Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 27, 1994 TAG: 9406230010
SECTION: SALEM FAIR PAGE: 11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
ENTERTAINMENT STAGE SCHEDULE: 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
Friday, July 1 - Festus Gunslinger
Saturday, July 2 - Longrider
Sunday, July 3 - Thunder Road
Monday, July 4 - Blackwater
Tuesday, July 5 - 40 West
Wednesday, July 6 - Cheyenne
Thursday, July 7 - Hair Trigger
Friday, July 8 - Steel Coyote
Saturday, July 9 - Southern Rampage
Sunday, July 10 - Jim Devinney & Ironbridge
Festus Gunslinger is determined to be heard above the din of country music that is dominating the airwaves. The group has made its mark by showcasing an array of country styles, from traditional classics to today's hillbilly rock.
From the soaring vocals of "Restless Heart" to the blistering boogie blues of Hank Williams, Jr., the depth of their variety and the quality of their showmanship distinguishes Festus Gunslinger.
Their show not only entertains, but involves the audience in the festivities.
The more local band, Longrider, again offers excellent credentials. They have opened up acts for Ricky Van Shelton, George Jones and Waylon Jennings, just to name a few. Longrider is best described as high energy current hits, offering a repertoire of songs by Wynona, Joe Diffie, Reba, Little Texas and Martina McBride.
Thunder Road, from Richmond, was originally formed in 1979 and has since worked with Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker, Sammy Kershaw and Shenendoah. This five-piece band has developed a mixture of music that's bluegrass with the beat of swing, southern rock and classic country.
Blackwater is a Richmond-based modern country band that swings the spectrum from traditional country to rock and dance numbers. All five band members can take vocal lead at any given time, and Blackwater is known for its ability to take on different looks and sounds during the same set.
Blackwater was chosen for Miller's Genuine Draft program in 1992, and in 1993 they were chosen to be a part of the Miller Lite Network.
40 West: It's not a highway to the golden land, but a band that breaks all the rules of traditional country music to make a show work. Energizing music covers the gamut from Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt to Confederate Railroad and The Kentucky Headhunters. But they offer original numbers, too, some of which can be found on the first independent release, "Sell A Million."
Want to hear a band that takes pride in their own material, through writing, producing and performing? Then make it a point to see Cheyenne, whose originals range from driving country to soft ballads.
Their single release climbed to No. 1 on the European market; here in the United States, they've been on the Top 50 Southern charts. Cheyenne travels the countryside, gathering material as they go.
Another band from Richmond, Hairtrigger stays on the East coast, performing songs from one end of the music spectrum to the other. Eric Clapton and Vince Gill share their repertoire.
With Derek Crowder on lead guitar; Johnny Haney on bass and vocals; Adrian Duke on keyboards, flute and vocals; Keith Sutherland on drums; and Randy Waller on guitar and vocals, the range of '90s sounds is endless.
Steel Coyote delivers a unique sound with Kevin King, the lead vocalist and on the acoustic guitar and keyboards; Mark Brushwood as the lead guitarist; Keith McFaden on drums and back-up vocals; Danny Brown, also lead guitarist and back-up vocals; and Mike Riley, bass guitarist and keyboards.
Another band with boys who grew up in our backyard, Southern Rampage from Franklin County, consists of band members Steve Smith, lead vocals; Timmy Massey, rhythm guitar and backup vocals; Joe Pinlo, drums; Scott Young, bass and backup vocals; and Tom Adkins, lead guitar. Jim Devinney & Ironbridge sounds pretty steadfast and true, doesn't it? This is music you can count on, with 75 years of combined experience plus versatile musical ability.
Jim Devinney himself has recorded for CBS Records and has appeared on many TNN shows such as Nashville Now and Wrap Around Nashville.
by CNB