Brian Witty, Greg Cazalet, Brad Masden of Rubber Chicken. Appreciation Fest 5/17/2009 @ Wha Bahs, Bowling Green, KY. Photo by Pennman.

As an entertainment writer it’s a constant challenge. And if you’re a local music fan you’ve probably experienced it too: so many bands, so little time (and maybe so little money too). Well I’ve got some good news for you. Appreciation Fest happens every year on the Sunday after Derby Day (this year it was postponed two weeks due to rain). It’s a great way to see a whole bunch of local bands (some past, some present, and some so new they may well be the future) all in one place and on one day. At the same time you’ll be helping to support musical education in Kentucky schools and local arts as well (see sonrhea.org and kyblues.com). As an added bonus you can enjoy some great food and drink at Wha Bahs, the restaurant that hosts the event. It’s a win-win situation for everybody; the bands, the charities, the fans, and the local businesses that help sponsor the event (the Appreciation is for your support of these local businesses).

Wha Bahs is ideal for this event because it has two stages; one indoor and the outside stage overlooking the lawn (bring a chair). There’s always something going on from 1 PM until 11 PM. That’s a lot of music; so much so that my job actually felt like, well, a job (but somehow I doubt you feel sorry for me). But it was great because I got to see several bands I’ve wanted to see for awhile. I didn’t actually count but the ads said 25 acts were on the bill. That means plenty of genre variety from R & B to pop to country to bluegrass to several styles of rock (Southern, classic, unplugged, retro, and punk). All in all it was a very good day for music lovers.

Obviously I can’t fit all of the details in this space, so here are some of the highlights:

Kenny Lee & the BBQ Band – Co-host Kenny Lee has put together a nice R & B/pop–style band. You’ll feel like dancing to some of this stuff. And if you haven’t checked out T. Martell yet you’re missing a good thing; great voice, great style, and a good dancer too.

The Foretolds – Fits into the future category. A young trio with an energetic punk-style (all rhythm, no lead) but with some rather melodic vocals.

Ernie Small Blues Band – Blues, blues, and blues rock, featuring for the first time Rachel Pearl on vocals (nice rendition of “Fever”).

Brennan Graves – Although it’s just one guy with one guitar, don’t call this folk rock. This is unplugged rock with an edge, and comes loud with good strong vocals. I loved “Melissa”.   

Cootie Brown – Visions of Woodstock floated around my head.. Good classic rock.

The Color Orange – A blast of pure energy with a healthy dose of fun. These boys got them up and dancing with 60s retro hits like “Twist and Shout” and “Devil with a Blue Dress On”. Visually stunning in black and white garb with retro hair and props, and a front man doing something like the Turtle (you Animal House fans with me?) on the dance floor.

Tommy Johnson and the Song Farmers – Country with a hint of bluegrass; very refreshing. Only band to have a banjo and a steel-pedal player.

Shawn Kellerman Band – Hot, Hot, Hot! Blazing blues both straight up and slide. Featuring guest Jason Ricci on an electronically souped-up harmonica that created sounds I’ve never heard before. Out of this world!

Rubber Chicken – great blues rock band with Huffy Chris Hardesty on drums.

Floord – they’re a lot bit country. They had them doing line dances out on the lawn.

Boom Temple – Co-host Tony Lindsey’s former band (he currently fronts Stormbringer). The original material was impressive.

The Last Straw – Great Southern Rock, new album, good originals, nice cover of the Allman’s “Don’t Keep Me Wondering”.

Just for fun, and in the interest of further brevity, here’s some totally subjective categories I came up with to give you a better idea of what some of these bands have to offer:

• Coolest: Kenny Lee & the BBQ Band
• Loudest: Low Down (at least where I was sitting). Hard rockin’.
• Most Energetic: The Color Orange (but there was no orange to be seen)
• Most Unique: Tommy Johnson and the Song Farmers
• Most Psychedelic: Cootie Brown
• Hottest: Shawn Kellerman Band (they broke a sweat on a 60-something degree day)
• Youngest: The Foretolds
• Most Pleasantly Surprising: Brennan Graves

From what I heard there wasn’t a bad band all day. I was not there at the very start and left a little early, so I couldn’t highlight what I didn’t see. The bands that were scheduled to play but I missed were Shady Jake, Just Us, Colonel McAllister & the Blue Revolution, Durty Walrus, Skip Bond & the Fugitives, and The Soul Kickers. These bands are now on my to-do list (to-see list?).

For more information visit www.appreciationfest.com

Appreciation Fest @ Wha Bahs, Bowling Green, KY 5/17/2009

Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg