The Right Path for Washington County is proud to announce our Band Fest No. 7 with a new twist on an old favorite: "Music Fest 2012."
Friday, Feb. 3, the doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at Washington State Community College Graham Auditorium and showcase, "The Story behind the Music," featuring the talents of legends Mike Morningstar and Rick Roberts. Morningstar began playing the guitar at age 12 and kicked off his professional career at age 16 when he joined a rhythm and blues soul band. In 1972, Morningstar released a 45 rpm titled, "Buffalo Creek." Mike opened for artists such as Doc Watson, Marshall Tucker, Vince Gill, Pure Prairie League, Dan Seals and Mike Cross. Famous for his own handmade instrument, the "electric hickory stick," an instrument Morningstar developed as a result of a bad case of cabin fever. This instrument is a bowed piece of hickory limb with one string and an acoustic microphone. The melody produced by this hickory stick is musical magic.
Rick Roberts is a master of the mandolin, violin, bass and electric guitar while adding harmony to Morningstar's voice. He has performed with numerous blue grass groups that include Gold Grass and the Roberts Family Band, where he performed with his brother, Randy. For 14 years, Roberts performed in Nashville and played on numerous album projects and several television shows, including the Ralph Embry Show.
"High Schools that Rock," under the direction of Mark Doebrich, is a free music program open to students in grades one through 12 throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley. HSTR strives to develop students' appreciation of music while building personal confidence through public performance. They have been the opening act for the yearly blues festival held at the Hotel Lafayette each March, sponsored by the Blues, Jazz and Folk Music Society of Marietta.
New to our Music Fest this year is "Velcro Lockdown" featuring the amazing talents of Parkersburg High School students under the direction of Tim Spindler. We are excited to have them partner with our incredibly talented line-up.
Tickets are available at the Washington County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Board, 344 Muskingum Drive, (740) 374-6990 to reserve tickets. Adults: $8 advance or $10 at door; students: $5 advance or $6 at door. Reserved tickets will be held until 6:45 p.m. the night of the performance.
Our band fest is one of two fundraisers The Right Path holds in order to host our summer dances, swim parties and our youth media campaign. Please help support the effort of The Right Path and enjoy a great night of musical talents.
Cathy Harper is coordinator for The Right Path for Washington County, a United Way Agency
