And just like that, May’s a memory. I apologize that I didn’t get out to as many shows as I’d have liked, but a trip to Denver for family plus a week out of town for work got in the way a little bit. That said, I still managed a few shows and promo shoots for the month and had a great time at each.
My first trip out was over to Mechanicsburg for the 2nd Annual Vertical 4 Life festival. Emcee’d by some cool guy named Matt Jameson (I feel like I’ve seen that name somewhere? LOL), it was a great day of music and raising money for a great cause. Haley Nelson kicked the day off. This was the fifteen year old’s very first time performing in front of a crowd, and she did fantastic! Solo acoustic performance paired with a soft and sweet voice, she performed a great variety of songs for the crowd. Coming out next was my buddy Dave Gates with his variety of covers like What It’s Like, Send Me On My Way, and (shockingly) even a Reggae tune or two like Jammin & others. Matt Jameson followed Dave with an energetic set that included Under The Table & Dreaming, Country Boy Can Survive and even brought Dave Gates back up to join him in a great cover of Copperhead Road. Hank The Buffalo followed this up with a number of great songs like Can’t You See, Simple Man, and even a (new?) original called Blue Collar Queen. After a short intermission where the crew of Vertical 4 Life were introduced, Steel took the stage with a powerful set consisting of songs like Rainbow In The Dark, Symphony Of Destruction and more. AJ Cassat then took the stage for a solo acoustic set consisting of songs like Joker, Folsum Prison and more. Headlining the evening was the always fantastic Colt Wilbur Band, rocking out tunes like La Grange, I’m On Fire, Gimme Three Steps, and an awesome Devil Went Down To “Nashville” mashup. On top of all of this, there was a bunch of vendors slinging food, drink and other assorted goodies. It was a great day for sure. Wendy & Sir Preston even joined me for the last few bands, marking his first festival which was a good experience. Check out Vertical 4 Life’s page for future events as they have a few more planned for 2025.
The following week, Wendy & I headed up to Liquid Noise Brewing in Marysville to finally catch the 176ers Dueling Pianos of Dr Nyce & Cagan Goldstein. Having known Dr Nyce for a bit now, I had high expectations for this one and I was not disappointed! The guys went back & forth on songs; sometimes playing together, sometimes solo with songs like Send Me On My Way, Pour Some Sugar On Me, All Along The Watchtower (which I truly believe Dr Nyce should include a recording of his incredible version of on his next EP!). Lots of jokes, tons of laughter, great beer and grub…it really made for a great evening.
My last trip out for the month, once I got back home, was sort of a package deal. Mark DeRose & The Dreadnoughts had asked me down to Wyndridge Farm for some promo shots, then asked me to also capture their live set during Wyndridge Farm’s Spring Fest. Who am I to say no to such a request? I’d never been to the farm before and had no idea what to expect. There was a ton of great food, local vendors in an outdoor market, craft beverages, Balloon Twisting, face painting & a Temporary Tattoo Station for kids, and of course music. I unfortunately missed capturing the opening act “Just Like Murray”, but from what I heard at a distance, they sounded great, and I’ll be on the lookout to catch then in the future. I’d seen Mark DeRose & The DreadNoughts last year at a private party and was impressed at the time, so I was looking forward to their set this day. The guys play a wide range of tunes with a sort of rock/soul/country/jam vibe throughout…songs like Shape I’m In, Midnight Rider, 3 Little Birds, and a ton more. They’re a blast to see play live and after hanging out with them for a few hours before their set, I can say they’re a group of good humans that I’m proud to consider my friends.
Like I said, it wasn’t as much getting out as I’d have liked this month, but every stop was a blast and very fulfilling. June is going to be a busy month. I’ll be hitting up Rock On The Hill music festival in Hanover, Waynestock Outdoor Adventure & Music Festival, and the Burn It Down Music Festival in Mechanicsburg. All of these have at least some tickets still available and I highly recommend any and all of them!
So there it is, my month of music through my eyes and ears. I want to once again thank all the bands, venues, and everyone else involved in our incredible local music scene for everything they do. Just a reminder: if you’ve got a show coming up that I should see; make sure to send me an invite, shoot me an email or a message, let me know about it. Venues: please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as well. The majority of the shows that I go and shoot I find out about through invites from all of you or your friends. Hit me up on facebook: @chrisriderphotography or email: chrisriderphotography@gmail.com, stop me if you see me and say hi. Until next month…go find some live music and give them and the venue your support, they truly need it. now more than ever.
