submitted by Ernie Small
The 3rd Annual Kentucky Acoustic Music Festival is scheduled for July 14, 2018, at the Capitol Arts Center in Bowling Green. The Festival will be an opportunity for music fans to support efforts to “keep the Capitol vital” and hear some great acoustic music. While recent efforts by the City of Bowling Green to revitalize the downtown area have focused on improvements to the Square, developing living and new retail space, continued efforts should be made to preserve one of its most important and historic downtown structures. Julie Milam, general sales manager with WNKY, sees the Capitol Arts Center as “the heart and soul of our downtown” and describes it as a “vital artery of the arts and entertainment” in Bowling Green. Milam reminded us that recent revitalization efforts need not forget the “re” in “redevelopment” and should include a focus and funding for efforts to help restore and renovate the Capitol Arts Center and preserve it as a vital and well-known downtown Bowling Green site.
Listed in the National Register as a contributing site in the Downtown Bowling Green Commercial District, the Capitol is now owned by Warren County and leased to SKyPAC to manage and oversee. A SKyPAC committee has been meeting to create plans for renovation, programming and fundraising. When asked what would help these efforts, SKyPAC’s maintenance manager Gerald White responded, “pack the place every night.” With this goal in mind, programs like Lost River Sessions has been using the Capitol as a site for their monthly concert series, the Capitol Movie Nights have provided movie goers a chance to see film classics, and the Southern Circuit has given locals a chance to catch some pretty impressive independent films. Help us find ways to ensure the Capitol Arts Center continues to be a part of our history and central to the downtown Bowling Green culture by attending this year’s Kentucky Acoustic Music Festival.
This year’s festival will feature three bands…
The Carmonas is a Nashville-based band that takes its roots-bound sound to fresh melodic and lyrical regions with cut-above song crafting, strong vocal choruses and ear-grabbing harmonies. The natural blend of voices of primary members and siblings Chad, Alison, and Aaron Carmona is what really draws attention to the talent apparent in this Americana group. The band blends a wide range of musical styles into a cohesive, original sound. With fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, and upright bass, one would expect a traditional bluegrass sound, but what you hear is something much more complex.
The Misty Mountain String Band from the Louisville area draws influences from old-time music, Americana, bluegrass and songs of labor and protest. The band does not stray far from their upbringings in Kentucky and Virginia. Formed as a pick-up group for an old-time camp revival, MMSB has evolved into a professional band that’s as at home playing with the Louisville Philharmonic Orchestra as at bluegrass festivals with Americana favorites. The group connects with fans of folk music around the world, sharing unique string band music written for today but informed by tradition. MMSB has a universal appeal with Neal Green/fiddle, Derek Harris/bass, Paul Martin/banjo and mandolin, and Frankie Leo/guitar.
And local favorites the Mt. Victor Revue, which of consists of Ernie Small on mandolin and vocals, Chris Durbin on banjo and vocals, Eddie Mills on electric and upright-acoustic bass, Joel Whittinghill on fiddle, Bob Zoellner on accordion and melodica, and Bruce Kessler on guitar and vocals. There is no way to put the Revue into any genre; they play covers from artists like Elton John and the Black Keys, along with original songs from the various band members, all with a bluegrass slant. Fueled by the diversity of styles and the camaraderie of the band members, along with their love of performing, Mt. Victor Revue shows are always lighthearted and fun. They’re like a box of chocolates – you never know what you are going to get.
Tickets are available at the SKyPAC Ticket office, by calling 270-904-1880 or online at www.theskypac.com/shows/.
