Verty Cherry Classic Sounds

July 6, 2005

T
he National Cherry Festival for years has been the best entertainment value in the north. This year proves no different as the Festival continues to offer numerous events for families for a nominal fee and in most cases no charge at all. The eight days at the Pepsi-Kentucky Fried Chicken Bay Side Entertainment Stage requires one $3 Cherry Festival pin for admittance all week (no charge for children) and is just one example of the pocketbook friendly offerings by the National Cherry Festival.
If you were to buy tickets for these acts at other venues one could expect to pay collectively $190. So just who are all these great acts one can see for such a great price?
The Cherry Festival is keeping with the current trend on the music scene and it may be summed up in one word: “classic.” If you are into classic rock and roll then the Cherry Festival has it going on, starting with Little Feat, who performed on opening night, Saturday.
Sandwiched inbetween is Three Men and a Tenor, The Encore Society and up-and-coming country star Dierks Bentley. By Wednesday night the classic rock emphasis returns with 1964: The Beatles Tribute; on Thursday Eddie Money hopes that “three tickets to paradise” will be the charm this year; John Waite of The Babys fame will perform on Friday; and to close it all out for the fireworks is the Gregg Rolie Band who wowwed the caught-by-surprise crowd last year.

LOVE, LOVE THEM DO
“We think we have a real homerun with the roster of Bay Side Entertainment Stage at the National Cherry Festival with what has become an annual favorite, 1964 The Tribute,” said Tom Kern, executive director. “Add in some of classic rock’s best like Little Feat, Eddie Money, and Santana’s Gregg Rolie and the entire week really pulls at the heartstrings of so many boomers as well as their kids. It really puts the icing on the cake to stand back and see so many happy faces enjoying the entertainment, from entire families to singles to couples.”

1964: THE TRIBUTE
One of those smiling faces will be Kern himself. While the numerous events keep him on the go throughout the week he does take time to enjoy one event, 1964 The Tribute. He became hooked the first time the group performed, and when Kern saw the audience’s reaction, he knew that the group would be back every year.
Rolling Stone magazine has called 1964 The Tribute the best tribute band in the world. In 2004 they were the 167th best box office grossing band in the world. Tickets for their shows normally go for $25. The group performs many of the all-time Beatles hits (prior to the Sgt. Pepper album) and dress the part giving the audience a “day trip” back in time. The Cleveland-based band travels the world but keeps everything in perspective.
“I think our success comes from the fact that we know we are just playing a part, we are performers and entertainers who are paying tribute to a great band,” said Jimmy Pou, who performs as guitarist George Harrison. “Once after a show we were signing autographs and someone asked what happen to my accent. I responded, ‘I never had an accent.’ I am not George, I only pay tribute to him on stage; off stage I am Jimmy Pou.”
Pou has had a successful career as a solo artist and his CD will be available after the show. For a sampling of the music visit their website, www.1964thetribute.com, or for $3 each buy a couple of Cherry Festival pins and check out the show with your family. Get there early; by 8 p.m. it is hard to get a place to sit. The band takes the stage around 9 p.m., as do all headline acts.

EDDIE MONEY
Eddie Money performs on Thursday, July 7, or so he hopes.
“I am going to get there this year,” said Money. “I am sure I have run out of excuses, so look for us this time around.”
Money was scheduled two years ago and a major storm cancelled the show. Last year a family member passed away and he had to cancel. But this year fans should expect to hear Money belt out such classics as “Two Tickets To Paradise,” “Baby Hold On To Me,” “Walk On Water,” “Think I’m In Love” and “Shakin’.”
Long referred to as the hardest-workin’ guy on the circuit, Money averages 200 shows a year and will perform six nights in row in Florida before making his way to Traverse City.
“Look, that hardest-working guy thing is a load of BS,” said Money, a former New York City police officer. “I am out there doing what I love to do. Writing songs and touring. Of course I work hard and so do my loyal fans that pay to come to see me. It is only right that I am out there working hard for them.”
Tickets to see Eddie Money last month at the DTE Energy Music Theater were $32.50 each; by now you should have your pin and this show will be free. Local songwriter Mike Moran warms up the show.

