It started out with a pleasant memory of a great summer evening in Myrtle Beach. A Jerry Garcia birthday bash was being held in a motorcycle-themed restaurant/bar. A hot Grateful Dead tribute band was rocking out and the dance floor was full. A great time was being had by all, even by people who did not profess to be Deadheads. So the thought arose: why not try the same thing here in Bowling Green? And while we’re at it, let’s do it for charity. The idea was voiced to a friend. The response was “let’s go for it”. And from this humble beginning the plans are well underway. The idea of bringing a band into a bar mushroomed into a six-hour, outdoor festival with music and so much more.

Bluegrass Cellular is presenting the 1st Annual Grateful Gathering benefitting the Son Rhea Foundation. This single day festival, on Saturday, July 31st, 2010, from 3 to 9 PM (doors open at 2 PM), promises to be fun for all. Held outdoors at WhaBahs Steakhouse (the motor cycle-themed venue remains), the event will feature Grateful Dead, jam, funk, and progressive music performed by six performers/bands. Headliners will be The Pranksters from Louisville, KY who have been well-versed in Grateful Dead music for nearly 25 years. Also performing will be Steely James from Nashville (no stranger to Bowling Green, he’s played Greener Groundz and Café Vioni), The Terrapin Travelers from Cincinnati, and Bowling Green’s very own Brennan Graves, Felonious Funk, and a relatively new but quite impressive band called Fat Box (I’ve seen them – see my review of the Fibromyalgia Benefit in this issue). The organizers are excited about this great mix of visiting and local talent.

The attractions do not end with the bands however. To capture some of the good time feel of a vintage Grateful Dead show, the event will feature select vendors, artists, crafters, door prizes and silent auctions, good food and drink, and, because this will be a family-friendly event, a clown, magician, and face painting (so parents don’t need to stay home worrying that the kids would be bored). The organizers promise some more surprises will be added to the bill as the date gets closer. The appeal should be broad as the music will be varied, the attractions were picked to delight, and the goal is to bring a unique experience to Bowling Green at a very reasonable price (kids 12 and under get in free).

The Son Rhea Foundation provides musical equipment/instruments to South Central Kentucky school band members who can’t afford to purchase or rent their instrument. They have also provided funding and/or equipment to school music programs threatened by budget cuts. During its’ 10-year existence it has donated over $200,000 to area schools (Warren County and all the surrounding counties). I asked Son Rhea president Tony Lindsey for his thoughts on the event and his foundation. He said “First I’d like to give due credit to event organizers Matt Pfefferkorn and Chuck Lauth. They are working very hard to put on a great event, and from what I can see they are succeeding”. As for Son Rhea, Lindsey said “It’s a great charity because all the money stays local to support South Central Kentucky student musicians. We like to hold these events locally and keep the money raised right here. Anyone who wants to help can go to our website and make a donation, and get a great CD of fine local music in return”. The website is www.sonrhea.com. 

Organizers Matt Pfefferkorn (who airs the weekly radio program “Dead Air” on D93 (WDNS-FM) every Sunday at 5 PM) and Chuck Lauth (the man with the memory) are both long-time Deadheads. They are also thrilled at and thankful for the response local businesses have had to the idea. The list of sponsors includes the title sponsor, Bluegrass Cellular, along with Harley Davidson of Bowling Green, Great Escapes Records and Comics, The Nutrition Center, Alan Simpson Attorney at Law, Professional Tax Service, Royal Music, JC Kirby & Son Funeral Home, and Fruit of the Loom. Many other businesses are participating as sponsors.

The organizers say this event is not just a Grateful Dead tribute show, and it looks like that’s correct. Sure, they expect it to draw Deadheads, motorcycle enthusiasts, and old hippies or hippies at heart. But they also think it will appeal to folkies, music students and their parents, supporters of the Son Rhea Organization (both old and new), supporters of local art, crafters, young adults (there is a growing number of young music lovers rediscovering the music of their parents, and even grandparents), and anyone who likes to dance and/or enjoys various genres of good music. It makes perfect sense to me. Lauth stated “We wanted to put on a show that would appeal to everyone, not just Deadheads. We feel the mix of bands we have, the cause we are supporting, the vendors, artists and crafters who are coming, and the children’s attractions will provide something for everyone.” He also commented “It’s all about music – the music we are presenting at the event, the music in our schools, and the young musicians just beginning or honing their chosen skill. We need to keep them equipped with the tools they need”. Pfefferkorn added “Much like the spirit of a Grateful Dead show, we feel like we have brought in every element that captures the essence of the Grateful Dead.  From the diverse acts that we have playing to the vendors that are selling their craft, and above all, the Son Rhea Foundation charity, it’s all in the spirit of The Grateful Dead.  This is an opportunity to celebrate and educate two things that Jerry Garcia had always believed in, playing music and helping people”.

Because Garcia’s birthday is August 1 and he died on August 9th, this event will always be held near the beginning of August. That means the timing is perfect for summertime music festival lovers. There are many people who like to travel from one festival to another to get a taste of the local flavor and everything a town has to offer. Because of that, the event is being promoted not just in Bowling Green but in other Kentucky cities and in Nashville, TN. So it may be a great place to meet new people and maybe even make new friends. If all goes well with this inaugural event, the organizers hope to make it an annual affair. And that couldn’t be a bad thing for Bowling Green.

So save the date, mark your calendar, and come out to support this great cause and have a great time doing it. For complete information please go to www.gratefulgathering.com. It has all the details, including ticket pricing and purchasing options, and it will be updated as new information is available.

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