CFTC-The 2014 Finale

Concert For The Cause

By Lydia Lowe
(all photo's by Bob Hunter)

     The finale show for CFTC was one for the record books.  This was an event that will be talked about for months.  If you missed it, you missed a lot.

     Our grill-meister didn't show up to run the grill, so I enlisted the city security officer to man the grill and our homeless resident in Avenue A park assisted with the grilling duties.  At one point, as we were getting everything ready to go and finishing up the first round of free hotdogs for concert-goers, we were joined by a snake about three-feet long.  Out of nowhere a concert goer appeared and grabbed the snake up by its head and took off with it.  This ended the screaming up by the visitors center.  And people quickly got their appetites back.  

     The band load-in had started a bit late and so people were eating and drinking while load in was taking place and sound check was happening.  So between the free food and drinks, and then the appearance of the snake and our "snake whisperer" everyone was fairly well entertained.  Avenue A Park was filling up with folks at a fairly fast rate.

     The music began about 30 minutes late, just as it was getting dark.  This was perfect due to the fact that we had colored lights and this only enhanced their colors.  A storm began moving in but then appeared to move off to the north.  Katie Berry started the show, she looked fabulous and her voice was in perfect form.  She got the park rocking and rolling, and the concert off to a great start.

     As Katie left the stage and Soapbox Troubadors began prepping the stage for their part of the show, there was a quick clap of thunder, a few lighting flashes, and then came the rain.  The park emptied out pretty quickly.  The Soapbox Troubadors, however, subscribe to the adage that the show must go on.  So as soon as the downpour passed, they began playing and the park filled back up again.  Quite a few of those attending had headed over to the stage when it began to rain.  They were sitting and standing under the gazebo with the bands, getting a chance to meet the artists and listen to the music up close and personal.

     After the Soapbox Troubadors finished their set, once again, a clap of thunder, some flashes of lighting and more rain.  This downpour wasn't nearly as heavy or long lasting as the time before.  This time instead of the park clearing out, everyone went to the gazebo.  No one wanted to miss out on Morgan Wilk's return to the CFTC stage.  And Morgan delivered a terrific comeback show.  She was in fine voice and sang some wonderful original songs.  A hardy few returned to the grassy area across from the stage to hear her and even a few new folks showed up in the park.

    What an amazing night in Avenue A Park, with terrific musical acts, free food and drinks, and a crowd that refused to leave until the last note was sung.  They were not deterred by glitches with getting the food prepared, snakes didn't scare them off, the music was delayed from time to time, the rain came and went; the crowd hung in there.  I heard from quite a few people that they were so sad to see the season end.  But fear not, CFTC will return in June of 2015.  Check out the website for further updates.

Hunter Hayes-The Grandstand @ The Kansas State Fair

Photo courtesy of the Hunter Hayes Website

The Saturday Night Grandstand Show

By Lydia Lowe

     Media Day was this past Friday at the Kansas State Fair and one of the gifts that everyone attending received were tickets to the Hunter Hayes concert on Saturday night.  I never turn down a free concert and it doesn't matter if I know who the musical act is or not, I'm there.  I knew of Hunter Hayes and I knew he was a country act, but that was about it.

     Wow, did this concert and performer deliver a high energy show. It did not disappoint.  From the opening song to the end of the show, Hunter Hayes worked the stage and the audience.  There's an old saying about "paying for a full seat but only needing the edge"?  Those attending this concert didn't need the seat or the edge.  Most everyone was on their feet the entire time; young, old, it didn't matter.  

     It was hard to even figure out the demographic of the audience.  There were the teen and tween girls but there were women of every age group and lots of men in the crowd.  I don't know if the men got drug there by wives and girlfriends and were just making the best of it, but they seemed to be into the music, too.

     During the first few songs of the concert, it was hard to make out the lyrics.  It must have been some sort of technical difficulty which was remedied later on in the show.  Hayes played guitar: acoustic and electric, as well as the piano.  He has a wide range of music ability.  He pulled a girl out of the audience to sing with him, at one point, and she had an amazing voice, not to mention the fact that this was a high stress situation and she pulled it off superbly.  I was so impressed with her.  Hayes also took time to take some selfies with some of the girls down front. 

