Guest Curtis "Dr. Dobro" Burch performs with Balder Saunders, and Kyle Ogle of Dread Clampitt at Wha Bah's in Bowling Green. Photo by Pennma 11/19/2010.

It’s an idea whose time has come. A venue in Bowling Green that will regularly book top notch acts and present them in a dinner/concert showcase. If you haven’t heard the name yet, you will soon – Wha Bah Live. In the first of an intended continuing series, Dread Clampitt took the Wha Bah stage and completely made the room their own. If you haven’t been to Wha Bahs lately they’ve made some improvements in line with the level of talent they’ll be bringing in. The house sound was excellent tonight, permanent stage lighting is now in place, and the stage has been draped in black to provide a better backdrop for the band. Look to see headline acts here in the near future, many of whom will be performers from Bowling Green’s own International Newgrass Festival. Which brings us to the entertainers we were treated to this time around; Dread Clampitt.

The band hails from Florida and its members are Balder Saunders on mandolin and vocals, Kyle Ogle on guitar and vocals, Kenny Oliverio on standup and electric bass and vocals, and John Reinlie on drums. The concert ran for three hours with a half hour break, so that’s two and a half hours of the band’s energetic, rock/folk/Americana/blues/jazz-fused music. No one can say they don’t know how to work a room. Saunder’s mandolin is every bit as jumping as Ogle’s guitar, and Oliverio is prominent no matter which bass instrument he picks up. Reinlie looks very controlled (I rarely saw him raise his arms much higher than his elbows) but is a virtual power house on drums. Sometimes the best drummers don’t flail, they are just solid, and that’s what I saw from Reinlie. And then there are the vocals – very strong. Saunders, Ogle, and Oliverio all take turns singing lead but are perhaps most impressive when all three belt it out together harmonizing. With the crystal clear sound the experience was simply awesome.

They played most of the popular songs from their large catalog (at least 4 CDs under their belts), but they also do some perhaps unlikely covers. Would you expect to hear “Purple Rain” or “The Wall” at a Newgrass show? And would you expect it to actually rock? Well that’s exactly two of the covers Dread Clampitt performed. But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it here again, Newgrass appeals to a large cross-section of different genre aficionados because you’ll hear those genres in the music. Mandolins are played like lead guitars, dobros (oh yeah, did I mention Dr. Dobro Curtis Burch sat in on several numbers with the band) are played like slide guitars, and rhythm sections vary from rock to country to jazz and to scuffle beats. And the level of professionalism, in my opinion, is often higher than what’s average in other genres. So if you are not making yourself familiar with Newgrass you’re missing out on a genre that’s definitely on the upswing, and for good reason. It simply sounds great.

Understandably the mood in the room was electric. People were up from their chairs and moving to the music, applause was enthusiastic and lengthy, and an encore was demanded. Plenty of CDs were sold, and lots of autographs and handshakes were given out. And of course, for those who were hungry (saw quite a few people who were), Wha Bahs full menu was available and being taken advantage of. So it was apparent the dinner/concert format was a hit. Let’s hope we get more of it and real soon.

Wha Bah proprietor Perky and concert organizer Kenny Lee were both excited and declared this first event a success. Although not a sell out, the crowd size was impressive, so I think we’ll be seeing more upcoming events. Since everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves I’m sure the word will spread that Bowling Green has a new venue for quality concert events. If they keep bringing in bands comparable to Dread Clampitt, and Lee said that’s exactly what they are planning to do, these shows should become the hot ticket in town. This show was sponsored by Allied Energy, and with support from local businesses like Allied Energy Lee feels they will be able to continue bringing great bands to the music fans of Bowling Green. 

For more info on the band, including their CDs, go to www.dreadclampitt.com. They also have a Facebook page. And their CDs are available at amazon.com.    

Dread Clampitt played at Wha Bah’s in Bowling Green, KY 11/19/2010

About the author: 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 or www.facebook.com/pennman