JOHN WAITE
Remember The Babys? They had a handful of hits in the late 1970s but the group was short-lived because the Cherry Festival’s Saturday night performer (Gregg Rolie) left the band Journey, prompting Babys keyboardist Jonathan Cain to join Journey. Babys guitarist Wally Stocker and drummer Tony Brock moved to Cheboygan and formed a band with Doobie Brothers guitarist Pat Simmons and Bob Seger’s keyboard player Robin Robbins. The band didn’t work out and the two former Babys joined up with Rod Stewart.
So that leaves John Waite. Waite will perform Friday night and for the past 25 years has enjoyed a successful solo career that includes the major hit “Missing You.” For those unfamiliar (or for that matter, familiar) with the pop/melodic sounds of The Babys and Waite’s solo career, you will be in for a pleasant surprise to know Waite will also perform harder-edged rock tunes.
“I grew up listening to and was inspired by The Small Faces, Humble Pie, Free and other English rockers,” said Waite. “The hits I had in my career might fit the adult contemporary format but no worries, we are going to rock out for you.”
Just as there are “chick flicks,” there are “get out of the doghouse concerts” and this is definitely one of them. Waite has promised a set list that is a “selection of tunes old, new, borrowed and blue.”
Check out the Andy Six Band, debuting the local country-pop songwriter’s new CD before the show.

GREGG ROLIE BAND
Every year Festival organizers work hard to get a great band to perform before the fireworks finale lights up the sky over West Grand Traverse Bay, and this year will prove to be the best-ever closing band. In fact The Gregg Rolie Band might be the best band ever to perform at the Festival Open Space. If Rolie’s name isn’t familiar, his voice will be.
Rolie, who founded the Santana band with legendary guitarist Carlos Santana in the mid-’60s, sang all those Santana hits. In the early days it was Greg who got all of the attention as the band’s lead singer and keyboardist. In fact the band got its name only because Carlos was the first to show up to a concert and the concert promoter wrote Santana down as the group’s name, and it stuck.
In 1971 creative differences caused Rolie to leave Santana and he took guitarist Neil Schon (who joined Santana when he was 15) with him to form another legendary band, Journey. Rolie’s value to Santana was proven during the 1970s, as the group didn’t enjoy another hit until Rolie rejoined them as their producer in the 1980s.
During the 1970s Rolie enjoyed a lot of success with Journey and will some day produce his second induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (his first was a few years ago with Santana). With a young family, Rolie decided to leave Journey and the touring life and raise his children. He produced Santana albums and worked on various side projects for 20 years while enjoying royalties from Santana and Journey.
Now, with his kids grown, Rolie is enjoying touring 40 to 50 days a year with a top-notch group of players. His band includes Michael Carabello, another founding member of Santana and the band’s original conga player. On timbales is Adrian Areas who is the son of the original Santana timbales player. Internationally acclaimed bassist and Chapman Stick artist Alphonso Johnson, another Santana alum and one of the most sought after bass players on the circuit, will be back as well. The rest of the band includes talented musicians who have performed with Eric Clapton, The Eagles, Jean Luc Ponty and Who’s Who list of great bands.
Bring the kids to this one and catch what surely will be a great concert. Those who caught Rolie last year thought they were at a Santana show and kept looking for Carlos (guitarist Kurt Griffey isn’t Carlos, but if you were going to find someone to replace him, he is not a bad choice). Original Santana hits like “Black Magic Woman,” “Oye Como Va,” and “Evil Ways” will be performed along with several original pieces. Greg says don’t look for any Journey tunes as they have plenty of material already.

Whoever said a dollar bill wouldn’t go very far has never been to the National Cherry Festival. There isn’t anywhere that $3 will stretch further than the eight days of the festival. Additional events and information may be found at www.cherryfestival.org or by calling the office at (231) 947-2340.