     Hayes sang his first #1 song for the crowd, Wanted.  I think that has just become one of my favorite all time songs.  It really made me stop and think about some things that have been going on in my life recently from a different perspective.  Isn't that what all art is about, holding up a lens in which to see life anew?  I was a bit confused by the fact that he followed that song up with a song made popular by One Republic, entitled Counting Stars.  I liked his version of the song, but wasn't sure why he switched from original songs to a cover tune. 

     During one of his songs light up beach balls were released into the crowd.  That was really something to see.  I thought it was a great touch and lots of fun, although none of the balls came my way.  It was fun to see them bouncing around down below.  I found out later that there were people who didn't particularly like the beach balls. In fact, one row behind me completely cleared out until the beach balls were collected up and put away.  

     This was a really fun, high energy show.  I'm so glad that I got to go to it.  If you haven't heard Hunter Hayes sing his #1 song, Wanted, check it out online.  It is worth a listen.  I can't wait to hear more songs by this artist. One thing that I thought was really great, at the end of the concert, Hayes thanked his band, of course, but he also thanked his crew.  Hunter Hayes is a class act!

CFTC-A Benefit for The Family of Liam Smalling

Concert For The Cause

By Lydia Lowe
(all photo's by Bob Hunter)

     The final concert of the summer season was held in Avenue A Park on Saturday.  Originally the evenings entertainment was to benefit Sterling Austism, but Sterling Autism stepped aside voluntarily and donated the proceeds of the evening to the family of Liam Smalling.  It was a beautiful evening to be in the park, at a concert, enjoying grilled food, soft drinks and water.  Autumn was in the air and a gentle breeze kept the concert-goers cool.

Dan Duntz of The Calm plays The National Anthem

     On this night for a rare treat, a member of The Calm, Dan Duntz, played The National Anthem to open the show ala Jimi Hendrix style on his guitar.  He did a superb job.  I don't think Jimi Hendrix himself could have played it half that good.  The crowd loved it!

Jess and Philly

     This Saturday evening's entertainment  began with a sister act, Jess and Philly.  The two sang a variety of songs, as duets and each sang songs on their own.  At the beginning of the concert it was announced that one of the performers had Autism.  You would never have known it, though.  Both sisters had marvelous, warm voices and their vocals were spot on.  They sang to a soundtrack of taped music and this added tremendously to their set.  Without the problems of having to worry about the quality of the sound, these sisters were able to just concentrate on their performance.  The crowd clapped and cheered after each and every song.

     Unfortunately, the headliner, Capital Avenue, from Nebraska, failed to show for their part of the concert. Apparently there was some mis-communication between the booker and CFTC.  Hopefully, this act will be able to perform during one of next summer's shows.  

The Calm

     Then it was time for The Calm, a group out of Wichita.  With tight tunes and even tighter vocals, this group delivered a variety of original hits that just blew me away.  Why are these guys not being played on the radio? The music is fine and definitely main stream material.  I wish they had brought some of their CD's with them.  I'd have bought every one.  This was music I wanted to take home with me and play over and over again.  I say this a lot but it was never more true than on this evening, their music was amazing. CFTC has got to ask them back for a repeat performance, I just can't get enough of them.  

     One thing that I found different about this group was that the songs would end abruptly.  At first I found this a bit annoying, and then I realized that what this was really doing for me was to draw me in, make me pay attention, and caused me to have a much more intimate experience with the music.  

     The concert was over far to soon. And so ends the second season of Concerts For The Cause.  But don't fret, there is a special Thank You concert planned for the Saturday after the Kansas State Fair, on September 20th. The grill will be fired up with hotdogs and there will be pop and water. Everything will be free, although if you would like to donate to the family of Liam Smalling it would be much appreciated and a donation jar will be available for your donations.  

     Mark your calendars now for next year; June, July, and August will see the return of the third season of Concerts For The Cause.  The 2015 season will feature new and returning singers and bands, and a variety of non-profits who need your help.  Plans are already underway for the summer of 2015 and it will be bigger and better than ever, and as always full of surprises.  Hope to see you there.

