Music? All Day!? Yep!

We love local businesses and local talent, and try to support them in the best ways we can. With that in mind we've selected a roster of musicians to play at The Party in the Woods who should be deserving of wider acclaim. You may not know them yet. We hope you won't forget them after they've raised their musical voices.

❖ The Empty Set-----2:00 - 2:45pm
I asked Lancaster drummer Steffy Schulz to describe what they do, and he looked worried that I might not understand how they could marry two somewhat disparate influences. Imagine Canadian stalwart prog rockers Rush and the post-hardcore and eclectic backstory of Coheed & Cambria tossed in a giant commercial dough mixer, and that comes within a good country mile of a description. Or an explanation. Or an excuse. But not quite. You'll just have to hear it for yourselves. It already sounds good to me.

❖ Shea Quinn & Friends-----3:00 - 3:45pm
I've known Shea since we were both about 18 or 19 years old and I'd go anywhere almost every weekend his old Camp Hill PA—based band The Pikers played, back in the late—'70s to early—'80s. I've been a fan of his enormous talent for 33+ years, and he kicked his visibility up a bunch of notches when he joined up on bass with Lancaster favorites The Sharks. Most local fans know of The Sharks win on MTV's basement tapes, too. For the past many years Shea's been playing countless gigs with his band The Luv Gods, as well as smaller solo, duo and trio shows; that's not even to mention the crazy packed houses whenever The Sharks get together for a reunion show. Regardless of which configuration you see him in, Shea's got performing all the way down into the marrow of his bones, and is always a good time. Who are the "…& Friends" he'll be bringing along to jam at our fundraiser?
That will surely be the surprise of the day. But I guarantee it'll be stone solid blast.

❖ Pistoltuckey Sweets-----4:00 - 4:45pm
From their Facebook page:
“The Pistoltuckey Sweets is a musical project that came together in May of 2013 with the collaboration of Cindy Lynn Mullins, Erin Ryan, Elizabeth Camplese-Baublitz, and Toni Annette Carran. A wholesome blend of acoustic guitars, bass, mandolin, and djembe, the Sweets bring a unique sound to a wide variety of surprising covers and original music. With influences of Neil Young, Stevie Nicks, Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, and Dave Matthews, their style transcends many genres and is, in essence, timeless.”

❖ Jason Gray-----5:00 - 5:45pm
A recent discovery for me, I found Jason Gray pretty much slaying the rest of the performers at an open mic night, early September 2013, at the Burning Bridge Tavern in Wrightsville. This deft acoustic guitar player and well-practiced singer songwriter sure ain't no amateur, and he had me by the short hairs by the end of his first song. As soon as he was done with his short 3-song set of original tunes I put my elevator pitch into high gear.
I had to have him play at the Party in the Woods. A quick walk outside to the tavern's front porch and he was sold. This guy needs more, and better, bigger venues. He's got a band thing going too...he and I both wish he could have done a double set—solo and full band—but schedules just couldn't allow it. But let me tell ya...the guy rocks, and writes good material.

❖ Matt & Carol Frigm|Sweetlife-----6:00 - 6:45pm
This married duo were hosting and playing the open mic night at the Burning Bridge where I first heard Jason Gray. I'd seen the name around for awhile, but had only first heard them just a couple days before that at The Symposium. Smooth vocal harmonies and Matt's acoustic guitar blend so well in their self-penned music, it's abundantly clear that they play from their hearts, and write songs taken straight from their adventures and tribulations as a long—married couple who still find inspiration in each other, and in the sublime beauty of the life that surrounds all of us.

❖ After 30-----7:00 - 7:45pm
From AC/DC to ZZ Top, with stops along the way to pick up Tom Petty, Tommy Tutone, Doors, Thoroughgood, The Who, Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers, these guys dish out some of the best popular rock this side of the Susquehanna. The band itself is a relatively recent assembly, but the players have all been working hard at it for years. Just as the sun's going down, After 30 will be cranking up the electricity.

❖ The Relix-----8:00 - 10:00pm
OK, I have to admit it. The two guitar players here are looong time friends of mine, from growing up in Mechanicsburg. Kirk Ramsey lived 3 doors down the street from me and has been sort of my surrogate little brother since about 1974. Kirk was the youngest of 3 brothers who seemed to just come naturally to musical talent. He started out on bass years ago, to support his brothers—Scott on guitar and Robert on drums—but has since moved over to primarily guitar playing. Blain Williams has been great pals with Kirk since they both attended Cumberland Valley High School. Blain came to guitar a little late, but caught on really quick He's a captivating lead player and front man, and one of the friendliest guys you'd ever want to meet. Grounding The Relix' fiery grooves are Kevin Payne on drums and Paul Conti on bass.
So what are you in for when these guys plug in and turn it up?
How about a modern, powerful blend of blues & rock jams, stretching out on songs by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix, Rolling Stones, and, well...that should be enough to set up the story. These guys never play the same show twice, and there's always room for some great improv...tunes wander out a little way, and then find their way back home. ALWAYS interesting to watch and hear what happens.