Tom Comet performs with Webb Wilder at Webbfest 6 at the Capitol Arts Center in Bowling Green KY. Photo by Pennman October 1, 2011.

It’s pretty cool that the Capitol Theater has now hosted three Webb Fests. I guess you could say it’s become an annual event for Bowling Green. Since the event is a festival for Webb Wilder fans from all over, it brings some out-of-towners to town. And because it’s more than just a concert, the format of the show is a little different too.

For starters, in the lobby just beyond the ticket takers, was a table full of cupcakes. And why not? It’s a party, after all. The merchandise table is also much more complete than at most shows. It seemed like they had every Webb Wilder album from his well-established career. Plus lots of other good stuff, (t-shirts, memorabilia, etc.). And you also get two full-sized sets of Wilder’s music, and because this is for his fans, he mixes it up from year to year so you’re not hearing the same songs. Sure, he plays the biggest hits, like “Human Cannonball” and “Hitting Where it Hurts”, but he also goes into the deeper cuts for his fans.

Wilder makes himself fully accessible during the intermission. He hangs in the lobby talking to fans and signing autographs. It’s just much more of a relaxed atmosphere than your typical concert. For the band, it’s a nice break from the typical smaller venues they play in. The big stage in the big theatre gets the band pumped up, and that always trickles down to the fans. There was plenty of hooting and hollering during this show, and a lot of requests being called for from the seats.  And those seats were pretty full.

The band was basically the same lineup from Webb Fest 3. Bob Williams on lead guitar (except when Webb plays it every so often) is a master. He can play many styles and plays the finesse stuff as well as the hard stuff. Tom Comet on bass is very prominent and smooth, and does some backing vocals too. Jimmy Lester on drums is simply a powerhouse. Wilder plays the front man on mostly rhythm guitar, and engages the crowd in conversation between most songs. His personality shines through in both the history lessons regarding some of the tunes  as well as through the music. Each member is excellent at what they do and that makes for a nice, tight show. And I, personally, love the effort Wilder makes to mix things up and play some tunes we haven’t heard the year before. And closing up the evening with “Baby Please Don’t Go” really worked well.

If you haven’t made it out to one of the three Webb Fests the Capitol has hosted the last three years, start making plans for next year’s show. It’s always been on the first Saturday of October, so odds are that’s when the next one will be. Trust me, it’s a great way to kick off Rocktober.   

You can find out just about anything you’d want to know about Webb Wilder at www.webbwilder.com.  That includes upcoming shows (he also plays Nashville every so often), so check it out. 

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