     

       

CFTC-A Benefit for The American Cancer Society

Kathy Withrow & David Vidal sing the National Anthem while Riley Withrow holds the flag

Concert For The Cause

By Lydia Lowe
(all photo's by Bob Hunter)

     It happened again on Saturday night when the non-profit didn't show for the concert.  Third Thursday was the featured non-profit for the evening but at 6:45 p.m. no representatives from the organization had shown up to work the event. 

     However, this time there was a back up plan and the folks from The American Cancer Society sailed in to rescue the concession sales for the evening.  Even though they weren't able to do advance promotion for their event, since they didn't know they'd be the non-profit, and the crowd was a little smaller than usual, the charity walked away with a tidy donation for their evenings work.

Riley and Kathy Withrow

     Riley and Kathy Withrow along with David Vidal opened the show with The National Anthem.  Then Riley and Kathy Withrow took to the stage.  They played for an hour and were spot on with vocals and music.  At one point I'm thrilled to say that they dedicated a song to me, one that I had mentioned to them that I originally groaned when Kathy had announced it at an earlier show.  But the twist that Kathy puts on this song when she sings it as well as her voice when she sings it, with so much emotion, has totally changed my mind about the song.  And the song is "From A Distance".  It's a new favorite of mind.  Thanks for the dedication, Riley and Kathy, it meant so much to me.

David Vidal and his cigar box guitar

     Then David Vidal took the stage.  David's show is always just like the man, unpretentious, straight forward delivery, original music with spot on vocals, and a variety of string instruments including his cigar box guitar. David's style hails back to the days of the traveling folk singer who was able to take everyday life events and elevate them to something profound and out of the ordinary.  His music calls us to re-examine our everyday lives. It's at times, uplifting, sometimes sad and full of sorrow and then we are redeemed, once again.  David is in the area right now and plays a variety of places.  He has some new music out, so if you can catch a show, do that, you won't be sorry. And please buy one of his CD's. the music is great and all musicians appreciate the show of support for their art. 

     Then Sean Story from VOS (Victims of Spotlight) took to the stage with two of his guitar students.  It was wonderful to see these two young people on stage playing and singing.  Both students displayed some fine talent that we may see again on the CFTC stage soon.

     The evening came to a close with Cymbal Sound System who performed several hip hop songs with a positive message.  Perhaps he'll perform again next year.  The crowd really only got a taste of his music so it's hard to know the amount of talent there.  But I'm sure this performer will grow his talent and maybe he'll return next year to perform at a CFTC show.   

Autumn is on the way!

     There are two shows left for the 2014 CFTC season.  Next week is the final show of the season and has been re-branded as a benefit for the family of Liam Smalling.  Originally it was a benefit for Sterling Autism but that group voluntarily stepped back to let the Smalling's benefit from the concession sales.  Then the absolute final show, the Thank You show of the year will be the Saturday after the close of the Kansas State Fair.  Mark your calendars now because you don't want to miss this one.  All the concessions will be free but a donation jar will be set up for those who wish to contribute to The American Cancer Society, although it is not required. Please join CFTC in Avenue A Park, enjoy free food and drinks and some great music as we say good-bye to the summer season and recognize the loyal concert crowd and their contributions to helping non-profits in Hutchinson.  

     Your dollars and change have been very much appreciated by all of the participating non-profits this year.  All of these fine organizations work within tight budgets, from dwindling grant funds or even solely from donations only, and your dollars and change made a big difference this year.

CFTC-A Benefit for First Call For Help

 

Stacey Sears of H54F

Concert For The Cause

By Lydia Lowe
(all photo's by Bob Hunter)

     The concert series may be winding down, but the musical acts and the non-profits are still just as hot as ever. First Call For Help was at the park with the barbecue grill up and running early,, as the bands began to fill up the back stage area and the crowd began to file into the park.

 

     On this night, Duffy McGee returned to the CFTC stage.  This was one of the most popular groups CFTC had last year and those in the park had turned out in force to get their fix of Duffy McGee.  The band's music is a mix of bluegrass, jazz, zydeco, country, and rock.  They played original songs as well as cover tunes.  Besides the usual drums, guitars, bass and vocals; this band also features a washboard which always reminds me of New Orleans jazz and zydeco; as well as a banjo which lends a country/western element to the music.  Hard to define but easy to listen too, that would be Duffy McGee, a perennial favorite. 

