The Believers Play Oak Harbor Music Festival Sept 3, 2016

The Believers, featuring Craig Aspen and Cynthia Frazzini, are playing Oak Harbor Music Festival this Saturday, September 3 at 7pm. Originally from Seattle, they currently reside in Nashville and are coming back this week for the festival. They’ll join the rest of the original band, including: Dan Tyack, Stevie Adamek, and Garey Shelton.

The free, three-day festival begins Friday, September 2. The motto of the festival: “Inspire Our Community With The Power of Music”. Thirty bands of various genres are scheduled to play, and all ages are welcome. Food, beer, and arts and crafts booths will be available, too.

I’m looking forward to seeing The Believers play with a full band. Aspen and Frazzini played a beautiful set in Fremont in 2014 at private club. Check the review of that wonderful night here and see another video from The Believers: https://aplscruf.wordpress.com/2014/11/02/dusty-45s-and-the-believers-at-a-private-club-in-fremont-wa/

 

Dusty 45’s and The Believers at a Private Club in Fremont, WA

The Believers – A former Seattle duo, now residing in Nashville

On Hallowe’en, we said goodbye to a beautiful little private club in grand style.  It was one of those interesting, quirky venues that only a handful of people knew about.  We only saw a couple of other shows here, but instantly fell in love with its rustic beauty and great acoustics. It was a bittersweet evening, knowing that the place was closing for good.

The Believers, an alt-country band originally from Seattle, now reside in Nashville.  The duo (Craig Aspen and Cynthia Frazzini) opened the show and encouraged the costumed revelers to dance.  Their music was definitely dance-worthy and their beautiful, soulful harmonies filled stable-like space.

Take a listen and a peep of “Gimme Some Love”:

Heavy on harmonica, Aspen adds a dark and bluesy touch to “Let It Be What It Is”:

Dancers twirled around the wooden floor in colorful costumes and masks.  We felt out of place in our street clothes, but still felt welcome in the intimate club.  We knew and recognized a few people and met some new friends by the end of the night.

A variety of dancers, including an early appearance by Santa himself!

I asked Pat, “Who is tending bar tonight?”

“Snoopy.”

“Snoop Dog?”

“No, Snoopy The Dog.”

I wished I’d taken a picture of him.  You’ll just have to use your imagination.

A scary Swedish silent movie played on a wall next to the stage.  A BBQ truck fed the hungry outside in the courtyard.

During the intermission, they entertained us by inviting people to whack a cowboy boot piñata, full of tiny booze bottles:

Cowboy Boot Pinata

The unrecognizable Johnny 7 showed up as Frank ‘n’ Furter from Rocky Horror Picture Show with his girlfriend Little Nell:

‘Merica!

Next up was The Dusty 45’s, a Seattle treasure. Their claim to fame, besides rocking Seattle for the past decade, includes touring with Ms. Wanda Jackson in support of her revitalized career. Billy Joe Huels, founder and lead singer/guitarist/flaming trumpeteer, also hosts an annual fundraiser concert called Gimme Shelter to support DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center).  Other members of this amazing band have their own impressive resumes.  See their stories here: http://www.dusty45s.com/about-the-band/

More revelers packed the dance floor as The Dusty 45’s entertained us for about two hours.

The Dusty 45’s: Billy Joe Huels (lead vocals), Jerry Battista (guitar), Kelly Van Camp (drums), Robin Cady (upright bass), and Arthur Migliazza (keys)

 

Robin Cady

Jerry Battista

More Dancers!

Here is a taste of their original roots rock “Chase Your Dreams” which showcases each member:

The big finish usually involves a flaming trumpet.  I’m thankful Billy Joe only figuratively burned down the house!

Big Finish!