You can always bank on the Beatles, at least that’s what Barry Lee has figured out.
Last June, Lee, host of the weekly “Signal to Noise” on community radio station KKFI (90.1 FM), presented a fundraiser for the station. His goal was to assemble a group of local musicians for a tribute show. He figured there was one band that would attract plenty of interest, both among musicians and an audience: the Beatles.
“I guess some editor stumbled upon them,” Lee said. “It’s nice to know they were appreciated over there in the old country.”
More videos are forthcoming. Lee has organized another tribute, “An Evening With the Music of the Beatles” on Saturday at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. Anyone who attended last year’s show can expect some more of the same but some refinements, too.
“This year’s will be more of a ‘show’ than last year’s concert,” he said. “This is a labor of love by the musicians, all of whom love the Beatles but rarely get to play their music live. I think last year we really captured the spirit of their music, and this year’s show is going to be even better — certainly there were lots more rehearsals this year.”
He has enlisted a long list of local musicians. The house band will comprise Alan Wellman (bass), Darrell Lea (lead guitar), Eric Melin (drums), Dan Mesh (guitar) and Nate Holt (keyboards). Also performing: the local Beatles tribute band Vera Chuck and Dave, Kasey Rausch, Kim Rausch McClaws, Elaine McMilian, Mark Smeltzer, Jason Beers, Chad Rex, Joey Skidmore, Kirk Scott, Fast Johnny Ricker, JoJo Longbottom, Steve Wilson and “a special surprise” from Cody Wyoming.
Lee wouldn’t divulge any more surprises, but he recalled a few moments that made last year’s show special.
“We did some unusual things last year, like a set of Indian music by Vera Chuck and Dave, with tablas, sitars and other instruments,” he said. “It’s not often you get to hear some of the George Harrison Indian-influenced tunes played live. Fast Johnny Ricker surprised a lot of folks as well. He’s normally known as a killer blues player, but his electric version of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ last year got a standing ovation.
“We’ve planned a few more surprises this year as well, some interesting pairings and some arrangements of songs that rarely get played live.”
Saturday
“An Evening With the Music of the Beatles” begins at 8 p.m. at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut St. Admission is $10. The show is a fundraiser for KKFI (90.1 FM) and presented by Barry Lee, host of “Signal to Noise,” broadcast Sunday nights on KKFI.
At 8 p.m. Thursday on KKFI, several musicians participating in the tribute will showcase some of the Beatles songs and perform some of their own material.
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Big Smith bids farewell
Big Smith, the six-piece country/bluegrass band from Springfield, is calling it quits after 15 years.
Saturday night, it will perform for the last time when it opens for the Ozark Mountain Daredevils at Crossroads KC, the venue behind Grinders.
Bill Thomas, the band’s founding bassist, has rejoined Big Smith for its final shows. In January, Thomas suffered a stroke during a show in Fayetteville, Ark.
Mark Bilyeu, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, recently told the music website TunedIn: “Calling it quits has been on the table for some time. Making a living playing music on the road is challenging, even during prosperous times, but all the more so during a dip in live music attendance and the music business in general, and the music community has been in that dip for some years now.”
He said of possible reunions in the future: “We are family, and we all live in close proximity, so I think it likely that band members will end up sharing stages in various combinations now and then. But as for the combo we call Big Smith, it will be silent for the foreseeable future in terms of performing live or recording new material.”
It's cool to see that Kasey Rausch is involved with The Beatles tribute. I admit to falling under her spell when she worked at Recycled Sounds years ago. One of the nicest, loveliest people you could hope to meet and then finally saw her play live when she opened a show at Knuckleheads eons ago for Mikal Shapiro. She's so talented, yet we don't here about her as often as we do most other Local acts. Glad to see her included on what should be an interesting show. Also, it's sad to hear that Big Smith is calling it a day. I always enjoyed those guys live.
Posted by: Geordan | June 08, 2012 at 09:56 AM
You gonna hit this show Geordan?
Posted by: onthemark | June 08, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Unfortunately, I already have tickets for The Living Deads at Knuckleheads tomorrow night. I've never seen them before and have heard good things about them, so will finally get to see 'em live. If I'd heard about the Beatles show sooner, I would have probably jumped on it instead. Will also be at Knuckleheads for Hillbilly Casino tonight. That should give me my Rockabilly fix for awhile, and then I'm in for Lukas Nelson and Promise Of The Real next Wednesday. They impressed me when they hit Knux last year. Lukas can play the hell outta the guitar!
Posted by: Geordan | June 08, 2012 at 11:47 AM
I have seen both The Living Deads and Hillbilly Casino. Out of all the rockabilly shows I have been to over the years I will have to say that Nic Roulette, the lead singer for Hillbilly Casino has to be the most energetic singer and front man I have ever seen!
And I think you will appreciate the bass player for The Living Deads as well!
Posted by: onthemark | June 08, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Yes, the Living Deads played the Retro Lounge at that Band of Heathens show, wasn't it? She's hot!
Posted by: pellboy | June 08, 2012 at 12:34 PM
That's too bad about Big Smith breaking up. I always enjoyed seeing them play. If the show was at any other venue in the KC/Lawrence area I'd be there for sure.
Posted by: LiveMusicFan | June 08, 2012 at 12:59 PM
where's that guy who hates the term, spot-on hehe.
Posted by: jhnycat | June 08, 2012 at 01:13 PM
I went to the Beatles tribute show Saturday night. Very entertaining, very well done. Big crowd there too. One of the highlights for me was when the 'house' band played side 2 of Abbey Road straight thru, they really kicked ass!
Posted by: onthemark | June 11, 2012 at 06:57 AM
She's so talented, yet we don't here about her as often as we do most other Local acts. Glad to see her included on what should be an interesting show. Also, it's sad to hear that Big Smith is calling it a day. I always enjoyed those guys live.
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