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The event features local musicians such as Eric Melin, Cody Wyoming and Erik Voeks -- plus a ton more -- and is a fundraiser for KKFI. Plus, it goes from 8 to 11 p.m., so you'll still have plenty of time to drink afterward. I caught up with Barry yesterday, and he gave me the skinny on it.
Tell me about what inspired you to put this together? How similar will this be to the recent tribute shows around town?
I thought of this last fall when I was doing another KKFI fundraiser at Knuckleheads. I had asked for and got a venue from All Souls Church and thought I should either do a new-era type of classical show or do a Beatles tribute. This was prior to Cody Wyoming doing the Exile on Main Street thing and Robert Moore starting his series. In fact, Robert and I had talked about doing something together at some point, so the Beatles idea became operative. After he had his series going, he was very busy with his tributes, so I decided to do this one alone. This will be more like a radio show than what you'd see at, for instance, a bar. Because of the way it's set up, it makes sense for me to announce each act before they play. It buys time to get them settled and get the sound right. Plus, I want the audience to learn who these musicians are. There won't be another time when you'll get to see and hear these particular artists play together. It will be a special night.
Can you talk about who's performing, and why they're a good fit for a Beatles tribute?
The first drummer was Pat Tomek of the Rainmakers. Huge Beatles fan. I started building the band around him. He recommended Alan Wellman as the bass player. Pat told me Alan knew all the McCartney bass lines. Once I got ahold of Alan, he was good to go. I wanted Darrell Lea for lead guitar. He's played in a Beatles tribute band for years called Vera, Chuck & Dave, so he was familiar with the material. He's also the most meticulous guy I know. Pat also recommended Erik Voeks, who I knew when he owned a record store out on 75th Street. He plays a lot of bass, but he's the perfect rhythm guitarist. He knows and loves the songs and sings great harmonies -- he's the glue that holds the band together. When Pat had a Rainmakers conflict and found he couldn't do the gig, he recommended Eric Melin, who drums with the Dead Girls and had been in Ultimate Fakebook. He knew the songs and is a Beatles true believer.
Do you know which songs and which performers will be playing them?
I let the performers decide what they wanted to play. This won't be a greatest-hits concert. There are some out-of-the-way choices. Steve Wilson picked "Happiness Is a Warm Gun," which you don't hear performed live very often because it's got tricky time changes. Most of the acoustic sets will be duos, with the exception of Elaine McMillan, who can more than hold her own solo. i've heard Cody Wyoming's and Eric Voeks' version of "I Need You," which has some excellent 12-string on it. Fast Johnny Ricker's playing on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is also intensely good, a highlight of the first band rehearsal. That song was my request.
Also, Joey Skidmore's going to do three songs with the band: "What Goes On," "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" and "One After 909." And Scott Easterday wanted to do two songs from the Beatles' rooftop concert, since he was born on that date. He's doing "I Dig a Pony" and "Don't Let Me Down" with the band.
Why at All Souls Church?
The price was right, and the acoustics lend themselves to acoustic music. Great place for a sing-along, too.
All proceeds go to KKFI?
Yes, other than some incidental expenses, it all goes to keep KKFI on the air. This is not something I'd want to take pay for. It's too fun.
I assume you're a huge Beatles fan?
Sure. For my generation, who lived through those times, the Beatles' music is part of our collective DNA.
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