     Up next was High Five for Fisting (H54F), a group out of Wichita, KS. who classify themselves as an alternative punk rock band.  But they are so much more than that.  They played a variety of different types of songs and you can tell that the band as a whole has a wide variety of influences that feed into the music that they create.  Stacey Sears sings vocals and combining her voice with the tunes that the band lays down makes the group one to watch.  In fact, Stacy and the band opened the concert by singing "America". H54F has started playing Hutchinson on a regular basis, as of late, so if you didn't get the chance to check them out at the CFTC event, check them out when they play again in Hutchinson.

Inflection from McPherson, KS.

     Rounding out the evening was Inflection from McPherson, KS. Trent, one of the band members, also did the sound for the evening's event.  I heard the band during sound check and they are a heavy metal band, who is also a rock band who also defies description, and I mean that in a good way.  I wasn't sure what the crowd reaction would be like but the crowd was mostly positive.  In fact, one of the ladies working the concession said that she was so happy we had chosen them for the event.  Her son was very musical, playing and singing much of the same type music at home and it did her heart good to hear the tunes the band was laying down.  Hopefully, CFTC will have them back again next year.

     The season is winding down but don't forget that there are two more concerts left in August and then there will be the big "Thank You" concert the Saturday after the Kansas State Fair.  This is a great way to end the season with free food, drinks and as always the donation jar will be out for an individual in the community.  This year CFTC will be collecting funds for Liam Smalling's family.

     

CFTC-A Benefit for St. Vincent DePaul

Stevie Warren of Road 23 opens the evening's event

 Concert For The Cause

By Lydia Lowe
(all photo's by Bob Hunter)

     It’s amazing what a little promotion before an event can do to help a charity raise a phenomenal amount of money.  On Saturday, St. Vincent DePaul raised the largest amount of money ever raised for a CFTC Saturday in the park event.  The crowd showed up early, en mass, and the line for food and drinks never stopped.  It was one of the best events CFTC has ever held.  St. Vincent DePaul had completely exhausted their funds so this was a windfall that is going to make a big difference within the community.

Road 23 entertains the crowd

      The evening started out with a group from El Dorado, Kansas known as Road 23.  The lead singer for the group, Stevie Warren, sang The National Anthem to open the evening’s entertainment and hit every single note.  It looked to me like it wasn’t that much of a stretch for her, either.  Obviously she has put in a lot of time singing and practicing to make it look that easy.  The rest of the band’s set did not disappoint, it only got better from there.  The crowd was rocking out to every song the band sang, and the band, collectively, put their whole heart and soul into each track.  

The Brian Davis Band wow's the crowd

      This group set up a merchandise table, along with The Brian Davis Band, and had CD’s, t-shirts and various other items for sale.  The crowd purchased a variety of items and seemed thrilled to have the opportunity to do this.  I overheard a few concert-goers who mentioned that they wished other bands would do this so they could take home the band’s music with them to play later.  So having that merchandise table really helped the crowd connect more fully with the band.  I believe that it will also remind them of the band’s name so they can catch them again the next time they see the name advertised for an upcoming performance.

Brain Davis entertains the crowd; he's not really purple, we were experimenting with colored lights

     Following Road 23 was The Brian Davis Band.  What a group!  This band is a favorite around Hutchinson and the surrounding area.  They bill themselves as a Christian rock band but what I find interesting about this group is that they don’t just draw a typical Christian rock audience.  They seem to have the knack for meeting people from all walks of life where they are and then delivering a Christian message that everyone can relate too.  Truly a unique group.  One of the first songs they played for the evening’s entertainment had a bit of a harder edge to it.  Something different from the group on this evening and another one of their new songs not yet recorded.  The St. Vincent DePaul ladies up at the concession table as well as the crowd, were intrigued by the new sound coming from the stage and we weren’t able to see what group was playing at the time.  Then of course there was that unmistakable Brian Davis sound and everyone just knew then, and began moving and grooving to the beat on that one.  

