Cole Christensen's review of the Downtown County Band
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Cole Christensen, of the Sentinel-Tribune, of Bowling Green, Oh Jan. 30th, 2007
Cole Christensen'...Cole Christensen, of the Sentinel-Tribune, of Bowling Green, Oh Jan. 30th, 2007
Cole Christensen's review of the Downtown County Band
My, what a difference a year can make. Little more than 12 months after my first encounter with The Downtown County Band was sort of like walking into a proverbial time machine, simultaneously taking me back to the future of old-time tunes coming from a new-time band. How long have these guys been together? That was the question floating around the Madison Theater in Covington on Saturday night, and indeed a relative one for those skeptics who just couldn't believe these boys have only been playing off and on for less than a year.
The first time I heard the DCB was a dancing affair in a nice old cabin in the middle of nowhere Owenton, KY, where there was more than enough musical resonation in the old-aged rafters to fill my soul. Nothing serious, just three friends playing for the joy of it. This time around they played the big stage in Covington, with the shining lights, fancy tables, expensive drinks and some sort of dinner party going on upstairs, and once again they resonated.
It can't be easy to open up for a band with a name like "The Comet Bluegrass Allstars" but the DCB did it in fine fashion, apparently just like they have been doing all over the greater Kentucky area this past year, by blending the new and the old seamlessly. Ancient cuts like "Saint James Infirmary Blues," "K.C. Moan" and "Old Joe Clark" were fused with new arrivals like Wes Petzinger's poetic "Coconut Tree" blurring the lines between public domain and contemporary composition.
Keith Clifton's subtle three-finger banjo style mixes the best of finger-style guitar and old-time claw-hammer banjo into an expressive hybrid that sounds all the more aesthetic on that 100 year-old instrument. Dan Atkins' touching tremolo and phrasing on his mandolin runs and fills match the melodic strength of Clifton's work, while Petzinger's consistent, rhythmic guitar completes the trio.
But, the strength of this group rests in the singin' as much as the pickin'.
I especially like Atkins' rough-and-tumble vocals on the bluesy cuts like "In My Time of Dyin'" and "Saint James." One question, how does a man in his 30's get his voice to sound so full of the blues? Maybe it's the water in Frankfort or something, no matter, he was born to sing those songs. Petzinger's feathery tenor voice fills the stage, I mean fills it, and adds a great contrast to Atkins' singing. Sometimes I wonder if he even needs a microphone, especially on the solos like "Stealin'" and "You Gonna Quit Me."
I hope the boys keep harvesting the crop of wonderful old songs that provide such a perfect vehicle for their musical mantra and all-to-often get passed over by other bands. Just the same, I hope they keep penning new ones with that same old time flair. If you love old-time music with a subtle-soft touch than this is the band to see. No stage antics, no show-boat solos and no punch-in-the-mouth fiddle overshadowing the rest of the instruments. Just good time music with the promise of more good times to come.
Cole Christensen
Bowling Green, Ohio
Band with local ties rooted in jug, folk styles
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The News-Herald, of Owenton, Ky June 13th, 2007
Band with local ties rooted in jug, folk styles
...The News-Herald, of Owenton, Ky June 13th, 2007
Band with local ties rooted in jug, folk styles
It seems to be a recipe for success. Take an acoustic guitar, and add a fiddle, mandolin and banjo for good measure. Dab some blues here, a little jug music there. Toss in some folk, and maybe a pinch of 1920s upbeat tunes — just for fun. Throw in four boys. Age for about 10 months, and let it go. That’s the story of The Downtown County Band, a four-member string ensemble featuring the talents of two Owen County boys and two from neighboring Franklin County. Not even a year-old, the band has a summer packed full of shows, including a one-hour performance this past Friday night at the 10th annual Relay for Life event at the Owen County High School track. “They’re upbeat and peppy, yet still keep it very small town,” said Emily Horton Friday night at Relay. Horton, a fan of the band, saw the group when they performed at Hideaway Saloon in Louisville last September. The group has performed in Lexington, Cincinnati, Bowling Green — all across the state. And sometimes they have multiple gigs in multiple cities on the same day. Last Friday, for example, the DCB played at the American Founder’s Bank festivities in Lexington for three hours before heading to Owenton where they played until midnight. Bright and early the next morning, the group was back in Lexington and traveling to Cincinnati for a private party by Saturday night. “We go where we’re wanted,” admitted Dan Atkins, 36, the man on the mandolin and vocals. And the fan base is getting bigger, the four boast. “We have little pockets of followers, and of course, our close friends and family who always come and support us,” said Wes Petzinger, 29, the guy on guitar and vocals. Keith Clifton, 26, does his own thing on the open back banjo, and Sam McWilliams, 16, saws the fiddle.
