith told us about the grant that he was applying for, it was sort of a long shot that we would even get it,” said Cossairt, a senior. “So when we did [get it], we all realized we had to actually do it and go through with the project.”

For all the music- students involved, such as videographer and French Horn player Lindsey Pettit, camera operator and composer Bethany Alvarado, composer Kenny Brameier and the others quoted above,  as well as members of the SHS  Woodwind Ensemble the project was an often tiring, yet challenging and inspiring labor of love. A fact which could seen by the often teary-eyed, measured,  introductory tributes each student made about the veterans.

“These kids prove that the arts give back to the community,” said Smith, who oversaw the project. “We give back and make our community a better place.”

Another especially poignant facet of this collaboration between art and technology is the fact that future generations can benefit from the hard work and inspired efforts of the students involved as copies of the program will be presented to the Shelby County Historical Society, Grover Museum and the videos will shown before movies at the Strand Theatre.

Repeatedly throughout the night, each student praised and thanked not only the 10 veterans interviewed, but all who have served both county and their community. The initial 10 interviewed “Silent Heros,’ are Dick Fero, Mark Frazee, Russell Hamner, Rex Hindman, Gordon Hood, Aileen Schlick, Bob Schlick, Doug Warneke, Bud Wertz and Jack Warble. Their video interviews and the labors of the music students involved are a testament to and for future generations.

As a veteran and artist I would like to thank of these passionate musically talented students for all their difficult and creatively inspiring work.

Submitted by:  Terrance Aldridge

This review does not express the opinion of the Strand Theatre.

Country music, in both its old and more recent traditions, fused with smooth sounds of classic- rock Saturday night at The Strand Theatre as “Bustin’ Loose,” a local band took the stage for two sets during an entertaining evening of mellow, yet, driving melodies.

This band can, and often did, turn the Strand into a small, intimate roadside honky-tonk through the musical excitement and the loneliness implicit in many of the country songs performed by the five distinctly talented members. Later in the night the band evoked the laid-back emotions and tones of Jimmy Buffet hiding out in a shady bar on hot afternoon in the Florida Keys. Instrumentally, “Bustin’ Loose” plays very well within and among themselves and their choice of music and style of play fits nicely with the mellow, yet, subtle feel of the music they play.

Another nice, unexpected, touch was the band’s version of the song “Family Tradition,” particularly the singing of rhythm guitarist Rick Rohlfing, who alternately seemed to switch between the vocal styles of both Hank Williams Sr. and his son Hank Jr. In essence, this fan favorite became a vocal duet between father and son performed admirably on stage by a band that respects, admires and enjoys the many traditions of country music.

However, the easiest way to summarize the band’s style and journey was their rendition of “Rocky Top.” This is a song which I personally, particularly loath (after spending too many years living in Knoxville) yet Bustin’ Loose’s version was a rather inspired, enjoyable rendition of this classic, hill-top romp. This song and few other classic covers, like “The House of the Rising Sun” and “Mustang Sally,” highlight a particular strength of this band: they interpret rather than merely mimic the music.

In fact, the really cool thing about Bustin’ Loose is that they put their own unique spin on cover tunes and do it well within the spirit and feel of the music. Repeatedly, during the night, this electric quintet put their own distinctive take on the songs in a tonally smooth harmonious and melodic journey through multiple musical genres.

“I like the variety of music they did, both rock and country,” said Judy Bogemann, a local singer in the audience.” I thought it was a really good show.”

Aside from cover tunes, the band, which has played together for 8- months, featured one original song, “Were Not the Way We Were,” written by primary singer Rohlfing who shared vocals throughout the night with his other band –mates, in a concert recorded by Smashed Productions, for a future demo-tape.

Separately and together, “Bustin’ Loose” is a group of professional-sounding and talented musicians who seemed to grow in confidence as the night and the varying tempo and style of songs progressed. The other members of this new, yet accomplished group are drummer Bobby Bolls, keyboardist Terry Ogden, harmonica player Dave Boone, lead and rhythm guitarist Bob Dye and bass player Robin Roberts, each of whom has several years of musical experience and all share in the singing of this band’s eclectic mix of  smooth, mellow ,yet  fluid tunes.

Submitted by:  Terrance Aldridge

This review does not express the opinion of the Strand Theatre.