     The Brian Davis Band always brings a lot with them to any show, and on this night they also brought the first band with them.  In fact, the crowd has The Brian Davis Band to thank for introducing all of us to the opening act, Road 23, as they met them at a battle of the bands event at the Cotillion earlier this year and asked them to play for CFTC.

Frankie Shayne of ZSP (Zero Self Project)

     ZSP aka Zero Self Project rounded out the evening.  Frankie Shayne has several projects going with several different musical groups.  Each one has a unique sound all their own.  I missed ZSP last year when they played CFTC.  I thought this group might be similar to the Soapbox Troubadors that Frankie also heads up.  I was so wrong.  This group plays a wide variety of different genres of music that all seems to flow together; everything from rock to country to Christian, etc.  Too end the evening Frankie even performed a song they’ve been working on, an original heavy metal screamer type of song that seemed to confuse everyone at first, then the crowd was intrigued, and a variety of remarks were made, nothing negative, other than a few members of the crowd thought he might ruin his voice with the vocals.  The crowd stayed until he finished that song because it was so out of character with the rest of the evening’s music that no one could leave until it was done.  Many were grooving to the beat and really enjoying the uniqueness of the song.

ZSP performs after darkness sets in over Avenue A Park

      The evening ended far too soon for the record number of concert-goers and they filed out of the park slowly and reluctantly.  Never fear though, CFTC will be back for three more concerts on Saturdays in August.  You won’t want to miss the final concert, a thank you concert for the crowd, the first Saturday after the Kansas State Fair ends.  This was one of the favorite concerts last year.  Find out more about the concerts, the music, and the charities by checking out CFTC on Facebook and the CFTC website.

 

CFTC-A Benefit for The Hutchinson Theatre Guild

Bob Colladay opens the show

 Concert For The Cause

By Lydia Lowe
(all photo's by Bob Hunter)

      It was an evening in three acts this past Saturday night at Concerts For The Cause.    Bob Colladay set the scene for the evening with The National Anthem as he sang the words to the song and accompanied himself on the ukulele. 

Jonathan Fleig

      From there the night transitioned to the first act of the evening which was a folk rock fusion of sorts as Jonathan Fleig took to the stage and delivered a spot on performance.  The early audience had come specifically to hear Fleig play as he has quite a following in Hutchinson.  Fleig’s voice has a unique quality to it and his performance is not the run of the mill type of performance that a person would expect when they hear the term folk music tossed around.  He peppers his tunes with scenes from his life, draws you in, and then plays a variety of folk and rock tunes, some original some not, until you’ve been completely taken in to the performance.  Your cares just seem to float away for that hour.  He plays The Metro frequently so if you missed him Saturday night, check him out at The Metro.

Colton Gartleman

       Act two featured Colton Gartleman from Victims of Spotlight (VOS).  He did an acoustic set without the band.  He’s done this before at various venues around town, although not nearly enough as far as I’m concerned.  The songs he picks pair perfectly with his voice and the way he plays that guitar.  Put that together with his overall look, and he had a lot of ladies in the crowd across the creek paying very close attention to everything he was doing.  Colton’s set ended far too soon.

Strange Night

    Then came act three, the final act of the night.  It was getting on to dark and time for some good ole rock and roll.  This happens to be the specialty of Strange Night.  They played a variety of oldies but goodies that the crowd could sing along with and they did.  From the crowd reaction to this group, I think they could have played all night and the crowd would have held their ground and stayed until dawn’s early light just listening to the music.  Crowd reaction even got an extended encore out of the band.  They held their crowd so well that it had to be announced, “Hey, the concert is over and it’s time to go home now.”

Diane Pettipas (vocals) created this shirt for the show; if you like it, let her know, maybe she can make one for you

     The Hutchinson Theatre Guild was the non-profit for the evening and it was one of the more successful fund raisers that CFTC has done this year.  The Theatre Guild and CFTC were both very thankful for the crowd and the donations raised for the cause.

Why shouldn't ukulele players decorate up their cases with travel stickers?

      Check out Avenue A Park every Saturday from June through August for another concert and another fine cause.  There’s music, food, drinks and fun, plus always some surprises.  You never know what will happen at a CFTC event.  

We nearly had a dog fight when a pit bull decided to follow some concert goers and their dog to the park