Band beginnings
Dan, who was (and still is) dating Wes’ sister, Ellie, started hanging out with Wes in Monterey. The two had an appreciation of folk music and played around on the guitar. Wes played the saxophone in high school, but the acoustic guitar “had a special appeal,” he said. Likewise, Dan played the guitar for years and was interested in learning how to play the mandolin. Then about two years ago, Keith, one of Wes’ high school buddies, started coming over, and the idea of forming a folk band germinated. The three shared an appreciation of roots music and wanted to learn how to play it. To keep with the image, Keith decided to pick up the banjo. “It’s an essential part of medicine show bands,” Keith said. All three started practicing their new instruments, and by last August, they were performing at open mic shows in Frankfort. They weren’t overly concerned about naming the band, though. “We figured it would happen on its own,” Wes said. When a man at the open mic show said, “You all are just like a downtown county band,” Wes knew it was the perfect name for their group. “We all live out in the county but come downtown to perform,” Wes said. The band meets once or twice a week at Wes’ house in Monterey. “You literally have to drive across a creek to get there, so no one really bothers us,” Wes said.
Sam joins the group
Sam, 16, is the latest addition to the group, having joined about a month ago. Dan knew Sam’s father and invited Sam out for a gig — which quickly turned into another show, and then another. “But it’s like he’s been here all along,” Dan said of Sam’s transition into the band. And while he’s 20 years younger than Dan, Sam’s got several years on him musically. Sam started playing the fiddle eight years ago, and can play the mandolin, guitar and drums.
“Americana” style
Dan readily admits that it’s hard to label the DCB’s musical style. It draws upon an eclectic combination of folk, Old Timey and jug band and blends it with a contemporary edge. “Americana,” Dan said. “That’s about the only way we can sum it up.” “We have people of all ages following us. I think that says something about the style we’re going for,” Dan said. “I think people are just looking for simpler music.”
They’ve still got day jobs
Dan, who has been a string musician for quite a while, generally books the group and keeps up the Web site. Wes, who says he’s more of a people-person, uses word-of-mouth to get people interested in the band. Keith designs flyers for the group, putting his college graphic arts degree to work. And Sam, well, he’s just glad he finally has a car to go along with his driver’s license. But the DCB is just a hobby at this point. Everyone else has a day job — except for Sam, of course, who just wrapped up his junior year at Frankfort High School. Wes is employed at Owen Electric, while Dan and Keith both work in Frankfort. Keith is a carpenter and Dan works his finger-picking talent as a systems programmer for the state government.
Future plans
The DCB has six summer festivals scheduled this summer, some as far away as North Carolina. So where will the DCB be a year from now? Dan hopes the band will expand into neighboring states, and Wes said he’d like to continue appearances in the festival market. Producing a CD is on the agenda as well. Keith jokingly hopes everyone in the group has bigger calluses by next year, too. The DCB is slated to open for the Katie Laur Band Saturday at 5 p.m. at Elk Creek Vineyards. Tickets for the June 16 show at Elk Creek Vineyards are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Price includes a barbecue dinner. Call 484-0005 for more information.
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